may be known as well by their several Characters as by the Clime or situation of the Continent Some grounds naturally produce Weeds as Mallows Nettles Docks Hemlocks or such like which generally grow in every good and fruitful ground there is another sort of ground that hath a different face or character such as beareth Daisies Clover Charnock Mustardseed Rushes c. this also may be a very good ground to plant in but this is ever to be observed where weeds or grass doth naturally grow strong and big that earth is undoubtedly most rich and fruitful But although both these grounds may be good for Corn or Grasse yet the Planter may be deceived by these outward faces and characters if he search not deeper into the Bowels of the earth for it is well known that many a Tree of great bulk and worth is and hath been seen to grow in a barren earth for Corn or Grass and on the contrary there are and have been seen many small Trees of little worth growing in strong grounds as to the outward appearance and those small trees of the age or older than the other of greater bulk for that ground may be good for Corn and Grass or the planting of small Fruit-trees which hath but six or seven inches of good earth or the crust of the earth but six or seven inches deep Another character of barren earth is when you see instead of Grass which would be green rank and thick a pale thin small grass something blewish also much Moss or when the ground is covered with Heath Furrs Whins Gors and such like these are apparent signes of great barrenness especially if weeds or rubbish be small for as before is mentioned what ever it be that numbers the ground the greater and ranker it is it argues the richer ground Thirdly there are other barren grounds which may be so adjudged by the scite or clime wherein they lie as when the ground is far remote from the Sun or very near the borders of the sea for the storms and ill vapours arising from thence poison and starve the earth and are destructive to Plants and Trees also when the ground lies mountainous and high and very stony and rocky these are signes of barrenness yet the stony and rocky ground may have good earth underneath so that the Rock be not an intire stone but have clefts and passages unto the earth to plant the Seed or Plants and being once planted and thriving will in time open a widen passage and produce a Timber-tree of as great a bulk and worth as other grounds void of stones And this experience tells us also that Trees of small strength in comparison of the Oak being planted near a stone Wall the roots have so swelled or increased making their own way by reason of a hard Rock some depth under ground which the roots could not enter that they have lifted up the said wall in few years thrown it to the ground Fourthly there is another character or figne of barrenness which is to be adjudged by the constitution of the ground For it is well known to them that are not ignorant of the Constitution of the World that a Body is composed of all the Elements Earth Air Fire Water and although all these Elements are simple Bodies of themselves yet in all Bodies else are all the Elements for that Water doth evaporate into Air and that Water is made again of Vapour the Rain teacheth us and that earth and water also is rarified may be proved by many examples and that fire the spirit infused working by heat in all bodies is not to be denyed by this you see that the constitution of a Body participates of the four Elements which is to say qualities hot cold moist and dry But to return again from whence I digressed The constitution of that ground where one of the four Elements doth most predominate is an apparent signe of barrenness as when the grounds are either extremely cold and moist or else hot and dry Now these cold grounds are generally Clays except such as are subject to inundations of water or land Springs which are all cold and may be unfruitful These cold and barren Clays as by the outward face and character judgement may be given generally produce Broom Gorse Moss Shrub-bushes and such like and the reason of their unfruitfulness is first from their tough nature and bindingness in the Winter the Pores are so closed that the rain or snow falling and melting cannot soak into the earth farther or deeper than the pores are opened by the roots of Trees and Plants or Corn and Grass wherefore lying at the roots it doth benum and chill them and thereby hindereth the growth and indangers the stock through an extreme moistness and every extreme is death or dangerous Secondly these barren earths will require much more dung than better earths and yet not last half the time for by reason of the stiffness and bindingness of the Clay the soil cannot incorporate with it so that both Corn and Weeds will soon draw away or spend the substance thereof and that which remaineth good above will exhale or if the groundâ—ly steep then the rain will wash it away Thirdly if the Spring or Summer be very hot and dry the natural toughness of the Clay doth so fetter and lock the roots or grain within the mould that it will not give them liberty to sprout or if it doth yet the cold after much rain will presently starve the root and make the stem utterly unable to bring forth profitable fruit as I have formerly declared next unto the Clay is Marle and Chalk grounds they being derived from the Clay Marle is of several colours as are the Clayes and Sands Chalk is only a kind of white Marle for it was Marle before it was Chalk and both of them earth or clay at first only became hardned and coloured by accident as stones are coagulated with water and fire which we may well observe in Bricks and earthen Pots for here Art imitates Nature as also that they are subject to Calcination as Lime Stones Flints and the like but because Marle hath its original from the Clay I shall leave it to be adjudged by the outward appearance as the clay ground is excepting that there you will find no Broom and Gorse or such like weeds for Marle is a great enemy unto those kind of incumbrances As the barrennese of Clay grounds are known by the outward faces and characters so also are Sands This earth is of several colours as the clay those Sands that lye upon mountainous and rocky places are generally barren which may be perceived by the small pale mossy and yellowish grass which they bear other Sands that lye lower in wet morish Plains or bottoms are generally of colour blackish and produce a long sower unwholesome grass but where the ground lieth dryer the earth or sand will be very white or yellow and produces
