strange vnto you to see your Nightingale continue some daies without eating For the cause why it so falleth out is because they are grieued for hauing lost their libertie and thereupon continue some time without eating or feeding of any thing some three daies others fiâ—e or sixe daies yea eight or ten daies whereat you must not maruel neither yet leaue off to feed them For there are some old ones which though they bee hard to feede become notwithstanding better singing birds than any of the young ones If peraduenture the bird will not take any other thing than wormes giue her a birds bill full foure times a day and three or foure morsells at a time and not any more because of digestion and when she shall haue accustomed to take the mixture of the heart with the wormes giue her twice a day onely that is to say morning and euening for to preserue and maintaine her And this is the order and course that yee shall take CHAP. XLIX To know if the Nightingale begin to eate of her selfe and whether she will proue good or no. AS soone as the Nightingale beginneth to sing it is a most certaine token that she eateth likewise alone There are some which make not any kind of noise or sound for the space of eight daies others of fifteene and othersome continue a whole moneth without singing If they exceed this time without singing it is to bee thought that either they are females or else that they will neuer be ought woâ—th They giue great hope of prouing perfect birds which begin to sing quickly and vse to cate quickly likewise by themselues CHAP. L. How to order a Nightingale which eateth alone and singeth WHen the Nightingale shall eate well by her selfe and shall sing you shall take away by little and little the paper wherwith the cage was compassed about euery day a little in such sort as that the bird may not perceiue it couering the place againe from whence you shall take the paper with some greene insomuch as that all the paper being taken away and the cage couered againe with greene leaues you shall by little and little accussome her to see the light For if that you doe otherwise you will bee the cause of making her to loose her singing either for disdaine or for feare which will not come to passe if you order her as hath beene said Notwithstanding that Elian in the thirteenth booke of his naturall historie â—aith following the aduice of Aristotle That it is hard to bring that bird to singing which is not taken in her owne nest Which opinion is found to be most false by ordinarie experience for very often it is seene that old Nightingales bâ—come more perfect and excellent than the other CHAP. LI. How the male Nightingales are knowne from the females MEns opinions and iudgements concerning Nightingales as namely to know of whether sexe they be are very diuers for some distinguish the coke from the hen by their grosenesse saying that the cocke is the grosser bird others are of mind that the cocke hath a greater eie some say that he hath a reddish taile all which opinions I haue found to be far wide for I haue had perfect good Nightingales and that a great number of them that haue beene very small and little â— as also hens with all those markes which are assigned vnto the cockes Wherefore for a more sure and certaine signe you shall rest vpon and trust to that which followeth That is to say when you haue a Nightingale taken out of the nest which shall begin to eate alone without hauing of it cramd into her and shall record diuers melodious notes from day to day contenting herselfe therein some time with pleasing and beseeming noises you may thereby assure your selfe that the same is a male But vnto this you shall adde certaine other notes as namely her quiet and peaceable abiding in her cage her standing vpon one leg only and to hold on the warbling of her brest which continuance is not to be found in the hen more than that she goeth hopping and whistling vp and downe the cage with a noise and song that is very much interupted and short I will not denie notwithstanding but that sometimes the cocke may bee knowne from the hen by the markes which some haue set downe before but this is that which I affirme namely that some are mightily deceiued by those markes and that by their singing the Nightingales taken in August are most certainely and clearely knowne and discerned And as for those which are taken in March the knowledge of them resteth not onely in singing but also in the lower parts of the sexe which the cockes doe put forth but the hens doe not for then is the time that birds doâ— couple together These therefore are the most certaine euident and infallible arguments whereunto you may trust and betake you selfe CHAP. LII Of the King of birds or the little King otherwise called Robin-Redbreast YOu shall vnderstand that the little king or king of birds is naturally very small of a daintie tractable complexion he singeth most sweetly and is not much inferior in this respect vnto the Nightingale He is oftentimes seene in Winter vpon the tops or roofes of houses or vpon old ruines on that side that the Sunne shineth and whereas the wind may least annoy him He is to be fed in this sort You must keepe him warme in his nest giuing him for his meate of a sheepes heart or of a calues heart minced in all points as wee haue alreadie said speaking of the Nightingale He must be fed with a little atonce and oft by reason of his digestion being carefull that hee take no cold and especially in the night For which cause you shall put him in a cage which hath some prettie prouision made like a little chamber trimmed with red cloth and made as it were a little hoâ—-house wherinto he may go in the night season and shun the cold all the whole yere Now when he shall be vsed to be fed you shall feed him with some heart well beaten and small minced sometimes you shal giue him of the paste that is vsed to be giuen to Nightingales which will do him no small good And you shal giue him sometimes flies to pecke for her greater ioy and speedier taming and herein you shall vse great diligence CHAP. LIII Of the Finch AMongst the fairest and most beautifull birds yea or rather the most beautifull of all is the Finch being no lesse delightsome to the eie than pleasant vnto the eare and yet there is not that account made of her that should because of the great number of them that is to be found They neâ—â—le thrice a yeare that is to say in May Iune and August Some are of opinion that those which are bred in the moneth of August are the best and amongst them those which are of the third feather
where the sitteth you shall place steeped Barly in such quantitie as that she may take it out of much water for shee loueth not to leaue her young ones for sometimes she will rather die for hunger and to the end also that she may not stand in need to stirre or rayse her selfe except a verie little for to feed seeing that thus her egges might take cold And furthermore call againe to mind that which hath beene said of the Henne you may also set Hennes vpon Geese egges and that with better suâ—cesse than if they had beene set vnder the Goose her selfe but then not aboue seuen or eight The young Goslings must abide tenne daies shut vp with the Goose and be fed within with Barly meale tempered with Honey Bran and Water and now and then with Letâ—â—ces and tender and new Sow-thistles after that with Millet and Wheat steeped and softened and at the terme of these daies to acquaint and accustome thâ—â— to the Medowes with their dame but let them be fed before they goe thither for this bird is so rauenously giuen as that through sharpenesse in their hunger they pull the grasâ—e and young sprouts of Trees with such force and violence as that sometimes therewith they breake their owne necks They must be kept from Nettles Pricks from the Bay tree and Mugguet for they be bane vnto them in the house from Wolues and Foxes Cats and Weasels Goslings intended to be fatted must be chosen when they be foure moneths old and then the fairest and greatest must be chosen They must be put in a Cowpe in some Cellar vnder ground or in some darke and warme place where the younger sort is to be kept thirtie daies and the elder sort two moneths They must haue giuen them thrice a day Barly and Wheat meale tempered with Water and Honey for the Barly maketh the flesh white and the Wheat maketh them fat and maketh a great liuer Some doe make them meat with new or drie figges and leauen and giue them drinke aboundantly vsing to rowle their meat all ouer in Brâ—n Others pull the feathers of their head and belly and also the fat feathers of their wings and doe also put out their eyes for to fat them Aboue all things you must not pinch them in their meat and drinke because they are great eaters and giuen much to drinke Thus you shall haue them fat at the most within two moneths The common meat of Geese is all manner of Pulse tempered with Bran and warme water Manie doe giue them nothing but Bran somewhat grossely boulted and Lettuces Succorie and Garden Cresâ—es for to get them an appetite and they set them this meat morning euening and at noone and for the rest of the day they send them to the Medowes and to the Water-Pooles vnder the custodie of some little small Iacke who may keepe them from going or flying into anie forbidden places as also out of the Nettles and Briers as also from feeding of Henbane which some call the Goose-bane and from Hemlockes which set them on such a deepe sleepe as that they die therewithall Ancient Writers haue not permitted moe than three Geese to one Gander but we doe freely allow sixe and cause to be taken from them the Downe or soft feathers on the inside of their thighes and the great feathers of their wings to write withall in March and September for the quils of the dead Goose are not so sit for all vses no more than is the wooll of slaughtered sheepe or those which die of themselues And seldome doe we see much fewer than thirtie Goslings in one roome howsoeuer our predecessors would not put anie moe than twentie together for the greater doe beat the lesâ—er and hurt them and for this cause they must be put into the Goose-house and kept asunder with hurdles in such sort as sheepe are kept asunder and they must haue new straw oftentimes and that such as is cleane and verie small for their house must be alwaies drie and oftentimes made cleane for feare of vermine And moreouer they are subiect vnto the same diseases and casualties that Hennes be and therefore they must be tendred after the same manner Which that I may not repeat I would haue you to search it out in the places concerning the same The Gosling though she be of hard digestion in as much as she is a water-fowle and also abounding with superfluities yet indeed the Goslings which exceed not two moneths old are verie much commended in the Spring time by reason of their daintinesse as the old are in Winter stuffed with great Câ—â—â—nuts her liuer also is of verie pleasant tast and eating The grease of Geese is profitable in this point if it be mixt with the iuice of an Onion and dropt into the eare it assuageth paine and draweth out water The Goose tongue dried and made into powder is good against the retention of ones vrine The stones of Geese eaten by an incontinent woman after her naturall courses doe not onely prouoke carnall copulation but also make apt to conceiue The dung of Geese dried powdred and taken in a morning the weight of one dramme with white Wine doth throughly cure the Iaundise if it be continually vsed for the space of nine dayes CHAP. XVII Of Ducks Drakes Teales brant Ducks water-Hennes small Ducks of the Lakes Swans Cranes Storks and other water-fowles THe Ditch or Fish-poole which we haue appointed to be in the midst of our Court and Straw roome may serue for the Duckes and other birds liuing in the water And neere vnto the said Pond there must be prouided for them a low roofe lightly couered for them to sit vnder in the night as also in the day as they please for as for any great diligence industrie to be vsed about these fowle indeed there in no such need except it be for the keeping of them from Cats and Weasels Kites Eagles Vultures and Serpents which are veâ—e noysome vnto them In the place of their haunt they must haue some Corne cast Pulse and the drosse of the Riddle or Sâ—arce must be cast about the edges of the Pond and also within the same to cause them to be pudling in the myre you 〈◊〉 also let them haue the libertie of such Ponds as you put your fish into which you meane to salt as also of the next Riuer as you doe your Geese notwithstanding it were good that some should see that they haunt or frequent not your Ponds with fish because indeed they will eat vp the small therein But in other points they need not so much attendance seeing for the most part they are nothing in loue with Gardens And as for their Neasts to lay in and to sit they make themselues and there is no care greater than this namely to know their haunt especially that of the wild ones in or about what place of the Ponds they vse
partie that should feed them And in Italie vnto this day they vse in places neere vnto the Sea shore to bring vp Peacocks in Islets somewhat neere vnto the Sea that so they may preuent such harme as the Foxe might otherwise doe them which was also the drift why our auncient predecessors tooke the same course but wee which make not so great account of them are content to keepe them in some roome ouer the Hennes euen in the highest part of the Henne-house for they loue to rowst on high and in an open ayre sitting verie often for that cause vpon trees but wee prouide them some place below whither to repaire in the day time This place must be kept verie cleane and looked diligently vnto euen as the Henne-house for this bird is subiect vnto the same inconueniences and diseases that Hennes be and must haue the same remedies administred vnto them The place of their abode and haunt must be strewed with Straw or greene Grasse for the Hennes doe lay but seldome sitting downe low as is manifest in that her egges are found oftentimes dropt downe from her vnder the Pearch and this happeneth by their falling from her as shee is asleepe These birds bring foorth verie well after they be three yeares old but before nothing or verie little The Pea-henne hath three seuerall times or seasons of laying in the yeare but she that is set hath but one and passeth ouer her other times in hatching and leading of her young ones She beginneth her first laying time at mid Februarie and layeth fiue egges one after another at the second she layeth foure or three and at the third three or two If the Cock and the Henne tread not you must bring them to it by such food and meat as wil set them in heat as with Beans rosted in hot ashes And to know when the Cocke is in the pride or heat you need no other signe than his viewing of himselfe and couering of his whole bodie with the feathers of his tayle and then we say he wheeleth When the Pea-henne sitteth she withdraweth and hideth herselfe from the Cock in the most secret place she possibly can for he ceaseth not to seeke her by reason of his excessiue rankenesse and lustinesse of nature and if he find her he beateth her to cause her to rise from off her egges and then breaketh them If while shee â—itteth shee be couered with a white Linnen cloth shee will bring forth Chickens all white and not of the colour of the Vine bud And to that end you may shut her vp in Cowpes or Houses ouer-layd or garnished with some white Cloth or Paintrie to the end that whatsoeuer shee looketh vpon while shee sitteth may be of a white colour At the end of thirtie dayes when the young ones are hatched and the Henne diligently fed in the place where shee did sit them as wee haue said of the Henne she must be put vnder a Cowpe in some place where the Cocke cannot come for hee hateth and hurteth his young ones vntill they be growne to haue a coppell vpon their heads and at such time as this is growing out of them they must be kept verie warme for then they be verie sicke and for the most part die You must feed the young ones the first day with Barly meale tempered with wine in manner of thicke pottage and for the thickening of it some put thereto soft Cheese well kneaded pressed and purged from Whay for Whay will hurt them greatly Sometimes they must haue Grashoppers giuen them their feet pluckt away Weesels Spiders and Flies for their Physicke for they driue away vermine naâ—rally so that there is scarce any found where they haunt After six moneths they eat boyled Barly as the dam doth and are suffered to runne abroad but euen then they must be kept from cold and raine for they chirpe and hang the wing by and by especially in this Countrey where they are hard to bring vp if they be not hatched by mid Iune for when Autumne doth find them verie young they doe neuer hold out Winter They which will haue the Pea-hennes to hold their three seuerall times of laying must set their first egges vnder Hennes that are great well gouerned and old and that in the beginning of the growth of the Moone that so the Pea-hennes may hold on their seuerall courses of laying And as wee haue alreadie said in the feeding of Hennes there must be put vnder the Hennes some fiue of the Pea-hennes and nine of her owne after the tenth day the nine Henne egges shall be taken away and other nine put in their place by this meanes you shall find by the end of thirtie daies that all will be hatched together And thus you shall vse manie Hennes at one and the same time And seeing the Pea-hennes egge for the greatnesse of it cannot be well turned by the Henne you shall turne it your selfe verie softly at such time as the Henne is a feeding and marke with ynke the place you leaue vppermost that so you may know thereby whether the Henne doe turne them or no for else you might possibly lose your time and labour and when all are hatched giue all the Chickens to one onely Henne and the young Pea-chickens to a Pea-henne and see that the Henne leading her brood do not haunt where the Pea-henne and her Chickens do come for so she would leaue her owne for the disdaine and iealousie she conceiueth in seeing the fairenesse and greatnesse of the others Peacocks are verie sicke when they moult and then they must be heartened with Honey Wheat Oates and Horse-beanes They are verie hot in the Dog-dayes so that then you must not let them want fresh and coole water and euerie Cock would haue fiue or six Hennes for change for he is grieued at them that are readie to lay and faileth not if he can to breake their egges The flesh of Peacocks is melancholike and of hard digestion but to make it tender you must kill your Peacocke in Summer a day before you eat him and in Winter foure daies and hang some heauie thing to his legges or else tye him vpon some figge-tree staffe because the wood of the figge-tree hath vertue to make flesh tender that is tough and hard The rosted flesh of a Peacock is well kept a whole moneth and looseth nothing either of his smell or good rellish The dung of Peacockes is verie soueraigne against the diseases of the eyes if it may be found but the Peacock so much enuieth the good of man that he eateth his owne dung for feare that any man should find it CHAP. XX. Of Indian Hennes WHosoeuer he was that brought vs these birds from the Island of India lately discouered by the Spaniards and Portugalls whether wee call them Cockes or Peacockes of India hath more fitted and prouided for the tooth than for any profit For they may
