instruction of the Epicure to a more delight of themselues in coueting to feede on daintie herbes and Sallates with meates delectable and taking an earnester care for the pleasing of their mouthes they laboured then to become skilfull and to vse a greater care about the ordering and apt dressing of Garden plottes by well fensing and comely furnishyng of their grounde with sundry needefull and delectable trees plantes and herbes in which trauayles and diligence of the husbandmen so good successe and commoditie ensuing procured not onely the willing carriage of herbes fruytes and other commodities farre off to be exercised vnto Cities and market Townes by which these through the sale obtayned a dayly gayne and yearely reuenew for the ayde of theyr housholde charges but allured them also to place and frame gardens aswell within Citties and Townes as faste by that a coste bestowed might after possesse the recreation and delight of mindes besides the proper gayne made by the fruytes floures and herbes gathered in them The Garden plottes at length grew so common among the meaner sorte that the charge and the chiefest care of the same was committed vnto the wyfe in somuch that these accompted not the wife of the house to be a husewife in deede if shee bestowed not a payne and diligence as Cato reporteth in the weeding trimming and dressing of the Garden But to be briefe and leauing further to reporte of antiquitie I thinke it high tyme to declare the effects and commoditie of this worke taken in hande and first to intreate of the care helpes and secretes to be learned and folowed in the Garden grounde All whiche in a pleasant maner shall after be vttered in destinct Chapiters to the furtherance and commoditie of many Gardeners and all suche hauing pleasure therein What care and diligence is requyred of euery Gardener to these what increase commoditie a well laboured earth yeeldeth Chap. 2. THe husbandman or Gardener shal enioy a most coÌ„modiouse and delectable garden whiche bothe knoweth can and will orderly dresse the same yet not sufficient is it to a Gardener that he knoweth or would the furtherance of the garden without a cost bestowed which the workes and labours of the same require nor the will againâ— of the workeman in doing and bestowing of charges shall smally auayle without he haue both arte and skill in the same For that cause it is the chiefest poynt in euery facultie and busines to vnderstand and know what to begin and follow as the learned Columella out of Varronianus Tremellius aptly vttereth The person whiche shall enioy or haue in a readinesse these three and will purposedly or with diligence frame to him a well dressed Garden shall after obtayne these two commodities as vtilitie and delight the vtilitie yeeldeth the plentie of Herbes floures and fruytes right delectable but the pleasure of the same procureth a delight and as Varro writeth a iucunditie of minde For that cause a Garden shal workemanly be handled and dressed vnto the necessarie vse and commoditie of mans life next for health and the recouerie of strength by sicknesse feebled as the singular Palladiusâ— Rutilius hath learnedly vttered and the skilful Florentinus that wrote cunningly of husbandry in the Greeke tunge certayne yeeres before him Lastly by sight vnto delectation and iucunditie through the fragrancie of smell but most of all that the same may furnishe the owners and husbande mans table with sundry seemely and dayntie dishes to him of small coste The Garden grounde if the same may be ought rather to be placed neere hande whereby the owner or Gardener may with more ease be partaker of such commodities growing in the garden and both oftner resorte and vse his diligence in the same So that this is the whole care and duetie requyred of euery owner and Gardener in their plot of ground Yet may I not be vnmindefull that the garden doth also require a dunging at the apt times of whiche in the proper place we shall after intreate What consideration and chosing to be vsed in any Garden plot with the goodnesse and worthinesse of euery earth Chap. 3. AS to the nature and goodnesse of a garden grounde the especialler that ought to be eschewed are a bitter and salte earth of taste if so be we meane to make a fertill commodiouse well yeeldyng ground for these two natures of earth were very much mislyked in Auncient tyme as may appeare by the skilfull Poete Virgill who sayth that euery earth is not allowed or commended for the yeelde of garden herbes For which cause the mynde of the auncient husebande men is that the Gardener by taking vp a clodde of Earth should artly trie the goodnesse of it after this maner in considering whether the earth be nether whote and bare nor leane by sande lacking a mixture of perfite earth nor the same founde to be wholly Chalke nor naughtie sande nor barrayne grauell nor of the glittering pouder or duste of a leane stonie grounde nor the earth continuall moyst for all these be the speciall defaults of a good and perfite earth The best grounde for a Garden is the same iudged to be whiche in the Sommer time is neyther very drie nor cleyie nor sandie and roughe nor endamaged with gapings procured by heate of the Sommer as the woorthie Didymus in his Greeke instructions of husbandry writeth Wherefore the earth whiche in the Sommer tyme is wonte to be dry eyther perisheth or loseth al the seedes sowen and plantes set in it or yeeldeth those thinne and weake prouing on the ground For the Clâ—yie ground of it selfe ouerfast holdeth but the sandie and rough in a contrarie maner so that neyther is wonte to nourish plantes nor retayne water Therefore an apt earth for a Garden shall you readily trie and finde out if the same through wet and dissolued with water you shall see to haue a muche clamminesse and fastnesse In whiche grounde if a waterinesse shall exceede then shall you iudge the same disagreable and vnfruitefull if dissoluing the earth with water you shall finde the same very clammie or much cleauing to the hande and fingers as it were waxe this earth shall you accompte as wholly vnprofitable Plinie willeth that a garden plotte before all other matters done to it be very well clensed of stones and to these that the earth proue not full of chappes or but few to be seene least the Sunne beames entering betweene may so scortch and burne the rootes of the plantes For whiche cause the best and gentle or worthiest earth shalbe chosen in whiche you minde to committe your seedes or for the same that the Nource as a mother may often agree to the fruyte or yeelde to be an ayder and furtherer to it Certayne playner instructions much furthering the Gardener in the knowledge and choyse of a good and battell ground with other matter necessarie Chap. 4. THe Gardener minding to trie and know a fatte earth for the vse of a garden
sweet Almonds or in any other pleasant iuyce or lycour whiche after the drying in the aire from the Sun beames he coÌ„mitteth them to the earth for on suche wise handled the fruites yelde the same sauour as the licour in whiche the seedes were soked and receiued For by a lyke example the heades shall sauour of the bay if the owner stiâ—pe them with the leaues of the Bay tree or he otherwise making holes bestowe the seedes within the bay berries before the coÌ„mitting to the earth And a lyke practise maye he exercise in all seedes that be greate The fruits of the herbe named the Artochoke wil become swete and delectable in the eating if y e owner before the coÌ„mitting of the sedes to the earth doe stiâ—pe them for two or three days either in new milk honey sugred water or wine aromatized and after the drying in the aire doth then bestow them in beds a foot distance one from the other The Artochocks be set in Haruest which is about the moneth of October that these may yeld plentie of fruits or heads ought to be those bearing big leaues stalkes wyth big stems growne or shot vp in the middes which big leaues after serue to none other purpose but to be broken froÌ„ the bodies and the plants to be bestowed agayn in beds with y e stems in like maner cut off and cast away as seruing to no vse well tourned in with dung these set in such maner that the tendrer leaues grow vptight the stemmed in y e middle being low broken off to be diligently couered with light earth And herin the Gardener must haue a care to y e watering of them at times nedeful if the seasons sufficieÌ„tly moyst not either in the winter or in any other time of the yeare to set forward or procure spedily the Artochockes to come set again the tender plants in well dunged beddes couering them well aboute with Ashes and black earth the better to beare suffer the cold Winter tyme which in the yeare followyng will yelde newe fruites Many skilfull Authours write that if the leaues of the Artochoke be well couered in the grounde aboute the beginning of Winter they will after become not only white but pleasâ—unter in the eating whereby to serue among the Winter meates Here I thinke it profitable to the owner to know that the big leaues or braunches ought yeerely to be broken off from the olde stemmes or bodies leaste the elder in their yeelde might bee hindred and the yonger plantes in farther distances set that these may prosper and sende forthe their fruites the better for suche is the fruitefull and plentyfull yeelde of this Plante that the braunches or great leaues broken off from the tender stemmes and set againe in the earth will after cleaue ioyne togither as certaine reporte and oftentimes to yeelde in the same yere both the stemme outward roughnes wyth prickes on it The skilfull writers of the Greeke Husbandrie will that the owner or Gardner in the opening and digging away of the Earth to cut them vp with a sharpe hooke leauing some part of the roote in the earth which so pulled vp and annointing the roote with softe dung set again in a well labored grouÌ„d turned in with olde dung wel three foote a sunder often water them when the drye season commeth vntill the plantes shall bee sufficientlye strengthned in the Earthe Those which the Gardner mindeth to let run or growe vnto Seede such shall hee separate from all the yong plantes as Palladius willeth and couer the heads eyther with a thinne Potshard or Barke of a tree in that the Seedes â—â—e commonly woâ—te to bee corrupted through the Sunne or shoures of Raine and by that meanes these to perishe and come to no vse whiche if the Seedes be eyther burnt with the Sunne or putrifyed with the moysture of shoures will after yeeld to the Gardener no commoditie in the bestowing in the Earth The owner or Gardener may not gather the fruites of the Artochokes all at one time for asmuche as the heads ripen not togither but one after the other so that the owner ought then to gather the fruites when as these onely haue floures belowe in forme of a Garlande and not before that time wherefore if the Gardener doe stay vntill all the floures be shedde the fruites will be the worser and lesser delectable in the eating The Gardener must carefully looke vnto that the Mice haunt not to the rootes of the Artochokes for once allured through the pleasaunte tast of them they after resort in great number from farre places to the maruellous spoyle of the rootes as the Greeke Varro in his worthy instructions of Husbandrie hathe diligently noted yet not leauing the same without a healpe and remedie for he reporteth that the sharp assault and enterprise of them is withstanded and driuen awaye if the Gardener eyther lappe Woolle aboute the rootes or Swynes dung or bestowe the Figgetree ashes in like manner about them The Moles in like manner doe maruellously harme and be iniurious to the rootes in so muche that through their often casting and hollowing of the ground the whole plantes are procured to fall or leane through feeblenesse in the Earth for remedie of whiche annoyance the Gardener may eyther bring vppe and learne a yong Catte or tame a Weesill to hunt dayly in those places There be which 〈…〉 plantes of the Artochoke in a fall and drie grounde to the ende the Moles should not so lightly in their working ouerthrowe them The owner whiche woulde vnderstande and knowe other healpes let him resort vnto those experiments whiche wee haue vttered in the first part The Phisicke benefites and helpes of the Artochoke THe Artochocke eaten greene or rawe with vineger reformeth the sauoure of the mouth The Eared and scalie kernels cleauing or sticking round about the heade being tenderly boyled after the manner of the Sperage from which after the licoure poudered the Eares agayne boyled with Butter and seasoned with vineger and Salte doe yeelde a delectable sauce with meate right profitable There be some which rather eate the Eares 〈◊〉 than sodden being afore prepared with Salte and the fine pouder of Pepper or Coliander seedes strawed vpon for by that meanes as they affyrme is the natural sweetnesse of them more kindly and delectably represented and felte Certain reporte that the Eares only steeped in wine to cause vrine and moue the venerial act as the worthy Hesiodus reporteth whiche as Ruellius hath noted at the bearing of the floure the Grashoppers then do lowdest sing and women greediest to the venerial acte but men at the same time flowst The roote after cleane scraping and keping forth of the Pyth boyled in wine and drunke not onlye amendeth the hardnesse of making water but the ranke sauoure stinking smel of the Armeholes which Xenocrates affirmeth of experience to send forth on such wise y e stincke in the vrine caused
the thyrd water boyled to giue a very good norishment to the eater being boyled with fat fleshe and other pleasaunte spices added yet are they weaker than the green in working although the euilnesse of the iuyce no longer remayning nor felte The raw Onyon moderately vsed according to the rule of Phisick heateth and cutteth asunder grosse and clammy humours openeth the wayes of the vaynes prouoketh the Termes and vrine and increaseth the appetite the iuyce also drawen vp by the Nosethrels or the sauor receiued by the Nose purgeth maruellously the heade The Onyon is better commended to be eaten than the sauoure allowed in that the person whiche dayly eateth of the yong and tender Onyons with Hony fasting shall continue a longer time in perfitte helth and strength The iuyce remoueth the white spottes as wel on the face as bodye the iuyce applyed wyth Hennes greace healeth the kybes gallyng of the heeles by a straight shooe The Juice mixed with Hens greace and annointed remoueth the red and wanne spottes of the face the Onion brused with vineger and annointed on scabbed places both healeth and causeth a cleare skinne The Onions after the boyling in wine or water fried in Oyle and applied in plaister forme vnder the nauell aswageth the painfull gripings and fluxe happening to women in child bed the Onions rosted vnder hotte embers and mixed with leuen and oyle of Lillies and applied in plaister forme on impostumes speedily breaketh and procureth them to runne The commended vertues of the distilled Water of the Onions THe moste chosen and aptest time for the distilling of Onions is in the first moneth of Haruest for then ought the roots to be shred and workmanly distilled This water drunke foure or fiue times vnto the quātitie of two ounces at a time recouereth the swelling caused by the bitte of a mad dog or other beast the same drawne vp by the nostrels aswageth the greuous paine of the head The water helpeth the ache payn of the teeth if they be eyther rubbed or washed with the same thys also causeth heares to growe in any balde place of the head if the same be annointed wyth it the drinking of the water expelleth wormes What care skill and secreates to be learned in the sowing and ordering both of the lesser and greater Garlike Chap. 21. THe Garlike muche desired and often eaten of the husbandman with fat Beefe and other sodden meates ioyeth in an earth especially white diligently digged and labored without any dung bestowed in it whose cloues broken off from the heade ought to be bestowed on the borders of beds rounde about well a hand-bredth asunder about the same tyme when the Onions are and these with the beddes or little ridges made in forme to suche in the fielde to be highe raised wherby the plantes commyng vp maye the lesser be harmed with the shoures falling and the naturall moisture consisting in the earthe The Cloues set in the ridges and borders of the beddes may not be deepe nor the earthe raysed on them like to hillockes as manye do but in an euen manner and vnto the middle ioyntes bestowed whych when they shall haue yeelded or sente vp three blades then these to be diligently weeded about for throughe the often dooyng they encrease the better and yeelde a bigger heade The Neapolitane Rutilius writing of the Garlike in his instructions of Husbandry willeth that the seedes to be committed to the earthe in the moneths of Nouember December January and Februarye in a grounde well digged and laboured and the same white without any dung bestowed in it besides the earth the same tyme indifferent drye in a warme day for the seedes on suche wise handled are caused to prosper and yeeld the better Although the learned Plinie seemeth to write that the seedes bestowed in the earth doe slowly come vp whereby these in the firste yeare only yeelde a heade no greater than a Leeke but in the seconde yeare they growe deuided and in the thirde yeare come to their full growth and perfection and suche some suppose to be the fairer and seemelier The Seedes of the Garlike wyth vs better agree to be bestowed in the moneths of September October February and March in a earth white indifferent drye and well laboured wythout dunging If anye happen to remaine in beddes as 〈◊〉 reporteth after the seedes full ripe and gone those then renew in the yeare following of the owne accorde both in the roote and blade yea yeelde seedes the same yeare whiche may after be sowen in well laboured beddes to sende forthe greene Garlike If the owner woulde possesse Garlike both great and bigge in the Heade then before the same bee shotte vppe into a stemme hee muste workmanlye tye all the toppes of the greene blades to an other growing nexte to it whiche after treade softly downe with the foote The worthy Rutilius willeth that when the stemme begynneth to appeare to couer the same with Earthe after the treading downe whiche in suche maner to foresee that it encrease not into a bushe or many blades this so handled in the hard treading downe to be dayly applied that the Juice may run to the roote and cause the head to waxe the bigger The like of which Plinie in his time firste experienced The worthy Sotion in his greke obseruations of husbandry also Rutilius with certaine others reporte that if the cloues of Garlike heades be committed to the Earthe and the like pulled out of the grounde when the Moone shall bee discending and vnder the Horizone as hidde to vs that the stinking sauoure will in a manner bee extinguished so that the breath of the eaters shall very little be felte which Plinie seemeth somwhat otherwyse to vtter instructing that the heades vnto the same purpose oughte to be bestowed when the Moone shal bee vnder the Earthe and to bee gathered when the Moone shall bee in coniunction or wyth the Sunne The saide Greeke Sotion seemeth to affirme that the Garlike heads maye bee caused to growe sweete of fauoure if in the setting the kernels of Olyues after the ioynyng wyth them be bestowed togyther in the Earthe or the sharper endes blunted on some stone and then committed to the earth or else in the setting that lies of the Oliues be bestowed with the cloues The singuler Didymus Ruellius noting the same vttereth or rather Sotion as the Greeke copy sheweth that the lothsomnesse or stinking sauoure by the eating of Garlicke heades is abolished or put away if the greene and rawe beane bee soone after eaten Others there are which will the roote of the Bete to be eaten after the rostyng vnder hotte embers affirming the same to be sufficiente to remoue the strong sauour Also with the like remedy Menander one of the Greeke writers witnesseth as Plinie writeth of him the sauour to be dissebled and bidde Oure later writers of husbandrye and Phisicke reporte ▪ that the rancke sauour of Garlike may be extinguished with the onely eating