by Cattle feeding thereon The richer the Land is the more Cattle it will keep and the greater number of Cattle the greater quantity of Soil or Dung comes from them also the often or much feeding and treading on the land will both sweeten the Grass and destroy the Moss which poor grounds are subject to and all manner of Weeds for in green paths that are often trodden nor Weeds nor Moss grow and Cattle will feed on such paths or places rather than on any other part of the field so that there is no better Husbandry to kill Weeds and Moss than to inrich the Land and keep the Grass short or low by Cattle constantly feeding thereon Thirdly that the Woodland be planted with the seed or Plants of the Ash-tree Chesnut Hasle-nut Alder or Withey because they are the quickest growing plants and will produce the greatest quantity of wood good for fireing and other necessary uses as Hoops Hop-poles c. But where the Land is wet or moorish and cannot be drayned or layed dry in those places Alder and Withey are the best thriving Plants or Wood and in the wettest parts of all Osiers or Alders Those Lands that are planted for Timber-trees as Oak Ash Beech Elme may be made use of by feeding Cattle so that they are kept from cropping and rubbing against the trees while they are young but if the Land be delved or plowed and sowed with Corn then it must be well soiled with good Dung for else the Plow will impoverish the Ground and starve the Trees Now for the carrying on so good and necessary a Work if the Rich will lend their Purses and the Poor their utmost labours and industry God will second all with such an increase that the monies may be returned again with interest and the Poor plentifully provided for And as it is my great request to God that there might not be one Family in England want bread so if it lay in my power every foot of land in England should be improved that is capable of improvement for one foot square of good land may produce a quarter of a pint of Wheat which comes to by the Acre there being 43560 square foot 170 Bushels 5 quarts yet he that is ingenious will not deny but that there may be a Liquor prepared wherein to steep or soke Corn that it being after set or sown may bring forth or produce above 100 for one so likewise Earth may be enriched to produce the like increase yea wonderful Crops beyond ordinary sence and reason therefore all hidden benefits must be sought for ignorance and idleness are alwayes enemies to thrist And those that are studious in natural causes know that by the exhalation of the earth the moistness richness and fatness of the earth and soil is drawn forth therefore the careful Husbandman will not spread his Dung in the heat or middle of the Summer except he cover it with earth by delving or plowing Now this richness of the earth or soyl is by the heat of the Sun drawn forth and rarified into air and by reason of the coldness of the air the same is condensed into water and becomes Clouds which said water so condensed is powred down again either into the Seas to refresh and feed the Creatures therein or on certain Lands and all this done by the wise Disposer who in exchange rains down cold thin and barren waters as a token of his displeasure or else withholds the Rain for earth is nothing else but thickned and hardned water water thickned air air subtilized water water liquified earth But now because these wast lands over-grown with Ling Heath Furres Bushes Shrubs and such like are for the most part poor Clays or Sands in some places mixed with Gravel therefore to all those who are resolved to be industrious and whom it hath pleased God to place upon such barren Earths my advice is that after the land is cleansed according to former directions and also well plowed and hacked If it be a simple Clay or mixt with other Earths and the Clay most predominant and the Sea be not too far that they thence fetch good store of the salt Sand and with it cover their ground allowing at least 200 Bushels for each or every Acre after the land is thus sanded then bestow about 70 Bushels of Lime or else 100 Cartload of the best and fattest Marle on every Acre so sanded and putting thereto 50 or 60 Cartload of good Dung likewise to every Acre then having well spread and mixed these several Manures that they plow over the land again and after it is well hackt with a pair of strong iron Harrows goe over the ground tearing that which was plowed and hackt into smaller pieces which will not only mix the several Manures with the clay but also raise and increase good store of mould If the land lie so far remote from the Sea that to fetch this salt sand will not equal the cost in such cases they may lay other earth or the best and richest fresh sand only adding a greater quantity for of this sand every Acre of land will require at least 100 Cartload and likewise they must add a greater quantity of Lime and Dung also 100 Cartload of Marle or Chalk Now the Wheat seed-time being at hand they must plow up their ground again and prepare the seed as followeth Make a strong Brine of Bay-salt and water put your Wheat therein the quantity you intend to sow the next day letting it so lye ten or twelve hours then drain the brine from it and having a Tub or Chest or such like put the said Wheat therein with good store of the best lime stir and mix them well together and then sow the Wheat thus limed Now as soon as the Land is sowed forthwith cover the seed very close by well harrowing it and no doubt with the blessing of God you will have a plentiful increase so that one years Crop of Wheat will pay all charges with interest But if the Land you would improve be a barren sand then being cleansed plowed and hacked as was the clay you shall lay or bestow 200 Cartload of the best slimy or fattest Marle or Mame on each or every Acre of Land and if you be near the Sea then lay 50 or 60 bushel of salt sand on each Acre for fresh sand availeth little on this kind of land but if you cannot come by salt sand then on every Acre of land you may lay 60 or 70 bushels of lime also 100 Cartload of good chalk All this being performed add a good quantity of dung you need not fear laying too much at the first dressing on poor Land but if you cannot get any perfect and rich Marle or Mame then may you lay a good quantity of rich Clay or instead of Clay a rich Lome or which is better the Earth called Fullers Earth then plow sow and harrow in the seed as you have been directed that