beene of all these seuerall colours onely the white is esteemed the most beautifull and best for the cie the blacke and fallow hardest to â—ndure labour and the dunne and brended best for potchers and night-men who deligh to haue all their pleasures performed in darkenesse Now for the choice of a good Grey-hound there are but two principall things to be obserued that is to sâ—y breed and shape Breed which is euer as touching his 〈◊〉 and generation for if a dog be not wel descended that is to say begot by an ex ellent dog or an excâ—llent bitch there can be little hope of his goodnesse Now in the breeding of Grey-hounds there are diuersities of opinions for some gentlement of the leash dâ—sire a â—ost principall bitch though the dog be but indifferent and suppose that so they shall haue the best whelps supposing according to an old coniecture that a bitch is swifter than a dogge but it is an erronious fancie for the good dogge will euer beate the good bitch and the good bitch will euer beate the bad dogge againe it is most certaine that the dogge hauing aduantage both of length strength and courage hee must consequently haue the aduantage of speed also I doe not denie but that the bitch being much lesse than the dogge as naturally all are may haue some aduantage of nimblenesse and so in turnes slips and wries may get much ground which the dogge commonly looseth but yet notwithstanding when the full account is cast the good dogge will equall all those aduantages and wheresoeuer the course shall stand forth long will beat out the good bitch and make her giue ouer There be other gentlemen of the leash which desire a good dog and respect not though the bitch be but indifferent and this is the better choice yet both defectiue for where there is any imperfection at all there nature can neuer be fully compleate To breed then a good whelpe indeed you must be sure to haue both a perfect good dogge and a perfect good bitch and as neere as you can make choice of that bitch which is most large and deepest chested for from thence springeth both strength and wind For the true shape of a good grey-hound because it is the very face and charracter of goodnesse you shall esteeme that dog which hath a fine long leane snakes head with a cleere bright eie and wide nostrells a round bending necke like a mollard with a loose thropple and a full falling at the setting on of the shoulders he must haue a long broad and a square beame backe with high round â—illets and a broad space hee must bee deepe swine sided with hollow bended ribs and a full brest he mast haue rush growne limbes before and â—ickell houghes behind a fine round full cats foot with strong cleyes and tough soles and an euen growne long rats taile round turning at the lower end from the leash ward and hee must bee full set on betweene the buttockes and lastly hee must haue a very long slender close hid pizell and a round big paire of stones The food which is best for grey-hounds as touching their diet is chippings or houshold bread scalded in beefe broth or other broth that is not too salt and after made white with milke or else the bones of veale which are verie soft and tender or the bones of lambe rabits or other scraps comming from the Farmers table In the time of coursing or at other times if your grey-hound be leane or out of heart the best meaâ—e to raise him is sheepes heads boiled wooll and all in water together with oatemeale and synage succorie langdebeefe and violet leaues chopt verie small together and so boiled to pottage vntill the flesh fall from the bones The best food when a dog is in diet for a course is to make him bread of wheate-meale and oate-meale mixt together and finely bolted and knodden with a little water whites of egges barme licoras and any-seeds and so bakt in good houshold loaues and giuen morning and night with new milke or pottage which are warme If the dogge at any time grow costiue you shall giue him tostes which are made of the same bread or of manchets and steept in sallet oile Grey-hounds when they are for the course must bee walkt forth and ayred both morning and euening exceeding earely as before day in the morning and verâ—e late as about seuen or eight of the clocke at night and when you bring your grey-hound home at night you shall bring him to a faire â—ire and there let him beake and stretch himselfe and doe you ticke him at the least an houre or more before you put him into his kennell You must haue a very great and diligent care that when you course him hee bee exceeding emptie as at least of twelue houres fasting more than for some small sop or bit or two onely to cherish or strengthen Nature A brace of grey-hounds are enough at one time to course either Hare or Bucke withall and two brace are sufficient to course the Stagge or Hind Much more might bee said of the natures of grey-hounds and the manner of ordering and dietting them for the course but this small taste is sufficient both for the farmers vnderstanding and to auoid tediousnesse Now for the hounds whose natures I haue alreadie in patt discribed and which hunt in great numbers or as it were â—lockes together you shall vnderstand that they are of foure sorts and disâ—â—inguished by foure seuerall colours belonging to the foure seuerall sorts of hounds that is to say the white hound the fallow or taund hound the grey-hound and the blacke hound The white are the best for they are of quicke scent swift hot and such as neuer giue ouer for any continuance of heate or breaking off because of the feâ—ting of the horsemen or the cries and noises of men keeping the turnes and crossing better than any other sorts of dogs are more to be trusted notwithstanding they loue to be attended with horsemen and they do feare the water somewhat especially in Winter when the weather is cold Those which are altogether white are the best and likewise those which are red spotted The other which are blacke and dirtie gray spotted drawing neere vnto a changeable colour are but of small value and whereof there are some subiect to haue fat and tender feet The baie coloured ones haue the second place for goodnesse and are of great courage ventring far and of a quicke scent â—inding out verie well the turnes and windings almost of the nature of the white ones saue onely that they doe not indure the heate so well neither yet the treadings of the horsemen and yet notwithstanding they bee more swift and hot and feare neither cold nor water they runne surely and with great boldnesse commonly louing the Stagge more than any other beast but they make no account of hares It is true that they be
senâ—ibly feele and obseru◠〈◊〉 bounds and approaches of Seasons howsoeuer out of course and extraordinariâ—â—hat they be If in Winter in the beginning of Frosts hee perceiue that the Birds haunting â—â—â—nding Waters doe betake themselues to Flouds and Riuers which are not so apt 〈◊〉 freese or that the Snow falling from the Skies is but in small and thin flakes if at 〈◊〉 beginning of Frost there fall some small round and white Haile if the littlâ—â—irds doe hide themselues in the Bushes and seeke for their lâ—uing neere to Townes â—nd Villages if the Fire giue a more shining flame and make a â—oter coale if that â—oollen or Linnen dipt in Water doe by and by freese if the vtmost parts of thâ—â—â—die become suddenly cold if in Winter the things which were wont to be moist â—nd wet are espied to become drie if the drops of Water comming from the rooâ—â—◠〈◊〉 Houses doe fall one a good while after another he shall hold it for firme that cold 〈◊〉 neere at hand or else that that which is alreadie will be verie violent and of long â—â—â—ntinuance He shall prognosticate the length of Winter when he shall see that the Oakes will 〈◊〉 full of Acornes or when the Ducke at the end of Winter shall haue a red breastâ—one or that the Hornets doe appeare before the end of October or that Caâ—â—â—ll â—hich goe together in Heards doe trample the Earth to myre Hee shall iudge great Summer heat to ensue if hee see that the Rammes and old â—eepe doe couple together oftentimes in the Spring for so indeed of the 〈◊〉 and temper of one part of the yeare a man may easily iudge what will be the 〈◊〉 of another for ordinarily if one part or quarter of the yeare be cleare fairâ—â—â—ather and drie it must needs fall out that the other should be rainie As for examâ—â—â— a rainie Winter doth commonly follow a drie Autumne in like manner a drie â—pring commeth after a rainie Winter and so consequently the other parts of the 〈◊〉 doe carrie themselues in Heat Cold Moisture and Drynesse Generally he â—â—all be able to prognosticate of the state of the whole yeare following the Progâ—ostications of auncient Fathers as concerning the day whereupon the first day of â—he Feast of the Natiuitie or New yeares day doth fall For if it fall vpon the Lords â—ay the Winter will be mild and cleare the Spring delightsome windie and moist â—ere shall be peace Cattell shall be at a good price all manner of good things shall â—bound old things shall die If it fall vpon a Munday the Winter shall be indiffeâ—â—nt the Spring in like manner the Summer windie and thundering in diuers plaâ—â—s the time of Haruest temperate Wine shall abound but not Honey diuers disâ—â—ses shall raigne some great Princes and Nobles shall die If it fall vpon a Tuesâ—ay Winter will be windie darke and snowie the Spring cold drie and moist the â—ummer windie and moist Autumne verie inconstant Women shall die there â—ill be great danger to such as are vpon the Sea vprores will happen betweene â—he people and their Superiors some Fruits will be deare If it fall vpon a Wedâ—esday Winter will be verie sharpe the Spring verie bad a good Summer and a â—old and moist Haruest Wine Corne and Fruits will abound if they be not spoyled 〈◊〉 men of Warre young folke and children shall die and Cattell likewise If it fall 〈◊〉 a Thursday the Winter will be good windie and rainie the Spring windie â—ummer good and Rainie Autumne moist Wine Corne and Fruits will abound â—reat Princes will die there shall be peace betwixt Cities and their Princes If it â—all on Friday Winter will be constant the Spring good Summer inconstant and Haruest time indifferent the good things of the Earth will abound Sheepe will diâ—â—n some Countries there will raigne paines in the eyes and there will some tumultâ—â—nd vprores be made If it fall vpon a Saturday the Winter will be darke cloudie â—nd sharpe the Spring somewhat windie the Summer moderate and Haruest time â—rie the fruits of the Earth will not be plentifull Fishes will be in great plenâ—ie â—here will fall out perils vpon the Waters great spoyles by wilfull 〈◊〉 will be comâ—itted and Warres will raigne In like manner according â—o the disposition of the Sunne and the twelue dayâ—◠〈◊〉 the Feast of the Natiuitie he shall be able to fore-tell the inclinations of yeares 〈◊〉 if the Sunne be altogether beautifull and cleare vpon Christs day the yeare will 〈◊〉 good and peaceable if vpon the second day Gold and Wheat will fall of their former value and price if vpon the third day Churchmen will fall at variancâ—â— if vpon the fourth day young folke will haue troubles if vpon the fifth day all goods will encrease if vpon the sixt day Gardens will proue fruitfull if vpon the seuenth day there will be great Dearth and Famine if vpon the eight abundance of Fish if vpon the ninth a good season for Cattell if vpon the tenth great heauinesse of 〈◊〉 if vpon the eleuenth great foggie Mists and Mortalitie if vpon the twelfth Vprorâ—â— and Warfare Wherefore if the Sunne shine in those twelue dayes and that conâ—inually all these things will come to pasâ—e He shall likewise prognosticate and fore-know the disposition of the whole 〈◊〉 by the disposition of S. Paules day which is the twentie fifth of Ianuarie for if thiâ— day be faire cleare and smiling it promiseth great aboundance of the fruits of thâ— Earth if vpon this day there be any Mists there will ensue great death of Cattell iâ— it Raine or Snow we are to feare a great dearth if it be windie there will be Warres and Seditions among the people He shall know how euerie moneth in the yeare will be enclined by obseruing the inclination of the day of the Natiuitie and of the Festiuall dayes following in such sort as looke what Weather it is vpon the day of the Natiuitie such Weather will follow in the moneth of Ianuarie and so consequently the other monethâ— will carrie themselues and answere sutably to the other of the twelue Festiuaâ—â— dayes He shall be carefull to foresee whether the yeare will fall out forward or backward if after Vintage there fall Raine especially before the end of the moneth of October the yeare will proue forward if it raine about the end of October it will proue indifferent but if it begin to raine shortly aâ—ter in Nouember the yeare will proue backward and then it will behoue the good Farmer to sow in greater quantitie for that before the mid time much of the Corne doth rot and spoyle in the Earth He shall not be ignorant of the tokens fore-shewing whether it will be a good or a bad yeare and proportionably to this he shall learne to vnderstand how Haruest hath beene gathered round about him and in neere adioyning Countries whither their Countrie Corne hath beene accustomed