the coÌ„modities therof Ch. 3. The order in sovving or setting of Arage vvith the phisike helps therof Chap. 4. The sovvyng and remouing of Sperage vvith the phisike helps therof Chap. 5. The ordring sovving of Spinage vvith the phisicke helpes thereof Chap. 6. The ordering and sovving of the Garden Sorrell vvith the phisike helpes of the Sorrell and Pympernell and the vâ—ater distilled therof Chap 7. The ordering and sovving of Louage Buglosse vvith the phisik helps of them both and the vvater therof Chap. 8. The figure of the Fornace named â—alneum Mariae fo 26. The order of sovving remouing setting the Marigold vvith the phisike helps of Marigolds and vvater therof Chap. 9. The ordering and sovving Parsely vvith the phisicke healpes of Parseley and the vvater distilled thereof Chap. 10. The ordering and sovving of Garden and vvilde running Time vvith the phisicke healpes of Time and vvater therof Chap. 11. The ordering and sovving of Mintes and Holihoke vvith the phisicke healpes of the Mintes and Mallovves and vvater thereof Chap. 12. The ordering and sovving of the Artochoke vvith the phisicke healpes thereof Chap 13. The ordering and sovving of Endiue and Succory vvith the phisicke helpes both of them and the vvater thereof Chap. 14. The ordering sovving of Lettuce vvith the phisicke healpes of Lettuce and the vvater therof distilled Chap. 15. The ordering and sovving of Purselane and Rocket vvith the phisicke healpes of them both and of the vvater of Purslaine Chap. 16 The ordering and sovving of Cheruill Smallage Taragon and Cresses vvyth the phisicke helpes of Cheruill and Garden Cresses and the distilled vvaters thereof Chap. 17. The ordring and sovving of Bucks horn Stravvbery and Mustard seede vvith the phisicke helpes of them all and vvater distilled from them Chap. 18. The ordering and sovving of Leekes and Câ—ues vvith the phisicke healpes of the Garden Leeke and vvater thereof Chap. 19. The ordering and sovving of the Onion vvith the phisicke commodities of the Onion and vvater therof Chap. 20. The ordering and sovving of Garlike vvith the phisicke healpes of Garlike and the vvater thereof Chap 21 The inconueniences of Garlike oute of Plinie fo 103 The ordering and sovving of the Scalion and Squill Onion vvith the phisicke healpes thereof Chap. 22. The ordering of Garden Saffron vvith the phisicke healpes thereof Chap. 23. The ordering and sovving of Nauevves vvith the phisicke benefites thereof Chap. 24. The ordering and sovving of the Rape and Turnupe vvith the phisicke helps of the Rape and vvater thereof Ch. 25. The ordering and sovvyng of Radyshe vvith the phisicke benefits of Radishe and the vvater thereof Chap. 26. The ordering and sovving of Parsneps and Carots vvith the phisicke heâ—lpes of them the vvater of Parsnep Ch. 27 The ordering and sovving of the Garden Poppy vvith the phisicke helps of Poppye and the vvater thereof Chap. 28. The ordering and sovving of Cucumber vvith the phisicke commodities thereof Chap. 29. The ordering and sovving of the Gourde vvith the phisicke helpes of the same the vvater thereof Chap. 30. The healpes and secretes of the Pompons Mellons and muske Mellons vvith the phisicke commodities of the Pompones and Mellons and the distilled vvater of Mellons Chap. 31. VVorthy instructions aboute the setting and sovving of sundry phisicke hearbes fragrant hearbes and floures and of the Blessed Thistle vvith the phisicke helps of the Thistle and the vvater thereof Chap. 32. The setting and sovving of the herbe Angelica vvith the phisicke healpes therof Chap. 33. The sovving of the herbe Valerian vvith the phisicke helps of the same and the vvater of the herbe and roote thereof Chap. 34. The bestovving of Bittoâ—â—â— vvith thâ— phisicke commodities of the same anâ— the vertues of the VVater thereof Chaptrer 35. The bestovving of Loâ—age vvith the phisicke helpes and vertues of the vvater thereof Chap. 36. The bestovving of Elecampane vvith the Physicke healpes of the same and the vvater distilled of the hearbe and root thereof Chap. 37. Finis Tabulae ¶ Authours from whome this vvorke is selected PLinie Cicero Columella M. Cato Varronianus Tremelius Varro Florentinus Palladius Rutilius Vergile Didymus Auicen Democritus Dyophanes Hesiodus Affricanus Apuleius D. Niger Theophrastus Anatolius Pamphilus Ruellius Paxanius Beritius Marcus Gatinaria Albertus Philostratus Archibius Galene The Gardeners Labyrinth Contayning the manifolde trauayles great cares and diligence to be yearly bestowed in euery earth for the vse of a Garden with the later inuentions and rare secretes therevnto added as the like not heretofore published The inuention of Gâ—rden plottes by whom first deuised and what commoditie founde by them in time past Chap. 1. THe worthie Plinie in his xix booke reporteth that a Garden plotte in the Auncient time at Rome was none other than a smal simple inclosure of ground whiche through the labour and diligence of the husbandmaÌ„ yeelded a commoditie and yearely reuenew vnto him But after yeares that man more esteemed of himselfe sought an easier life deuised and framed this ground plotte for the minde as for pleasure and delight as may well appeare by that Epicure of whome Cicero maketh mention in his booke intituled De natura Deorum who liuing at ease and conceyuing a felicitie in the Garden indeuoured first to place and frame the same within the walles of Athens whiche before as it should seeme lay open and vndefended in the wyde fielde and the culture of it not had in so much estimation as to place them nighe to theyr townes or houses For whiche cause doth Plinie by good reason rightly attribute the inuention of the delectable Garden to him The Garden plottes whiche the Auncient Romaynes possessed as Plinie reporteth were onely set aboute with trees hauing a dead inclosure made onely of busshesâ— that needed repayring euery yeare in whiche especially were sowen the red Onyons Colewortes great Leekes Cresses great Mallowes or holy Okes Endiue Rocket and sundry sallate Herbes In these they found such a commoditie as maruelously pleased them â–ª seyng they by enioying the hearbes needed no fire about the dressing preparing of them and spared a charge of fleshe besides a dayly profite that they gotte by the herbes and woodde brought to the Citie to be solde The meaner sorte of that tyme so litle cared and esteemed the eating of fleshe who in generall accompted it a kinde of reproche to be knowen to haue eaten fleshe that they refusing this taunt did as to a shambles or fleshe market haunt dayly to the Garden Columella reporteth lib. 10. that the Auncient husbandmeÌ„ so slenderly looked vnto or rather forced of Gardens that they in furthering the groweth and yeelde of theyr fruytes and hearbes bestowed a small trauayle and diligence And as they appeared negligent in their labours of the Garden so were they well pleased with a meane liuing in somuch that the common sorte fedde and liued willingly on grosse and simple herbes But after the age and people were refourmed and brought by the
Columella in his husbandry the Neapolitane Palladius Rutilius wryting the like instruction in a maner will that the ground plotte in which a Hedge shalbe erected be compassed with two narrow furrowes digged three foote distant one from the other and a mans foote and a halfe deepe but these to be made in the Equinoctial Haruest at what time the ground shalbe well moystned with shoures The Furrowes thus prepared they appoynted to lie open all the winter thorough after in the moneth of Februarie the roapes with the seedes layed into eache furrowes to be couered not thicke ouer with light earth for hindering the growth of the seedes especially of the white Thorne and that this action be rather wrought when as the winde bloweth from the South or Southwest the seedes thus couered with diligence shall appeare within a moneth eyther more or lesse and the tender young Thornes sprung vp to some height must be holpen and stayed with Willow twigges or other small proppes set betweene the emptie spaces vntil the Thornes by their further growth ioyned togither may stay one the other whiche within few yeares wil grow to be a most strong defence of the Garden or fielde a sure safeguide against outwarde iniuries Columella â–ª besides willeth that a Willow or Osier hedge be set on eyther side and in the middle roome or space betweene the two furrowes couered and euen raked that these might so stay the tender Thornes springing vp in eyther furrowe vnto the tyme they ioyned were growen aboue this Willow hedge or at the least vnto such strength that they wel stayed one of the other Others there are as the famouse Diophanes among the Greeke wryters of Husbandry and with him many the like whiche will a quicke set Hedge to be erected and made after this maner The bigger armes or roddes of the Bramble they willed to be cut into shorte portions or partes and these layed aslope into open Furrowes of a span deepe to be diligently couered with earth after to vse aboute the Plantes a dayly digging or rearyng vp of the earth and watering of them if neede so requyreth vntill the Plantes budde foorth and the leaues of the stemmes open whiche by this maner of comforting and cherishing shall grow in fewe yeares to a strong sure and continuall hedge The Neapolitane Palladius Rutilius instructeth the way and maner of erecting an other quicke set Hedge on this wyse Plante sayeth he young Elder trees neare three foote asunder then the seedes of the Brambles lapped diligently in long lumpes of softned moyst Cley or tough earth lay the same orderly in a shallow furrow betweene the Elder trees whiche artly couered with light Earth and watering the places if neede so requireth will within three yeares following growe to suche a strength and surenesse that the same will be able inough to defende the iniuries bothe of the theefe and beast Palladius Rutilius reporteth that this hedge of the Brambles after three yeares growth ought to be swinged with flaming strawe for on suche wise handled it prospereth afterwardes the better In that the Bramble as he sayth through the euery yeres swinging or burning with straw ioyeth and increaseth the better yea through the yearely burning as the skilfull Husband men affirme they shoote out harder and rougher of prickles And this maner to be briefe is a generall way of enclosing Garden groundes with small coste and easily performed Although the comlier inclosure or Hedge for a Garden be the same whiche is made of the white Thorne artly layed that in fewe yeares with diligence cut waxeth so thicke and strong that hardly any person can enter into the ground sauing by the Garden dore Yet in sundry Garden grouÌ„ds be hedges framed with the Pryuet tree although farre weaker in resistance which at this day are made y e stroÌ„ger through the yearely cutting bothe aboue and by the sides yea the same also caused through the like doyng to grow the euener and thicker to the beautifiyng of the Garden grounde and for other necessarie purposes To conclude I haue here vttered the making of certaine naturall inclosures for a Garden whiche may with the meanest coste be erected in any ground The cause why certayne skilfull husbandmen in Auncient time misliked the dunging of Gardens neere to the house and what dung best allowed for kitchin or pothearbes Chap. 9. THere were in Auncient tyme as Plinie reporteth certayne wittiâ— husband men that wholly refused and forbadde the dunging of Gardens placed nighe to the dwelling houses in that this dungyng might not onely infect the ayre thereabout but cause also the crescente things to proue both vnsauerier and more corrupt And in this matter the worthy writers of Husbandrie commended highly the Greeke Poete Hesiodus which writing very cunningly of husbandry omitted the dunging of the fieldes Garden plottes contented rather to councell vnto healthfulnesse thaÌ„ willed y e same to fertilitie In somuch as it was supposed inough at that time to haue fatned the fieldes and Garden plottes with the leaues and emptie coddes of the Beanes Peason Tares and such like turned workemanly in with the earth in due season of the yeare and not to haue imployed or dunged the ground with a rotten and pestilent matter incommodiouse to Man the Plantes Whiche wise men haue well founde out in that the sowen Plantes sprung vp in such an earth yeelde for the more parte a harmefull qualitie to the dayly feeders on them hardly to be amended Yet for that neyther the Auncient nor later husband men seeme to follow the instruction of this precept nor approue or allow any proper dunging in prescribing and commending the same in generall for that cause I here purpose to intreate in a briefe maner of the nature and vse of the same But first of all to warne you that a good and battle grounde needeth small dunging where a drie and thinne or leane earth in contrarie maner requyreth plentie of dung A earth onely drie as Maro reporteth well ioyeth to be often fed and diligently laboured with fat dung But the grounde that hath a meane substance in it requireth in like maner a meane dunging to be vsed Further conceyue that good dung doth for the more part procure a good and battle earth the better yea this helpeth and amendeth the euill and naughtie earth But the euil dung in a contrarie maner doth euermore cause al earthes the worser And this behoueth the Gardiner and husbande man â—o knowe that as the earth not dunged is both colde and stiffe euen so the grouÌ„d by the ouermuch dunging may be burned altogither For which cause Columella reporteth that more auaylable and better it is often to dung the earth than ouermuch at one time to bestow in the ground The earth digged vp to serue for the spring ought to be dunged in the waine or decrease of the Moone about S. Martyns day that the same lying all the Winter through may so be desolued
whiche cannot quietly sleepe this annointed on the Temples of the heade and pâ—â—â—ses of the hands procureth sleepe The water druncke 〈◊〉 women lacking milke if they eyther take it alone or in drinke 〈…〉 suche wise this procureth store of milke in the Breastes The water ceasseth and amendeth a hotte and drye coughe taken in drinke mollifyeth the throate clenseth the breaste and tungs ceasseth thirste â–ª tempeteth the heate of the stomacke lyuer and kidneys this besides in good quantitie taken looseth the belly What care and skill requyred in the sowing and ordering of the purselane and Rocket Chap. 16. THe Garden Purselan how diligeÌ„tly the same is bestowed so muche the larger it spreadeth on the earth and yeeldeth the thicker leafe This desireth to bee sowen in Februarye Marche Aprill Maye and June and in no other times for this hearbe cannot well endure the colde season This plentifullye yeeldeth and spreadeth â—eing bestowed in beds well turned in with olde dung or in grounde very fat of it selfe or otherwise sowen amongest Colewortes Onions Leekes And after these haue ioyed a yere in the Garden they will yearely come vp wythout paynes to the Gardner of the owne accord yet the hearbes desire euery yere to be often watered to the ende that these maye yeelde the bygger Tufâ—â— and thicker leafe The Seedes ought to be â—owen vnder the shadowe of Trees and in an Harboure where trees growe not too thicke for these otherwise bestowed vnder a thicke shadowe growe thinne and small of leafe The Purselane is one of the Garden hearbes serued firste in Sallets wyth Oyle Uineger and a little Salte aswell at the meane as riche mens tables yea thys for a dainty dish with many serued firste at the table in the winter time preserued after thys manner The greatest stemmes and leaues of the Purselane wythout rootes were gathered in that the smaller stiâ—ped lightly decayed and withered and these wyth water clearely and throughlye clensed from the fyne Sande hanging on and the fâ—lthe or corrupte leaues if any suche were cleane purged away and these so long they dryed in the shadowe vntill they were somewhat withered for otherwise through the plentie of moisture they either moulded or rotted in the lying After these were they infused in ueriuice made of soâ—â—e grapes strewed thicke ouer with greene Fennell bestowed in an earthen pot glased within or for the lacke of it in a sweete vessell of woode after this the whoâ—e sprinkled well ouer wyth salte laying greene Fennell againe ouer the Salte and sundry courses of Purselane wyth Salte and Fennell bestowed to the filling vp of the pot and ouer the vpper bed of Purselane againe a thicke course of greene fennell strowed whiche settled the whole mixture downe into the pot These being done the licours whiche was tempered or mixed wyth twoo parts of vineger and one of veriuyce made of grapes was poured vpon in such order so full that the same reached vppe to the brimmâ— or lip of the vessell The same prickle or sauce at the ende close couered with a lid was set vp in a dry place to be preserued for 〈◊〉 the beames of the Sun coming least the substaÌ„ce through the standing of the place might gather a vinew or mouldines ouer the same which also as they affirme may be auoided if the Purselane be not suffred to lye fâ—oting aboue but always couered well oneâ— with the licoure when they vsed serued it at the table they afore clensed it with warme water or wine pouring 〈◊〉 oyle on the Purselane they set it as a fiâ—â—â— dishâ— on the table to procure an appetite to the guests satte downe to meate The Rocket is added to the Lettuce in Sallets to the ende it may tempeâ— the conâ—tarye vertue of the same so that the Lettuce is seldome eaten with meate without the Rocket and the Sallet on suche wise prepared is caused the delectabler and yeeldeth the more healthe to maâ— And the worthye Galen in hys booke de aliment 〈…〉 willeth no man to eate the Lettuce or Purselane without the Rocket nor the Rocket coÌ„trariwise in any sallet without Lettuce or purselane that in asmuch as the one cooleth and harmeth the venereall acte the other throughe the heating in the eyther maâ—ter profiteth man â–ª The seedes may be committed to the earth and the Hearbe planted aswell in the winter tyme as in sommer for it neyther fâ—â—â—eth the colde nor anye other distempeâ—aneye of the ayre nor this requireth greate laboure about the bestowing of the seedes in the earth and after the commyng vppe it especially ioyeth to be often weeded but the seedes to be sowen in a sandie or â—rauelly grounde ought afore to be well 〈…〉 The phisicke helpes and remedies both of the Purselane and Rocket THe Purselane cooleth in the thirde degree and moistneth in the seconde the Herbe vsed freshe and greene is better allowed for thys dried hath small vse and vertue in that it mitigateth and moisteneth The Purselane throughe the proper coldenesse asswageth hotte and Cholericke flures through the often applying and cooling and helpeth the persons afflicted with a burning Feuer and the teeth astonished or on edge by eating of sowre things is amended by the only eating of the freshe hearbe The Juice of this applyed healpeth the Shingles and both bridleth the venereall acte and abateth sleepe The herbe expelleth the wormes of the belly drunke with wine stayeth the perillous Fluxe Disenteria The decoction of the Purselane holden for a whiles in the mouth ceasseth the tothache if the Juice be annoynted healpeth outward inflamations The person which hath a hot stomacke or the mouth of the stomacke swollen shal throughly be holpen by eating of the fresh Purselane The Juice drunk mightely cooleth inward heats the hearbe eaten amendeth the vlcers of the priuities yet hurtfull to the eyes and somwhat cooleth the body A plaister made of the Purselane and applyed with barly meale on hot vlcers where a feare is that the matter in them putrifyeth much profiteth or if it shall be a hot impostume which fâ—eeth within from one member to another this greately amendeth The Purselane also remoueth the vlcers of the heade if brused it be tempered with wine and the heade washed with the same Thys applyed healpeth swollen eyes and preuayleth againste the spitting of bloud yet eaten rawe filleth the stomacke with a clammye humoure the daily eating of it abateth the desire to the venereall acte yet eaten wyth Uineger it remoueth the burnyng Feuer the Hearbe brused with Barly meale and heated on the fyre and then applied to the stomacke qualifieth the heate of the same the Purselane vsed of women molested with the monthely course stayeth it wythout griefe in shorte tyme. The Purselane â—hawed in the mouth profiteth againste the bleeding of the Nose the same doth the Juice performe annointed on the Foreheade The Purselane mixed with harly meale and applied in playster forme ceaseth the headache extinguisheth the heate of the