a short small blewish mossey grass the greatest part of these unfruitful Sands are much subject to Heath Furres Brakes and such like Now a great cause of the unfruitfulness of this barren sandy grounds is by reason of the porousness or hollowness of the earth as was said before for although it be well manured with soil or dung yet much rain or wet will wash down the dung lower into the earth than the roots of the Corn or Grass which is the reason of Plow-trenching in sandy Countries Now the manner and way of Plow-trenching having here mentioned it and because we may have occasion further to mention it in our after planting is as followeth First the Plow having cast up the furrow taking a good stitch as they call it in husbandry after the Plow there follows 12 or 14 men with spades who delve or dig a spit or spade deep in the bottom of the furrow where the Plow hath gone which they cast or lay upon the earth or ridge which the Plow first threw up then follows the next turn of the Plow but that which is then cast up is thrown into the Trench the men left to fill it again the men as before still follow the Plow and dig or cast up out of this second furrow another spades depth of sand or earth which they cast on the second ridge of sand that is thrown up by the Plow and so a third and fourth ridge the delvers following the Plow and the Plow them during the dayes work by which you may perceive that the upper earth or sand is buried and the undermost or fresh sand laid uppermost so likewise in delving or more properly trenching the ground is delved two spit deep the second spit or undermost earth is laid upon the first spit or spadeful of earth By this piece of Husbandry it is easily to be understood that this barren sandy ground being hollow loose and light the fatness or substance that should nourish the roots of the grain is by much rain within two years time washed or sunk so deep into the earth that it will not serve for any other season or seed time without more soil or new trenching And as much wet and rain is the cause of unfruitfulness of the hungry hollow barren sands so likewise is drought for the earth being loose and hollow the Sun by his heat doth draw up the moisture and richness of the earth and soil which the Rain doth leave A third sort of simple ground being barren and unfruitful is the Gravel which is mixt with it a hungry earth not much unlike the gritty loose Sand This ground if it lie high and mountainous then the outward face and character will appear as it did in the poor Sand and Clay one cause of its barrenness is from cold the Gravel wanting good earth to warm and nourish that which should grow in it Also because in time of Drought the Sun will scorch and burn up the fruit thereof be it either Corn or Grass c. And if this Gravelly ground lie low then it is subject unto Land-springs which within the Earth wash away that substance and fatness from the Roots of corn and grass that should be their nourishment also much Rain doth likewise wash away the fatness and goodness of the Earth by reason of the roundness and hollow looseness of the stones so that what with the waters within the ground and the Waters above also the heat and scorching of the Sun which doth dry up more easily its moisture this kind of earth must of necessity be unfruitful neither is there any way to improve it but by gathering out the Stones laying store of good Earth and Soil in the room and making draynes to carry away the Water I shall not advise any to begin this piece of Husbandry because the Charges will amount unto so much and better Land may be purchased at a cheaper rate Now as by the outward face and character and by the Clime and Constitution of all simple Grounds doth appear the Richness and Fruitfulness of the one and the poorness and barrenness of the other so likewise by the same Rule there may be judgment given of all Compounded Grounds or mixed Earths as Sand with Gravel or Clay or Loome with Gravel or Sand or other Earths By this which hath been spoken concerning the Nature of Grounds either simple or compound the Husbandman may have true Knowledge to order and dress his Ground and by purging and cleansing the same from those faults that hinder the increase expect a large and ample Crop of Corn or Grass But yet the honest Arborist may be at a loss in Planting of Timber-trees if he go no deeper then the outward face of the Earth for almost every Ditcher can speak by experience in making of a Ditch that the crust or good earth many times doth lie but two or three inches deep and the next Earth proves a hard hungry Gravel about a Spades depth more the next Spades depth or under the Gravel it may be shall rise a cold barren Clay and under that 8 or 10 inches more a good Loome or Sand Also in rich Earths the Crust may lie 17 or 18 inches deep and under that depth a hard Gravel or Rock of Stone Quarry of Slate or such like There being as many faces or characters of good and bad earths under the ground as above or upon the Superficies but this must be tryed by an instrument hereafter mentioned There are other grounds that have no crust or good earth above but either a barren Sand hungry Gravel or cold Clay and such like and yet within twelve inches depth have a very good Earth And that there are several Vaines and sorts of Earths good and bad of all these Qualities he that diggeth Mines and Wells can averr Also That there are several Vaines of good and bad Earth upon the Ground Gardners and Plowmen can testifie There are likewise several sorts of ground that may be good for Corn and Grass or small Fruit-Trees and Bushes yet not good for the Planting of Timber-trees First such Grounds that have a good crust or earth 12 or 14 inches deep and under this good earth a cold wet Gravel being full of Land-springs which is Water running within the Earth and shews it self or is discovered by breaking out or spewing up in many places this and the like are not sound grounds to Plant Timber Trees in because after the Rootes of the Trees have passed downwards deeper then the good Earth the young and tender shootes of the Root that the sap causes every year to spring forth are by reason of the too much moisture and cold water within the earth chilled and benummed so that they have not strength to enter the earth underneath the Water or if they do the Water following also after doth continually hinder them in their growth and keep them from thriving and so consequently the Tree Secondly such