with 〈◊〉 hand it may be done either in some faire descending ground or vpon the 〈◊〉 lands and either out of his trot or gallop as thus Hauing taken your 〈◊〉 backe and put him either into a swift trot or a swift gallop you shall on the 〈◊〉 chocke him in the weeks of the mouth and iert his head vp aloft 〈◊〉 him to shuffle his feet together and to strike them confusedly and thus you 〈◊〉 doe so oft till you make him strike an amble then you shall cherish him 〈◊〉 bring him to the smooth ground and there with the helpe of your hand 〈◊〉 firmely aloft make him continue his amble which when at anie time he 〈◊〉 to forsake you shall forthwith toyle him as you did before and then bring him 〈◊〉 the plaine ground chiefely vp the hill and there hold him to his pace which 〈◊〉 he hath gotten in anie reasonable sort he will naturally and for his owne 〈◊〉 seeke to encrease it and then you shall apply him at least three or foure times 〈◊〉 day and in one moneth there is no doubt but you shall bring him to that peâ—fection your owne heart can wish There is also a third pace which is neither 〈◊〉 nor amble but is called a racking pace that is to say betweene an amble and 〈◊〉 trot and though it and the amble haue both one manner of motion that is to 〈◊〉 taking vp of both legges of one side together yet this racking moueth much 〈◊〉 and shorter striking thicke yet seldome beyond the step of the forefoot This pace is of some reputed the easiest of all paces but I leaue that to euerie 〈◊〉 mans feeling Certaine it is that manie men take much delight therein 〈◊〉 there is no racking Horse but can trot and so in deepe and filthie wayes are able to make much better riddance of the way whereas diuers ambling Horses can by no meanes trot and so lesse able to driue through the myre or if they doe it 〈◊〉 with much toyle and foule dashing and myring of their Masters To bring 〈◊〉 Horse then to this racking pace the onely best way is held to be sore and 〈◊〉 trauell as much Hunting Running and such like and then when you feele yoâ—â— Horse begin to be a little wearie to hold vp your bridle hand and chocking 〈◊〉 Horse in the weeks of the mouth to make him breake his pace and to strike a 〈◊〉 which his wearinesse and the ease that the pace bringeth him will quickly 〈◊〉 him doe then to cherish and nourish him in the same and by no meanes to 〈◊〉 him past his strength or to make him goe faster than of his owne inclination 〈◊〉 is willing to doe for too much hast in this worke is the onely spoyle thereof And thus in lesse than a moneths hunting or riding of your Horse you shall bring him to a verie swift and most readie racke in which the Horse will 〈◊〉 so much delight that you shall not at anie time need to feare his forsaking 〈◊〉 the same Lastly for the bringing of your Horse to a cleane and good gallop you shall vnderstand that there be two sorts of gallopings the first stately 〈◊〉 aloft the Horse winding vp his legges high and gathering them round and close together in loftie manner and this is fit for great Horses which are 〈◊〉 vp for seruice in the Warres or for the pleasure of Princes and other 〈◊〉 Personages which take delight in stirring Horses which can leape bound 〈◊〉 behind coruet and other salts of like nature The other is a swift smooth 〈◊〉 and long gallop wherein the Horse stretcheth out his bodie to the vttermost length and carrying his feet neere vnto the ground swoopeth away swiftly nimbly and easily and this kind of gallop is meet for hunting Horses running Horses or Horses preferred onely for labour and trauell Now to bring a Horse to gallop aloft which is the first kind of galloping spoken of you shall daily vse to gallop him as his first riding on new-plowed lands which are deepe yet lye flat and withall you shall euer obserue to keepe a strait hand vpon his head 〈◊〉 the comelinesse of his reyne and by no meanes suffering him to gallop 〈◊〉 but the flower the better euer and anon with your hand rod and spurre raising vp his bodie and making him gather his feet vp roundly together for it is the pride of his reine and the flownesse of the gallop which brings him to the gallantrie and loftinesse of the motion Now for the other kind of galloping you shall vse a cleane contrarie course that is to say you shall traine your Horse vpon the plainest and smoothest ground you can find you shall giue him libertie of reine that hee may stretch forth his bodie and legges and lay himselfe close to the ground like a Harâ— or a Greyhound and this exercise you shall giue your Horse morning and euening after his water for then it is most wholesome and he the aptest to learne and doe as you would haue him Also it shall be good for you now and then to put him to the height of his speed for the more you straine him the more he coucheth his bodie and the lesse distance euer hee taketh his feet from the ground to follow the Hounds all the day twice or thrice a weeke or to giue him a course once a weeke of foure or fiue myles end-wayes are both verie good waies of training a Horse to this swift gallop because that length of exercise taketh the fire edge from a Horse and maketh him more temperate and sober in his doings whereas the heat and excesse of his courage maketh him praunce and doe things rashly and loftily Manie other obseruations there be but these few before rehearsed are fully sufficient to bring a Horse to anie pace the Rider pleaseth That Colt Horse or Stalion may be iudged to be good that is great thicke boned of a good shape hauing a small head and so drie as that there is nothing of it but skinne and bones small eares sharpe and straight but great eyes standing out blacke and cleane verie wide nosthrils puffscompassed vp and great small iawes thinne and drie his throat equally diuided on both sides a necke somewhat long and made compasse-wiâ—e being thinne neere vnto the head a short backe broad and somewhat shrinking downe like a valley his mane curled thicke and long and hanging downe vpon the right side a broad breast open bosled out and verie fleshie his shoulders great and straight his ribbes round his chine double his bellie round trusted his cods alike great and small his reines large and somewhat giuing downe his taile-long and tufted with haire thickâ— and curled his legges matches thicke of bone but thinne drie and bare of flesh high and straight his knee round and small and not wrested inward a round buttocke thicke thighes long fleshie finewie and strong a blacke hoofe hard high hollowed round good
A Linimenâ— made of Garlicke Salt and Vineger killeth Nits and Lice The decoction of Garlicke not bruised giuen in Clysters or applyed vnto thâ— bellie in manner of a fomentation assuageth the paine of the Colicke and expelleth 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 oâ— Liniment made of three Garlicke heads well powned and beaten in Swinâ— Seame Against the paine of the Teeth comming of a cold cause there is nothing beâ—ter than to hold in the mouth Vineger or the decoction of Garlicke or to apply 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 hâ—â—ting of young Fruit you must hang at the boughes of those Trees some quantitie of Garlicke CHAP. XXV Of Scalioâ—s SCalions are like vnto Garlicke in tast and smell but in stalke and fashion 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 Nouember 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 veâ—â—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 quantitie 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 endureth 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 couering 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 â—ut with vineger and mixt with a little salt helpeth Women that are in trauell 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 vnprouided 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 Summeâ— for it feareth not cold nor other iniurie of the ayre neither doth it â—â—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 notably 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
aboâ—â—dantly The best season either to sow or plant it is in the Spring time and it endureâ—h manie yeares without aid or replanting all parts of it is verie medicinall both the root stalke leaues and flowers The water distilled of this hearbe is good againâ—â— all Venimes or Poyson taken into the stomacke and also against all inward infection Itch Byles or Vlcers Then is Agrimonie of which we haue spoken 〈◊〉 Then Serpentar which is so called through the likelyhood it beareth of a 〈◊〉 and of it there are two kinds one great the other small It desireth a verie good earth and somewhat moist and may be sowne or planted in the Spring time The roots of this hearbe is excellent for all malignant Vlcers a decoction of the 〈◊〉 thereof is good for Womens termes and the leaues thereof keepeth Cheese long from rotting Then Onos which will grow in anie earth and rather in a barren 〈◊〉 a fertile and is best to be set of the root either in the Spring time or in 〈◊〉 It is soueraigne against the Stone and prouoketh Vrine speedily and a decoctioâ— of the roots thereof taketh away the paine in the teeth Then Cinquefoile which groweth almost in euerie place and may be planted in anie season the decoction 〈◊〉 it being gargled or held long in the mouth taketh away the paine of the teeth and heales anie Vlcer in the mouth it is also good against anie Infection or pestilâ—â— Ayre Then Sellodnie of which wee haue spoken before Then Staphiâ—â—â—â— which desireth a good ground yet euer to be planted in the shadow and that prâ—â—cipally about the Spring time It is good against paine in the Teeth 〈◊〉 and other Obstructions which grow from cold causes Then Goats leafe which will grow euerie where if it be not annoyed with wind and may be sowne or planted either in the Spring or in Autumne and is exceeding good for the stone Then ground Iuie of which we haue spoken before Then Tussilago or Colts foot which groweth best in watrie of moist places and would euer be planted in the Spring time or 〈◊〉 Autumne it is verie good against infection and against all straitnesse of breath 〈◊〉 the smoake or fume thereof being taken through a small tunnell in at the mouth 〈◊〉 cureth all infirmities of the lungs Then Salicaria or Lifimachus which receiued the name from the King Lisimachus who first made vse of that hearbe it loueth to be planted neere vnto Riuers either in the Spring time or in Winter it is good against the Dissenteria or to staunch bloud either being vsed in the leafe or in powder Lastly Vlmaria which loueth to be planted in low and shadowie valleyes a great 〈◊〉 more moist than drie and would be planted chiefely in Autumne The decoction 〈◊〉 it purgeth and cleanseth the bodie of all flegme whether it be sharpe or grosse it helpeth the Falling sicknesse the powder either of the roots or the leaues stayeth 〈◊〉 flux of the bellie or the issue of bloud and the distilled water easeth all paines both inward and outward Those hearbes which affect the North and delight to endure the blasts and â—â—â—pings of those colder ayres are first Gentiana of which we haue spoken before Thâ—â— Cabaret or Asarum which neuer groweth so well from the seed as from the plant 〈◊〉 asketh little cost in tillage and beareth flowers twice a yeare that is to say both 〈◊〉 the Spring and in Autumne it cureth the paine in the head and assuâ—geth the inflammation and anguish of sore eies it is good against Fistulaes the Gout and Sciâ—â—ticaes The powder of the root prouoketh Vrine and stayeth the menstruall Flux 〈◊〉 helpeth the Dropsie and putteth away both the Feauer tertian and quartane Then the Golden rod which onely groweth from the seed and would be planted in a good soyle in the Spring time it is good against the Stone or Strangurie it bindeth vp Vlcers and healeth Fistulaes Then the hearbe which is called Deuils-bit it desireth but an indifferent earth rather moist than drie and where the Seed often sayâ—eth there the Plant neuer doth if it be set in the Spring time It is good against bitâ—er griefes as those which proceed from choler and against pestilent tumors against â—ice in childrens heads and such like Then Betonie of which we haue spoken beâ—ore Then Harts-tongue which onely groweth best from the root it is to be planâ—ed in the moneths of March and Aprill in a fat earth yet the moister the better it helpeth all oppilations and cureth those which are troubled with a quartane Feauer Then the hearbe Dogges-tongue which desireth a light blacke mould yet but reaâ—onably tilled it may be sowne or planted in the Spring time it is good to cure the Hemorrhoids and easeth all Ach in the limbes Then Serpents-tongue which must â—uer be placed in a rich earth coole and moist for it can by no means endure the heat of the Summer it is best to be planted from the root in the first beginning of the Spring there is in it much vertue for the resoluing of Tumors and helping of Scalâ—ings or Burnings or other malignant Vlcers or anie inflammations in the Eyes Then water Germander which delighteth most in cold grounds enclining more to â—oisture than drinesse and rather fat than leane it flourisheth most in the moneths of Iune and Iuly yet in such sort that the flowers continue not aboue a day at most â—or as one falls away another rises it is best to be planted from the root or slippe 〈◊〉 the moneths of Februarie or March it is soueraigne against all manner of Poyâ—ons as Pestilence or the Dissenteria it prouoketh Vrine and the termes of Women it cleanseth Vlcers and reuiueth all benummed members Then Tormenâ—ill or Septifolium which loueth a darke waterish and shadowed earth yet that which is verie fat and â—ertile it is alwaies to be sowne from the seed either in the Spring time or in Autumne it is soueraigne against the Stone but chiefely it cuâ—eth Fistulaes and old Vlcers it withstandeth Poyson and easeth the paine of the Teeth Then Enula Campane of which we haue spoken before Then Persicaria which is oftest planted from the root in the Spring time in grounds which are rather moist than drie The decoction of this hearbe cureth all manner of bruises in Beasts where the bone is not broken onely by bathing them therein Also the flesh of Mutâ—ons Beeues Veales and such like is kept fresh manie daies by the vertue of this herbe â—nely being wrapped about the same Then Lyons foot which will not liue but in 〈◊〉 good earth fat and fertile yet somewhat moist and is best to be sowne in the â—oneths of March or Aprill it hath an excellent vertue for the healing of ruptures 〈◊〉 young children Then Eringo which craueth a good and well tilled ground and â—ay be sowne or planted either in the Spring or in Autumne it is good against the Collicke against Grauell or the
it will keepe a yeare or two without being spoyled if you gather them cleane and not mixt with anie filthie things hauing 〈◊〉 dried them a little in the Sunne vntill they haue lost their newnesse and freshnessâ—â— afterward drie them vp throughly in the shadow and put them not vp to keepe 〈◊〉 they be perfectly dried It is good in the Plague time to perfume the house with Rosemarie for the 〈◊〉 thereof driueth away the ill ayre The leaues and flowers are good against headach especially to stay the whites if a woman doe vse them long time euerie morning 〈◊〉 more specially to make the sight better if the partie that hath the weake sight 〈◊〉 eat fasting both the leaues and the flowers of Rosemarie ioint together with 〈◊〉 and salt euerie morning The flowers thereof made in conserue doe comfort 〈◊〉 Stomacke and are good in melancholike Passions the Falling sicknesse 〈◊〉 and Palsies The seed drunke with Pepper and white Wine doth heale the Iaundise and take away the obstructions of the Liuer The decoction of the 〈◊〉 thereof in white Wine doe comfort weake and oppressed Sinewes If you 〈◊〉 your head therewith it will make a hard skinne and comfort the little 〈◊〉 and also keepe the haire from falling so quickly Some doe make Tooth-piâ—â—â— of the wooddie parts thereof and those verie good as also Coales to draw 〈◊〉 first Lineaments and Ground-worke of Pictures and such other things to be painted The ordering of lesamine is like vnto that of Rosemarie saue that Iesamine doâ—â— continue alwaies greâ—ne and not so subiect to frost as Rosemarie and is much in 〈◊〉 quest for Arbors and Shelters and for the setting forth of a Quarter There may 〈◊〉 made an Oyle of his flowers infused a long time in Oyle of sweet Almonds 〈◊〉 in a bagge from betwixt a Presse which will be soueraigne to comfort the 〈◊〉 â—inewes and other parts of the bodie troubled with cold distillations and to 〈◊〉 the frets of young children Mountaine or wild Thyme delighteth to be planted or sowne in grounds 〈◊〉 some Fountaine small Rundle or Well and such as is ill tilled being drie in 〈◊〉 and full of water in Winter and thus placed it yeeldeth a great deale the 〈◊〉 leaues It requireth notwithstanding a ground that is neither fat nor dunged 〈◊〉 open to the Sunne and would be oft transplanted Sometimes it commeth of 〈◊〉 that is ill husbanded Mountaine Thyme boyled in vineger and oyle of Rose assuageth the headach if the temples be rubbed therewith boyled in Wine and drunke it prouoketh Womens termes bringeth forth the after-birth and dead child with Honey iâ— cleanseth the Lungs and helpeth the Falling sicknesse The decoction is good 〈◊〉 the windinesse swellings and hardnesse of the Matrix The perfume of 〈◊〉 Thyme killeth Serpents and other venimous Beasts and driueth away Fleas 〈◊〉 weight of a French crowne of the powder of Mountaine Thyme drunke with 〈◊〉 assuageth the belly ach and deliuereth the partie which is troubled with 〈◊〉 of vrine Penyryall groweth well either sowne or planted wherein this must be marked that if it be planted of the root or branches in Autumne it will bring forth 〈◊〉 and flowers in mid Nouember It being once planted continueth alwaies so 〈◊〉 it be well wed and pickt euerie yeare it must be watred verie diligently Penyryallâ—â— excellent good against the Dropsie for the Spleene Iaundise and furthering of womens deliuerance in trauell as also to bring forth the after-birth and to 〈◊〉 the termes being drunke with white Wine The perfume of Penyryall killeth 〈◊〉 and venimous Beasts A Cataplasme made of Penyryall boyled in Wine doth assuage the paine of the Sciatica Dill loueth better to be planted than sowne and craueth chiefely a ground somewhat warme but more enclining to cold If you would haue it to grow faire you must water it oftentimes When it is sowne it is not needfull that the seed should be couered with earth because it is not subiect to be eaten of Birds Dill hath power to take away Belchings and inward Gripes Vomit and Hicket and that onely with smelling to it to prouoke Vrine and helpe the digestion of the Stomacke it causeth a spring of milke in Nurses healeth the suffocation of the Matrix and ripeneth all manner of tumours Annise craueth a well batled tilled fat and manured ground It must be sowne in March and oft watered Euerie man knoweth how good and profitable the seed thereof is eaten in the morning for such as are subiect to the gripes of the Stomack and Guts to the Hickeâ— Belchings stinking Breath and which desire to haue a beautifull and comely countenance after meat it also helpeth digestion it is good for Nurses to cause them to haue much milke It also taken away the stopping of the Stomacke or Spleene it helpeth Collickes prouoketh Vrine makes a man apt to sweet and lastly keepes the bodie soluble Bishops-weed craueth such ground and such tillage as Annise which being once sowne doth lightly grow there euerie yeare by the seed falling from it it groweth chiefely in rested grounds The seed is excellent good against Wringings and Gripes to prouoke Womens termes and Vrine if it be drunke with Wine so that it be vsed but seldome for otherwise it causeth a pale colour The perfume doth mundifie and cleanse the Matrix and maketh barren women fruitfull if together with this suffumigation the barren woman doe take euerie second morning the weight of a dramme of the powder of this seed three houres before shee eat anie thing continuing it for foure of fiue times but in the meane time the husband must lye with his wife vpon such daies as shee shall vse this powder a thing proued diuers times Caraway is sowne in the moneth of May in a good cleane and manured ground in such sort as we haue said in the Kitchin Garden The seed helpeth Digestion prouoketh Vrine expelleth Windinesse and hath the same vertues that Annise hath being made into powder it is with good successe mixt amongst such remedies as are vsed to be giuen for drie blowes Cummin doth grow fairest when it is sowne in a fat and hot ground or in a ground lying open to the Easterne Sunne amongst the pothearbes for so it groweth better in the beginning of May. Some likewise say that for to make it grow faire and well it must be cursed and rayled vpon It must not be watered so presently after it is sowne but after it is put forth of the earth it must be oftentimes watered The seed taken at the mouth scattereth the winds which breake vpward it mendeth the inward gripes and taketh away the difficultie to make water as also the blacknesse of drie blowes the powder thereof being presently applyed after it hath beene beat verie small and fine and heated at the fire