in the saide manner helpeth the stone prouoketh the Termes in women assuageth the griefe of the stone and prouoketh vrine yea this drunke in the abouesaide manner sendeth the deade yongling out of the mothers wombe The distilled water eyther drunk or applied with linnen clothes wet in it remoueth the swelling of womens places the sayde water also drunke or applied with linnen clothes assuageth the swelling of the testicles and only this druncke often doth amende them The distilled water druncke sundry days vnto the quantitie abouesaide both morning and euening ceasseth the coughe and consumeth the grosse and clammy humours about the stomacke The care in the bestowing of the hearbe Pepperworte Chap. 39. THe Pepperworte is a seemly hearbe yeelding leaues greater and broader than the peache or Baye tree and those thicker greener softer the herbe also growing a foot and a half and somtimes two foot high wyth a stiffe and rounde stemme bearyng on the top white and very small floures after these a small seede and long roote The leaues are sowre and bite in taste like pepper on the tongue for which cause this is rightly named Pepperworte Thys groweth euery where in Gardens and well ordered in the ground endureth for two yeres in certaine places also as witnesseth Ruellius it continueth grene tenne yeares It florisheth or beareth floures in the moneth of June and July and nexte yeeldeth the Seede The hearbe Pepperworte oughte to bee sette before the beginning of Marche after the growing vp to be clipped and cutte like the Siues but this not often for after the firste day of Nouember the hearbe ought not to be cut leaste it perisheth or drieth throughe the colde season ensuing The hearbe prospereth and continueth twoo yeares if the same be well dunged aboute and diligently weeded The phisicke benefits of the hearbe Pepperworte THe hearbe of qualitie heateth and drieth in third degree as Brunsfelsius reporteth but Galen affirmeth the Pepperworte to be hotte as the Cresses is in the fourthe degree yet lesser dryeth than it and the leaues of this hearbe doth by property exulcerate the nature also of the Hearbe is to cutte and extenuate the meate receyued and clammy humoures The Pepperworte is not to be vsed or taken inward without milke and it hathe the like properties as the Cresses whiche after the manner of condite things muste be condited with milke and salte And the same may bee made after this manner by infusing the freshe leaues in newe milke and after the thirde daye the whey pressed foorthe to whiche then greene Sauery the drye seedes of Coriander Dill time and parseley mixed and diligentlye beaten togyther thys well sodden and strained to adde so muche salte as shall suffise Seing the leaues possesse suche a sharpnesse as Dioscorides reporteth that they doe exulcerate partes wythin for that cause maye they aptely serue vnto exulcerating in the paine of the hippes if after the brusing wyth an Elecampane root it be layd to the place a quarter of an houre And this in the like manner lying to assuageth the swelling of the Milte The roote beatē with barrows grease or with the Elecampane roote and applied in plaister forme on the hippe grieued doth deliuer the ache in shorte time This amendeth the skinne of the face by exulcerating so that the same bee after healed with oyle of Roses and waxe And on such wise it easily taketh away foule scabbes and Leprie and the marks of Ulcers The roote of the Hearbe Pepperworte tyed on the Arme or hanged about the necke is supposed to cease or aswage the toothache The care in the bestowing of the Celondyne Chap. 39. THe Hearbe Celondyne shooteth vp a foote and a halfe high and somtymes is more slender of them bearing many leaues and those like to the Crowfoote but softer and to a yelowish coloure tending yeeldyng also a yelow floure like to the Violet The iuyce in the Hearbe of yelowe coloure to Saffrone biting the tongue sowre somwhat bitter and strong sauouring The roote aboue all one but within the earth shedde into many yellow hearye rootes it commonly groweth in shadowie places by walles and in stony heapes this florisheth at the comming of the Swallowes and all the Sommer but it wythereth at the departure of them The Celondine commeth vp in any earth yet dothe the same more ioy bestowed in a shadowie place and the seedes ought to be committed to the Earth in the moneth of February which after the comming vppe wil endure for twoo yeares if after the shedding of the Seedes the stemmes be cutte away well foure fingers aboue the rootes The phisicke benefits of the Celondine THe Celondine is of qualitie hotte and drye in the third degree absolute but Platearius affirmeth the hearbe to be hotte and drye in the fourthe degree Foure things are preserued of this hearbe as the leaues with the stemme the rootes seedes and Juice The Juice of the herbe boyled in a Copper vessell with hony on the coles and dropped into the eies procureth a clearnesse of them and putteth away the dimnesse of sighte The Juice mixed with salt Armoniacke and dropped into the eies remoueth the pinne and webbe growen on them and causeth a clearnesse of sight The hearbe with the floures diligently beate boiling them after in water and that water boyled poure into a potte settyng the same againe ouer the fire and well skimming it in the boyling when the licoure beginneth to seeth ouer straine it soone after through a linnen clothe whyche keepe close stopped in a glasse or a potte to vse for this dropped in the eyes remoueth the dimnesse of sighte The Juice of the root cleareth the leaprie if any annointeth the places therewith and the patient after taketh the Sirrope of Fumitorie for nine dayes togyther both morning and euening whyche wythout doubt recouereth and healpeth the same The Juice is to be purchased in Maye aswell out of the rootes as leaues and floures beaten togyther and pressed foorth whiche after the drying in the shadowe to be formed into little pasties The root of the Celondine boyled in white wine with Annise sedes and drunke fasting deliuereth the Jaundise through stopping in the body and applied after the boyling in wine or chawed in the mouthe assuageth the toothache A handefull of the Celondine purged boyled in an equall quantitie of Rosewater and strained to which an ounce and halfe of Triacle added is a moste effectuouse remedy against the plague The roote boyled in wine and applied in plaister forme on the shingles or Tetters speedely healeth them the herbe brused as Platearius reporteth boyled in wine and applied vpon or a spunge wette in the saide decoction remoueth the Cholicke passion The pouder of the root sprinckled on woundes and vlcers both clenseth and healeth them For the Canker of the mouthe bone or synewes the pouder of the saide roote with the pouder of roses wrought togyther with vineger and boyled vnto a meane thicknesse like to mustard and the cankerous
shall worke after this maner in taking a litle clodde of earth and the same to sprinckle with fayre water kneading it well in the hande which after appearing clammie and cleauing or sticking to the fingers doth vndoubtedly witnesse that earth to haue a fatnesse in it An other triall of a battell earth may thus be purchased if you digge vp a rotten clodde in a maner blacke and the same able inough to couer it selfe with the groweth of the owne grasse and appearing also of a mixte colour whiche earth if it be found thinne and loose may well be fastned and made clammie through the adioyning and mixing of a fat earth to it The garden grounde doth also require a sweetnesse to consist in it whiche the Gardener shall easely finde and knowe by taste of it if so be he take vp a clodde of earth in any parte of the ground which most misliketh him and moystening the clodde with fayre water in an earthen potsharde doth after the dipping of the finger in this moyst earth and water let a droppe softely fall on the tunge he shall incontinent feele and perceyue by reason of the taste of what condition the same is Further euery fatte earth beyng reasonably loose is euermore commended and chosen whiche of it selfe requireth smal labour and yeeldeth the most increase But worste of all others is that grounde whiche shalbe bothe dry and grosse leane and colde In the kindes of grounde the chalkie is to be refused whiche properly the auncients name the cleyishe and reddish earth The worthy Varro commendeth the same grounde whiche of it selfe beyng gentle and pliable yeeldeth properly walwurtes The same earth doth Columella greatly allowe which of the owne accorde yeeldeth or bringeth foorth wilding or Crabbe trees yong Springs the Slowe or Bullesse trees Elme trees and such like So that a battell ground is on suche wise founde and knowen the rather of the crescent things seene in it of the owne accorde yet of necessitie may euery grounde well agree to be mixed and turned in with dunge Florentinus vttereth an other triall of a fruitefull grounde if so be the Gardener diggeth vp a furrow of a foote and a halfe deepe and filleth the same againe with the owne earth which in short time after gapeth or choppeth this no doubt is a weake and leane earth But if the earth thus ordred swelleth or retcheth out then is it a sure note that the same is a battell and fatte grounde And this is noted to be a meane earth whiche after the digging and raking euen gapeth but a little This I thought not good to be couered nor willingly ouer passed that a garden plotte situated or standing neare to a mote or compassed by a mote is not alwayes lawdable in that the seedes bestowed in the same and diuerse plantes set in it do lightly and soone through the water vaporating foorth waxe olde yea the fruytes whether those shalbe of the hearbes or trees are for the more parte caused vnpleasant and ouermoyst Further conceyue that a garden grounde ought to be of a moderate increase and easie dressing whiche neyther is very moyst nor ouer dry of it selfe To these suche a earth is greatly commended as beyng new digged byrdes couet to it and that Crowes especially folow the new casting of the digger If the earth shalbe founde naughtie or vnfruitfull as the Cleyie Sandie and Chalkie then ought the same to be amended after the minde of the skilfull with mearle and dunge layed three foote deepe and well turned in with the earth if this be perceyued ouer thinne and leane then to be mixed and holpen by a fat earth or to a barreyne and ouer dry groūd may be mixed a moyst and very fatte earth A waterie ground is made the better if the same be mixed with a sandie or small grauelie earth and deepe Alleys made for the conueighyng and shifting of the water falling in the night But to vse such a tediouse paynes in these Plinie accompteth it a madnesse for what fruyte or gayne may be hoped after in bestowyng suche a trauayle and diligence in the like grounde plotte To conclude euery reasonable earth may very much be holpen thorough the well dunging and laboring of the Gardener of whiche matter in the proper place we meane fully to intreate Of the placing and standing of a Garden plotte with the necessarie benefite of water to a Garden and other matters profitable Chap. 5. IT is right necessary sayth Varro to place gardens neare to the Citie aswell for the benefite of pothearbes and rootes as all maner of sweete smelling floures that the Citie greatly needeth Where these placed in a soyle farre off that they can not so conueniently and in due time be brought to the market to be solde in such places are altogither disalowed and thought friuolous for the turne Cato doth very much commende the garden plot placed neare to the Citie in which both young trees to beare vp Uines and Willow or Osier trees be planted nigh to water sides and in places waterie and that through the garden grounde water or springs be seene running To these the seedes of most hearbes committed into a very well dunged dressed and fayre or large open plot in whiche besides all kindes of fruytes for the vse of man workemanly planted and set in apte times of the yeare This skilfull Cato also willeth that all kindes of garden groundes be placed and framed neare to the Citie aswell for the Garlande or Posie floures as all maner rounde and delectable rootes with the sweete and pleasant smelling trees as all the kindes of the Roses the sweete Jacemine the Eglantine bryar the Myrtill tree and all others of lyke sorte sowed and planted in due seasons of the yeare But a Garden plot onely seruing for the vse of potherbes and the kitchin ought especially to be a battell ground sufficient moyst of it selfe and well turned in or workemanly laboured with dung Garden plottes ought to be placed farre from Barnes Hay loftes and Stables if the same possibly may be refused or otherwise chosen for the turne in that the chaffe or duste of strawes as enimie to them the plantes hardly brooke and suffer in somuch that the very strawes blowē abroade with the winde and falling on hearbes do greatly annoy and harme them as the singular Florentinus in his Greeke instructions of Husbandry skilfully vttereth For these sayth he by cleauing to the plantes in the fallyng pearse the leaues which once pearced are incontinent burned by them All Gardens aswell prosper by the dunging with rootes as with the proper dunge allowable yet dungyng the Garden earth with the branches and leaues of trees is of the skilfull Gardeners very much disalowed as vnprofitable and noyouse to hearbes As to the well standing of a Garden behoueth the aptest and moste laudable placing of a Garden plot shalbe if the playne grounde lying somewhat a slope shal haue a course of spring water running through by
seueral partes But this course of water running through the Garden plot may in no wise be bigge And the smalnesse of the labouring and dressing of a Garden grounde is more of yeelde than the largenesse of it not labored in a maner at all It behoueth to haue a well in a Garden onlesse some running water as eyther ditche or small ryuer be neere adioyning for that a sweete water sprinckled on yong Plantes and Hearbes giueth a speciall nourishment If a well bee lacking in the Garden then digge a deepe pitte in some conuenient place of the Garden although it may be a painefull labour for the Gardener to drawe water out of the same For a Garden grounde needeth often to be watered through whiche all Seedes committed to the earth as Plinie reporteth both sooner breake foorth and speedier spread abroade That a pit with water of long continuance may be purchased the same at that time Columella willeth to be digged wheÌ„ as the Sunne shall obtayne or occupie the last degrees of virgo which is in the moneth of September before the Equinoctiall haruest For the vertue then of Well springes are throughly tried and founde out at whiche time through the long drought of Summer the earth lacketh the due moysture of rayne If a well or pitte to purpose cannot be made in the Garden then frame vp a squarepitte or Cesterne leaueled in the bottome with brycke and â—ime to receyue the rayne water falling with whiche in the hottest Summer dayes you may water the beddes of the Garden But if all these maner of healpes and wayes shall fayle the Gardener or can not wel be compassed in the Garden ground then shal he digge the ground after the minde of Palladius Rutilius three or foure foote the deeper or lower For the beddes on such wise ordered being workemaÌ„ly laboured and sowen may the better endure through the lowe standing the whole drought of the Summer dayes In the Garden ground besides this shall you obserue that when the Alleys or pathes of the beddes be ouer cloyed with water to digge deepe gutters here there after your discretion in suche order that the water falling and runnyng along may be guyded into a conuenient pitte made at the lower side or ende of the Garden for that onely purpose Here further learne that what Garden plot the nature of the moysture helpeth not the same may you aptly deuide into partes in conuerting the spaces digged and dressed for the winter time to lie open to the South and those prepared for the Summer time like vnto the North quarter What ayre commended for the benefite of a Garden and whiche be noâ—ous as well to Man as the Plantes and the reason why Garden plottes ought to be placed nigh to the owners house Chap. 6. EUery ground plâ—â—â—ying neare to the Cittie aswell the Garden as Orcharde ought to be placed neere to the house for the oftner recourse and diligence to be bestowed of the owner and the Garden especially to be laboured and well turned in with dung through whose iuyce and fatning the earth may yeelde hearbes of the owne accorde As touchyng the ayre commended for a Garden the same being cleare and temperate is beste alowed in that this not onely cherisheth and prospereth the hearbes growing in it but procureth a delight and comfort to the walkers therein An euill ayâ—â— in the contrarie mâ—â—â—et troubled with the vapours of standing pittâ—s ditches and suche like mixed to it dothe not onely annoy and corrupte the Plantes and Hearbes growing in that Garden faste by but â—ist choke and dull the Sâ—yrites of men by walkyng in the 〈◊〉 Besides â–ª the windes byting and frostes mortifying doe both harme and destroy Plantes Auicen wryting of the ayre doth in skilfull maner â—tter that the same ayre whiche after the Sunne setting is soone colde and after the Sunne rising speedily hote is both subtill and healthfull to man So that a contrarie ayre to this worketh the contrary to man and Plantes Yet that ayre is accompted worser which seemeth as it were to wring or binde hâ—rde togither the Heart yea making straight or letting the attraction of ayre The learned Neapolitane Rutilius besides these reporteth that y e subtilnesse or healthfulnes of ayre do declare those places free froÌ„ low valleys and stincking mistes or fogges in the night that might annoy both men and the Plantes Here is doth not much disagree from the matter to write in generall general of the qualities of the windes and of these in the briefest maner First the Easterly and Westerly windes be in a maner temperate of qualitie as betwene a hotenesse and coldnesse yet of the two the Easterly windes be knowen dryer Further the Easterly windes are for the more parte hoter than the Westerly the Westerly by reporte of the Auncient somewhat more moyst than the Easterly Of all the windes for the benefite of the Garden is the Southwest winde especially commended as the worthy Florentinus in his Greeke rules and others of experience affirme Besides these as vnto the clemencie or temperatenesse of ayre and healthfulnesse of the place belongeth a Garden plot in colde countries ought in a contrary maner to be placed as either to the East or South quarter if the same be such a plot of ground whiche bothe contayneth trees Plants or Herbes comming vp in it least the Garden plot excluded from these two partes by the obiect or standing against of some most great and high hill be so nipped frosen and withered with the extreame colde long continuyng or the Garden plotte otherwise farre distant form the comforte of the Sunne on the North parte or els the Sunne only shining low and weake at the West quarter of the same The singular Cato willeth that the Garden if a man can be placed at the foote of an Hill and the same beholding or lying open to the South especially in a healthfull place For a Garden plotte thus defended by an highe hill on the North parte and all the day comforted by the open face of the South quarter is procured to yeelde the sweeter and tymelier Fruytes in the seasons of the yeare But in hote Regions or Countries let the open place of a Garden grounde be rather situated towardes the North quarter whiche may through the like standing auayle aswell to health of bodie and quicknyng of the Spyrites as to profite and pleasure This besides conceyue that the placing of a Garden grounde neare to a Fenne or Marrishe is euery where to be misliked and refused if the same lie open towardes the South or Weste and yearely in the Summer time is accustomed to be drie for on such wise hapning the ayre thereabout gathered vp doth in the falling againe ingender eyther the Pestilence or wicked vermine much harming the Garden plot lying nigh to it There is also a great regarde to be had to the water mote or ditche standing nighe or rounde aboute the Garden grounde whether
