clagged with duste Copwebs dung of flyes and much other filth The floures oughte not to bee dried in the sunne nor in that shadowe caused by the Sunne at Noone nor in no Chamber or hyghe place aboue for asmuch as these through theyr softnesse and tendernes doe lightly of lyke occasion breath away theyr proper vertue but especially through the sharpe heate of the sunne and heate of the ayre onlesse it be our Rose of y e Garden which to be preserued for a long time requireth to bee dryed in a high place standing open to the Sunne at Noone or that the Sunne beames enter vnto and yet touche not the Rose leaues The better way for drying floures is to lay them in a temperate darke place free from moysture smoke and dust and to stirre them too fro that these in the drying corrupt not and to be either close kepte in bagges or continually couered ouer wel that these in the meane tyme lose not their colour nor naturall sauour After being well dryed these ought to be close stopped in a glazed earthen vessel The fyner Seedes are to bee preserued in leather bagges or in carthen vessels hauing very narrowe mouthes or else in Glasse bottels or gallie glasses very well sâ—opped But the Seedes of the Onyons Chybolles and Leekes as also of the Poppie are to be preserued in theyr Huâ—kes and heades For the preseruing of rootes the owner ought to learne and exercise two meanes the one for keeping the freshe and the other for the round rootes as the Nauew Radysh Carrotte and others of like sorte and for to preserue them drye The waye and meanes to keepe or preserue rootes freshe is to burie them in a Sellar in eyther Grauell or Sande well turned vppon them or in a Garden grounde reasonably deepe digged euen so dâ—epe as the Gardener doth for the Radishe and Nauewe in the Earth to enioye the commoditie of them for the greater parte of the wynter To preserue rootes dry the owner or Gardener after the plucking of rootes out of the Earth ought to washe them verie cleane with Cunduite or spring water after to cut away all the small and hearie rootes whyche done to drye them in a shadowie place free from the beames of the Sunne as beeyng somewhat darke if so bee these are sâ—ender thynne of rynde as bee the rootes of the Fennel Succorie Parselye Endyue Borage Buglosse Sperage and sundry others like but if the rootes be thicke of rynde of a grosse essence and bigge then may the owner lay them to drye in the Sunne at Noone daye as the roote of Gentiane the Earth Apple Brionie Raponticke Aristolochia or any others like After that these be well dryed and lyke prepared ought the owner to hang them vp in some Garrette or open roome a high being sweete dry through the suns dayly shyning on the place at noone or open to the North where nothing damaged by smoke nor duste nor that the Sunne beames may harme in any maner euen as that auntient and singular Physition Hypocrates instructeth who wylleth the Hearbes floures and rootes so well freshe as drye not to bee bestowed in anye manner in an open place to bee dryed of the wynde but rather close stopped in Glasses Earthen pottes and square Boxes of woode to the ende that these lose not their vertue which otherwise they might soone doe by lying open to the winde All the fielde plantes floures and rootes are stronger in nature but in substaunce inferioure to the Garden plants c. Among the wylde plantes those growing on the mountaines or high Hils do excel the other in propertie Among all Plantes those also are of a stronger nature whyche shall bee of a liuelier coloure better taste and sauour The force besides of plants doe indure for the more parte vnto two or three yeares The Herbes which a man woulde vse for the Kitchin ought rather be gathered with a knife somewhat aboue the Earth when these are shot vppe vnto theyr perfit growth as the Beetes Succorie Arache Borage Marigold Coleworte Endyue Clarie Rocket Basil Maioram Lettuce Parsely Mercury and many others When the owner mindeth to vse certaine Herbes hotte of qualitye hee ought to gather them for the more parte rather freshe than drie but if hys intente bee rather to heate lesser than seeing the moysture of the greene doth much mytigate the heate consisting in it for that cause is he willed rather to gather the hearbes for Physicke before they begyn to alter their colour This for a generall rule note that all floures hearbes and rootes ought carefully be gathered in a drye fayre season and not in cloudye mysty nor rayny weather The rootes besides ar not to be gathered but after the fall of the leaues and these especially from the middle of September vnto the beginning of the moneth of Nouember But floures are chiefly to bee gathered from the middle of the month of May vnto the beginning of July and after And for the fruites of sundry Hearbes these properly are to be gathered according to the diuersitie of the Hearbes The worthâ—e remedies and secretes auayling against Snayles canker wormes the long bodied Mothes Garden fleas and earth wormes vitiate and gnaw as wel the potte Hearbes as trees and fruites Chap. 27. THere is none so dul of eyesight as I beleeue