grounds as have the same or as good earth as before mentioned above but underneath a Rock or Quarry extending many Yards or Rods are also not proper for Planting Timber-trees for after the rootes of the Trees have grown deeper into the earth then the crust or good earth as aforesaid and reacht unto the Rock they cannot enter and being only maintained by the upper Roots that spread along the crust of the earth can never grow to any bulk not having sufficient nourishment for all the Roots and thereupon necessarily want so much of their due growth And although such Trees may thrive 50 or 60 years yet as they grow in heighth and greatness so much the more are they in danger of every Wind because those Rootes that should grow deep into the earth not only to support the Tree by nourishment and ballance it by weight but as strong Cordes to bind it fast unto the earth are altogether hindred and disappointed of their true use by reason of their Rock or Quarry also those Rootes that touch the Rock for want of entrance will in a short time perish and decay and not only to the hinderance of the growth but shortning the life of the Tree This stoppage or decay of the Root may be discerned several wayes first the middle Boughes that generally grow streight upwards and proceed from the heart will decay at top which may be known by the falling of the Leafe Secondly The Bark will grow black Thirdly The Sap which is as the Blood having not its natural course by reason of the stoppage of the Root will break out into Boyles which are great Bunches in the Barke Body and Limbes of the Tree All which evils will hinder the growth and increase of the Tree and in time cause it to be hollow Now since it concernes every one that will be at the Charges of Planting to search into the Bowels of the earth and not to be satisfied or trust to the outward face thereof There should be provided for the same use or purpose an Iron Augar such as is used for the searching after Mines or Minerals and although this way of searching or trying the goodness of the Earth under ground will require labour and expences yet it will be of great concernment and singular use there being a vast difference between the Planting and Sowing of Corn and sowing and planting Seed or Plants for Trees for the Husbandman in a years time after his Seed is sown may know the goodness of the ground and amend the evils thereof or forbear farther charges and let it rest for the feeding of Cattel whereas the Planter must wait many years in expectation to know the goodness of his ground and only guess it at last without any certainty only by the growth or thriving of the Trees Planted Having briefly discoursed of unfruitful grounds by reason of the Constitution and Clime or scituation of the Countries wherein they lie it will be needless to speak of those rich and fruitful Clayes in Buckinghamshire Leicestershire c. and of the fruitful Sands in Surry Middlesex and Suffolk also those rich and fruitful Gravels and compounded or mixt Earths in Barkshire and Hartfordshire with many other Shires All these fruitful Soiles if there be not those hindrances in the Bowels of the earth formerly spoken of will require no other charges then only the choice of good Plants and care in planting them As for poor unfruitful Grounds having but a thin Crust yet good earth at the depth of 18 or 20 inches the Seed or Plants that are to be planted in such grounds are to be nourished and maintained until their Roots descend and reach unto that good earth therefore not only choice Plants are to be provided but also good earth thereinto to set or plant the Seed and Plants But of this it is necessary that you have more particular directions There is therefore not any of those Lands formerly spoken of either fruitful or barren but may be very good for planting Timber-trees except these few following First all Lands that lie near the skirts and borders of the Sea for the Mists Fogs and Winds that come thence will much indanger them and hinder their thriving Secondly All high and dry Mountains for they do not only want moistness of Earth but are infested by great Winds which frequently blow in such places and are very hurtful and although there are and have been seen great Trees growing on high Hills yet it is my opinion they were not planted there by Man but were the production of the earth and an effect of the first Creation Thirdly All Lands that lie flat and are subject to Inundations of Waters for want of a Descent or Current to carry them off some other way for although moist earth is good for Trees yet too much moisture as Water lying long on the ground or at the rootes of Trees is dangerous if not Mortal Fourthly All Moorish wet grounds for although there are and have been many great Trees growing in such grounds yet very seldome any sound well coloured or long-liv'd Timber-tree Fifthly All entire Chalke Grounds for such grounds are cold and dry and not good for Trees but if there be a mixture of other Earth with them then it may be good Sixthly All grounds that are Rocky or very Stony either under or above the Earth for although Trees may thrive in such grounds yet it will require much labour and charges and I am very dubious of any long thriving of Trees so planted Now the Plott of ground that I shall make choice of to Plant Timber-trees in should be low and plain but somewhat ascending towards the middle of the Plott that so the Floods after Rain may run clean away yet slowly not rising higher if possible then may be convenient to water the whole from some spring or River that in the summer or drought it may be moistened cooled and refreshed and laid dry again at pleasure which would not only produce Grass wonderfully but make the Plants and Trees grow more in seven years then they will in other grounds that have not these helpes and conveniences in 15 or 16 years The Soil or Earth should also be a rich and fruitful Clay Being now provided of a Plot of Ground to Plant and having proportioned the Fence and computed the Charges the next thing to be considered is the choice of seed and Plants Seed is only the Image of the Plant or Tree gathered together into a very small part of the Matter Plants are the Production of Seed for the universal spirit of Life was infused or put into the matter of the World by that great Herbarist our Eternal God and so insinuating it self through all the parts thereof introduced into every Creature it s own form Now the Spirit of life contracted into this lesser forme as aforesaid is the seed of all Creatures of what kind soever they be and whereby their several species