husbandrie haue noted What to be considered of euerie gardiner before the casting forth and leueâ—ling of the beddes with the disposing of the earth Chap. 11. BEfore I intreate of the sowing of Gardens it behoueth to admonish you that it much auayleth in a Garden to frame seemelye walkes and Alleis for the delight of the owner by which hee maye the freelier walke hither and thither in them and consider throughly all the matters wrought and done in the Garden if the disquietnesse of minde hinder not the benefite of the same The walkes and Alleys shall to that ende be disposed that they may serue in the steade of a dunging in those places as the worthie interpreter M. Cato that cunningly wrote of the auncient husbandrie witnesseth These before considered let vs come vnto the matter Certaine skilfull practicioners admonish that a Garden plot or field bee not sowne ouer all vntill the earth before shall be well moystned with showers That if these fall in due season and tyme then the skilfull Gardiners agree to be well liked If any be otherwise occasioned to sow as often it so happeneth then the seedes slowly breake forth how workmanly soeuer the seedes may bee bestowed in a drie Garden ground or plow lande as that worthie Columella witnesseth which like matter in certaine countreys is woont to be exercised where the coÌ„dition of the ayre is on such wise For what the same is which shall be bestowed in a drie earth is euen the like as If the same were layde in a house whiche corrupteth not But when showers fall on the seedes committed to the earth certaine dayes before they after shoote vp in one daye yet are these seedes in daunger sowne in the meane time of Byrdes and Antes or Pismires except the seedes be before the sowing preserued and defended wyth those helpes which shall after be vttered in the proper place following How soeuer the occasion and weather serue the Gardiner shall employ his diligence that the Garden ground or field which ought to be leuelled and sowne in the spring time that the same may yeeld the proper fruits in the Sommer time bee digged and dunged if need so requyre to the earth about the ende of Haruest when as yet the cold season and frosts bee not approched nor bitter weather begun And the same gardeÌ„ plot or quarters of the Garden which the Gardiner woulde in the Haruest time haue couered with the Sallet Pot hearbes and rootes ought to be turned vp in the beginning of Sommer or in the Moneth of May that the Cloddes of earth may through all the colde Winter and hote Sommer weather speaking or rather here meaning of the greater Gardens bee so dissolued as the worthie Maro skilfullye instructeth And to these that the rootes of the vnprofitable Herbes or Weedes may likewise be killed After the Winter or Sommer time ended dung then must bee orderly turned in with the earth as in the Moneth of Marche the Moone decreasing for the Spring time and in the end of Haruest for the Winter tyme. And when the sowing time approcheth or draweth neare then shall the Garden grounde as the proper order and maner of euerie Countrie is bee diligently raked weeded and purged both of the stones and vnprofitable rootes after the same let the earth bee dunged and orderlye digged as in the maner afore taught which through the diligent digging so often repeated that the dung with the earth by the twise labouring ouer bee well dissolued and mixed togither After this digging and dunging againe the seconde time if the ground needeth such fatning and the earth leuelled may the Garden about the middes of Februarie but I rather suppose in the Moneth of March to be more agreeable and the Moone especially in hir first quarter be beautified in apt places of the same with seemly Herbers before the quarters and beddes be workmanly troden out by the Gardiner the instruction of which Herbers shal fully be vttered in this next Chapter The framing of sundry Herbers delectable in a Garden with the walkes and alleys artely deuised in the same Chap. 12. THe Herber in a Garden may bee framed with Juniper poles or the Willowe eyther to stretch or be bound togither with Osyers after a square forme or in arche manner winded that the braunches of the Uine Melone or Cucumbre ruÌ„ning and spreading all ouer might so shadowe and keepe both the heate and Sunne from the walkers and sitters there vnder The Herbers erected and framed in most Gardens are to their much refreshing comfort and delight These two as the vpright directed by quarters set in the Earthe and leaning to the wall neere to which faire Rosemarie or the redde Rose set to runne straight vp and the winding in arch manner framed as I vttered afore with the Juniper or Withie poles to shadowe the walkers there vnder To this fastning the Uine and sundry hearbes whiche in the growing vp runne and spredde ouer the same as the Bryonne Cucumbre Gourd diuers others of which heere vnder we shall more fully intreate But first I meane to speake of those Herbes whiche the Gardener planteth and ordereth to runne for beauties sake in an vprighte Herber after to intreate of those whyche he eyther soweth or planteth to runne ouer the winding or arch Herber The plantes to runne vp and serue comeliest for the straight Herber ought to be those of a fragrant sauoure and that growe or shoote vppe highe and are spredde abrode whyche especially framed in the Garden for delight and pleasure and these properly named wall Herbers in that they are set in a manner leaning to the wall with the quarters sette vprighte and poles fastned ouerthwart along the whiche the Rosemarie the Jasmine and redde Rose in manye Gardens sette for growe vpright whiche in tyme growing beautifye an vprighte Herber although these couer not the same through theyr shorter and lower growing than the Herber yet this commoditie ensueth by the Herber that the owners friendes sitting in the same maye the freâ—lier see and beholde the beautie of the Garden to theyr greate delyght The erection and garnishing of the winding Herber maye best bee wroughte with Juniper poles in that these may well endure withoute repairing for tenne yeares but those framed with the Willowe poles require euery three yeares to be repayred The owner or Gardener that woulde sette Rosetrees to runne vp by the poles of thys Herber ought workemanlike to beginne and doe the same aboute the myddes of February and in the fyrste quarter of the Moone the beddes before well reared wyth a stonie and drye Earth and not wyth Dung. The Rosetrees with theyr rootes are also to be planted in short and narrowe beddes diligentlye raysed with a drye Earthe but if the Gardener or owner will slyppes may be broken off from the rootes cutte in a slope manner at the heads about a mans foote and a halfe long writhed at the endes and so sette in a
slope manner a foote deepe into beddes well reared with a drie Earthe and in the encrease of the Moone The olde trees newe sette euerye fifth yeare in the wayne of the Moone take roote the sooner and yeelde the more Roses beyng proyned and refreshed euery yeare with new and drie Earth aboute the rootes for neyther the slippes nor olde rootes ioy in a fatte Cley or moyst grounde but in the drye and stonye Earthe and to bee sette in ranckes well a foote distaunte one from an other in drye beddes well reared vppe for bestowed in ranckes of suche distance betweene they prosper the better and yeelde more Roses The Seedes of the Rose commytted to the Earthe doe slowlye come vppe yet so often as you mynde to sowe the Seedes bestowe them a foote deepe in lyghte and drie Earthe aboute the myddes of Marche wyth vs and in February in hotter places the Moone then increasing Here may any truly learne by the instruction oâ— the worthie Neapolitane Palladius Rutilius whiche are the seedes of the Rose For a man sayth he may not thinke the yellow graynes within the Rose flower being of a golden colour to be them but the knobbes which grow after the maner of a most short and small peare the seedes of which are then full ripe when they be perceyued brownish and soft which will be in the Moneth of September The owner also may set the Jasmine tree bearing a flagrant flower the muske Rose Damaske Rose and Priuet tree in beddes of drie earth to shoote vp and spreade ouer this Herber which in time growing not onely defendeth the heate of the Sunne but yeeldeth a delectable smell much refreshing the fitters vnder it But this Arche Herber for any kinde of the Roses may not bee built much aboue a mans heigth for the short growth of them And as this Herber is delectable to the eie euen so laborsome with diligence to be tended for which cause the more nuÌ„ber in England plant Uines for the lesser trauaile to runne and spread ouer the vpright and square Herbers framed with quarters and Polles reaching a breadth After the Herbers seemly perfourmed in conuenient places and walkes of the Garden ground here meaning and speaking of the large plottes the Alleis euen troden out and leauelled by a line as eyther three or foure foote broade may cleanly be sifted ouer with ryuer or sea sande to the ende that showers of raine falling may not offend the walkers at that instant in them by the earth cleauing or clagging to their feet The commodities of these Alleis and walkes serue to good purposes the one is that the owner may diligently view the prosperitie of his herbes and flowers the other for the delight and comfort of his wearied mind which he may by himselfe or fellowship of his friendes conceyue in the delectable sightes and fragrant smelles of the flowers by walking vp and downe and about the Garden in them which for the pleasant sightes and refreshing of the dull spirites with the sharpning of memorie many shadowed ouer with vawting or Archherbers hauing windowes properly made towardes the Garden whereby they might the more fully view and haue delight of the whole beautie of the Garden But the strait walkes the wealthie made like Galleries being all open towards the Garden and couered with the vine spreading all ouer or some other trees which more pleased theÌ„ Thus briefly haue I touched the benefites of walkes and Alleyes in any Garden ground whiche the Gardiner of his owne experience may artly tread out by a line and sift ouer with sand if the owner will for the causes afore vttered The forme of the disposing the quarters into beddes and apt borders about with the sowing choiâ—e and defence of the seedes and weeding of the beds Chap. 13. THe quarters well turned in and fatned with good dung a time bâ—fore and the earth raysed through the dunging shall in handsome maner by a line set downe in the earth be troden out into beddes and seemely borders which beddes as Columella witnesseth raysed newly afore with dung and finely raked ouer with the cloddes dissolued and stones purged forth shall bee artely troden out into three foote of breadth and into what length the owner or Gardener will but to such a breadth especially troden forth that the weeders handes may well reach vnto the middest of the same least they thus going by the beddes and weeding forth the vnprofitable hearbes and grasse maye in the meane time treade downe both the seedes shooting vp and plants aboue the earth To the helpe of which let the pathes betwene the beddes be of such a reasonable breadth as a mans foote that they passing along by may freely weede the one halfe first and nexte the other halfe left to weede The beddes also ought after the minde of the worthie Neapolitane Palladius Rutilius to be troden out narrow and of a length as twelue foote long if the plot be large and sixe foote broade and the pathes to these of a seemely breadth for the easier retching into the middle of the beddes or at the least freelier to the furtherance and speede of the weeders In a moyst and watrie Garden plot this skilfull Neapolitane willeth that the beddes in the same grounde bee reared two foote high for the better prospering of the seedes committed to that earth and the plantes come vp But in a drie grounde the edges of the beddes raysed a foote highe shall well suffice The pathes troden out betweene the beddes ought to be of a good depth and euen whereby the water sprinckled gently forth by a water pot on the vpper face of the beddes and falling into the pathes may the easier enter into the beddes to the better moystning and feeding of the rootes of the plantes and the rest superfluous to runne the easier into other Alleys or pathes needing this moysture whiche by this easie running along in the pathes shall proceede a speedier moystning and farre better watring of all the beddes yea the superfluous water in the ende lying still in the pathes may through a slope gutter made in the middes of them be directed forth into a conuenient place made for the purpose of some distance from the beddes And this instruction much auayleth to beddes in the night time when as mightie showers happen to fall whiche might ouercloy the beddes were it not for the Gutters speedily conueying the water away All these instructions conceyued the Gardener or Owner maye then prepare himselfe to the committing of Seedes to the earth in which he ought to be carefull that after the bestowing of the seedes in the earth a clearnesse or mildnesse of the ayre may for certaine dayes succeed for through the ayre and weather fauouring and the seedes sowne in warme places where the sunne long shineth doe they most speedily break and shoote aboue the earth so that the seedes be new and good the age of which in this doing much auayleth to
the Ascendent nor the Moone by any aspect but shall be weakly standing in a weake place of the figure at that time Here myghte manye other rules as touchyng the particular fauoure and hyndraunce of the Starres bee vttered but that it is not my intente in thys Chapiter to be tedious in words or darke in sense For whyche cause let these few rules contente the Gardener who by exercysing of them and through an instructer may inuent other rules more particular Yet I feare mee that the common sorte of menne wyll suppose these rules to extende somewhat aboue theyr capacitie whiche for zeale I beare vnto my countrie moued mee notwythstandyng to vtter and putte suche matter into theyr heades procuryng them thereby that where the dayntinesse and valew of the seedes and plantes so requyre to request the counsayle of some skilfull that both maye make playne these preceptes and instruct them in other rules alike if neede so requireth To conclude the Gardener muste here suppose all matters on hys parte to bee fully and dulie firste prepared and well appointed and then to attende or diligently take heede to those tymes afore vttered for the workyng of the Planets and Starres in the bestowing of seedes tender plants in the earth In what space of tyme seedes committed to the Earth in the increase of the Moone commonly shoote vppe and appeare aboue grounde Chap. 22. FLorentinus a Greeke wryter of husbandrye cunninglye vttereth that the naturalnesse of the grounde the clemencie of heauen the fauoure of the weather and age of the seedes procureth that the seeds being bestowed in the grounde doe eyther speedyer or later shoote vp into plantes For whyche cause the dayntie seedes committed to the Earth in a fayre and warme daye the place hotte or lying open to the Sunne and the seedes newe doe farre speedier shoote vppe than those that beyng sowen in a contrarie season place and grounde All Seedes sowen doe euermore appeare aboue the Earthe at one certayne tyme in a manner for whyche cause the Gardener ought to haue regarde vnto the proper tymes aunswering to the bestowyng of Seedes and gathering the fruites or yeelde of eache Seedes The Spinage Rocket Basiâ— and the nauew seedes breake and appeare aboue the earth after the thirde day sowing if a warme ayre succeede The Lettuce seedes bestowed in a wel dressed Earth do breake and appeare aboue grounde by the fourth day folowing if the clemencie of ayre ayd therto the CoucuÌ„ber Cytrone seedes bestowed in y e increase of the Moone and showers of rayn falling the same or y e next day folowing procure them to appeare the fifte day after The seedes of that slghtly Herbe named the flower Amoure being sowen in the increase of the Moone and the ayre sauouring doe breake and appeare aboue the Earth by the seuenth or eyghte day folowing The seedes of the Herbe Dyll bestowed in the Earth in the increase of the Moone doe for the more part apeare by the fourth daye following The seedes of the Garden Cresses and Mustarde committed to the Earth in the increase of the Moone doe commonly appeare aboue the grounde by the fyfte day after The Leeke seedes bestowed in the ground in the Sommer time are seene aboue the Earth by the sixt day folowing but in the winter time in wel dunged Beds by the tenth day after The seedes of the herbe Rocket commytted to the grounde in the increase of the Moone appeare by the eight day folowing The seedes of all the kindes of Colewortes bestowed in well dressed Beds are euermore seene by the tenth day folowing if the colde ayre hyndereth not The seedes of the great Leekes bestowed in well dunged Beddes appeare many tymes by the ninteenth but oftner by the twentyth day folowing The Colyander seedes bestowed in well trimmed Beds and in the increase of the Moone are commonly seene aboue the earth by the xxv daye but the yong plantes later appeare if the seedes bestowed are newe The seedes of the Organie and Sauerie bestowed in lyght Earth and the Moone increasing do appeare aboue the grounde by the thirtie day folowing The Parsely seedes committed to the Earth and in the increase of the Moone do commonly breake and appeare aboue grounde by the xl day folowing although they are not many times seene before the fiftie day Thus haue I briefly vttered a true and pleasant instruction both for the age of seedes and skill of the Gardener in the sowing of them For as I haue aboue sayed the Lecke the Coucumber and Cytrone seedes doe speedye came vp being newe seedes in a contrarie maner the seeds of the Parsely Beetes Spynage Cresses Sauerie Organy Penneroyal and Colyander the elder that these are before the bestowing in the Earth the speedier the seedes breake and appeare aboue grounde The seedes in like maner of the Coucumber steeped in milke or luke warme water for a night and committed to the Earth vnder a warme ayre do farre speedier breake and appeare aboue ground The like may the Gardener conceiue to be done with the seedes of the Artichock and many other hearbes of which shal particularly be vttered in the proper places hereafter The third monthes sowing or rather in May to such dwelling far North and where snow lyeth long there this bestowing of seedes better agreeth especially where the qualitie of Sommer is knowen to be moyst But in other Countries this like by a seldome happe answereth seedes three monthes old committed to the earth in the Haruest time wyll better agree being done in hotte Countryes the Moone herein considered The Gardener in hys well trymmed Earth the tyme ayding may commit to the grounde all worthy and excellent kinde of seedes plantes flippes kernels and suche like but these for a tryal bestow in the Beds of your Garden So that in any newe kindes of seedes not assayed or proued before the Gardener maye not throughly hope that these will prosper in hys ground The seedes committed to the Earth in moyst places doe speedier shoote vp the Moone helping thaÌ„ bestowed in drie ground For whiche cause election vsed in the sowing of good ful seedes â—n either â—round much auayleth The Seedes or settes bestowed in shadowie places although the Earth be well laboured before doe rarely or very seldome prosper and yeeld their floure The plantes growen to their floure maye at that tyme after the minde of the Neapolitane Palladius Rutilius be little or nothing handled for doubt of corrupting their floure or the sooner sheading of them What care and diligence is required of euery Gardener in the plucking vp and cleere weeding away of all vnprofitable Herbes growing among the garden plantes Chap. 23. AFter the Seedes beeyng workemanly bestowed in the Beddes the Gardeners next care must bee that he diligently pull vppe and weede away all hurtfull and vnprofitable Herbes annoying the Garden plantes comming vp But about this exercise in weeding of the beddes there is a disagreement among the Writers