Oliues a long time must change his 〈…〉 euerâ—e quarter of a yeare As concerning Oliues to make Oyle of they must be gathered when they are somewhat more ripe than those which are to be preserued and when as there are manie of them become alreadie blacke but yet not so manie as are white in other respects they must be gathered in such manner as wee haue said that the others should be gathered that is to say with the hand and when it is faire weather except it be those Oliues which by tempests and winds haue beene blowne to the earth and such as must needs be gathered as well because of wild as â—ame and house beasts There must no moe be gathered at one time than may be made into Oyle that night and the day following for all the fruit that is gathered in a day must presently be put vpon the Milles and so into the Presses But before that they be put into the Presse they must first be spread vpon hurdles and picked and culled as likewise that their 〈◊〉 and waterish liquor may runne out a little and spend it selfe for it is a great enemie vnto the Oyle insomuch as that if it remaine abide and stand with the Oyle it spoyleth the tast and sauour of it And therefore in this respect when sometimes the quantitie of Oliues is so great as that there want Presses and workmen to dispatch them you must haue a high and well-raysed floore where you must prouide partitions to keepe asunder euerie daies gatherings and these partitions in the botâ—â—me must be paued with Stone or with Tyles or Squares made somewhat sloping that so the moistnesse of the Oliues may conuey it selfe along the channels which shall be there prouided And thus much concerning the preparing of Oliues to make Oyle of it remaineth now to speake of the making of Oyle but wee will reserue that for the end of the third Booke where we will make a large discourse of the making of Oyles Finally there is a verie astringent and binding facultie in the Oliue tree for the decoction of the leaues in a Clyster doth stay the flux of the bellie the iuice pressed from the leaues with white Wine and Raine water doth stay all manner of fluxes of bloud the liquor which droppeth from the greene wood of the Oliue tree when it is burning doth heale the Itch Ringwormes and Scabs Oliues yet greene and vnâ—ipe doe stirre vp and prouoke an appetite being eaten and cause a good stomacke but they make the bodie costiue and are hard of digestion Ripe Oliues doe ouerturne the stomacke and make boylings therein they cause also headach and hurt the eyes As concerning the vertues of Oyle wee will speake of them in his place See more of the Oliue-tree in the third Booke Pistates require as great toyle and diligence about them as the Oliue-tree and would be sowne about the first day of Aprill as well the male as the female both â—oyntly together or at the least one verie neere vnto the other the male hauing the backe turned to the West for being thus ioyned or neere neighbours one vnto the other they beare better and greater store of fruit especially if they be sowne in a faâ— ground and well ayred and there you may graft them at the same time vpon themselues or vpon the Turpentine tree notwithstanding that some doe graft them on the Almond tree They may in like manner be set of Plants and the manner of planting them is thus You must make Pits sufficient deepe in some place where the Sunne shiâ—eth verie hot and chuse new shoots of the tree which are in verie good liking and â—hese bound together put into the Pits the second day of the moneth of Aprill afterward bind them together from the earth vp to the boughes and couer the roots with good dung watering them continually for the space of eight daies And after the â—odie of the Tree is three yeares old you must lay open the Pit neere vnto the rootâ— â—nd set the bodie somewhat deeper in and then couer it againe with good dung to the end that when the Tree shall be growne great it may not be ouer-blowne with â—â—eat winds This Tree was rare and hard to be come by in this Countrey before the most reueâ—end Lords Cardinall du Bellay and Reue du Bellay Bishop of Mants brethren and 〈◊〉 worthie of eternall memorie for their incomparable knowledge alone and 〈◊〉 all other Frenchmen had brought into this Countrey the knowledge not onely of 〈◊〉 which were altogether vnknowne vnto vs but also the ordering and figureâ— of strange Hearbes and Trees the fruits whereof we are greatly in loue withall and doe highly commend notwithstanding that as yet we doe scarce know themselueâ— But surely herein this whole Nation is bound to acknowledge an euerlasting 〈◊〉 vnto them for the same The fruit of Pistates as Aâ—icenne saith verie well not sticking at the scruple and doubt which Galen casteth in the way doe comfort the stomack and nourish 〈…〉 and this is the cause why they are prescribed them which are leane and worne away with sicknesse and which desire to be strong and mightie in performing the act of Venerie Citron-trees Orange-trees Limon-trees and Citron-trees of Assyria require 〈◊〉 like manner of ordering by reason of their like nature whereunto in respect of 〈◊〉 great tendernesse and incredible daintinesse it is needfull to giue great heed 〈◊〉 otherwise there is no hope of reaping any profit or pleasure of them And for as 〈◊〉 as they are best dealt withall and found to prosper most when they are gotten 〈◊〉 growne great from some other place it being so difficult a thing and exceeding toyle to make them breake the earth and grow vpon the seeds in this Countrey I will make a briefe discourse concerning whatsoeuer is requisite for the 〈◊〉 planting remouing and gouerning of them in our Countrey and Grounds And therefore to speake in the first place of the manner of transporting of them 〈◊〉 must thinke that these Trees get no good by changing their place but that they would doe a great deale better in their naturall and natiue soyle and ground when they were first planted sowne or grafted than to be remoued else whither Notwithstanding if it please the Lord of the Farme to procure them from 〈…〉 must doe it in the Spring time rather than in Autumne because euen as in 〈◊〉 the wood thereof groweth hard and solide being ripe and for that the â—appe 〈◊〉 to comfort it with his warme moisture by reason of his approaching cold so iâ— the Spring time on the contrarie they begin to bud by and by after that they are 〈◊〉 and planted and bring forth leaues yea and flowers if the Plants be great and strong ynough The way to transport them is in such sort to â—it the rootes with â—lothes or 〈…〉 that you may bind therein vnto
three or foure of the little eyes and be couâ—â—ed with straw for 〈◊〉 daies and watered euerie one of those sixe daies afterward let it be vncouered because by this time it will haue put forth and in the end of the yeare towards the moneth of Februarie you must cut off that which is put forth close by the earth and after that 〈◊〉 will shoot so mightily as that it will beare fruit the second yeare CHAP. VII Of the manner of making Siences for to plant FOr to make Siences of diuers sorts which you may plant and set â—â—â—â—ding as you shall haue need cut in the Winter some great tree if it begin to be yellow or vvaxe bleake and pale and whereof you 〈◊〉 haue increase saw off some stockes of the thickest braunches into â—â—â—choons about the length of a foot and make a furrow in some verie far ground and of that depth as that you may set your â—â—uncheons in them endwaies the earth cast vpon and courering them some three or foure fingers and prouiding that being thus 〈◊〉 in this furrow they may stand halfe a foot one from another couer them well and vvater them in Sommer if there be need and weed them verie well its space of time they will put forth â—iences which you may remoue when they haue taken rootâ—â—â— two or three yeares but and if they haue not as then any roots set them good and deepe into good earth that so you may cause their roots to grow And these â—iences will pâ—â— forth other which will likewise serue Marke it that all trees that put forth 〈◊〉 if you cut them in Winter they will shoot out aboundance of â—iences all which will be good to be planted The barberie redde corant and goose-berrie-trees are planted likewise in Winter vpon â—iences that come out of their roots and they must haue some hairy 〈◊〉 but and if they haue no roots there must some be procured to grow out of them CHAP. VIII Of planting of shoots of a yeares growth PRopagating or planting of Trees is fittest for such as haue beene planted of siences and such as doe put forth siences and small shoots from their roots for this causeth them to beare a more beautifull fruit and more aboundantly and more durable because they attract and draw a greater quantitie of iuice out of the earth For this cause Plum-trees Cherrie-trees Pomegranate-trees and all other Garden-trees that are wont to be grafted vpon wild ones would be propagated or planted for in as much as the wild one doth not draw such and so much iuice as the grafted tree doth require it is necessarie that it should be planted As and if a sweet Cherrie-tree should be grafted vpon a wild Cherrie-tree or one that beareth verie sowre Cherries such a Cherrie-tree would not continue and last long neither indeed will it beare anie sweet Cherries if it be not planted a yeare or two after that it is grafted and the reason hereof is because the wild Cherrie-tree draweth not iuice ynough to cause the tree to grow and withall the iuice which it doth draw is not so familiar or fit to bring forth and nourish sweet Cherries There are foure sorts of planting or propagating as in laying of shoots or little branches whiles they are yet tender in some pit made at their foot as shall be said hereafter or vpon a little ladder or in a basket of earth tied to the bottome of the branch or in boaring a Willow through and putting the branch of the tree into the hole as shall be fully declared in the Chapter of Grafting There are likewise diâ—ers seasons for to propagate in but the best is in the Spring and March when the trees are in flowers and begin to grow lustie The young planted siences or little grafts must be propagated in the beginning of Winter a foot deepe in the earth and good manure mingled amongst the earth which you shall cast forth of the pit wherein you meane to propagate it to tumble in vpon it againe In like manner the superfluous siences must be cut close by the earth when as they grow about some speciall impe which wee meane to propagate for they would doe nothing but rot For to propagate you must digge the earth round about the tree that so the roots may be in a manner halfe layd bare afterward draw into length the pit on that side where you meane to propagate and according as you perceiue that the roots will be best able to yeeld and be gouerned in the same pit so vse them and that with all gentlenesse and stop close your sience in such sort as that the wreath which is in the place where it was grafted may be a little lower than the sience of the new wood growing out of the earth euen so high as it possibly may be If the tree that you would propagate should be somewhat thicke and thereby the harder to plie and somewhat stiffe to lay in the pit then you may cut the stocke almost to the middest betwixt the root and the wrythen place and so with gentle handling of iâ— to bow â—owne into the pit the wood which the grafts haue put forth and that in as round a compasse as you can keeping you from breaking of it afterward lay ouer the cut with gummed wax or with grauell and sand If there be manie siences and impes in the plant which you would encrease multiplie and propagate and that all of them by hap or casualtie doe breake in propagating of them the remedie will be to set the tree straight vp and to couer the roots â—gaine with the earth that was about them before and which you had taken away and then to cut all the broken siences a little vnder where they are broken and to leaâ—e them so vntill another yeare when they shall haue put forth new shoots which the Winter following you may propagate but and if of all those siences there remaine some one not broken goe forward and propagate it cutting close by the ground some of the wrythen place and of those shoots which are not broken In propagating of them see that you lay good quantitie of the siences of your branches into the pit couch them there verie round couering them with the earth which you cast vp in making the pit after that you haue first mixt it with good fat â—ould and tread it downe by little and little aboue and looke that none of the said siences doe rise againe after you haue so troden them downe This being done 〈◊〉 right vp all the ends which shall come out of the earth and that so high as you can and to 〈◊〉 them rest for three or foure yeare before you furrow them euen vntill the 〈…〉 taken earth and be alreadie become full of hairie strings you must prickestickes about them for to handsome them taking heed that you breake them not Three or foure yeares after you must doe the earth