a man a good stomach to his victuals by strengthening the attractive faculty the inner Rind of the Barberry-tree boyled in VVhite-wine and a quarter of a pint drunk each morning doth cleanse the body of Chollerick humors and free it from such Diseases as choller causeth such are Scabs Itches Tetters Ring-worms Yellow-Jaundice Boils c. It is excellent for hot Agues Burnings Scaldings heat of the Blood heat of the Lâ—ver Bloodiflux the Berries are as good as the Bark and more pleasing they may be kept all the year being made into Conserves Preserves c. The Blackberry Bush. THese Berries are good for young Turkies Peacocks and many other Poultry The Vses Physical The Berries or the Flowers are a powerful Remedy against the poyson of the most venemous Serpents as well drunk as outwardly applyed helpeth the Sores of the fundament and the Piles but the flower and fruit unripe are very binding and so profitable for the Bloody-flux or Lask and are a fit Remedy for spitting of blood the distilled water of the branches leaves and flowers or of the fruit is very pleasant in taste and very effectual in Fevers and hot distempers of the Body Head Eyes and other parts also do cure Ulcers Sores VVounds Bloody-flux Quinsie Either the Decoction or Powder of the Root being taken is good to break or drive forth Gravel and the Stone in the Reins and Kidneys the Leaves and Brambles as well green as dry are excellent good Lotions for Sores in the Mouth or Secret parts the Juice of the Berries mixed with the Juice of Mulberries do bind more effectually and help fretting and eating Sores and Ulcers wheresoever the Powder of the Leaves strewed on cankrous and running Ulcers doth wonderfully help to heal them the Leaves boiled in-Lye and the head washed therewith healeth the Itch and running sores thereof and maketh the hair black The Rasberry-Bush Vertues and use THese Berries do make wholsome VVine called Rasberry VVine The Conserves of Rasberries are very good against many distempers of the Body therefore useful to be kept in house all the year the Berries are very pleasant to eat with Cream or VVine the Syrop of the Berries is cooling and good for a sore mouth and throat and other diseases that come of heat also they are vendible at Markets and good food for the young Peacocks Turkies and other Poultry The Gooseberry-Bush Vertues and Vse BEsides the ordinary eating of them they are of good use preserved also baked in Pies or Tarts the overplus may be sold or given to the Swine and Poultry The Currant-Bush Vertues and Vse BEsides the ordinary spending of this fruit there are Syrrups Conserves and Preserves made of them very usefull in a Family what is not spent in the House or sold the little Birds will feed on and in their season you may feed on them so that it is but converting Currants into flesh and you may make a sufficient Improvmement of them Straberries THis is a cool Berry and very wholesome to eat in wine what is not spent in the Family or sold in Markets the Birds will be glad of The Uses Physical The Distilled water of the Berries is a soveraign Remedy and Cordial in the panting and beating of the heart and is good for the yellow Jaundice The Juice or VVater is singular good for hot inflamed eyes if dropped into them The Leaves and Roots boyled in Wine and Water and drunk do cool the Liver and Blood and asswage all Inflammations in the Reins and Bladder allayeth the heat and sharpness of the Urin stayeth the Bloody-flux and Womens Courses and helpeth the swelling of the Spleen The Berries when they are ripe are cold and moist therefore excellent to cool the Liver the Blood and Spleen or an hot chollerick Stomach also to refresh and comfort the fainting spirits and quench thirst they are good also for other Inflammations yet it is not amiss to refrain them in a Fever lest by their putrefying the Stomach they encrease the Fits The Juice or Water is of excellent use for all Pushes Wheals and other breaking forth of hot and sharp humors in the face and hands or other parts of the Body to bath them therewith Lotions and Gargles for sore Mouths or Vlcers therein or in the Privy parts or elsewhere are made with Roots and Leaves We shall here add a Receit or Medicine for Sore-eyes Take so many Strawberries as you shall think fitting and put them into a Distillatory or body of Glass fit for them which being well closed set it in a Bed of horse-dung for twelve or fourteen dayes and afterwards distill it carefully and keep it for your use We shall now proceed to the Orchards and Gardens The Service-tree THese Berries when they are ripe may be spent in the House and some of them sold and what is left Birds and Poultry will help you away with Uses Physical Services when they are mellow are fit to be taken to stay Fluxes Scowring and Costing but if they be dryed before they be mellow and kept all the year they may be used in Decoctions for the said purpose either to drink or to bath the parts requiring it and is profitable used in that manner to stay the bleeding of wounds and at the Mouth and Nose to be applyed to the forehead or nape of the Neck The Mulberry-tree THe Leaves of this Tree are the chiefest food for the Silk-worms and about that time the Leaves grow old and begin to fall then these Worms begin to spin and will require no more food and about the time the sap puts forth leaves again which will be about the next Spring following the said old Worms having laid many Eggs do die and the said Eggs produce young Worms to feed on the new or young leaves The Syrup or Conserves of the Berries are very useful in a Family therefore are to be kept in house all the year There is Wine also made of the Berries which will cheer and comfort the spirits The Uses Physical The Berries being ripe and eaten open the Belly and the unripe bind being dried they are good to stay Fluxes The juice or the syrup made of the juice of the ripe Berries helpeth all Inflammations and Sores in the Mouth Throat and Pallat of the Mouth when it is fallen down The leaves beaten with vinegar is good to lay on any place that is burnt with fire A Decoction made of the bark and leaves is good to wash the mouth and teeth when they ake if the root be a little slit or cut and a small hole made in the ground next thereunto in the Harvest time it will give out a certain juice which being hardned the next day is of good use to help the Tooth-ach to dissolve Knots and purge the Belly This Berry will also sell at Markets the overplus will feed the Swine and Poultry The Ch rry-tree CHerries will vent at most Markets and arise to a considerable profit if you