be on this wise If the owner sayeth he shall burne certaine Antes or Emots in the middle of the Garden the otheâ—s of the sauour will creepe away To these if about the mouthes of the Emots holes the carefull Gardener shall smeare the grosser Turpentine the Emots or Antes will not after come forthe and these he may expell or driue away from their proper resting place or dwelling togither if the shellie couerings of Snayles burned with Storax Calamita and beaten to powder or the ashes sifted hee shall after sprinckle on the heape of the Pismires And the owner shall throughly destroy the Antes if he sprinckle on them the iuce of Cyrenaicum dissolued and wel mixed in Oyle This Authoure further reporteth that the Emotes will not creepe on the plantes nor trees if the Husbandly Gardener shall diligently sprinckle the bodyes and stemmes of them wyth the powder of the bitter Lupines and mother of Oyle well mixed or boyled togither The selfe same matter shall the Gardener performe if hee compas their holes with white and cleere Wolle or Bombaste or that he marke on the grouÌ„d long strikes or forme round circles with white Chalke or red Okare all those wayes especially that these most often haunt or compas their holes with Organy as I afore vttered for by y e like doing as he affirmeth the Emots after will not only leaue y e creeping vp on y e plants but refuse also to ascend ouer y e rings made wyth white Chalke about y e bodies of Trees There be others which report that the Emotes will not creepe to that hony pot set on the ground about which the like circles with Chalke or red Okare shall be fourmed yea though the same were left vncouered yet is it knowen to many y t the Antes are maruellous desirous of Hony and other sweete thyngs The skilfull Neapolitane Rutilius willeth that the diligent Husbandman annoint or best rike the stemmes of plants and the bodyes of Trees with the redde Okare Butter and liquid Pitche mixed well togither There bee certaine of the Greeke Writers of Husbandrie which will the thicke Yuie Garlandes to bee bound about the bodyes of Trees and Uines that by the same skilfull deuise the Antes lodging vnder the shadowe of these as then pledges they slay and kill There be many whiche reporte that the like may be wroughte and done with the Bulles gaule mother of Oyle and Liquide Pitche smeared about the bodyes of Trees The singular Plinie reporteth that the Sea mudde or Ashes stopped diligeÌ„tlye into their holes is a most sure remedy against the Emotes so that the places be not moist or waterie But with the surest practise and remedie of all are the Pisemires killed with the Herbe Heliotropium Some suppose that the water in which the crude Tile shall bee infused for a time to be enimie to them The Gardiner may driue away Gnattes if he sprinckle on the beds plantes the decoction of Organie in vineger as that skilful Democritus in his Husbandrie hath noted To these the owner may sprinkle on the Plants the infusion of Rue in water or vse the decoction of the herbe Fleabane or else make a smoke either with Brimstone or Cummyne or the drye Oxe dung or the gumme Bdellium The learned Plinie vttereth that the Gardner may driue these away with the smoke of Galbanum burned and that worthie Neapolitane Rutilius of experience affirmeth that if the owner eyther sprinckle the newe mother of oyle or soote of the chimney on the plantes it likewise driueth theÌ„ away That skilfull Greke Berytius hath left in writing how that the Gardener maye dryue the Flyes farre off with this fearefull deuice â–ª if mixing the pouders of the Hellebor or Neeswort and Orpiment with milke the same be sprinkled on the plantes and place where the Flyes most hauÌ„t it either hastily driueth them away or kils them soone after The selfe same will the common Alume beaten with Organye and tempered with Mylke preuayle agaynst the Flies For what plantes and herbes shall be sprinkled with this mixture will not after be resorted vnto nor touched of Flies The Bayberries wyth the blacke Neeseworte beaten together and infusing it in milke or water and Honey myxed doth like profyte for this mixture sprinkled on the Plants and places where the flyes moste haunt doth after as it were by a poyson hastily kill the flyes or otherwise force them to flye speedilye away neuer to returne As touching remedies against the Frogges whiche in the sommer nights are wonte to be disquieters to the weried husbandmen through their dayly laboure by chyrping and loude noyse making let the Husbandman exercise this helpe and secrete borrowed of the skilful Greeke Africanus which is on this wise Set on some bancke saith he a Lanterne lighted or other bright light before them or on some tree fast by so hang a light that by the brightnesse of the same light â–ª it may so shine vpon them as if it were the Sunne which handled on thys wyse will after cause theÌ„ to leaue their chirping and loude noyse making A practise tryed by many of later yeares The skilful Greeke Beritius reporteth that if the Husbandman burie in some Banckee fast by the gaule of a Goate the Frogs wyll not afterward gather to that place The rare practises and secrets both of the auntient and later writers of Husbandrie against Serpents of the Garden and any others veneming aswel men as the Kitchin Hearbes trees and fruites Chap. 29. FLorentius a singular and diligent interpreter of the matters of the fielde wrote that serpentes in the Garden grounde or elsewhere wil not lodge or abide if the owner sow or plant in bordures about or in apt corners of the Garden eyther the wormwoode Mugworte or Southernwood which if these shall some where happen to haunte then may the Gardener as he writeth driue them incontinent furth of the ground if he make a smoake either with the Lyllie rootes Harts horne or Goates houes The skilful Rutilius vttereth that all Serpents bee forced out of y e ground by euery sowre sauour and stinking smoake flying abroade w t the winde The learned Democritus affirmeth that the serpentes assuredlye do dye if the Gardener straw or throw Oken leaues on theÌ„ or if any spitteth fasting into their mouth gaping or wide open The well practised Apuleius writeth that these stricken but once with a tough reede or willowe rodde are mightily astonied but giuing them many strokes do recouer wax strong again Tarentinus a skilful writer of y e Greke Husbandrie denyeth y t any can be harmed of a serpent if the person afore be annoynted with the iuyce of the Radish or that hee hath eaten of the Radish which matter Athenaeus and Galen with many other worthy Authours ascribe to the Orenge or Lemon and they confirme the same with a pleasant Historie The former Florentinus vttereth an other singular practise against serpents of the Garden to be wrought
passe if he may kyll and bruse the same on the stinging but perillous wil the same stinging be if he refrain not the eating of Basill all that day of the stinging Florentius reporteth that the iuyce of the figge tree leaues dropped on the stinging mightily auayleth The learned Plinie affirmeth that the Ashes of the Scorpion drunke in wyne if the fitte of the Feuer bee not vppon the person to bee a singular remedie as the pouder of wormes burned to persons hauing wormes or to beastes the like ministred and anye bytten of a mad dogge if the heares of the same be burned and druncke do greatly auayle The Todes as the Greeke and Latine professours of husbandrie write may be driuen furth of the Garden ground with those remedies that the serpents for which cause the remedies and healpes against them to repeate I thinke here superfluous The wise as the learned Apuleius writeth wil in no maner harme or wast those seedâ—s committed to the Earth which before the sowing are steeped a tyme in the Gaule of an Oxe They will bee kylled in the grounde if the Gardener shal stoppe their commings forth with the fresh leaues of Rhododaphnes There be of the Greeke writers of husbandrie which wil that like portions of the wylde CucuÌ„ber or Henbane or of the bitter Almondes and blacke Noseworte bee orderly brused and tempered with Meale the same after wrought into Balles with Oyle to be layed at the holes of the fielde and house Myse Plinie wryteth that the seedes before the bestowing in the Earth infused eyther in the Gaule of a Weasell or the ashes of him committed to the Earth with the seedes doth like them from being harmed of Myse yet the plants springing out of these are greatly misliked â–ª for that they then giue the sauour of such a rancke beast so that the seedes are farre better commended to be steâ—ped afore in the gaule of an Oxe The skilâ—ull Africanus vttereth that the Gardener may eyther kyll or driue away Weasels if he mixe salte â—rmoniack with wheate paste and lay of the same in such place where these often haunte Others there be which wil the carefull Gardenâ—r to get one alyue and cutting of both tayle and testicles to let him so passe again for by that meanes others perceiuing the like sight will depart the place the easie experience of which matter wil after bring a credite to thee in the same For the dryuing away of the greater beastes conceyue these remedies folowing that if the Gardener shall water the seedes bestowed with the olde vrine in which the ordure of a dog shall be infused for a tyme they shal after â—e defended in y e growyng vp froÌ„ the spoyle of greater beasts The selfe same doth the worthy Democritus affyrme to come to passe as I afore vttered if that the owner take to the number of ten Riuer or Sea Creauises and in putting them into an earthen potte full of water he set the same in the sunne for ten dayes to bee wel heated and vapored through the hot beames which thus handled let hym sprinckle on the beddes and plantes that he would haue defended from the ayre great beastes yet may he not water the yonger plants but euery third day vntil these be growen vp stronger The skilful Africanus and other worthy wryters of Husbandrie report that if eyther the Pyonie or Herbe Personata be buried or otherwise sowen about banckes or bordures in the Garden or field are after as by a secrete protection preserued that neyther tâ—e great nor smaller beastes will after spoyle the plants there growing But if the Husbandman woulde haue hys trees preserued from being sore eaten and wasted of the greater beasts then let him exercise after the minde of Plinie this easie practise in â—asting or sprinckling on the leaues the water in whiche Oxe dung hath bin disolued so that he be sure those tymes that rayne will fall within a day after to the cleane purging againe of the braunches and leaues of that sauoure a matter in verie deede wittily deuised for the purpose The skilful practises and remedies against Hayle lightnings and tempestes beating downe and spoyling the Kitchin Hearbes trees and fruites Chap. 51. FOr the Hayle which for the more parte destroyeth both the labours of the Oxen and men conceiue these fewe remedies folowing That if the Husbandman woulde auoyde the same daunger at hand or ready to fal then let him draw about the grounde whether it be fielde Orchard or Garden the skinne of a Seale or Crocodil or Hyena and hang it after at the entrie or comming in of the place as the worthy Philostratus in his Greke coÌ„mentaries of husbaÌ„dry hath noted Others there be which seeing the Hayle at haÌ„d by holding vp a mighty Glasse do so take y e Image of the darck cloud directly ouer the place to y e end the abiect by the same remedy as Rutilius reporteth may offend whereby as doubled it may giue place to the other and on suche wyse be speedily auerted and moued away There were some as Philostratus writeth whiche with the righte hande drawing the Marrish Tortoise on hir backe laboured so aboute the Garden grounde or fielde and returned to the place where they began they so layed hir vpright in the furrow made w t hir backe and shored cloddes of eyther side that shee might not fal neither to one nor other side but abide steadie vpright to the ende she might so beholde the big thick cloudes directly ouer the place And the same at such times they exercysed in the syxt houre of the day or night Certayn others seming to be of greater skil when the Hayle approched did spreade ouâ—t euerie space of the Garden or field white Uine or fastned in some place right against the Tempest immenent a liue Owle with the wings spredde abrode whiche two remedies also muche auayle againste the lightnings and hayle as sayth the singular writer of Husbandrie Junius Columella in his little treatise of the Garden To vtter here the populare helpe againste Thunder lightnings and the daungerous hayle when the tempest approcheth through the cloude arysing as by the loude noyse of Gunnes shotte here and there with the loude sounde of Belles such like uoyâ—es which may happen I thinke the same not necessarie nor properly auailable to the benefite of the Garden The famous learned man Archibius whiche wrote vnto Antiochus king of Syria affirmeth that tempestes shal not be harmefull to plaÌ„tes nor fruites if the speckled Tode inclosed in a new Earthen pot be buried in the middle of the Garden or field Others there are which hang the feathers of the Eagle or Seales skinne in the middle of the Garden or at the foure corners of the same For these three as by a certaine secret propertie and for truth by a maruellous repugnancie to resist the lightnings and that of these the aboue sayde in no maner to be harmed or blasted is to memorie
or rather rosted vnder hotte imbers which after the Artly mixing with old Barrowes grease be in plaister forme applyed to the dayly griefes of the flanckes or sides doth in shorte time preuayle The iuyce of the Coleworte myxed wyth the oyle of Roses and applyed to the foreheade doth remoue the headache procured by heate of the Sun To this Coleworte boyled if you mixe the oyle of Almonds and Juyce of the sweete Pome Granate the same vsed doth in shorte time deliuer a drie coughe The Colewort after the opinion of certaine skilful Phisitions is founde to be harde in digestion swelleth the Bellie harmeth the flewmaticke in that the same increaseth humors and harmeth women hauing the redde course on them for so muche as the same increaseth such a fluxe If you would drie a moyst bellie then after the Colewortes be halfe sodden by pouring forth al the first in a manner poure in other warme water speedily which like boyle againe vntill the Coleworte in thys seething shal be tender and softe and in eating season it with a little pepper and salt but this may not be handled on such wise if you wold vse it for loosing of the bellie for then after the shifting of it out of the first hot licour into a panne standing fast by with oyle and a little salte prepared you must boyle againe vnto the tyme the same be readie The commended benefites of the distilled water of Colewortes THe leaues of the greene and common Coleworte are to bee distilled in a fayre and apte tyme aboute the beginnyng of June This water ministred or receiued vnto the quantitie of three ounces at a time morning and euening stayeth womeÌ„s reddes The distilled water of the Coleworte profiteth the byrth of chyld when the time of deliuerie is at hande if a Napkin wete in it be applyed often to the nose to smel vnto for by that meanes may shee happily be delyuered The like quantitie druncke healpeth the dropping of the vryne And druncke vnto the quantitie of three ounces at a time morning and euening stayeth a loose Bellie The Phisicke helpes of the water of the redde Coleworte THe leaues of the redde Coleworte gathered are to bee distilled in the ende of May. This water drunke in the morning fasting vnto the quantitie of sixe or seuen ounces at a time softneth a harde belly and three ounces at a time vsed for a moneth togither putteth awaye the gyddynesse of the heade thys water profiteth againste the Apoplexie and convulsion or Cramp in the members either drunck or annoynted on the greeued places This water helpeth the trembling and quiueryng of members if those bee often rubbed and suppled with it and the water suffered to drye these into partes by it selfe The linnen clothes wet in it applyed on inflame 〈◊〉 putteth away the heate and ceasseth or â—â—ageth the swâ—llingâ— and orderly drunke healeth vlcers both within and without the body so that the vlcers without be applyed with linnen cloâ—â—â—s both morning and euening What worthy instructions to be conceyâ—ed in the sowing and ordering of the Beete for the Poâ—te Chapter 2. THe Beete more often eaten at poore mens tables ought to be bestowed in a most fatte Earthe and sowen at any season but rather the Seedes to be committed to the Earth abouâ— the middle of December and vnto Marche and like in August to possesse Seedes which may indure for three yeares The Seedes ought rather to be thicke than thinne sowen in beâ—dde and shot vp to some growth as that four or fyue leaues be sprung aboue the Earth then in the Summer time the plantes are to be remoued if the beddes afore were moystned or wet with floures as the singular Columella writeth but if the grounde bee drie in the Haruest time then to remoue them where shoures lately fell and softned the Earth The Beete loueth or ioyeth to be often digged about and to be fedde with much dung for which cause the yong plantes to be sette againe ought after the endes of the rootes cut off and the toppes of the leaues clipped to be striked or annoynted about with newe Cow Dung and then bestowed in beddes a good distance asunder which after the plants be more growen vp to be diligeÌ„tly weeded about and the vnprofitable weedes throwen away for by that meanes they growe the fayrer and bigger being as I said bestowed in fatte Earthe and well dunged The Beete may be caused to growe bigge and brode as â—ostion in his Greeke instructions of Husbandrâ—e affirmeth if before the Beete shall be growen vp into a stemme and shot forth in stalkes the owner lay vpon y e head a brode Tile Posthard or some other thing of waight to presse the toppe gently downe for by that practise or meanes in the waightie bearing downe the Beete is caused to spreade into a breadth with the leaues The Beete becommeth the whiter and farre greater if the Husbandly Gardener annoynte or couer the roote with newe Oxe or Cowe dung and that hee cutte the roote and toppe of the yong Bete â–ª as the Leeke handled before the setting and after a bigger growth to pâ—asse it downe as afore vttered To haue the Beete growe redde water the plant with redde Wyne Lyes or set the same in a hote place where the Sunne dayly shineth long The Beete rosted in Imbers taketh away the stincking smell and sauoure of Garlike eaten if the same be eaten vpon or after the Garlike as the Greeke Menander hath noted Thys is maruellous to heare by the Seede of the Beete that it yeeldeth not the whole perfection or perfite Seedes in the first yeare but an increase in Seedes somewhat more the seconde yeare and in the third yeare a full perfection from the first sowing And Plinie reporteth that the Beete speedieâ— commâ—th forwarde with the olde Seede than with newe for whiche cause the matter demanded of a skilfull Gardener reported of experience that the Seedes of the Beete to sowe ought not to be gathered before the Beete had borne a thirde yeare after the first sowing of which Seedes sowen in due time of the Mone the best Beetes come and this not to be forgotten that when the tast of Wine through the Colewort as afore vttered is corrupted in the vessell the same againe by the sauoure of the Beete as through the leaues put into it is recouered These hitherto of the Beete The Phisicke benefytes of the Beete FIrst all the kindes of the Beete haue a cold moyst qualitie and the white Beete as Diphilus the Husbandly Phisition reporteth looseth the bellie and the redde Beete moueth or prouoketh vryne Galen affirmeth this Beete to be endued with a nytrous qualitie through which it both purgeth and clenseth filth whiche vertue is more effectuous in the white in so muche that it causeth the bellie laxatiue and purgeth the body of euill humors yet the fame passed to the stomacke byteth and plucketh it The iuice of the common Beete drunke