for thereby is hindered the growing of the graft vnto the parts which are vnder the barke I adde yet further that as men and women which are verie fat doe not beget or beare children because that spending the greatest part of their nourishment in the grosâ—enesse of their bodie they leaue no profitable superfluirie to make seed of in like sort trees which drop Pitch and Rosin spending all their substance and nourishment about the making of themselues great and thick they accordingly grow tall and thicke but they beare no fruit at all or else but a verie little and that late in the yeare before it come to his full ripenesse wherefore it is no 〈◊〉 for a stranger not to be able to liue there where the home-bred is scarce able to feed and maintaine himselfe Trees that haue a verie hard and solide wood as Box and such other or which haue a verie tender barke are not fit for grafting for the one by reason of their great tendernesse cannot hold the graft fast and close ynough 〈◊〉 the other through their great hardnesse doe wring and choake the same It is good to graft about the beginning of December or somewhat later 〈…〉 Ianuarie according as the weather is enclining vnto coldnesse or otherwise especially Hart-Cherrie-trees Peare-trees and such as beare early fruit As for Apple 〈◊〉 and Medlar-trees it is better to stay till from the end of Ianuarie vnto the beginning of March at such time as they begin to bud for they are not so forward as the other And at the same time also it will be good to graft the thicke-growne young 〈◊〉 betwixt the barke and the wood with late grafts or such as haue beene 〈◊〉 â—o the ground All moneths are good and â—it to graft in whether it be by graft 〈…〉 moneths of October and Nouember excepted but the graft is commonly 〈◊〉 in Winter as hath beene said at such time as the sappe riseth vp into the 〈…〉 they begin to bud for then the grafts doe grow and take a great deale 〈…〉 may graft likewise in Aprill and May if the graâ—â—s be full of little eyeleâ—s and that they haue beene kept buried and their tops out of the ground in cold and 〈◊〉 places It is true that the time of grafting must be measured and iudged of according to the countrey and qualitie of the Region for in a cold Countrey it must be later and earlier in a hot notwithstanding to speake generally of all 〈◊〉 the fittest time to graft is from the first day of Februarie vnto the first 〈…〉 May taking regard to the nature of the plants for such as haue most iuice 〈…〉 grafted and those later which are the drier the Pomegranate and 〈…〉 which alâ—hough they be drie will notwithstanding be grafted 〈…〉 in the yeare It is certaiâ—e that grafts must be gathered in the decrease of the Moone to be grafted at the same time of the old of the Moone or else in the new or when you shall thinke good alwaies foreseene that the grafts be gathered in the old of the Moone euen all the grafts that may be It is true that the graft and the bud doe take better in the new than in the old of the Moone for the Moone is the 〈◊〉 of sappes as of all other iuices marrowes and humours or moist things which sappes runne betwixt the plant and the graft and bind the one to the other being of more force and power in the new of the Moone than in the old by the like reason there is a precept to be obserued and kept in the matter of grafting forbidding to graft the wind blowing at South because such winds are sharpe and drying On the 〈◊〉 shoots must be cut in the end of the Moone if so be you will haue them to bring forth much more fruit for being cut at this time they haue their sappe drunk◠〈◊〉 with setled abode and by being notched onely they do not spend themselâ—â—â— so much as when they be cut off their sap then being in his full course and 〈◊〉 Notwithstanding we trie it daily by experience that the gathering and grafting of grafts may be done at any time of the Moone as we will declare hereafter Some hold them for the best daies to graft in which are the next three or fourâ— daies before and after the increase of the new Moone but their reason taken from the sap binding and ioyning together of the grafts with the plants and from the dominion and rule of the Moone ouer the said saps doth shut out the first part of that opinion it being certaine and true that the weaker the Moone is so much the 〈◊〉 also are those inferior bodies which she hath power and gouernment of To graft vpon the wild stocke hath more hold and is more durable than that which is 〈◊〉 vpon the reclaimed tree but the fruit of the reclaimed tree is of a better taste as likewise the fruit of the graft will be which is grafted vpon a tree which blossometh and flowreth at the same time and hath a liuing and moist barke and the reason thereof is verie apparant It is vsed to graft in the barke from mid-August vnto the beginning of Winter and also at such time as the Westerne wind beginneth to blow being from the seuenth day of Februarie vnto the eleuenth of Iune but there must care be had not 〈◊〉 graft in the barke in a rainie season because it would wash away the matter of ioyning together of the one to the other and so hinder it It is vsuall to graft in the bud in the Summer time from about the end of May vntill August as being the time when the trees are strong and lustie and full of sappe and leaues as in Iune and Iuly that is to say in a hot Countrey from the middest of Iune vnto the middest of Iuly but in cold Countries vnto the middest of August after some small showers of rane And if the Summer be so exceedingly drie as that some trees doe detaine and keepe backe their sappe then you must wait till that it be returned and then to graft thereupon so soone as the grafts are gathered without hauing anie regard either vnto the new Moone or to the old whether it be in grafting in the stocke or vnto the stocke It is true that is spoken that we can neuer haue hope of much fruit by grafting in the new of the Moone but in the old beginning the first day of the full of the Moone You may graft in the Cleft without hauing regard vnto raine when the time is good and coole as from mid August vnto the beginning of Nouember for the cap and warming stuffe which is laid vnto those grafts doe put away the wast and spoyle which the raine and blasting would otherwise bring vpon them It must likewise be considered whether the tree vse to beare timely fruit or not and so to fit it with a graft of
is a rule to stand generall in and for all Fruit-trees but as for particular kinds of Trees it is verie well knowne that euerie particular Tree craueth his seuerall 〈◊〉 particular soyle whence it may gather fit and agreeable nourishment for it 〈◊〉 as Theophrastus testifieth In like manner one desireth a diuers kind of placing and situation from the other Wherefore the trees which craue the refreshment of hauing their stockes taken vp doe commonly thriue better in valleyes than in high places as well for that their seat must not be altogether so drained of moisture as the higher places be as also for that the moisture which is in higher grounds conueyeth it selfe and distilleth into the lower and hollow whether it be raine or anie spring rising from thence In watrie places you must not make your pit verie deepe wherein you mean to plant your tree but in drie grounds you must set them somewhat more deepe neiâ—her yet must you heape too much earth in vpon those pits when you fill them vp againe that so the raine may the better stay about them and water them That which is commonly receiued as that in good ground there grow good fruits must be vnderstood with respect had to the naturall goodnesse that the fruit hath in 〈◊〉 selfe if both the industrie and skill of man to husband and keepe it neat and deliâ—â—er it when anie inconuenience presseth vpon it to drie and to season it so as that it may yeeld his fruit in due time be not wanting for these failing the fruit will likewise greatly faile of his goodnesse tast and durablenesse and so will falsifie the generall rule aboue named Set downe with your selfe to remoue your trees into so good a ground or rather better than that from whence you tooke them vp hauing respect to other especiall obseruations besides to be obserued according as will be required of the particular natures of euerie one And if it is be possible remoue them into the like situation for the receiuing of the Sunne-shine vnto they which they were first set and planted in and that you may not faile hereof marke their barke vpon such or such a quarter and set 〈◊〉 vpon the same againe in remouing of it But this obseruation as I must confesse is not alwaies kept for the reasons aboue named Also plant those of a forward Spring in a late soyle and a late soyle in a hot â—round The greatest part of trees doe delight in the South Sunne and to be seated vpon â—ome Sunnie banke from the Westerne wind as being verie contrarie vnto them â—specially to Almond-trees Abricot-trees Mulberrie-trees Figge-trees and Pomeâ—ranate-trees but principally from the North-east wind because it is sharpe swithâ—â—ing verie hurtfull for all sorts of plants euen to all fruits of what qualitie soeuer that â—hey be but chiefely when they are in blossome and that because it bloweth from off â—he Sea as also for that it is halfe North which is verie sharpe but not so dangerous 〈◊〉 the North-east and some say that this wind bloweth once a yeare as in the Spring â—nd that it spoyleth buds especially those of the Vine Vnde versus Vae tibi Galerna â—re quam fit clausa Taberna On the contrarie Chesnut-trees Cherrie-trees that beare 〈◊〉 sowre fruit Quince-trees and Plum-trees doe not much affect or sport and delight â—hemselues either with cold or much heat In watrie places trees commonly grow great and beare much fruit and leaues but â—hey are not of anie commendable rellish colour or durablenesse yea they beare â—ruit commonly the yeare they are set if they be accustomed to beare Trees must be â—et the thicker in a fruitfull soyle If you meane to plant trees in a cold place and that yet the tree should not be hurt of the cold you must plant them on the Sunnie side of the banke from the North â—ut towards the South CHAP. XXI Of the place and time wherein euerie Fruit-tree delighteth to be sowne planted and grafted in particular and first of the Almond-tree THe Almond-tree delighteth in hot places looking towards the South or East or where the ayre at the least is moderate as vpon the tops of hills or places neere vnto hills that are somewhat stonie and grauâ—lie stonie or marlie in which places it doth not onely flourish well being planted and blossome aboundantly but beareth therewithall great quantitie of drie Almonds as also hard and well-rellisht ones But contrariwise if it be planted in a moist and watrie ground and cold place it neither groweth well not beareth fruit well neither yet continueth long The fit time for the setting of it is about the Winter Solsâ—ice which is the eleuenth day of December euen vnto the end of the same moneth or somewhat after for the plant of this tree being forward and early in putting forth buds if it were planted in the Spring time it might let slip and loosen the time of the yeare which might be the fittest for the maintaining and comforting of his blossome If you would haue it to grow of the stone vnbroken and if I may so say of his seed you must let it be in Ianuarie and all Februarie in such places as are temperate or in October and all the moneth of Nouember in places that are hat And thus to cause it to grow of his fruit you must take new Almonds thicke ones hauing white shells verie porous and spongie and lay them in steepe for the space of twelue houres in honied water and after this digge them in the earth foure finger deepe the sharpe end downeward and after to water them three of foure times a moneth It groweth also of shoots and siences but the sience must be taken from the top of the tree full of pith sound of barke and cut vnder the knot And as concerning the grafting of it you must take the time of Autumne for as hath beene said this tree is a quick-spur and fore-rider but and if you stay till the Spring time you shall breake it off when the sience is fully put forth And for the chusing of grafâ—s that will take well you must take them vp on high and on the top of the tree and not from the middest much lesse from below and these grafts you may graft either in the bud or in the cleft and vpon a tree of his owne kind or vpon the peach or Plum-tree indeed the Almond-tree that is grafted is not of such growth or so â—â—â—â—full as that which is planted The good Farmer must plant and make grow great store of Almond-trees seeing they are not chargeable to maintaine neither yet their fruit to keepe but rather of greater profit and lesser losse than anie other seeing that euen vnder them Come will grow iolly and faire the Almond-tree hauing but a few leaues and those little ones The barren Almond-tree will become fruitfull and beare if you lay open the roots in Winter or else if you pierce
that so the ashes and small coales of fire may fall through to the bottome below the more easily and not stay behind to choake vp the fire that should heat the Still The vnderfloore may haue one or manie mouthes for the more conuenient taking away of the ashes which shall be gathered there on a heape but as for that aboue it must haue but one onely of a reasonable bignesse to put the coales or wood in at but in the roofe of it it must haue two or three small holes to giue aire and breath vnto the fire at such time as you mind to amend it Euerie one of the mouthes shall haue his stopple For want of a furnace or matter for to make one you may fit and set your Vesâ—ell Cauldron or Bowle vpon a brandâ—ith and kindle your fire vnderneath CHAP. LXIII How the matter must be prepared before the waters be distilled IT is not ynough that the furnace and instruments for distillation be made readie in such sort as wee haue said for the matter to be distilled must in like manner be prepared before that it be put into the Still This preparation is of three sorts that is to say Infusion Putriâ—action and Fermentation Infusion is nothing else but a macâ—rating or sâ—eeping of the thing intended to be distilled iâ— some liquor not onely that it may be the more apt and easie to be distilled but also to cause and procure greater store of iuice to be in it 〈◊〉 else to helpe them to keepe their smell or else to bestow vpon them some new qualitie or to encrease their force and vertues or else for some other ends as we will handle them in particular and onely one It is true that this preparation is not necessarie for euerie matter for some there are that need not anie infusion or steeping but rather to be dried before they be distilled by reason of their too great and excessiue moisture othersome content themselues with being watered or sprinkled ouer lightly with some liquor as is done in the distilling of drie Roses and Caâ—â—â—â—â—ll which are wont to be sprinkled onely with common water Some spread them all a Summers night in faire weather vpon a Linnen cloth to take the dew and after they be moist to distill them Such as are steeped and infused lye in the Sunne or are held ouer the fire the space of some halfe houre or manie houres a whole night a whole day two daies three daies one or moe â—oneths according to the nature of the medicine the diuers intention and purpose of the Physician and the present necessitie Sometimes we presse and wring out things which we infused before the distillation and making our distillation afterward of the iuice onely that we pressed forâ—h sometimes againe we distill the whole infusion that is to say both the infused maâ—ter and the liquor wherein it was infused Wherefore in this preparation which is made by infusion you must diligently obserue two things the time of the infusion and the liquor in which the infusion is made The time of the infusion must be measured according to the diuersitie of the matter for those things which are hard or solide 〈…〉 or entire and whole deserue a longer time of infusion than those which arâ— tender new or bruised whereupon it commeth to passe that rootes and seedes râ—quire double time to infuse the leaues and flowers a single and lesser time and so consequently of such other matter or things The liquors wherein infusions are to be prepared must not onely answere the qualities of such matter as is to be distilled in such sort as that hot matter and things be infused in hot liquors and the cold in cold but likewise the scope and driâ—t intended in the thing distilled which is the onely cause of the vsing of varietie of liquors in the making of infusions and these are for the most part Raine water Fountaine or Rose-water and they either raw or distilled crude or distilled iuices distilled waters Aqua vitae raw or distilled Vineger Wine raw or distilled Vrine Whey raw or distilled mans bloud Swines bloud and Goats bloud distilled or vndistilled For this respect things that haue small store of iuice as Sage Betonie Balme and Wormewood or which are verie fragrant as all sorts of Spices all sorts of odoriferous Hearbes all aromaticall Rindes or Woods as Cinnamome would be infused in Wine to the begetting of some reasonable store of iuice in them which haue but a little and to keepe the aromaticall fragrantnesse in those which smell sweet which might otherwise euaporate and spend through the heat of the fire their best and most precious parts they being of so thinne and subtle a substance It is true that the best and surest course is not to infuse Spices or aromaticall things neither in Wine nor in Aqua vitae but rather in common water because in distilling of them as proofe will make triall the vapours will rise too soone and leaue behind them the vertues of the aromaticall things whereas water will not goe vp before it haue them with it Such matter and things as are hard and mettallous as Pearles Corall shells of egges Crystall Emeralds 〈◊〉 and other such are infused commonly in raw or distilled vineger or else in vrine distilled or vndistilled but such waters are not to be taken inwardly but onely to be applyed outwardly In like manner when it is intended that a water shall haue an opening qualitie and pierce deepe or swiftly the matter thereof may be infused in raw and crude or in distilled vineger as for example the waters distilled against the stone or grauell or to take away the great obstructions of the liuer spleene and matrix When you desire that the water should retaine and keepe in good sort the vertues of the matter whereof it is distilled it may for the better infusing of it be distilled in his owne iuice or in some iuice obtaining the like vertue Things are likewise sometimes infused in bloud either of Men Swine or Goats for the encrease and strengthening of their vertues as the water vsed to be distilled for to breake the sâ—one whether it be in the reines or in the bladder may first haue receiued an infusion made in the bloud of Goats As much in like sort is to be thought of the Whey of Goats milke wherein things are wont to be infused to draw waters off which are to serue in the cleansing of vlcers of the reines or bladder Generally regard must be had that all infusions be made in such liquor as will strengthen and encrease the vertue and force of the things intended to be distilled as also that such matter before it be set to infuse be shred stamped small or bruiâ—ed putting into it sometime the twelfth part of salt as vnto those that are too moist as flesh bloud of men or other beasts as well to keepe them from corrupting as also to