can keep Crows and other Birds from eating them there being many thousand Acres of Land in England planted for the same purpose Cherry Tarts may become a Gentlemans Table dried Cherries also preserved are very wholesome and usefull to be kept all the year in a Family the ordinary way of eating them I need not tell you but the best way is from the trees The Vses Physical Cherries as they are of different tasts so they are of divers qualities the tart and sowre are pleasing to a hot stomach procuring appetite to meat and help to cut tough flegme and gross humors but when these are dried they are more binding the belly than when they are fresh being cooling in hot Diseases and welcom to the stomach and provoke Urin The sweet Cherries pass through the stomach and belly more speedily but are of little nourishment The black Cherries bruised with the Stones and distilled the water thereof is much used to break the Stone expel Gravel and break the Wind The Gum of the Cherry-tree dissolved in Wine is good for a Cold Cough and Hoarseness of the throat mendeth the Colour in the face sharpeneth the Eye-sight provoketh Appetite and helpeth to break and expel the Stone The Winter-Cherry is of great use in Physick the distilled Water of the Fruit or the Leaves together with them or the Berries green or dry distilled with a little Milk and drunk morning and evening with a little Sugar which by drawing down the Urin provoke it to be avoided plentifully when it is stopped or grown hot sharp and painfull in the passage it is good also to expel the Stone and Gravel out of the Reins Kidnies and Bladder helping to dissolve the Stone and avoiding it by Greet or Gravel sent forth into the Urin It also helpeth much to cleanse inward Imposthumes or Ulcers in the Reins or Bladder or in those that void a bloody or foul Urin. I shall here add another Receit or Medicin helpful for the Urin and Stone A Receit for the Vrin and Stone Take 3 or 4 good handful of Berries or Winter-Cherries either green and fresh or dryed and having bruised them put them into so many Gallons of Beer or Ale when it is new tunned up this Drink taken daily doth ease the pains and expel Urin and the Stone and to cause the Stone not to ingender The Apple-tree THere is unspeakable Pleasure and infinite Commodity in an Orchard beside the use of the Fruit in House-keeping there is much profit made by Cyder and Perry also Apples and Pears are vendible in all Markets The Fruit or Apples of an Acre of Land may be worth 40 pound one years Crop or Gathering and the better to inform your judgment we shall suppose or allow but 40 Trees to be planted in one Acre of Land and about 50 or 60 years after the first planting if the Plants like the ground and by dressing and proyning they well thrive each tree one with the other may bear or yield 10 bushel of Apples for there are Apple-trees that have yielded 20 bushels each tree at one season or time of gathering then the Profit of 40 trees or one Acre of Land thus planted amounts by the year to 40 pound The Uses Physical Apples have sundry tasts and thereby they may be distinguished in the general they are cold and windy the best sorts before they be throughly ripe are to be avoided then to be roasted or scalded is the best way to take them and a little Spice or Carrowey seed cast upon them and taken after meat do strengthen both Stomach and Bowels especially in those that loath or hardly digest their meat Those that are sowr and harsh used in that manner are fittest Sweet Apples loosen the Belly and drive forth wormes Sowr Apples stop the Belly and provoke Urin Pippin and Pearmain help to dissolve Melancholly humours anâ— to procure Mirth and therefore fittest for Confectio Alkermes Syrupus de Pomis all Apples loosen the Belly and pleasure the Stomach by their coolness the Distilled water of good and sound Apples is of special good use to procure Mirth and expel Melancholly A rotten Apple applyed to eyes blood-shotten or enflamed with heat or that are black and blue about them by any stroke or fall and bound to all day and night helpeth them quickly The Juice of Crabs either Verjuice or Cyder is of singular good use in the heat and fainting of the stomach and against Casting to make a Posset with or to take some of it alone by it self The Juice of Crabs or Cyder applyed with wet cloaths therein to scabbed or burnt places cooleth healeth and draweth forth the fire The Ointment called Pomatum if sweet and well made helpeth the Chops in the lips or hands and maketh smooth and supple the rough skin of the hands or face parched with wind or other accidents The Pear-tree PEars are very usefull in a Family either baked rosted or dryed also they will sell at Market better than any other Fruit and if the Gardner have the right art in making Perry it will turn to a considerable profit Uses Physical Pears boyled with a little Honey helpeth much the oppressed stomach as all sorts of them do some more some less All the sweet or lushious sorts whether manured or wild do help to move the Belly downward those that are harsh and sowr do on the contrary bind the Belly as much those that are moist do in some sort cool but the harsh or wild sorts much more and are very good in repelling Medicines as if the wild sorts be boyled with Mushroms it maketh them the less dangerous the harsher sort of Pears do most cool and bind serving well to be bound to green Wounds to cool and stay the blood and heal up the Wound without further trouble or inflammation The Vine GRapes are vendible in Markets and usefull in Housekeeping the Profit being well known to those that make Wines of them Vses Physical The droppings of the Vine when it is cut in the Spring being boyled into a Syrup with Sugar and taken inwardly is excellent to stay Womens Longings after every thing they see which is a Disease many Women with child are subject to the Decoction of Vine leaves in White-wine do the like the Ashes of the burnt branches will make teeth as white as snow if you do but every morning rub them with it the leaves being boyled make a good Lotion for sore Mouthes and being boyled with Barly Meal into a Poultis it cools inflammations of wounds The Plum-tree AS there is great diversity of the kinds so is there in the operation of Plums and are like Women some better some worse the moist and waterish do soonest corrupt in the stomach but the firm do nourish more and offend less Apricocks Peaches and such like Plums may well become a Gentlemans Table also these and several other sorts being preserved and Syrup made of them are very useful in a