boyled in eyther Milke or Wine and orderly drunke doe remoue a hote cough recouer the Lungs blistered and is a singular remedie against the consumption of the Lungs The Holyhoke boyled in eyther water or Wine and tempered wyth Hony and Alume if the same decoction be gargalled and holden for a time in the mouth doth speedely cure the blisters and putrified sores of the mouth and throte The leaues of the Holyhoke after the boyling with meate eaten with Sallet Oyle and a little Salt looseth the bellie and amendeth the hoarsenesse of voyce The roote and Hearbe boyled vnto the consumptioÌ„ in a maner of the water wil leaue a clamminesse aboue which applyed on any impostume ripeneth softneth the hardnes of the same The commended healpes of the distilled water of the Holyhoke THe distilled water of the Holyhoke Roses in Balneo Mariae gargelled or applyed without with linnen clothes is greately commended for the breakings out of the mouth and profiteth as well agaynste the outward as inward heates besides cureth the Shingles and vlcers of 〈◊〉 â—â—ote and all other swellings The sayd water often drunke is a pretious water vnto all inwarde heates of Feuers in y t the same cooleth softneth all impostumes of the Lungs and sides It healeth and mitigateth the perilous flixe Disenteria the hote swellings of womens places the Kidneys and Bladder This asswageth the payne of the Bladder expelleth the stone purgeth the Kidneys and Bladder beeing drunke for a time morning and euening The water applyed on y e Temples in a hote Feuer procureth sleepe if the feete of the patiente in a hote Feuer be bathed with it procureth rest and ceasseth thirst The commended benefytes of the distilled water of Mintes THe Herbe wâ—th the stalkes finely shredde ought diligently be distilled in Balneo Mariae about the middle of May. The water drunke morning and euening vnto the quantitie of three ounces at a time strengthneth the stomacke and digesteth the meate receyued The water drunke in the same manner profiteth against the stopping of the Liuer and Milt It openeth also the wayes of Urine as of the Kidneys and Bladder The water in like manner drunke procureth an appetite to meate stayeth belching and vomiting the like dothe this applyed without on the stomacke The mouth often washed with the same recouereth a stincking breath and putride gummes The water drunke stayeth sounding and giddines of the head If any taking a slice of Barlie bread and stieping it in this water tempered with Wine or Uinegre shal applie the same warme to the Nosethrils the sauoure incontinent yeldeth a maruellous refreshing and strengthning of the feeble person The water in like quantitie drunke purgeth the Matrice and a linnen cloth wet in it warme and applyed to the priuie place like preuayleth The water applied on hard pappes dissolueth the milke courded in theÌ„ the same for a time drunke healeth the ruptures within both of olde and yong persons The water after the mixing with Rue and the Coliander gargelled in the mouth restoreth the Vuula fallen 〈◊〉 of the Hearbe stieped in Lie be washed on the Scabbes of Children healeth them speedelie This like drunke profiteth againste wormes drunke with Wyne comforteth and heateth a colde stomacke What care and skill is required in the sowing and workemanly ordering of the artochoke Chapter 13. THe Herbarians write the Artochoke to be a kind of Thistill of them named the Thistill of the Garden The Artochoke which before grew wilde in the fieldes came by diligence for the benefite of sale to bee carefully bestowed in the Garden where through trauell broughte from his wildenesse to serue vnto the vse of the mouth and bellie The Artochoke growing with thicke scalie â—ares in forme to the pinaple and sufficiently knowen to most persons ioyeth in a loose and dunged earth yet the same better commeth forward being bestowed in a fatte ground and by that meanes defended from Moles as the worthy Rutilius reporteth but sowen in a fast Earth after their growth be not so lightely digged vp of an enemie The sayd Rutilius willeth the Seedes of the Artochoke to be coÌ„mitted to the Earth in the moneth of March the Moone then increasing of light and that in beddes well dunged and workemanly prepared which bestowe in the Earth halfe a foote asunder yet these not deepe put and in such maner deale with the seedes that taking so manye vp as you may handsomly with three fingers thrust or set those vnto the middle ioyntes in the Earth couering them lightely with loose Earth which if hote weather happen to ensewe the Gardener with diligence must water the plantes for a time for the plantes on suche wise handled will yeelde a tenderer fruite and fuller head as the worthy Varro reporteth yet maye not the owner hope or looke for fruites or heads to come to their full growth and perfeitnesse for the eating in the first yeare If the Gardener would bestowe seedes to profite hee ought to make little furrowes on the bedde wâ—ll a foote distante one from the other being in breadth and deepenes of halfe a foote which after fyll with olde dung finely broken and blacke Earthe in like manner small in whiche so handled bestowe the Seedes to the depth of the middle ioyntes and after couer them lightely with fyne Earth not pressing or tâ—â—ading it downe And as soone as the plantes haue yelded fooâ—th leaues sufficâ—â—â—â— greate the owner ought to water them often and to continue the lyâ—e watering in a grounde very drye vntil the herbes yeld or send forth heads both tender and sufficient big when the plantes shal be wel growne vp the Gardener must clense and purge dayly the beds of weeds dung about the roots of the plants if he wil credit Columella store of ashes for y e kind of dung the said author reporteth to be most apt and agreable to that potherb of whiche by the kinde of the dung this hearbe taketh the Latine name The owner or Gardener must haue a special care that he bestow not the sedes in the earth with the contrary ends downeward for these will bring forth Attochokes crooked weake very small if we may credite the Neapolitan Rutilius If the owner wold haue the herb yeld beds or Artochockes without prickles hee muste after the instructions of the Greeke writers of husbandry either breake the sharpe ends of the seeds or make blunte the prickes before the bestowing in the earth on some stone rubbed whiche also many affirme to come to passe if the Gardener paring off the rinde of the Lettuce roote and shreading or cutting the same into many small pieces dothe after the bestowing of the seedes into â—che piece diligently set these a foote distance asunder wil after yelde heads the lyke The Gardener shall possesse Artochokes of pleasaunt sauoure if he laye the seedes to stiâ—pe for three dayes before the sowyng in the iuyce of the Rose or Lillie or oyle of bays made with the
by the heate of the smal pockes or of any other occasion The Artochocke tenderly boyled and eaten is sayde to strengthen y e stomacke and helpe somewhat the priuie places that men childreÌ„ may be conceiued as the Athenian Cherias and Glaucias affirme The worthy Galen reporteth the meate of the Artochocke to bee of an euil nourishment and incommodious to the stomacke especially when the same shall be harde at the first yeelding of the floure for then the Eares possesse a great quantitie of Cholericke iuyce in theÌ„ â–ª which for the same ought rather to bee eaten boyled than raw yet some be of this minde that the yonger heades tender and ful of iuyce being prepared as afore taught may with the more delight and lesser harme be eaten What skil and diligence to be learned in sowing and workmanly ordering both of the Endyue and Succorie Chap. 14. THe Endyue otherwise named the Sycorie or soure Lettuce serueth rather for the vse of Medicine than for other purposes so that by a trauel caused to grow acceptable in the Garden for as muche as this of it selfe by nature is euermore soure although it bee a kinde of the Lettuce which ought often to be remoued and changed into sundry places that the nature of it may on such wise be altered with lesser trauaile to the Gardener The Endyue thus bestowed in Beddes may wel abyde the colde season of wynter wherefore in colde Countries this better agreeth to be sowen neare the ende of Haruest and well growen vp to be remoued and layde againe in the earth that these in the lying may on such wise become whyte if so be before the couering the Herbes be strewed ouer with riuer sande and often watered if not holpen by shoures of rayne which then couer with light earth letting these so rest vntill by a diligence in the watering they become sufficientlye white for Salettes or other purposes The yong plants of the Endiue are not to be remoued before that soure leaues be sufficiently sprong vp and these cutte at the endes of the rootes aswel as the toppes of the leaues with softe Cowe dung annoynted about the rootes before y e bestowing in the earth whiche lightly couered water so long vntil the plants be sufficient strong in the Earth The Sycorie is of the nature of the Endyue which in like maner retayneth the proper bitternesse being not like remoued and ordered as the Endyue This desireth a moyst grounde and the Earth to bee well laboured when soure leaues be come vp the plants after the remouing ought againe to bee set in a wel dunged earth and that these may yelde faire large and long leaues let the owner after the leaues be somewhat more shot vp or on the myddle of them lay a peece of a Tylestone for by the waight of the same wyll the leaues spreade out and inioye more Touffrs or grow thicker By this workmanly ordering wil the bitternesse of the leaues be remoued they aptly serue in the winter tyme for the vse of the Sallets if so be the plants be set againe in the ende of August or rather in the beginning of September when the leaues are shotte vp big and in the pulling vp the Earth not knocked of the rootes but with soft Cow dung the rootes gentlye annoynted aboute and bestowed after in beds wel turned in with dung The leaues layde along in wel dunged Beddes to be white couer so ouer with lose Earth that the rootes maye lye vpwarde and ouer them lying a long in the Earth make some couerture in the forme of a herboring place or rather strewe vpon them the chaffe or corne for the better defence of the colde and bitter windes Certayne report that the like may be purchased if the owner after certaine leaues of the Sycorie shotte vppe byndeth altogither with a browne threede and couereth them after with a potte of Earth to the ende that those may dayly drawe by the rootes a nourishment from y e earth which by the same meanes shall purchase both a whitenesse and tendernesse and loose a greate part of the proper sourenesse The Phisicke helpes both of the Endyue and Sychorie The Endiue which by another name is termed the wilde Lettuce is reported to be colde and drye in the seconde degree and of this onlye the leaues seeds serue to the vse of Phisicke yet are the leaues brought apte to be eaten in Sallets The roote by the consent of al writers is to little vse therfore in our time seldome applyed in Medicine The greene leaues exercised in Medicine are to great purpose but y e drie preuaile little or nothing at al. The greene serue to comforte for which cause they preuaile against the stopping of the Liuer and Mylte through the occasion of Choler and these like preuaile againste a simple and double Tertian and against the heate of the Lyuer and against hot or burning impostumes eaten eyther sodden or rawe with vineger The Syrupe made of the decoction of the Hearbe with Sugar auayleth in al the abouesayde The iuyce or Syrupe giuen with Ruberbe about the fourth or sixt day after digestion of the matter greatly preuaileth for the heate of the Liuer and a burning impostume the saide Hearbe or iuyce applyed in plaister forme greatly auayleth If the leaues can not be had then vse the seeds brused and boyled it to applying the same hotte places which greatly profiteth The iuyce of leaues applyed on hot pushes qualifieth and draweth forth the heate in them the Herbe brused and layd on hot impostumes greatly helpeth The herbe aplyed on the left pap with vineger mightily profiteth the Cardiacke passion the same on the bellie stayeth the flyxe The Sirupe made or the Endiue and Hartes tongue preuayleth against the kings euill the Herbe applyed in plaister forme with Ceruse and vineger healeth the Shingles hot impostumes and swellings the iuyce applyed with vineger and Rosewater on the temples aswageth the headache The drinking of the iuyce euery seconde day recouereth the spitting of bloud and aswageth the excesse of Sperme The iuice is effectuously annoynted with Ceruse and vineger on all partes whiche are healed by cooling The Sicorie is of a drie and colde quality yet somewhat more than y e Endyue this Hearbe as Aegineta reporteth is both of cooling drying in the first degree and hath also the vertue of bynding The Hearbe brused with the roote and rounde Trochyses or flatte Bals made of the same which after dissolued in Rosewater annoynted on scabbed places doth both cure them and causeth a fayrer skinne If any vse this potion made with the iuyce of Cychorie Endyue and Harts tong to which a quantitie of Sugar added in the boyling with water and a little vineger doth in short time recouer the stopping of y e Liuer and Mylt So that pilles of Ruberbe be after ministrâ—d and the comforting Electuarie of the three Saunders taken If any prepareth this playster made of Serapium Myrre
seemeth only to ascrybe to those which yeelde the white Seedes whose nature is such y t they best indure the cold winter But if these through y e defaulte of the place season or seeds waxe harde the Gardener may procure the plantes to grow teÌ„der by plucking them vp and setting theÌ„ in wel wrought beddes The Lettuce spreadeth into a breadth if so bee the owner eyther setteth it asunder or when it is growen into bigge leaues the tops gently cut off it be pressed downe with a Turffe of Earth Tile or Potshard wherby it may the lesse shoote vp into a steÌ„me For through the waight thus layed vpon the plante kept vnder is forced to crepe and shed forth into a breadth as the singular Florentinus in his Greeke husbandrie after hym Columella to these Plinie and the worthy Neapolitan Rutilius vtter The Lettuces are caused to grow broade rounde thicke of leaues crysped and low by the earth if the plants remoued when they be shotte vp a hande breadth be after the cutting awaye of the hearie rootes annoynted wel about with newe Cow dung and in heaping the Earth well about them be often watered and assoone as these are growen to a more strength to clip the tops of the leaues off with a sharpe payre of sheares and to couer them with pottes of earth new filled in such maner that the tops beaten or pressed down may grow touffed round vp and white as the sayde Florentinus in his Greeke instructions of husbandrie reporteth that he did If the owner myndeth to inioye Lettuces sweete in taste and smell let him two dayes before the pulling vp bynde vp the toppes of the leaues harde togither for by that meanes in the farther growing will the plants be the fayrer sweter and whyter Herein remembring that at the tying on such wyse of the plantes they stronger growen to be then pressed down as afore taught with either Tile or potshard or Turfe of Earth The skilfull Florentinus doth also affirme that the plants may bee caused to grow swete and pleasant of smel if the owner bestoweth of y e lettice seedes into the citron seedes before the committyng to the earth whiche likewise the Gardner may performe by infusing the seedes in eyther damaske or muske water for certayne dayes Here I thinke 〈◊〉 not impertinent to the matter to recite in this place the meruaylous deuise of Aristoxenus Cyreneus This man as Plinie wryteth leauing his proper countrey for the earnest desyre hee had to Philosophie and setting a felicitie in banketting dishes watred at euening diuers Lettuses as they grewe on the earth with wine and honey mixed togither with the same lycour so long filled theÌ„ vntil the herbes had sufficiently drunke whiche after he had left them vnto the next morowe boasted that hee had purchased dilicates from the earth This no doubte a worthie inuention for a proper banket but no philosophie consisting in it therfore leauing further to reporte of this wee will returne to our former matter The Lettuce obtaineth a tenderer leaf or the leaues become the tenderer if the roote as aforesayde be diligently anoynted about with the best Cowdung and watered at nedefull tymes with riuer or running water or the toppes of the leaues as I afore wrote tyed close togither with a threade well two days before the pulling vp and setting again If the Gardener desire to haue a plaÌ„t to grow of a maruelous form diuers in tast he shal with an easy cost and light trauaile as the skilfull Greeke Didymus reporteth performe the same if he will properly make a hole into a round pellet made of Goates dung and into the same put of the Lettuce Cresses Basill Rocket and Radish seedes as the lyke Rutilius writeth and that ball wrapped in dung be bestowed in a well labored earth the furrow not being depe and soft dung layde ouer with the light earth and this often and gently or by little and little sprinckled with water For the radishe shooting downe performeth the roote but the other seedes shoote into a heighth the Lettuce rising withall and eche yelding the plant in their proper taste There be some which in two or three terdyles of the Goate or shepe brused and made vp into a ball bestowe the forsayd seedes and tying this in a linnen cloth doe sette it into the earth with the lyke care and diligence as aboue is vttered Many of the Latin writers of husbandry taught the same in an other maner by gathering whole leaues of the Lettuce growing nexte to the roote in the holowe pittes and places of which leaues the owner to bestowe excepte the Radish as Rutilius writeth or the Parseley as Ruellius instructeth all the afore named Seedes which leaues annointed aboute wyth softe dung to be sette into a well dunged grounde and the Seedes diligently couered ouer with Earthe If anye woulde possesse Lettuces for the winter tourne oughte to conserue them as Columella instructeth after this manner in plucking firste awaye the outwarde leaues rounde aboute that the tender leaues lefte apparante and vncouered might well bee salted in an earthen pot or other vessell and lefte couered for a daye and a nyghte after suche manner vntill these with the helpe of the Salte yeelded forth a Brine The Brine throughlye pourged awaye wyth freshe water and the licoure pressed forth of the leaues to let them lye abroade on a Lattesse vntill the leaues bee sufficiente drye then to strawe the drye Dill and Fennell on them after this to laye the heapes or handfulls of the Lettuces into the vessell agayne on whyche to powre the licoure made of twoo partes of Uineger and one of the Brine after this so to thruste downe the whole substance with a dry thickening that the licour may flote and appeare well aboue all whyche on suche wise ordered muste diligently be tended vppon that as often as the substance aboue seemeth to lye bare and vncouered to fyll alwayes vppe with the saide licoure but with a Spunge keepe cleane the lyppes and outside of the potte washed diligentlye aboute wyth freshe Conduite water and this so often vse as neede shall require The phisicke benefites and helpes of the Lettuce THe Lettuce colleth and moistneth in the seconde degree Aegineta affyrmeth that the Lettuce both manifestly cooleth and moistneth throughe whiche it procureth slepe and as the same among other pot-herbs greatly norisheth euen so is it a worker and causer of good bloud Certain report that Augustus Caesar by vsing of the Lettuce in the tyme of his sicknes recouered to health And no meruayle in that the same helpeth digestion and ingendreth better bloud than any of the potherbes The Lettuce found of experience to be commodious to the stomacke procureth also sleepe looseth the belly and causeth plentifulnesse of mylke in the breastes The Lettuce seede giueth to Noursses the plentifulnesse of â—â—lk and sharpneth the sight being taken in drink The same drunke in wine procureth sleepe a plaister