which you distill because the â—legme commeth forth sometime first sometimes the last in the distillation as in the distilling of Aqua-vitae is stayeth the last notwithstanding that it be distilled diuers times in the distilling of the most part of other things it commeth forth first as in vinegar honie and such things and the thing is discerned by tasting of the first and last distilled waters And if it happen that the flegme be not seuered in this sort as indeed it is not in some such as with which it is mixt then the next course is to set such vvaters in the Sunne certaine daies in vessells couered with linnen clothes or parchment prickt full of small holes that so the excrementous part by such meanes may be consumed and wasted or if the Sunne faile as in Winter time then you must set your vessell contayning your distilled waters in other vessells full of vvater and cause them to boyle to the consumption of the third part The distillation is to be judged to be in good state and case if betwixt the fall of euerie drop you can account to the number of twelue and hence also is the judging of the force and quantitie of the fire to be learned and fetcht If any man desire that waters should haue some smell taste or other qualitie of something as of honie cinnamome camphire muske or other like sweet smelling thing whether it be to giue such smell to the thing that hath none at all or vnto something that hath a bad and vnpleasant smell as we will speake of by and by in the water distilled of mans dung it vvill be good to annoynt and besmeare the head of the still vvith these things or else to tie vp the same in some little knot of linnen cloth and hang them at the verie poynt of the spout or pipe to the end that the vvater distilling through this matter may retayne that smell or other qualitie intended And vvhereas distilled vvaters by force of the fire are euermore seene to retaine some impressions and printes of the heat it will be good presently after they be distilled to let them stand some time vncouered in the vessells wherein you meane to keepe them hauing yet therewithall regard that neither their small nor any part of their force doe vvaste or spend and therefore to take the fittest course it will be best to set your vessell close and fast stopt in some cold place in moist sand to diminish and take away the great heat of the same Notwithstanding you must marke and know that cold waters vvhich shall be distilled in Maries-bath will haue no great need to be so vncouered but that they rather must be set in the Sunne in a glasse vessell not altogether full or else that they with their vessell be set ouer head and eares in hot sand for the space of fortie daies to the end that their flegme and thickest humour may be consumed If your distilled vvaters become troubled you shall restore them to their clearenesse by putting thereinto some one or two drops of Vinegar for euerie pint of water CHAP. LXV Of the particular manner of distilling of Hearbes Rindes Flowers and Rootes DIstilled vvaters are of diuers sorts and vertues some are physicall or medicinable as the water of roses sage marierom and such like Others are nourishing as restoratiues and many both medicinable and nourishing as nourishing restoratiues vvhereinto are put medicinable things Others are purgatiue as the water or liquor of rhubarbe if it were new and greene Others serue to grace the face and hands and to make beautifull Others for to gratifie the nose by yeelding a sweet smell as those which are drawne out of spices and sweet smelling simples vsed also to vvash the hands face and whole bodie and againe all these waters are either simple or compound but we will first speake of the simple medicinable ones Wormewood must be distilled in Maries-bath to draw out his vvater in such sort as that it may expresse by smell and taste from whence it came and for the better doing of it you must see that you distill it not verie new but somewhat dried and afterward infusing it a little in wine to distill it in Maries-bath or in hatâ— ashes Mugwort Agrimonie Sorrell and such other like plants are thus distilled also but with obseruation had of the generall things specified before Thus the water of Winter cherries is distilled seruing against the stone and grauell as well of the reines aâ— bladder The vttermost pilling of common vvalnuts vvhether it shale willingly or no may be distilled in the moneth of September and the water drawne from them drunke in small quantitie with a third part of Vinegar is a certaine remedie against the plague if before drinking of it you cause the partie to be let bloud it is singular good also to make gargarismes of for the vlcers of the mouth it is good also to foment goutie places withall and good to colour the haire blacke Water distilled of the leaues of the Walnut-tree in the end of the moneth of May is singular for to drie and cicatrize vlcers if they be washed euening and morning with a linnen cloth moistned therein To distill strawberries you must let them putrifie in a glasse vessell putting thereto a little salt or sugar and then afterward to extract and draw out their water which is verie soueraigne against venime as also to take away spots to prouoke the termes and drie vp weeping eyes it will performe all these vertues in admirable manner if there be mingled with it a little Aqua-vitae The inward rinde of the ash-tree being distilled doth yeeld a singular water against the plague if it be drunke in equall quantity with aqua-vite as three 〈◊〉 of either especially if the same drinke in the same quantitie be drunke againe vvithin three houres after it is good also being dropt into the eares for the noyse in them The stones of blacke cherries being broken or the kernells alone distilled make a vvater vvhich doth quite take away the fit of the Falling-sicknesse in young children presently after that there hath beene put into their mouth about an ounce The distilled vvater of new filberds drunke the weight of two drams is a present remedie against the collicke and gripings of the bellie a thing that will not failâ— hauing beene proued and tried The vvater vvhich is distilled of the barke of Danewort or Elder-tree being oftentimes drunke doth euacuate and draw the vvater out of such as haue the dropsie The vvater of betonie You must stampe the leaues of betonie and infuse them a certaine time in Wine and after distill them The vvater of balme and sage is distilled in like manner The vvater of betonie is good for the diseases of the head reines and bladder The water of balme rejoyceth men keepeth away the fits of the Apoplexie and Falling-sicknesse
the great and little Court the dung of Hennes and Pigeons Oxe-dung Horse-dung and all other such excrements which must be let incorporate and mingle together the whole Winter vntill such time as this matter watered with water and throughly pierced with the frost be sufficiently ripened This mixture when it is spread entreth better below into the earth 〈◊〉 dung alone and also incorporateth it selfe better with the earth But aboue all there is no dung more excellent for Medow grounds than the rotten staddell or bottomes of Hay-mowes or Hay-stackes which putrified with the moisture of the earth lookes mouldie blacke and most filthie and with this if you mixe the sweepings of the Hay-barne floore and the scattered seedes which fall from the Hay when it is shaked vp or bound into bottles it will be a great deale the better and the earth will put forth his encrease in much more plentie These Medow grounds must also be verie well drained from water if they be subiect thereunto and sluces and draines made either by plough spade or other instrument which may conuey it from one sluce to another till it fall into some ditch or riuer for as the sudden washing of the earth fatteneth and enricheth the same by reason of the mud slime and other fat substances which it leaueth behind it so the long abiding of the water vpon it 〈◊〉 the soyle rots the roots of the grasse and either makes it vtterly barren or 〈◊〉 it to a bogge-myre Nay where the water lyes long vpon the ground there it will â—ome the grasse to reed rushes or other vnprofitable weeds therefore by all meanes preuent the continuance of flouds and onely esteeme of a gentle washing and no more Againe in your Medow grounds you must be exceeding carefull to know the goodnesse or badnesse of the same as which is fruitfull which barren which quicke of growth which slow which will beare but one entire crop and which two and accordingly you must lay them that is giue them time of rest for growth as thus If your ground be verie fruitfull and rich yet through the coldnesse of the clyme will not beare aboue one crop it shall not be needfull for you to lay it before May day but if it be but of a reasonable fruitfulnesse then you may lay it at the Annuntiation of our Ladie but if it be verie hard and barren then it is best to lay it at Candleâ—â—ss that it may haue the vttermost of the Spring Summer to grow in also if it be exceeding fertile and so warme and close couched that it will beare two croppes then you shall lay it at Candlemas that you may cut it at the end of May and the midst of September for to cut it after that time is both ill husbandrie and profitlesse for howsoeuer men may be opinioned either through custome or the imitation of their neighbors yet they shall find it most certaine that the hay how good soeuer the growth be yet if it want the Sunne and kindly withering it can neuer be good either to feed or sustaine nature with but hauing the iuice rotting and not dried within it becommeth black vnpleasant and unwholesome insomuch that the worst straw is better than the best of such hay therefore let euerie husbandman haue a great care to the good and kindly withering of his hay and esteeme euer the qualitie before the quantitie After Medowes are laid then the husbandman shall haue a great care to his â—ences least either his owne or other mens cattell by day or night breake into the same for they may doe him more iniurie in an houre than they can doe him profit in a moneth for the young and tender grasse if it be nipt or bitten at the first springing hardly after prospereth till the sythe haue cut it for it is with grasse as with stronger plants which if they be nipt or bitten forthwith loose the beautie of their flourishing and groweth not straight or vpright but low crooked and ill-fauoredly neither to fast as before it did but verie slowly and manie times without seed therefore by all meanes preuent the cropping of your Medowes by cattell at their first springing Also if you haue anie riuers ditches or small rundles which butt vpon your Medowes you shall at such time as you lay your Medowes be sure to cleanse and scoure them both of weeds madde and other filth that shall anie way cloy or fill them that the water may thereby haue a more free passage and a larger receit to receiue and conuey away anie floud which shall happen for after your Medowes begin to grow if anie floud shall come vpon them the sand and other filth will fasten to the rootes and lye vpon the grasse in such manner that not being able to be cleansed by anie husbandrie it will make the hay vtterly vnwholesome so that lying in the stomacks of the beasts it will engender manie mortall and pestilent diseases And herein is also to be noted that the mudde and other compasse which you shall take out of these riuers or ditches would be spread vpon the Medowes and when it is drie with small clotting maules be beaten as small as dust for this is also an excellent maner of manuring your Medowes CHAP. IIII. What must be sowne in the Medowes THe way then to reforme the old and drie consumed places of your Medow if they be become hoarie rotten must be by sowing them in the Spring with good Hay-seed which is the Medow Clauer which is called in some places Sops in wine by reason of the flower which is an hearb which men in times past made great account of sowing it by it selfe as the Fetch is wont to be sowne and they did sow it in Ianuarie as Cato and Palladius doe report The maner of sowing it shal be set downe in the fifth Booke in the handling of Pulse Likewise the seed of Gallion or petty Mugguet wild Fetch and Hauer-grasse which the Latine Poet calleth properly barren Oates Againe the small wild Mallow is not amisse neither the little Crowfoot foreseene it be not that with the bulbous root that is to say the Crowfoot hauing a round root like an Onions because that is venimous for the beast but it must be that Crowfoot which hath a hairie and threadie root The two-fold Satyrion is good in some place where it groweth naturally so likewise is the Hyacinth the one of them being of a blew flower the other of a purple herein differing from the Satyrion which is more cut diuided into small buds as likewise more fragrant It is not good that there should be any great store of Plantaine except it be that of the least sort called Birds-toong The wild Carret especially that which in the midst of the white flower in the round broad tuft beareth a sweet smelling seed being rubd in the hand like vnto graines of Paradise of
at such time as it is sowne onely neither is it euer sowne vpon the fallowes but vpon the Pease-earth being euer vvell and carefully harrowed if you find the sayle whereon you sow it to be weake or out of heart the best meanes to giue it strength is to fold it with sheepe immediately before you sow it so that as soone as you take your fold from the land you may put your plow into the land by which meanes the seed and the manure as it were meeting together the manure keepeth the seed so warme and giues it such comfort that forthwith it takes root and brings sorth the increase most aboundantly Now for the cropping or gathering of this Maslin or blend corne you shall euer doe it so soone as you see the Rie begins to open or turne his eare downeward towards the earth albeit the Wheat seeme a little greenish at the root and be nothing neere ripe the corne being soft and milkie for the Wheat will ripen and grow hard in the sheafe which no other corne will doe and the Rie being suffered but to grow a day beyond his full time will shed his graine vpon the earth and you shall loose more than one halfe of your profit againe you shall not lead your blend-corne so soone as you doe your cleane Wheat or your cleane Rie but making it into good bigge safe stouckes vvhich will shed the raine from the eares and containing some sixteene or twentie sheaues in a stoucke you shall suffer is so to stand in the field to ripen as well for the hardning of the Wheat as for withering of the greene weeds vvhich growing amongst the Corne will be shorne vp therewith and bound in the sheaues altogether Secourgion SEcourgion is a kind of Corne that is verie leane vvrinckled and starued somewhat like vnto Barley and it is not vsed to be sowne in France except in the time of famine and dearth and then also but in some countries as are barren and verie leane and that to stay the vrgent necessitie of hunger rather than to feed and nourish It hath his name from the Latine vvords Succursus gentium The greatest part of Perigord and Lymosin doe vse this sort of Corne it may seeme to be a degenerate kind of Corne and may be called bad or wild corne It must be sowne in the thickest and fattest ground that may be chosen howsoeuer some say otherwise as that it delighteth in a light ground in as much as it sprouteth out of the earth the seuenth day after that it is sowne the thicker end running into rootes and the smaller putting forth the greene grassie blade vvhich flourisheth and groweth out of the earth The fittest time for the sowing of it is about the moneth of March in cold places or about the eight or tenth of Ianuarie if it be a mild Winter and not sharpe and pinching This is that kind of graine of three moneths growth whereof Theophrastus speaketh in his Booke of Plants howsoeuer Columella doe not acknowledge any kind of graine of that age Theophrastus in like manner maketh mention of a kind of graine of threescore dayes or two moneths growth and of another of fortie daies growth I heare say that in the West-Indies about Florida there grow sorts of corne some of two some of three moneths and some of fortie daies vve see it verie ordinarie in France to haue corne in three moneths namely in the countries of Beauce Touraine Lyonnoise Sauoy Auuergne Forest Prouence Chartrain and others in which the corne being sowne in March is ripe and readie to be cut downe in the third moneth The occasion of sowing it so late is either the vvaters or excessiue cold or snow or some such other hard vveather vvhich kept and hirdered it from being sowne any sooner Such graines and sorts of corne as are of three or two moneths or of fortie daies and amongst them especially the Secourgeon doe yeeld a verie vvhite and light flowre because it hath but verie little bran and the graine hauing drawne verie small store of substance for his nourishment but such as is of the lightest part of the earth and therefore small store of Bran by reason of the small space of time that it stayed in the earth The bread made of this Corne is verie white but withall verie light and of small substance more fit for Countrie-people and seruants in Families than for Maisters and vvealthie persons Againe in countries vvhere it is of account they vse to mixe Wheat vvith it to make houshold-bread Blanche BLanche is a kind of Wheat which the Latines call Far clusinum and old Writers Far adoreum as a Corne or Graine worthie to be highly thought and made of for his excellencie and goodnesse sake it is verie hard and thicke and requireth a strong and tough ground though it be not all of the best husbanded It groweth also verie wel in places and Countries that are verie cold as not fearing any cold be it neuer so outragious Neither doth it mislike and refuse drie and parched grounds and such as lye open to the excessiue heat of Sommer the Corne cannot be driuen from his huske except it be fried or parched againe for to grind and make bread of it they vse to frie or parch it but vvhen they vse to sow it they let it alone vvith the huske and in it they keepe it for seed It is verie massie and vveightie but not altogether so much as Wheat but yet more cleane and pure than Wheat and also yeeldeth more flowre and branne than any one sort of Wheat besides This kind of Wheat is verie rare in France but verie common in Italie vvhere it is called Sacidate Fine Wheat or Winter-wheat THere is a kind of small Corne that is verie vvhite vvhich the Latines call Siligâ— vvhereof is made White-bread called therefore of the Latines Siliginitis The French cannot as yet sit it with a name It must be sowne in verie open places and such as are hot and throughly warmed by the Sunne although it doe not vtterly refuse an earth that is thicke moist slymie and of the nature of Walkers-earth seeing that good husbandmen doe likewise report of it that there needeth no such great care to be taken about the making of this graine to grow and vvithall that if a man vse to sow Wheat in a moist and muddie ground that after the third sowing it will degenerate into this kind of Wheat It is that kind of Wheat which amongst the English is called Flaxen-wheat being as vvhite or vvhiter than the finest Flax it is of all sorts of Wheat the hardest and vvill indure a more barren and hard ground than any other Wheat vvill as the grauellie the flintie stonie and rough hils against which by the reflection of the Sunne onely vvhose beames it loueth exceedingly it will grow verie aboundantly neither will it prosper vpon and rich soyle but being as it were ouercome vvith the strength thereof