the Liver oppressed that it cannot perfect the digestion and correcteth Choller and Flegm If you would have them purging put Honey in them instead of Sugar and if more laxative for Choller Rubarb for Flegm Turbith for Watery Humours Scammony but if more forcibly to bind use the unripe Quince with Roses and Acacia or Hipocistis and some torrefied Rubarb The Bay-tree THe Boughs of this Tree with Holly and Ivy are very comly to be set up about Pews in Churches also about several Rooms in Houses therefore vendible at Markets Vses Physical The Berries are very effectual against all Poison of Venemous Creatures as also against the Pestilence or other infectious diseases and therefore is put in sundry Treacles for that purpose seven of them given to a Woman in sore travail of Child-birth do cause a speedy Delivery and expel the After-birth and therefore not to be taken by such as have not gone out their aime lest they procure Abortment or cause labour too soon They wonderfully help all cold and rheumatick Distillations from the Brain to the Eyes Lungs or other parts A Bath of the Decoction of the Leaves and Berries is singular good for Women to sit in that are troubled with the Mother or the Diseases thereof or the stopping of their Courses or for the Diseases of the Bladder Pains in the Bowels by Wind and stopping of Urin. The Oil made of the Berries is very comfortable in all cold Griefs of the Joynts Nerves Arteries Stomach Belly or Womb and helpeth Palsies Convulsions Cramps Aches Trembling and Numness in any parts Weariness also and Pains that come by sore travelling all Griefs and Pains likewise proceeding from Wind either in the Head Stomach Back Belly or Womb by annointing the parts affected therewith A Decoction of equal parts of Bay-berries Cummin-seed Hysop Origanum and Euphorbium with some Honey doth wonderfully help Distillations and Rheums and setteth the Pallat of the Mouth into its place The Powder made into an Electuary with Hony doth help the Consumption Old Coughs Shortness of Breath and thin Rheumes also the Meagrim they mightily expel Wind and provoke Urin help the Mother and kill the Worms Thus have we given an account of the Vse and Vertues of all Trees and Shrubs planted within this Pleasant Land In the next place we shall give you the Vertues and Vse of those Roots and Herbs and only those that are most common and useful in a Family Alexander Vertues and Vse ALexander is a timely Pot-herb It warmeth a cold Stomach and openeth stoppings of the Liver and Spleen it helpeth the Strangury it is good to break Wind to provoke Vrin to move Womens Courses and to expel the After-birth if the herb be boyled in Wine or being bruised and taken in Wine The Seed is likewise effectual for all these things Alexander Potage is very good and wholsom food Asparagus Vertues and Vse THe Buds or young Shoots of this Plant are much sold and eaten in and about London The Shoots or Branches boyled in White-wine or Vinegar is prevalent for them that have Arteries loosned or are troubled with the Hip-gout or Sciatica and boiled in ordinary broth maketh the Belly soluble and open The Decoction of the Roots in White-wine and the Back and Belly bathed therewith or sitting therein as a Bath or kneeling or lying down in the same hath been found effectual against Pains in the Reins and Bladder Pains of the Mother and Chollick and no less effectual against stiff and benummed Sinews or those that are shrunk by Cramps and Convulsions and helpeth the Sciatica The Decoction of the Roots boyled in Wine and taken is good to clear the Sight and being taken fasting several Mornings together stirreth up bodily lust in Man or Woman The Buds or Branches boyled in ones ordinary Broth provoketh Urin being stopped it expelleth the Gravel and Stone out of the Kidneys Anniseeds Vertues and Vse ANnise-seeds are of an opening and cleansing quality therefore very effectual to break Wind and open Obstructions and are much used in Comfits Artichoaks Vertues and Vse ARrtichoaks are plentifull of fruit and much desired for they increase Sperm and procure bodily Lust. Angelica Vertues and Vse THe Stalks or Roots candied and eaten fasting are good Preservatives in time of Infection and at other times to warm and comfort a cold Stomach The Root also steeped in Vinegar and a little of that Vinegar taken sometimes fasting and the Root smelled unto is good for the same purpose The Root steeped in Wine and a Water distilled from the said Root in glass and two or three spoonfuls at a time easeth all Pains and Torments coming of Cold and Wind so as the Body be not bound and taken with some of the Root in Powder at the beginning helpeth the Plurisie as all other Diseases of the Lungs and Breast as Coughs Pthisick and and Shortness of Breath It helps Pains of the Chollick the Strangury and stopping of the Urin openeth the Stoppings of the Liver and Spleen The Decoction drunk before the Fit of an Ague that they may sweat if possible before the Fit come will in two or three times taking rid it quite away It helps digestion and is a Remedy for a Suâ—fit The Juice or the Water dropped or Tents wet therein and put into old filthy deep Vlcers or the Powder of the Root in want of either doth cleanse and cause them to heal quickly by covering the naked bones with flesh The Root taken in Powder to the weight of half a drachm at a time with some good Treacle in Carduus Water it doth resist Poison the Plague and all Epidemical Diseases if the party thereupon be laid to sweat in his Bed Alehoofe Vertues and Vse A Handful of the said Herb put into Drink that is thick with removing or any other accident it will clarifie it in a few hours and if tunn'd up with new Drink it will so clarifie it in a night that it will be the fitter to be drunk the next morning The Decoction of it in Wine drunk for some time together procureth ease unto them that are troubled with the Sciatica or Hip-gout as also the Gout in the Hands Knees or Feet The Juice boyled with a little Honey and Verdigrees doth wonderfully cleanse Fistula's Vlcers and stayeth the spreading and eating of Cancers and Vlcers The Decoction of Ground-Ivy in Wine and if you put to it some Honey and a little burnt Allum it is excellent good to gargle any sore Mouth or Throat and to wash Sores and Ulcers The Herb boyled and drunk is singular good for exulcerated Lungs and being drunk tunn'd up in Beer or Ale it in a short time easeth all griping Pains windy and chollerick Humors in the Stomach Spleen or Belly An Excellent Receit for Sore Eyes The Juice of Celandine Field-Daisies and Ground-Ivy clarified and a little fine Sugar dissolved therein and dropped into the eye is a soveraign Remedy for all the Pains Redness and