vryne and expelleth the stone The water speedily healeth woundes if they bee washed mornyng and euening with the same this also profiteth vnto the exulceration and fracture of womens places which is wonte to happen after the delyuery of childe if so be the places be washed with the water both morning and euening What skil and diligence required in the workmanly sowing and ordering of the Onyon Chap. 20. THat the Onyons haue a bodie compassed and compact with many cartilagies there is none I beleeue whiche knoweth not The auntient husbandmen as witnesseth Columella named these Onyons bycause they grewe in one rounde heade togither yet not ioyned togither with so manye heades round about as the Garlike which vnto this day is familiarly named the Onyon of the Husbandmen with vs. The Onions for the more parte oughte to be sowen in the moneths of Januarye February and Marche in a fatte Earthe well dunged moiste and diligently trimmed whiche shot vp to some heigth ought to be remoued in the moneth of Aprill a good distance the one from the other and these further growen oughte carefully to bee weeded aboute and often laboured to cause them growe the bigger and to defende thē in time of a blustering winde by helps set against The worthy Neapolitane Rutilius writeth that the seedes desire to be bestowed in a fatte earthe often tourned and raked moiste and dunged and red also as the Greke Sotion in his husbandry willeth which afore ought to be cast vp that it maye putrifye throughe the colde and frostes in the Winter tyme as the skilfull Columella vttereth after these the Earthe to bee dunged and wythin twoo dayes after the grounde leuelled forthe and caste or trodden into beddes all the rootes and vnprofitable hearbes afore clensed out These workmanly handled in the moneth of March being a calme and pleasante daye the South or Easte winde at that tyme blowing the seedes shall workmanly be committed to the earth wyth Sauerie intermedeled betweene them as Plinie wylleth for so the plantes prosper the better The woorthie Greeke Sotion admonisheth the Gardener which would set Onyons to cut away all the hearye rootes and toppes of the greene blades before the bestowing wherby they may growe to big heades Others there are whiche only pluck away the blades nigh to the root for on suche wyse they sende the iuyce to the neither partes to cause the head grow bigge But these after the mynd of Rutilius ought in this maner to be placed or set thinne in beddes and both raked and weeded if these not often yet foure tymes at the least as Plinie willeth who also taught that t the ground be digged cast vp three tymes before the bestowing of y e seedes in the earth If the Gardener commit seeds to the earth in the wane or decrease of the Moone he shal possesse smal and soure ones if the seeds in the increase of the Moone then strong or bigge and of a moyster taste wyth the sourenesse maystred But the same not to be vnremēbred nor ouerpassed that in al the kindes of Onyons the same somewhat long and sharpe is wonte to bee sourer than the rounde and the redde one more than the white to these the drye one more than the greene and the raw more than the boyled the freshe also more than that seasoned or poudered with salte or the sodden one The Gardener or owner shall possesse farre greater Onyons if whē there is a place or roome for the setting againe they bee layed in Earth well laboured for twentie dayes space and so long left drying agaynst the sunne vntill all the moysture be gone or drawen forth by heate of the sunne after the instruction of the worthy Greke Sotion which Ruellius out of Palladius semeth greatly to mistake in that he ascribeth the same to be done to the Dill and not the Onyons whose heades maye also be bared by plucking off the vpper skinne before the setting againe in the Earth to prosper the better and yeelde the bigger seedes if they be set in the Earth well a hande bredth asunder The heades to be eaten before the ful rypenesse that these maye bee the sweeter ought rather to bee sowen in a moyste grounde among the young Plantes of the Cucumbers Gourdes and Melones If the owner wil rightly possesse and gather the seeds in due season when the greene stemmes are shotte vp highe and yeelde bigge heads they are then to bee guyded wyth two smal forkes of wooded fixed on eyther side as Columella willeth that the stems though the stayes shoaring them vpright maye not in anye bygge wynde knocke the heades togither to the spilling and losse of the Seedes on the Earthe which are not asore to be gathered that they inioye a blacke colour as after the Greekes Columella and Rutillius like vttered The stemmes and knops in which the Seedes are contayned ought to be gathered in the decrease of the wane of the Moone in a fayre and warme time when the leaues or blades begin of themselues to wyther and drie and that the seedes beginne to appeare blacke of themselselues for then ought the stemmes to be plucked vp by the rootes which knit togither in forme of garlands or otherwyse bounde vp to be layd in the Sunne to drie and rypen The Onyons will continue long vncorrupted as the sayd Sotion hath noted if so the Onyons be put into hot water or as Plinie willeth into saltie and warme water and after layed in the hotte sunne vntill they be through dry which lette bee hidden or couered with Barly straw and in such manner bestowed y t nether touch other by any part In many places the Onyons be hanged in the smoke and in Chimnies nere the heate of the fire and on such wise preserue them a long time The auntiente and skilfull writers of Husbandrie vtter that if the Gardener would possesse Onyons of a wonderful bignesse in the heade the seedes of the Onyons put within the seedes of Gourdes whyche so handeled bestowe in moyste beddes well turned in with dung into a like bignesse wil the heades of the Onyons increase if the Earth digged rounde about the small heades of the Onyons in the heauing or lifting of the earth shal be lifted vp yet in such maner done that the heades not quyte raysed out of the erth or plucked vp quite by the rootes as I afore vttered to be wrought with the Lecke The like also shall the owner obtayne if boaring the heade of an Onyon with a woodden pricke in sundrye places and putting into the holes Gourde seedes he bestow thē togither in a wel laboured Earth But in this place I thought not to omit that if the Gardener shall commit the seedes of the Onyons in due tyme to the Earth they wyll after growe into a head but they shal yelde lesse stoare of Seede But if the Gardener shal bestow little heades in the ground the heades wil after whyther and ware drye and be shotte
in it What skil diligence and secrets is to be lerned in the sowing and ordering of the Cucumber Chap. 29. THe auntient in time paste confounded or rather contrarye matched the Gourds with Cucumbers as the lyke also Plinie did and Euthydemus the Atheniā in his booke which he wrote of pothearbs named the Gourd the Indian Cucumber and Menedorus a folower of Erasistratus defineth twoo kinds of the same the one to be the Indian which as he vttereth is the Cucumber and the other to bee that which is named the common Gourd The Cucumber besides after the sentence of Varro is so named for the crooking of it and the Greke phisitions named it both Sicyon and Sicys for that it staieth and represseth as Demetrius writeth the veneriall acte throughe the coldnesse consisting in it But leauyng further to vtter of the kindes let vs come to the matter in teaching what diligence is required about the well handling of the Cucumber The Seedes after the minde of the Neapolitane Rutilius desire to be bestowed in furrows not thicke togyther and these raised well a foote and a half high but in breadth three foote and between the furrowes muste the owner leaue spaces of eyghte foote broade whereby the Cucumbers in the growyng maye freelye wander and spreade abroade These after the cōming vp need neither to be raked nor weded about for that in theyr fyrst comming vp they ioye and prosper the better by growing among other herbes of whiche these are greatly strengthned and ayded The plants creepe a long on the Earth and spredde into braunches muche like to the Uine whiche for the weakenesse of the stalke are caused on suche wise to spreade abroade on the grounde except these be otherwise shored vp in their growing with proppes workmanly sette in the Earth for the better staying vp of the weake armes and braunches that the fruites corrupte not by lying on the Earth The Seedes for the more parte appeare by the sixte or seauenth day after the sowing being sufficientlye moistned with store of water for that space and time by a pot or pottes of water dropping continually downe with a liste or wollen clothe hanging foorth of the mouth of the potte which manner of watering is named filtring Thys kinde of wateryng is one of the chiefest matters required in that the plantes prosper and come speediest forward through the muche moisture in which they mightilye ioye Yet these are muche hindered and greatly feare the frostes and colde ayre For which cause the plants oughte at suche colde times to be workmanly fenced wyth mattresses of strawe diligently spred ouer them The skilfull Rutilius writyng of the workmanly orderyng of the Cucumber willeth the Seedes to bee committed to the Earthe in the moneth of Marche and for daunger of the colde or frosts to couer the beddes with mattresses of straw vnto the middle of Maye at whiche time the plantes oughte to be remoued and sette againe into beds wel dunged and thicke layde for to run foorth and creepe abroade on the grounde but the plantes yeelde the more if they be bestowed in beds wel filled with earth dung and these raised aboue afoote highe In the bestowing of the Seedes in the earthe the owner oughte to haue a care that hee sette the Seedes in beddes a lengthe and these well twoo foote asunder one from the other herein considering whether the Seedes be broken by the eighte or tenthe daye followyng whyche founde ryther harde or broken doeth denote a perfectnesse or goodnesse of the Seedes But these in a contrary manner descerned softe are vnprofitable and to bee caste awaye in whose places others requyre to be set prouing by the sixte or eighte day if the Seedes bee broken or otherwise soft which in a contrary manner seene bestowe others in the places as aboue taught The plantes after the comming vp neede not to bee weeded in any manner for as muche as the plantes better prosper and growe the fairer by comming vp among other Herbes of whiche these take a norishment If the seeds before the sowyng be stieped for two days in sheeps milk as Rutilius willeth or in water and Hony as Plinie instructeth or in Sugered water which cause the Plantes after their perfite growth to yeelde Cucumbers both swete tender white and most pleasant aswel in tast as in sight as the singular Columella hath uoted and before him the Greke Florentinus also after both Plinie and Palladius to al which experience confirmeth The Gardener which woulde possesse Cucumbers timely and verye soone yea and all the yere through ought after the mynde of the Neapolitane in the beginning of the Spring to fill vp old worne Baskets and Earthen pannes without bothomes with fine sifted Earth tempered afore with fat dung and to moysten somewhat the Earth wyth water after the seedes bestowed in these which done when warme and Sunny dayes succeede or a gentle rayne falling the Baskets or Pans with the plantes are then to bee set abroade to be strengthned and cherished by the sunne and smal shoures but the euening approching these in all the colde season oughte to bee sette vnder some warme couer or house in the grounde to bee defended from the frostes and colde ayre which thus standing vnder a couer or in the warme house moysten gently with water sundry tymes and these on such wise handle vntyl al the Frostes Tempestes and colde ayre bee past as commonly the same ceasseth not wyth vs let aboute myddes of Maye After these when oportunitie or an apte daye serueth the Gardener shall bestow the Baskets or Pannes vnto the brymme or deeper in the Earth well laboured and trymmed before with the rest of the diligence to be exercised as afore vttered which done the Gardener shall enioye verye forwarde and tymelyer Cucumbers than anye others Thys matter may bee compassed both easier in shorter tyme and with lesser trauel if the owner after the cutting of the waste branches doth set them in wel laboured Beds for these in far shorter time and speedier do yelde fayre Cucumbers This one thing I thinke necessarie to be learned for the auoyding of the dayly labour and paynes in the setting abroade and carrying into the house either halfe Tubbes Baskettes or Earthen Pannes whiche on this wise by greater facilytie ◠may be done if so be the Gardener bestowe the vessels with the plantes in Wheelebarrowes or suche lyke with wheeles for these to mens reason causes maruellous easines both in the bestowing abroade and carrying again ◠into the warme house as often as neede shall require The yong plants may be defended from cold and boistrous windes yea frostes the colde ayre and hotte Sunne if Glasses made for the only purpose be sette ouer them whiche on suche wise bestowed on the Beddes yeelded in a manner to Tiberius Caesar Cucumbers all the yeare in which he toke a greate delight as after the worthy Columella the learned Plinie hath committed the same to memorie which
the drying finely beating and searsing of the seedes vseth the same in steede of a clensing pouder The learned Galen writing of the vse and properties of the Cucumbers vttereth an instruction worthy the learning that although these sayth he be well digested of the Chollericke and that suche wythout care eate plentie or muche at a time of them doe after in the continuance of time increase a cold and somwhat grosse humour in the veines whyche not able to be digested in them doeth after corrupte the sounde bloude For that cause saithe he I iudge it profitable to refraine the meates being of an euill Juice and nourishemente although that those in certaine persons may easily be digested For to vs not takyng a care and regard of them is an euill Juice gathered after a good distance of time in the veines which assoone as the same once putrified by a lyghte occasion doth immediatly kindle and cause wicked feuers these hitherto Galen of the incommodities of the Cucumbers What skil and secreates are to be learned in the sowing and workmanly ordering of the Gourde Chap. 30. AL the kindes of the Gourdes requyre the same trauaile and diligence in the bestowing in the Earthe as afore vttred of the Cucumbers which after the large setting asunder and often watering appeare for the more parte aboue the Earthe by the sixte or seuenth day after the bestowing in beds The weake and tender braunches shot vp to some heigth and coueting by a certaine propertie in nature vpward require to be diuersly aided with poles to run vp in sundry manners as either ouer a rounde and vaulted Harboure to giue a more delighte throughe the shadowe caused by it and the seemely fruites hanging downe or else by poles directed quite vprighte in whiche the Gourde of all other fruites most earnestly desireth rather than to run braunching and creeping on the grounde like to the Cucumbers The plants loue a fat moyst and dunged loose ground as the Neapolitan Rutilius in his instructions of husbandry hath noted If a diligēce be bestowed in the oftē watring of them the plants require a lesser care and trauaile in that they are very muche furthered by the store of moisture although there may be found of those which resonably prosper with small store of moysture or being seldome watered and that they of the same yeelde fruite of a delectabler taste If the owner or Gardner happen to commit Seedes to the Earthe in a drye grounde and that the tender plants appear aboue the Earth hys care shall then bee to water them plentifullye for the speedier shooting vp after this manner by taking certayn pottes filled with water into whiche tongues of clothe afore layde to the bottoms of the pottes that these may the workmanlier distill and droppe often on the plants through y e stouping forward of them which no doubt profiteth greatly the plantes in drowth and hot seasons The longer and smaller haue fewe Seedes in them and for the same more delectable in the eating yea these better accompted of and solde in the Market The Gardner minding to committe of the Seedes to the Earthe oughte afore to stiepe them in a boll or panne of water for a nighte whereby the Seedes apte to be sowen may the surer be knowen whiche hee shall well perceiue by those resting in the bottome of the cunninger sorte preferred and vsed but the others swimmyng aboue as vnprofytable and seruing to no vse are willed to be throwen away The chosen Seedes are to be set in beds two togither with three fingers vnto the middle Jointes and the sharper endes fixed vpward but the beds afore oughte to be digged two foote deepe and so many broad and the Seedes bestowed well three or foure foote asunder one from the other in these filled vp with olde dung well turned in with the earth or rather to procure them speedier to grow and yeelde the fruite the sooner lette the beddes be filled with hotte horse dung new taken oute of the stable If the Gardner woulde possesse Gourdes of diuers formes as long rounde and shorte it behoueth hym to choose and sette the seedes accordinglye For those Seedes taken oute of the necke of the Gourde shall the owner after the councell of the singular Columella learned Plinie and Rutilius set in well dunged ground with the sharpe endes vpwarde Which after the well watering as aboue taught yeelde fruits long in fourme tenderer and better esteemed The Seedes taken oute of the myddes of the bellye and sette into the Earthe with the bigge endes vpwarde doe yeelde after the husbandely handeling and watering greate fruites rounde and large of whiche after the through drying and meate taken oute bee bottels and other vessells made to serue for diuers vses in that these growe farre larger in the belly than any of the other kindes The Seedes taken oute of the bottome of the Gourde and set with the grosse or big endes vpwarde doe also yeelde after the workmanlye ordering fruits both greate and large yet these far lesser and shorter And the Seedes in generall in what place they bee sette oughte to be bestowed in earth well dunged and the rather with hot horse dung new taken out of the stable if these bee set in the moneth of March But y e seeds in no maner may be bestowed in low places lest shours of rain falling hinder and corrupte the fruites throughe the ouermuche water cloying and standyng in the Alley or other low place The plants shot vppe to some heigthe oughte to bee diligentlye weeded aboute and the earthe heaped highe vp and when neede requyreth in the hot seasons to water them often If the Seedes happen to bee set in a Earthe smally laboured and hollowe when the plants be somwhat growen aboue the grounde the owner oughte to digge away of a good depthe from the yong plantes the Earthe rounde aboute that the rootes may the freelier runne and spreade abroad the plants further growen and shot vp may the owner erecte to runne and spreade like to a Uine well a mans heigthe If the plantes happen to be annoyed with the Leke or Garden fleas the owner shal remoue and driue them away by the only setting of the herbe Organye in sundry places among them on whiche if these happen to lighte they eyther are incontinente killed or caused to encrease but few after as the Greeke writers of husbandry in their skilful practises witnesse Out of which with diligence we haue also gathered these that to the owner or gardner may happily appere profitable as the Gourde a matter somwhat strange to yelde fruits without seeeds If the Seedes before the setting be stieped for three dayes at the least in Sesaminum or Sauine oyle as the Neapolitane Rutilius vttereth or in the Juice of that hearbe infused named Conyza in Englishe Fleabane The like may bee wroughte if after the condition of the Uine the principallest and firste stemme shotte vp be on such wise digged about