it will vvither or not grow at all or else mil-dew turne blacke and become altogether vselesse Amel-corne THere is yet another kind of Corne vvhich the Grecians and Latines call Olyra of a middle size betwixt Wheat and Barlie vnlike altogether vnto Winter-vvheat vvhereof we last spake but of a sort and facultie like vnto spelt whereof vve vvill speake next in order Of this graine Dioscorides maketh mention and Matthiolus calleth it in French Seigle-blanche the tilling and ordering of it is like vnto that of spelt There is verie vvhite bread made thereof there is but small store thereof in France Spelt-corne SPelt-corne is that vvhich the Latines call Zea and hereof the auncient â—â—mans did make great account and gaue it to name Semen by the way of excellencie as the Italians in such places as vvhere the said Spelt groweth in great aboundance doe call it Biada The Graine is lesse and blacker than Wheat It is found sometime single sometime double in an eare set with a long beard It must be sowne in a verie strong and hard ground for otherwise it will not thriue neither is there any sort of Wheat which so troubleth and weakeneth a ground as this but the bread that is made thereof is excellent and of it likewise the Italians vse to make a singular kind of Furmentie Course Wheat-flowre or fine Wheat-meale COurse Wheat-flowre is that which of the Latines is called Similage and is made of Wheat that is excellent good hauing the greatest Bran onely sifted from it but being ground of the best Mill thâ—â— may be gotten howsoeuer the French name Semole vvhich seemeth to be deriued from these Latine ones Sine mola may 〈◊〉 to argue the contrarie We haue not any of the Corne in this Countrie vvhereof the Semole is made but in Prouence it is sowne in great quantitie as also in Champanie and in the Countrie of Naples and from thence there is great store of this 〈◊〉 meale brought vvhich Physitiâ—ns doe prescribe to their sicke patients to make Panade or pap-meat of vvith the broth of a Capon notwithstanding that 〈◊〉 and the greatest part of Physicions doe affirme that the fine meale called of the French Semole is of a grosâ—e and slimie iuice and not digested without difficultie and thereupon injurious to such as haue need of a fine and attenuating nourishment It is certaine that it is of great nourishment as is also the bread that is made thereof In steed of Semole vve vse Maslin and as concerning the Wheat vvhereof the course flowre Semole is made it craueth such ground and manner of husbanding as Maslin doth Furmentie FVrmentie is that vvhich the Latines call Alica or Chondrus and it is a kind of Wheat whereof after that it hath been steeped for some time in vvater and afterward brayed and husked and then in the end dried againe in the Sunne and ground somewhat grosly is made a kind of grosse meale reâ—embling 〈◊〉 verie much vvhereof sometimes is vvoont to be made pap-meat sometimes it is mixt in meat-broth and sometimes panade vvithall all which meats to say the truth doe nourish a great deale more than they profit the health of the bodie in as much as they ingender a thicke clammie and grosâ—e juice verie hurtfull for them that are subject vnto obstructions or vnto the stone and grauell Turkie-Wheat TVrkie-wheat so called or rather Indian wheat because it came first from the West-Indies into Turkie and from thence into France not that it is sowed there any otherwise than for pleasure or for to cause some admiration at the strange things which Frenchmen themselues doe admire and make much account of 〈◊〉 be sowne verie carefully after this manner the field must be diligently tilled according to all the sorts of earings vvhich are woont to be bestowed vpon any 〈◊〉 ground afterward toward the end of March at such time as the Sunne beginneth to affoord his hot and comfortable beames in franker and freer sort the said wheat must be steeped in water two whole daies and when this is done to keepe it till the earth receiue some prettie showres vvhich happening then presently to open the earth vvith some sharpe stake and that all along as streight as a line but with equall and sufficient distances and to cast into euerie one of these holes foure or fiue graines of this vvheat and by and by to close in the earth againe vvith your foot and so in this sort to fill and set a vvhole field with this Corne. If the earth be fat and the seed full and well â—ed it will not faile to sprout within seuen daies and to be ready to mow within fortie daies two moneths three moneths or at the furthest foure moneths sooner or later according to the goodnesse of the ground and power of the Sunne that is to say earlier in a hot place and good ground that lyeth open vpon the Sunne but more late in a cold ground and a leane place It hath the like temperature that our vvheat hath but somewhat more hot as may easily be gathered by the sweetnesse of the bread that is made thereof the meale thereof is vvhiter than that which is made of our wheat but the bread made thereof is more grosse thicke or close and of a more â—lymie substance in such sort as that the nourishment made thereof is likewise more grosse and apter to ingender obstructions vvherâ—â—ore if the dearth of vvheat and famine doe force and compel you to sow of this Turkish-wheat to make bread thereof it will doe better if you mingle it with the flower of our vvheat than and if you should vse it by it selfe all alone The meale of this vvheat in as much as it is thicke and clammie will be good to make cataplasmes of to ripen impostumes withall for being apt to stop the pores of the skin by his clamminesse it cannot chuse but worke such effect Sarasins-wheat SArasins-wheat is a graine verie ordinarie and common throughout all France and more abounding vvithout comparison than the foresaid Turkie-wheat it must be sowne in all manner of grounds because it refuseth not to grow in any vvhether it be grauelly or of any other qualities vvhatsoeuer and that especially in Aprill in hot places or somewhat later in those that are cold and it is so forward and hastie at that it will ripen twice and yeeld you two crops in a yeare in one and the same ground being in a hot ground as is to be seene in Italie It may be mowne at the end of three moneths after it is sown in this countrie it is most vsed in the fatting of hogs pigeons and other fowles and in the time of dearth and famine to make bread which will be a great deale better if with this corne be mingled the corne of our countrie vvheat It may be made into grosse meale euen as the grain called furmentie but better without comparison than that of millet to be imployed in
by how much the more seed you sow by so much the more thicke will the grasse grow neither will there grow any other grasse there and so there will also the more profit grow and rise thereupon to the good house-holder So soone as it is sowne you must harrow it euerie manner of way as long-waies broad-waies and ouer-thwart with harroweâ— or rakes of wood set thicke with teeth but not of yron because it is an vtter enemie to yron afterward you must water it gently for the first time for and if you should water it forcibly and with aboundant store of water you should driue the seed all to one side of the field and yet you must not water it after September vnto the end of Aprill It will be good to cut it downe with a 〈◊〉 fiue or sixe times the first yeare and so proportionably the yeares following for it endureth ten yeares yea thirty as Pliny sayeth without standing in neede of being sowne againe The fit time to cut it downe is May Iune Iuly and August and the new of the Moone in the meane time you shall not let it lye vpon heapes any longer than a day in the meadowes for if it should stay there any long time it would raise such a hear as that it vvould smother and kill whatsoeuer were vnder it to the keeping of it for euer growing againe wherefore it will be good to carrie it elsewhere and to drie it assoone as possibly may bee stirring it euerie day from day to day Againe you must not let the cattell feede neere vnto this grasse in as much as not their tooth onely but their verie breathing on it also is very noysome vnto it and that so greatly as that it afterward becommeth either barren or else dieth presently it must not bee giuen greene for cattell to eate least it make them sicke by reason of the moisture and heat that is therein it must stay till it be drie before you giue it them to eate and then also but in small quantitie for that this grasse begetteth in them such store of bloâ—d as that of the much eating thereof they would be strangled therewith The good husbandman must be carefull to gather and reserue seed of this snaile clauer to sow the same vvhen it shall bee requisite it must not bee gathered the first yeare that it beareth by reason of his weakenesse but in all the other following and that in the moneths of Iune and Iuly so soone as the huskes wherein the seede is contained shall appeare drie and the seeds themselues be turned yellow Mixt prouander MIxt prouander must be sowne in fat and well manured places and such as haue beene twice eared it will be verie good if it be sowne with pilde barley sometimes it consisteth of barley oats fetches and fenugreeke vvhich are let grow hand ouer head and are cut afterward either greene or ripe to make fodder of for cattell in Winter Rice IF you will sow rice you may doe it but it is like to proue rather a worke of curiositie than of profit for rice is a commoditie properly belonging and growing amongst the Indians from whence also it is brought hither vnto vs in France Therefore for the sowing of rice either white or red chuse out some place that is verie moist and in case you haue no such amongst your arable ground then chuse out some field that is leane foule and nothing well clensed or some other which is light and weake but yet euen and through which you may conuey some little brooke or gutter of water Eare the ground thrice where you meane to sow your rice and when you haue thus plowed it ouer thrice sow your rice therein which you must first steepe for one whole day in water so soone as you haue sowne it draw your littlebrooke along through it and there suffer it to continue fiue whole moneths the depth of two singers and when as you perceiue the blade to begin to shoot forth his eare knowing that it also flowreth and seedeth at the same instant then double the quantitie of water to keepe the fruit from blasting or spoyling otherwise If you order it thus you shall not onely reape great quantitie of rice but you may also sow it three yeres together one after another without giuing any rest at all to the ground and yet the last yeare will bee no lesse fruitfull than the former yea which is more you shall make the field more fat frolicke in better plight and cleaner from weedes and cleaner from noysome beasts than it was before yea and furthâ—r than this you may sow therein for three yeares more one kind of graine or other whâ—ther wheat or meslin whereof you shall not repent you in the time of haruest you shall find it to faire and profitable There is one inconuenience in rice which is that it causeth an ill aire by reason of the aboundance of water which it craueth for the space of fiue whole moneths but to recompence the same withall it proueth verie profitable for food and sustenance for thereof is made pottage and thereof also is bread made either with rie or milleâ— or all three together It is true that it is much giuen to make obstructions and it restraineth fluxes as mightily and this is the cause why such as haue great loosenesse in their bodies do vse it oftentimes especially if it be parched and boild in cowes milke wherein many little 〈◊〉 of the riuer haue bin quenched if you boyle it in milke adding therto sugar and 〈◊〉 it will prouoke vnto venerie Many do thinke that it maketh fat but seeing that according to the Physitians it is not digested in the stomach but verie hardly it must needs nourish but a little and then how can it possibly make one fat indeed it may be said rather to puffe vp than to make fat Hempe HEmpe must be sowne in fat and well dunged grounds and watered with some little brooke or else in flâ—t and moist countries where much labour and ploughing hath beene bestowed for the fatter the ground is the thicker will the barke or pilling be It must be sowne in March and gathered when the seed is ripe and afterward dried either in the Sunne Wind or Smoake and then laid in water for to bee watered that so the pilling may the more easily depurt from the stalkes afterward to be vsed in making of ropes and cloth a labour and trauaile well beseeming and fit for women This is the opinion of the French but not the generall opinion of the better experienced for the rich ground which is spoken of here to sow hempe in must not bee taken for the rich stiffe blacke clay or for any clay at all for although they will beare hempe yet they put forth so much bunne and so little pilling that indeed the hempe that groweth therein is good for nothing therefore the best ground to sow hempe on is the richest of all mixt earths