them to Powder and half as much Mastick in Powder and with Gum-Arabick dissolved in Rose-water make it up in Troches of which take about half a drachm weight an hour or two before Meals Motherwort Vertues and Vse THere is no better Herb to strengthen and drive melancholly Vapours from the heart and make a merry chearful blith soul than this herb it may be kept in Syrup or Conserve the Powder thereof to the quantity of a spoonful drunk in Wine is a wonderful help to Women in their sore Travails as also for the suffocation of the Mother it also cleanseth the Chest of cold Flegm and is of good use to dry up the cold humors to digest and disperse them that are settled in the Veins Joynts and Sinews of the Body Sweet-Maudlin Vertues and Vse THis Herb taken in Whey or the Decoction purgeth Choller and Flegm openeth Obstructions and healeth their evil effects and is a wonderful help to all sâ—rts of Day-Agues It is astringent to the Stomach and strengthneth the Liver and all other inward parts taken fasting in the Morning it is very profitable for the pains in the head that are continual it is an especial friend and help to evil weak and cold Livers and very profitable for those that are fallen into a continual evil disposition of the whole Body called Cachexia Mallows Vertues and Vse THe Roots and Seeds hereof boyled in Wine or Water is good for those that have Excoriations in the Guts or the Bloody-flux also for them that are troubled with Ruptures Cramps or Convulsions of the Sinews and boyled in White-wine for the Imposthumes of the Throat called the Kings-Evil and the Kernels that rise behind the Ears and Inflammations or Swellings in Womens Breasts The Juice of Mallows drunk in VVine or the Decoction of them therein doth help Vvomen to a speedy and easie Delivery and is special good for the Falling-sickness The Syrup and Conserve made of the Flowers are very effectual for the same Diseases and to open the Body being Costive the dried Roots boyled in Milk and drunk is special good for a Chine-cough The Marsh-Mallows are more effectual than the ordinary Onions Vertues and Vse TO eat Onions fasting with bread and salt hath been held with divers People a good Preservative against Infection being rosted under the Embers and eaten with sugar and Oyl or honey much conduce to help an inveterate Cough and expectorate the tough Flegm Orpine Vertues and Vse A Syrup made of the Juice with Honey and Sugar and a spoonful or two taken at a time is a speedy Cure for a Quinsie The Leaf bruised and laid to any green wound in the hands or legs doth heal them quickly and being bound to the throat helpeth the Quinsie it helpeth also Ruptures and Burstings The Distilled VVater of the Herb being drunk for certain dayes together is profitable for Gnawings or Excoriations in the Stomach or Bowels or for Ulcers in the Lungs Liver or other inward parts Parsnip Vertues and Vse THe Root is very useful in a Family being good and wholsome Nourishment and fatneth the Body much the Seed hereof being drunk cleanseth the Belly from tough Flegmatick matter therein easeth them that are Liver-grown and VVomens passions of the Mother The Seed and Root of the VVild or Cow-parsnip boyled in Oyl and the head rubbed therewith helpeth those that are fallen into a Frenzy also Lethargie or Drowsie evil and the Headach Parsly Vertues and Vse An excellent Receipt or Medicine to open Obstructions of the Liver and Spleen and expel the Dropsie and Jaundice by Urin. TAke of the Seeds of Parsley Fennel Annise and Caraways of each an ounce of the Roots of Parsley Burnet Saxifrage and Carawayes of each an ounce and an half let the Seed be bruised and the Roots washed and cut small let them lie all night in steep in a Pottle of VVhite-wine and in the Morning be boyled in a close earthen Vessel until a third part or more be wasted which being strained and cleared take 4 ounces thereof Morning and Evening first and last abstaining from drink after it for three hours this is also good against the Falling-sickness and the Stone in the Kidneys The Distilled Water of Parsley is good to give Children when they are troubled with Wind in the Stomach or Belly Pennyroyal Vertues and Vse THe Herb boyled in Milk and drunk is very effectual for the Cough and for Ulcers or Sores in the Mouth the Decoction thereof being drunk helpeth the Jaundice and Dropsie and all Pains of the Head and Sinews that come of a Cold cause and helpeth to clear and quicken the Eye-sight Penny-royal and Mint together put in Vinegar and put to the Nostrils to be smell'd unto or a little thereof put into the Mouth helpeth Faintings and Swounings and being drunk in Wine it easeth the Headach and the Pains of the Breast and Belly stayeth the Gnawing of the Stomach and inward Pains of the Bowels Pellitory of the Wall Vertues and Vse THe Juice clarified and boyled into a Syrup with Honey and a spoonful of it drunk in a Morning once a week is a certain Cure for those that are subject to the Dropsie The Decoction of the Herb being drunk easeth pains of the Mother it also easeth those griefs that arise from Obstructions of the Liver Spleen and Reins the same Decoction with a little Honey added thereto is good to gargle a sore Throat The Juice held a while in the Mouth easeth the pains in the Teeth The dried Herb made up into an Electuaâ—y with Honey or the Juice of the Herb or the Decoction made up with Sugar or Honey is a singular Remedy for any old or dry Cough the Shortnes of Breath and Wheesing in the Trhoat A Poultis made of the Herb with Mallows and boyled in Wine with Wheat Bran and Bean-flower and some Oyl put thereto and applied warm to any bruised Sinew Tendon or Muscle doth in a very short time restore them to their strength The green herb bruised and bound to any green wound for three dayes you shall need no other Medicine to heal it further Pepper-wort Vertues and Vse THe Leaves bruised and mixed with old Hogs-grease and applyed to the place and to continue threon four hours in Men and two hours in Women the place being afterwards bathed with Wine and Oyl and then wrapped with Wool or Skins is very effectual for the Sciatica or any other Gout or pain in the Joynts Purslan Vertues and Vse THis is a very good Sallet Herb to cool any heat in the Liver and in hot Agues nothing better it also cooleth the Blood Reins and Stomach The Herb bruised and applyed to the Forehead and Temples allayeth excessive heat therein hindring rest and sleep The Juice is good to stay Vomitings and taken with Sugar or Honey helpeth an old and dry Cough Shortness of Breath and the Phtisick and stayeth immoderate Thirst The Seed is more effectual than the Herb to