that alonely the heade of the same be lefte bare Whiche as it shall encrease muste the owner repeate yea a thyrd time if neede shall require the same And in this doing muste the owner haue a care that as the braunches spread foorth whether vpright or on the ground to be cutte away herein preseruing only that stemme which shot foorth last The Gourdes on such wise handled as the Cucumbers afore noted will yeelde fruits without seedes possessing only Cartilages and a softe pulpe within If the owner would possesse fruits timely and very soone then after the instruction of the Greeke writers of husbandry bestow in earthen pannes or olde baskets without bottomes fine sifted earthe intermedled with dung aboute the beginning of the Spring in which the Seedes sette sprinkle and moisten sundry times with water after this in faire and Sunny dayes or when a gentle shower falleth set them abroade but when the Sunne goeth downe bestowe the baskets with the plants within the house againe and these like order so often and water when neede requyreth vntill all the frostes tempests and colde season be gone and paste After this assoone as oportunity and time wil serue and that a faire day be presente bestowe all the baskets and pans of earthe vnto the brimme in well laboured and dressed beddes and applie that other diligence requyred throughe whiche the Gardner shall possesse timely fruite aswell of the Gourde as Cucumber The same matter shall the owner bâ—ing to passe and cause with lesser coste trauayle and time if he cut away the waste braunches of the Gourdes or tender shootes of the Cucumbers for on suche wise handled they speedelier yeelde and send foorth their fruites If the Gardner couereth to enioy diners formes on Gourds or sundry caracters on Cucumbers let him bestowe the floure or tender yong fruite of either as the same shall yet be hanging on the braunche into a moulde of like bignesse as the fruite Which to handled will after cause whether the same be Gourd or Cucumber to possesse on the vpper face the like figure or caracters as were afore imprinted within the mould For the fruite of either after the minde of Gargilio so muche desireth a newe forme that it like representeth the Image or figure imprinted within the mould In somuch y t of what form the mould of the Gourd shal be fashioned on such maner shal the fruite grow within y e mould And Plinie for confirmation of the same reporteth that he sawe many Gourds fashioned in their ful growth after the forme of a winding dragon If the owner endeuoureth to possesse long and slender Gourdes he muste bestowe the yong fruites newe growen and hanging still on the Uine branches either into a Truncke of wood or a long Cane boored throughe all the Joyntes whyche in tyme growing will stretch and shoote foorth into a maruellous lengthe For the same substance which shoulde encrease into a breadth is caused throughe the hollowe pipe to stretch and growe slender wherby the narrownesse of the hole so hindering the bignesse of growth procureth the fruite to runne into a length as the like Gourde by the same occasion Plinie sawe to extend wel nine foote of lengthe The like fruites altogither shall the Gardner purchase if vnder the vines he set of some deepenesse in the grounde earthen pans filled with water and they distante well fine or sixe fingers from the Gourdes hangyng downe For by the morrowe or nexte daye shall hee see the fruits stretched euen downe to the water by which leading and handling of the pans with water they may be caused to grow of a wonderfull length But the pannes for a time remoued or taken away will cause the fruites to crooke and winde vpwarde so muche of propertie they ioye in moisture and refuse or hate the drouth yet of the oyle is otherwise to be learned for somuch as they deadly hate the same as Plinie writeth whiche if in the steede of water it be set vnder the fruites causeth them by the nexte daye to winde an other waye If this likewise they can not do yet doe they wrythe and as it were disdainyng the same crooke vpwarde after the manner of a hooke as a like forme of the fruite may be tried in one night space This one matter oughte especially to be cared for as Columella after the Greeke Florentinus warneth that no woman come or verye seldome approche nighe to the fruites of the Gourdes or Cucumbers for by hir only handling of them they feeble and wither whiche matter if it shall happen in the time of the Termes doeth then eyther flea the yong tender fruites wyth hir looke or causeth theÌ„ to be vnsauery spotted or corrupted within The Gourds determined to bee kepte for seede ought after the minde of Rutilius the Neapolitane to hang stil on their Uine vnto the Winter time and cutte or broken from the same to bee dried eyther in the Sunne or in the smoke for the Seedes otherwise are prone to putrifye and not after profitable to any vse The Gourdes and Cucumbers will endure and be kepte a long tyme freshe and faire to the eye if they be hyd couered wyth white wine lyes not ouer egre or sowre in the hangyng down in pipes or hogs sheads They bein like maner defended and preserued by bestowing them in a pickle or brine But they will a long time continue freshe and faire as the worthy instructers of husbandry reporte if so bee they hang so highe wythin the vessels that they be nothyng neare to the Uineger And the vessells appointed for the only purpose shall diligently be pitched ouer round about least the spirites of the Uineger in the meane time breath foorth whiche by nature otherwise is penetrable thorough the thinnesse of partes The Cucumbers maye in like maner bee kepte for a long tyme if they shall bee bestowed in a vessell of distilled Uineger for on suche wise they putrifye not as hathe bin tried of the skilfull searchers of secreates Thus by these practises may the owner enioy faire Cucumbers and Gourdes all the Winter to vse whyche if the Gardner will shall hee also preserue a long time if whyle the fruites be tender hee cutte them off and scalde them in hot water and after laye them abroade all the night to coole and bestowe them on the morrowe into a sharpe pickle or brine made for the only purpose whyche on suche wise handled wil maruelous well endure vntill the newe be come In this place commeth to minde and that very aptly the same whiche Athenaeus bosted as touching his strange feast that he prepared for his friends and especiallye in that he serued them with greene Gourdes for a dainty dishe in the moneth of January which so pleasauntly sauoured and eate as if they had bin new gathered in a manner Which like by study and diligence of the gardners that exercised this arte they supposed them to be preserued As the
the heate Of the care helpes and secretes of the Pompons Mellons and Muske Mellons Chap. 31. THe auntient both of the Greke and Latin wryters of husbandry attributed the Pompons and Mellons to a kinde of Cucumbers which they confessed very nere to agree with them in that the Cucumbers in their growth haue bin seene to be changed into Pompons and Mellon Pompons which two kindes of fruite doe differ in themselues especially in the fourme and quantifie for whē these appeare to exceede in bignesse they are then named Pompons but they growing rounde and in fourme of an Apple fashioned are by a biename of the Pompon and apple named Mellon Pompons For which cause Palladius nameth all thys kynde of forme of apples Mellons or as if a man should say he named them aplewise or Quincelike which are not wonte to hang as Plinie writeth but to growe rounde on the grounde and they are then growen to a ripnesse when the stalke is parted from the bodie and a sweete sauour from the belly striketh to the nose Further those growing after y e forme of a Quince which properly are named Mellons haue a harder and tougher meat than Pompons and they not onlye enioy lesser wrinckles on the rynde but bee dryer grosser whyter of flesh and haue more Seedes than the Pompons The other kynde named Cytrons bee in fourme and coloure lyke to the Cytron and the leaues of y e branches deuided into many smal partes after the forme of feathers or wyngs of Byrdes The other kynde named the wynter Pompons are nothyng so bygge of growth as bee the common Pompons of the Garden But the best kynde of al are the Mellons next the Turkysh Pompons and those made sweete by Arte when the seedes before the bestowing in the Earthe are for a night layed in water wel mixed wyth Suger or in Hony The Mellons and Pompons hardly come vp in any Countrie at due tyme of the yeere without a labour cost and diligence of the Gardener in hastning them forward nor these caused wel to spreade yelde before the greate heate of the yeare become which season some yeare hapneth diuerse and intermedled wyth colde and either ouer drie or ouer moyst which much hinder the ripening of them in the haruest time and towards the vyntage For which cause the Gardener ought to hasten the fruites forwarde by dung ▪ and heate of the beds which alwaies procure a more helth to persons The seedes of Mellons to be cōmytted to the Earth ought to be suche whiche haue bin kepte wythin the fruite vnto the full rypenesse of the same for these then taken foorth of the Mellon be more worth reserue in thē the proper substance within the bodies If the owner would possesse the fruites of the Mellon timely he ought afore to infuse the seedes in luke warme water for sixe or tenne houres and those after to beestowe in Beddes prepared aboute the tenthe daye of Marche well three or foure foote distaunte one from the other and the Beddes to caste well two foote high and so manye broade and to fyll them wyth olde dung fynely broken and with blacke Earth sufficiently loose wrought togither for on such wise handeled they yeelde a bigger fuller and pleasaunter fruite Certaine skilful Gardeners bestow horse dung in Beds so hot as the same commeth forth of the stable to cause the plants farre sooner to shoote vp and they turne vpwarde sixe or tenne of the seedes of the pompone wyth y e sharpe endes downward as certayne do foure or fiue of them to come vp and those they lightly couer ouer wyth much beating or treding the Earth downe on them Rutilius in his Husbandry willeth the seedes both of the Mellon and Pompon to bee thinne set in beddes in suche manner that the seedes bee placed well two foote asunder and the places well digged and diligentlye turned in wyth fyne dung for the plantes ioye in a libertie that they may spreade at wyl hyther and thyther and are greately holpen by other Hearbes growyng among them as the Cucumbers are so that they shall neede but little raking and pluckyng away of other Herbes After these for daunger of the colde and frostes the owner may couer the plantes and Beddes with light mattresses made of strawe or wyth mattes spreade on roddes shored vp with forckes sette at eache corner of the Beddes or hee may for a seemlyer sight laye abroade boordes or Tables on pillers or other stayes of stone set at eche corner of the Beddes in suche manner that the bordes may bee lifted off when the Sunne shyneth hotte and sette ouer agayne at the going downe of the Sunne or when the colde ayre is felte And assoone as the Mellon hath yeelded leaues sufficiente greate the Gardener ought to water the same gentlye and softlye wyth a lyste sharpened at the ende hangyng foorth and broade at the other ende restyng wythin the Potte or Dishe ful of water whych on suche wyse continually moysteneth by the droppes falling the Earthe very drye The Mellons further growen the owner ought to remove and sette the plantes agayne when the fruites are yeelded so bygge as Orenges and thys especiallye muste bee done after the myddes of Maye when as the colde of the yeare is well spente that otherwyse myght hynder the growth of them and sette well sixe foote distante one from the other in Beds dilygently dunged and labored The Pompons purchase a far greater sweetenesse and pleasanter in taste if the seedes afore bee steeped for three dayes in water well mixed with Suger or in water and Hony named Mulse and in like maner y e fruites are found sweete in the eating if the seeds steeped in new Cow milke 〈◊〉 then set in well dressed Beddes The Pompons in like manner wyll obtayne a sauoure of Roses if the seedes afore be layed among drye Roseleaues for twentie or thirty dayes togyther and those after wyth the leaues sette in well dressed beds or y e seeds steeped in Rosewater or other odoriferous licour which after the drying in y e shadow then as afore vttered cōmited to the erth As the worthy Authoure Florentinus in his Greeke instructions of Husbandrie writeth and after hym the lyke that worthy Rutilius Here I thynke it a matter not to bee omitted that Cats by an earnest desire couet the Pompons for which cause the owners haue a care to loke diligently thereunto To procure Pompons to continue a long tyme without decaying or corrupting let the owner water the plants for a time with the iuyce of Houseleeke The other matters to be learned are fully taughte in the secretes of the Cucumbers Gourdes where many deuises are vttered that may be vsed common As if the owner woulde enioye timely fruites and hauing straunge formes on them big laxatiue and without Seedes let him diligently reade and consider the former Chapiters both of the Cucumber and Gourde The Mellons and Pompons ought then to bee gathered when the stalkes begyn
very well vp being bestowed in a moist and wel dunged ground and the hearbe after the comming vp requireth to be often watered vntill it hath yeelded a highe stemme The phisicke benefits of the Valerian THe hearbe of qualitie heateth in the thirde degree and drieth in the beginning of the second and the roote especiallye serueth for the vse of phisicke The roote of the Ualerian brought to pouder and druncke in wine prouoketh sweate and vrine the like performeth the roote it selfe being boyled in Wine yea thys also amendeth the paine and stitches of the sides and backe The roote dried may be kepte for three whole yeares and gathered especially in the moneth of Auguste The pouder of the roote of valerian mixed wyth the white helelbor or neeseworte and the flowre of wheate this in apte places layed killeth mice The roote boyled in white wine with fennell and parcely seedes doth mightily prouoke the vrine colde healpeth the paines in the sides and moueth the Termes This also preuaileth againste poyson and the plague by drinking of it Certaine do boyle the roote of Ualerian with Fennell Annise seedes and Licourise for the coughe and straightnesse of breathe The greene Hearbe and freshe roote bruised and applyed doth mytigate the payne of the heade staye fluxes and profitteth the shyngles The floures or roote boyled in wine and dropped into the eyes procureth a clearnesse of them healeth the great pyles in the fundamente other vlcers but this especially amendeth the dymmes of sight as Jeronimus booke witnesseth The worthy vertues of the distilled water of the Herbe THe conuenient time of the distillation of the same is that the roote Herbe and stem with the whole substaunce be shred togither and distilled about the ende of May. The distilled water of Ualerian drunke vnto the quantitie of foure ounces at a time doth morning and euening and linnen clothes wet in it applyed vpon doth in shorte time amende vlcers olde soares and those causing swellings yea thys auayleth againste the pyles by applying linnen clothes wet in it The said water drunke in like quantity both morning and euening profiteth the creature hauing any bone broken This also helpeth a rupture or a bodie broken and droppe in the eies cleareth them The distilled water of the valerian drunke vnto the quantitie of a sponfull at a time euery morning fasting doth expell the long wormes in children Thys water druncke in like manner as afore vttered profiteth againste poyson and a pestilente ayre it healeth newe and olde wounds cleareth vlcers and impostumes wythin the bodye and remoueth the ache of the hippes The distilled water orderly druncke procureth cleare eyes remoueth the paine in chins and prouoketh sweate this poured into troubled wine causeth the faine 〈…〉 purer to be drunke The saide water assuageth the paine of the members proceedyng of an vntemperate coldenesse by dayly annoynting the members wyth it The vertues of the distilled water of the rootes of Valerian THe distillation of thys water is to bee wrought from the fifteenth daye of August vnto the eyght daye of the moneth of September This distilled water drunke as afore taught doth remoue poyson and profiteth against venemous beastes The distylled water drunke fasting vnto the quantitie of syxe ounces at a time before the fitte commeth deliuereth the Quotidian Ague The sayde water in like quantitie gyuen and both annoynted and applyed wyth linnen clothes wet in it amendeth the stitches in the sides When two persons at variance shal drinke a quantitie of this water out of one cuppe togither doth after procure them friendes and louing one to the other The dilligence required in the bestowing of the Hearbe Bytonie Chap. 35. THe Betony is an Hearbe hauing a slender stemme and foure square growyng in manye places a foote and a halfe hyghe the leaues long and softe and indented rounde aboute like to Oken leaues and sweete smelling among the whiche greater leaues are those growing nighe to the roote in the toppe of the stemmes is the seede eared after the maner of Sauerie the rootes spreading small and beareth purple floures The Herbe Betonie ioyeth to be sowen in a moist and cold ground and by a bricke or stone wal to enioy the shadow of the same for the Herbe much delighteth to stande in the Sunne beames The Phisicke commodities of the Herbe Bitonie THe Herbe Betony after the minde of the learned is hotte and drye in the first degree complet or in the myddle of the seconde and hath the nature of cutting asunder whiche is manyfest of the taste that is soure and somewhat bitter The Herbe boyled with the floures in wyne and drunke stayeth belching the rawnesse of stomack amendeth and the soure restings correcteth The selfe same may be distilled water or a confection made of the floures wyth suger or the pouder of the dry Herbe it selfe or ministred with Honye The Herbe drunke in wine very muche profiteth the diseases of the Matrice and this to be briefe is auaylable to all inwarde griefes of the body in what maner soeuer the same be taken For this giuen in Mulse vineger vnto y e quantite of a dramme profiteth in the sending forth of y e harmeful humors of y e stomack liuer milte kidneis bladder matrice The person which feareth to haue drunke poison by takyng a dram wayghte of pouder in wine shalbe deliuered of the harme both by vrine and siege The Herbe after the boyling in water drunke profiteth the Phrensie persons suche hauing the falling sicknesse the Paulsie and ache of the Hyppes The Herbe helpeth digestion if any after supper eateth vnto the bignesse of a beane of the same being afore boyled in Hony this also steeped in wine for a night and drunke stayeth vomyting The Herbe boyled in wine and drunke expelleth the Ague and ministred to the wayght of two drammes with Hidromel sendeth foorth the water betweene the skinne and many humours The pouder of the Hearbe to the wayght of a dramme drunke wyth wyne doth speedily helpe the Jaundise and sendeth downe the Termes The Betony boyled in wine and strayned if wyth three drammes of Hiera Picra Galem myxed and drunke fasting gently purgeth the belly The Herbe boyled with Hony recouereth the consumption of the body and matterie spittings of the Lungs The Herbe brused and applyed in playster forme on the hurt of the heade as witnesseth Apuleius doth by a maruellous speedinesse close and heale the same yea this hath such a propertie that it fasteneth broken bones and by his force draweth pieces forth and dissolueth the clotted bloud The pouder of the herbe giuen to the waight of a dramme in wine stayeth the spitting vp of bloud The leaues brused applyed in plaister forme on y e eyes doth speedyly helpe the eyes bruised or hurt by a strype the rootes also of the Hearbe boyled to a third part in water and the eyes suppled w t the same water doe speedyly remoue the payne of them The iuyce of the Hearbe