well vpon mountaines or rockes The wood thereof is good to make coffers foote-stooles bowes arrowes darts and other such like stately Ioyners works of because it hath diuers veines and is not subiect to be eaten of wormes Some there are which report that it is deadly either to eate or sleepe vnder the shadow of it and that if a man eate of the fruit thereof it casteth him into an ague and bloudie â—luxe And seeing I haue resolued to be briefe and not to passe beyond my bounds it shall be sufficient to haue made this short rehearsall commending such as are desirous to see further into this skill and knowledge to such bookes of husbandrie as throughly intreat of all the parts of the same seeing they are to be had euery where and seeing that in them such things are to be attained to the â—ull as I for breuitie sake haue omitted and left vntâ—ucht As concerning the vertues and properties of the foresaid trees the oake hath many things and those of great commendation The leaues his nuts which are called gals his messeltoe as being called the messeltoe of the oke The tender leaues therof which are but as yet budding and putting forth may be distilled and the water thereof is singular against the fluxes of the liuer to breake the stone and to stay the whites of women The greater sort of gals or apples haue this propertie in them namely to presage and foretell three things that is to say war dearth pestilence for if you open them which are whole you shall find therein either a little â—lie or a little spider or a little worme if the flie flie away it betokeneth that there will be warre if the little worme doe creepe it is a signe of dearth that yeare and if the spider doe run to and fro it prognosticateth an infinite number of pestilent diseases The oake apples dried and made into pouder do speedily stay all manner of flux in the bellie The misseltoe of the oake taken inwardly doth greatly asswage the torments of such as are taken with the falling sicknesse The beech-tree is much vsed to make baskets and maunds of for to gather grapes in And hereof likewise men in old time were woont to make vessels to sacrifice vnto their gods The leaues of the beech-tree chawed do heale the chaps of the lips and the frettings of the gums The fruit of the beech-tree which is called beech-mast dried and made into ashes being mixt with liniments is of great force and power against the stone and grauell Of the Parke for the keeping of wilde beastes CHAP. XIX Of the situation of the Parkes and of the manner of ordering the wild beasts therein TO the end we may not leaue any thing out of this description of a countrie farme whereof the Farmer or Lord of the soile may make any profit or else take any pleasure my aduice and counsell is that according as the places and grounds may conueniently affoord there bee parkes made neere vnto the farme therein to breed and keepe hares wild goates or fallow deere wild swine and such other like wild beastes to the end that the Lord and Master of the place may now and then recreate himselfe therewith and take his sport in seeing the said wild beastes hunted as also that if he bee disposed to make any great feast or banket he may therein be sure to find as in his kitching of larder house for to make readie meate of besides the benefit which the good husband may make yerely thereof by selling of them The parke would be seated if it be possible within a wood of high and tall timber trees in a place compassed about and well fenced with wals made of rough stone and lime or else of brickes and earth-lome or else with pales made of oake plankes You must foresee that there bee some little brooke of spring-water running along by the place or for want of spring-water and naturall streames you must prepare ditches and pooles walled and daubed in such sort as that they may receiue and keepe the raine-water Nor ought the parke to consist of one kind of ground only as all wood all grasse or all coppise but of diuers as part high wood part grasse or champion and part coppise or vnder-wood or thicke spring nor must these seuerall grounds lie open or as it were in common one with another but they must be separated one from the other by a strong rale through which deere or sheepe but no greater cattell may passe for they must haue the full libertie of euery place neither must the parke be situated vpon any one entire hill plaine or else valley but it must consist of diuers hills diuers plaines and diuers valleyes the hills which are commonly called the viewes or discoueries of parkes would bee all goodly high woods of tall timber as well for the beautie and gracefulnesse of the parke as also for the ecchoe and sound which will rebound from the same when in the times of hunting either the cries of the hounds the winding of hornes or the gibbetting of the huntsmen passeth through the same doubling the musicke and making it tenne times more delightfull the plaines which are called in parkes the launds would be very champion and fruitfull as well for the breeding of great store of grasse and hay for the feeding and nourishiâ—g of his deere or other wild beastes as also for the pleasure of coursing with grey-hounds when at any time the owner shall be disposed to hunt in that manner for when the hounds shall haue hunted the game from the thicks vnto the launds then the grey-hounds being placed thereupon may in the view of the beholders course vpon the same and beget a delight past equall The valleyes which are called the couerts or places of leare for wild beasts would be all verie thicke sprung or vnderwood as well for the concealing of them from potchers and purloyners as for giuing them rest and shadow in the day time who cannot indure to lie open to the view of passengers or vndefended by darkenesse and obscuritie also these thicke couerts are defences for the wild beastes to saue them from the cunning sents or noses of hounds when they pursue them making thâ—ir doubles and windings therein so intricate and cunningly that they scape many times their most mortallest mischiefe also in these thicke couerts the hunted deere finding an vnhunted deere where he lodgeth will forthwith beate him vp and lie downe himselfe in his place making the hounds vndertake the fresh deere and so escape his owne danger which in the open places he cannot doe and the parke is a place that must containe all things for the good and safetie of the game it keepeth Thus you see the parke must consist of view laund and couert and the situation of â—ill valley and plaine Now for the water of which formerly we spoake you shall know it is
at that instant in as much as therein hee shewed a vvillingnesse to haue done the contrarie vpon any occasion if mischance had not beene his hinderance Now for the food vvhich is best for spanyels it is that vvhich is before prescribed for greyhounds as chippings bones and broken crusts of bread scalded in vvater and milke or the heads plucks and entrailes of sheepe boyled with oatmeale yet the setting spanyell vvould for the most part be fedde from the trencher vvith scraps of meat bones bread and such like for by reason that he must be kept much fasting since he cannot hunt but vvhen he is exceeding emptie it is verie fit that he be kept vvith as good as nourishing meat as can be gotten Now to conclude this discourse of hunting dogges you shall vnderstand that there is one other sort of spanyels and they be called vvater-spanyels because they delight onely naturally in the vvater and are imployed for the hunting of Duckes Mallards and all sorts of vvater-fowle they are much larger and bigger bodied than the land-spanyels are and a great deale more strong and Lyon-like made their haire is also verie long rough and thicke curled vvhich sheweth their hard constitution and abilitie to endure the vvater albeit the vveather be neuer so fiercely and bitterly cold They receiue all their vertues from nature and not from instruction and therefore to make any large discourse of them vvere friâ—olous onely for as much as they are verie necessarie to attend the fowler for the fetching of his fowle out of the vvater vvhen they are either lymed or strucken vvith the piece it is meet that they be brought to great obedience that is to say to fetch carrie runne couch and creepe vvhensoeuer a man pleaseth least otherwise out of the franticknesse of their owne natures they scarre away the game vvhilest the fowler is the most busily imployed These dogges are lesse tender than any of the other and therefore any meat vvill serue them neither would they be vsed to any nicenesse because their most imployment is in the Winter season And thus much touching hunting dogges and their gouernments CHAP. XXIII How young hounds are to be trained vp and made fit for the game IT is not yâ—oâ—gh to haue a number of good and faire dogges vvell marked vvith markes declaring both the said qualities for they must ouer and aboue be taught and trained vp for the game Wherefore the huntsman must first bring them to vnderstand the sound of the horne to swim and haunt the vvater that so they may be the more readie and forward to pursue the beast if so be that he should seeke to saue himselfe by any running riuer or standing lake Hee must lead them also once a weeke into the fields but not before the age of sixteene or eighteene moneths for before such age they are not throughly growne and well knit in all their members But especially hee must well aduise to what kind of game he is purposed to vse them as vvhether to course the Hart or the Hinde the wild Bore or the Hare for looke vvhat beasts you first runne them at those will they best remember alwaies especially if there be care had to looke any thing well vnto them You must not course with them in the morning if possibly you can auoid it for hauing beene accustomed to the coolenesse of the morning and comming afterward to the height of the day and feeling therein the heat of the Sunne they will not runne any more You must not put on young dogges the first time within a toile because the beast running altogether round and therefore alwaies in the sight of the dogges so when afterwards they should be brought to runne out of the toile and by that meanes become cast any great distance behind the beast it would be the cause of their giuing ouer and forsaking of the game It shall be for the better to the end they may be the better trained and fitted to put all the young ones together with foure or fiue old ones at such time as you purpose to hunt with them Neither shall you compell your young hounds to make more hast than their owne natures leads them vnto but encouraging them to trust to their owne noses let them take what leysure they please and picke out the sent of themselues that comming truely to vnderstand what they hunt they may be moâ—e perfect and readie in the same vvhereas on the contrarie part being compelled to hunt vp close with the older and swifter hounds they hunt as it were by rote catching the sent here and there and goe away with it both vncertainely and ignorantly and so seldome or neuer prooue staâ—â—che or good hounds It is also verie meete to enter all young hounds at the Hare first because it is the sweetest and coolest of all sents vvhatsoeuer and the hound which will hunt it must necessarily hunt any other hoter sent vvith much more violence for it is a rule That vvhosoeuer can doe the hardest things must forcibly doe things easier with lesse difficultie Therefore first enter your hound as before is said at the Hare least finding a sweetnesse and easinesse of hunting in the hoter sents hee neuer after lay his nose to the cooler CHAP. XXIIII How that the Hart and the place where he haunteth and vseth to lie would be knowne before yee course or hunt him KIngs Princes and great Lords to whom and no others belongeth the coursing of the Hart haue not vsed to course the Hart before they haue learned of their hunts-man vvhat manner of Hart he is young or old and whether he be a faire and great one and such a one as deserueth to be coursed and then afterward where his haunt and lodging is The hunts-man shall know the age and fairenesse of the Hart in respect of others by iudgement of the forme of his foot the largenesse of his tines his dung gate beatings breakings and rubbings The sole of the foot being great and large the heele also being thicke and large the little cleft which is in the middest of the foot being large and open a large legge a thick bone being also short but nothing sharpe and the tippes of his clawes round and thicke are signes of an old Hart. The elder Harts in their gate doe neuer ouer-reach the former foot with the hinder for they tread short of it at the least foure â—ingers but it is not so in young Harts for they in their gate doe ouer-reach and set the hinder foot more forward than the fore-foot after the manner of the ambling Mule The Hinde hath commonly a long foot narrow and hollow with small cutting bones The excrement and dung of Harts is not alike at all times for some is printed othersome vvrythen round and othersome flat and broad and if it be large grosse and thicke it is a signe that they are Harts of tenne tynes that is to say such 〈◊〉 haue
passe by after when they are gone past she turneth and â—unneth backe in the same steps by which she came thither vnto the place from whence she was dislodged rather than she would run vp into the forestes by reason of the moistnesse which is amongst the wood When such practises are in hand the horse-men must stay some hundred paces from the wood by which the hare is come for he shall not faile to see her returne by her former way right vpon him whereby he shall be able to call in the dogs The horse-men likewise shall obserue and marke whether it be a male or a female and whether she bee one that keepeth continually in the countrie or but a guest for a night for if she be a wanderer and not of constant abode she will haue her forme in couerâ— and suffer the dogs to put her vp three or foure times neere vnto her forme for this is infallible that the hare bred and sed where she is put vp and especially the female if the horse-man obserue and market the first place and compasse that she taketh the first time after she is departed and gone from her lodging being before the dogs all the rest of the coâ—rfes that she shall make that day will be by the same places waies and muses if it bee not a male hare come from far or else the dogs haue hunted her so hard and wearied her so much as that she be driuen to forsake her woonted haunt and this commonly they do voluntarily betake themselues vnto if they be at any time coursed two whole houres without default At the first when the dogs begin to course the hare she doth nothing but wind and turne tracing ouer one place fiue or fixe times and that all in the same trace And this you must learne that if the coursing dogs misse of taking the hare one day then it will bee good for the horse-man to beare in mind the places and coasts that then she passed through for if he returne at any other time and haue her in course with the dogs she will passe by the same places and practise the same shifts shee did the day before when she escaped and thus being before acquainted with her craâ—ts and ways which she will run he may greatly help his dogs Some hares as soone as they heare the sound of the horne do start and take some riuer or lake and then you must vse what good meanes you can to cause her to auoid the water drawing the dogs neere the place most likely for her landing that so they may take her The females are more often in practising their wiles and in shorter space which the dogs loue not for it is a wearisome iâ—kesomnesse to couragious and lustie dogs to be drawne a side so oft it being their chiefe desire to course such a beast as will run out before them that so they may runne according as their strength will serue them And for such hares as are giuen to wind and turne so oft it is requisite that you take great compasse of ground that so you may inclose all her wiles leauing no passage for her to find but only one way to go out and by this meanes you shall abridge her much of her helpes and driue her to forsake her shifts and sleights There are also some hares giuen to run in trodden pathes and high waies to the end the dogs might not come by any scent of them there being neither braunch of tree nor herbes nor moisture which can touch their bodies to gather any scent for the dogs in such manner as there would if they were in other couert places as woods corne and other coole places and especially when they feed in any greene corne because they rest their bodies in one place When the horse-man shall find such hares and shall perceiue the default of the dogs by reason of the high way he must draw them on forward all along the said high way following them continually vntil such time as the dogs find her out gate or else till he haue found some little valley or coole place in the middest of the way where the dogs may seeme to haue found her scent And he himselfe also must light from off his horse to see if that he can espie any of the traces of the hare such as we haue described them before And by these traces or footsteps he shall by little and little picke out which way she is gone and this amongst hunts-men is called the pricking forth of the hare one obseruation no lesse needfull than any other obseruation whatsoeuer for it is not to be vsed onely in plaine high waies and foot pathes but also in any other ground which is plaine as vpon fallowe lands or other worne ground where the greene swarth is taken away and this aboue all other is the most safest and surest way for the recouering of a losse because it goes not by coniecture or imagination but by certaine knowledge and by knowledge of that member by which the hound hunteth only and by which he beareth the whole scent he seeketh The hare hath a thousand other shifts all which in generall the warie and wilie horse-man may meet withall if when he hath seene her fetch her first compasse and withall got the knowledge of the coast which she betaketh her selfe vnto in her course he get before her to behold her with his eies and in the same place incourage the dogs making them to fetch great circuits to the end they may be sure to include and compasse all her wiles and shifting tricks Hares liue not aboue seuen yeares at the most and especially the males they haue this tricke with them that if the male and the female doe liue together in a countrie they will neuer suffer other strange hares to abide there if they can remedie it except it be such as they haue bred and thereupon some say That the more that any place is hunted the moe hares are found there because that strangers and those of other countries do come thither The hare being killed it will be good to giue the dogs their fees the better to incourage them and to cause them with much more ioy to hunt in that place afterward This their repast or fees may be made of bread cheese and some other dainties all put into the bodie of the hare that so it may bee moistned and ouerdrowned with bloud and after spread vpon the cleane grasse For their second sort of meate as a more royall banquet if there be store of hares taken will bee good to vncase one and first taking out her lights then to cast the whole carkasse to the dogs giuing them leaue to teare and eat her and after that they haue eaten her to giue them bread least they should proue sicke at their stomakes and cast their gorge seeing that hares flesh is enemie vnto them In like manner when the dog which is taught to