whiche not throughly perceiueth and seeth howe that the Garden riches bee diuerslye annoyed and harmed by diuerse creeping wormes and beastes aswel aboue as vnder the Earth and that through the same occasion often procured to feeble and waste and vnlesse speedie remedies shall be exercised that these in the ende do fal downe and perish For the Pestilent companye of these increase and are seene manye tymes to bee so manye or greate in number that by no deuised meanes neyther by fyre nor Iron ingine from the Garden groundes or fieldâ—s in which these once shal be lodged or abiding can eyther be driuen away or destroyed therefore I shall doe heerein a most gratefull matter as I suppose both to Husbandmen and Gardeners if against this pestiferous annoyance and destruction I shall vtter and teach those worthy remedies that both the aunciente and later men by great skill inuented and noted in their learned workes From words to come vnto the matter I thinke it time to intreate and first that singular Africanus among the Greeke writers of Husbandrie reporteth that Garden plantes and rootes may well be purged and ridde of the harmefull wormes if their dennes or deepe holes bee smoked the winde ayding with the dung of the Cowe or Oxe burned That worthy Plinie in his Booke of histories writeth that if the owner or Gardener sprinckleth y e pure mother of the Oyle Oliue without any salte in it doth also driue the wormes away defend y e plants and Herbes from being after gnawen of them And if they shall cleaue to the rootes of the plantes through malice or breeding of the dung yet
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
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
or Gardener whiche woulde haue plantes growe vnto a greater bignesse than customable ought to remoue after four or fiue leaues be well come vppe and set them againe as out of one bedde bestowed into another and like from one Bordure into an other Although the owner maye at all seasons dispose plantes at hys will and pleasure yet is it better commended that all plantes bee chaunged into other Earth prepared when showers of rayne haue well moystned and softned the same The plantes also remoued and set agayne into a fatte Earthe well laboured and dressed needeth besides as Columella witnesseth no other amendemente by dung The skilful Neapolitane Palladius Rutilius in his worthy worke of Husbandry reporteth that when the Gardener hath bestowed sundrye kindes of seedes in one bedde togither whych after the dyligente watering bee so rysen that foure or fiue leaues of diuerse plantes are sprung aboue the Earth suche then after this Authours consent maye well bee remoued and set agayne into beddes workmanly prepared a certaine distance asunder being such plantes that before the setting require to hane the toppes of the leaues and endes of the rootes cut off wherby they may the freelyer grow vppe broade in Touffe or bigge in roote Those kindes of seedes which after their committing to the Earth and dyligente wateryng neede not after certaine leaues sprung vp to be remoued maye the owner or Gardener bestowe as Rutilius witnesseth in the Beddes the thynner the Moone herein remembred The worthy Columella in instructions of the Garden wylleth the owner or Gardener hauing an occasion to pull vp plantes and sette them agayne in Beddes and that the grounde the same tyme for the lacke of rayne bee ouer drye and harde to moysten and soften well the Earth a daye before with water sprinckled forth by a wateryng potte seruing onlye to that vse And certayne of these whiche require to bee sette a good distance asunder the worthy Rutilius wylleth to clippe off the toppes of the yong leaues and the endes of the rootes to cutte awaye before the bestowing agayne in Beddes workmanly prepared as lyke the Coleworte Cabedge Lettuce greate Leeke Nauewe and Rape agayne a good distaunce asunder are the Cucumber Gourde Melone Artichocke Nigella Romana and sundry otherâ— which thus placed in Beddes artly prepared may the readyer and handsomer be weeded and cherished by earth digged about so often as neede shall requyre wherby the plantes through helpe of diligent watering and furtheraunce of the Moone in the setting are after procured to increase the better and delectabler to the eye The yong settes for the Garden of pleasant delight and smell may the owner or Gardener also bestow in Bordurs at al seasons although better commended to bee done in the Spring time in breaking of the slyps or Braunches of one yeares groweth from the bodies of olde stockes and in wrything the endes aboute so to set them a good deapth into the Earth the Moone at that time drawing neare to hir chaunge and knowen to be vnder the Earth which much furthereth the settes in the sooner taking of roote But the skilfull Columella rather willeth to cleaue the ende of the Braunche or slyppe beneath into whyche clefte an Ote grayne to bee thrusted or puâ— and in y e setting deepe into the grounde to bestowt Ote graynes rounde about the same the Moone then neare to hir change rather than any dung And those yong Herbes whiche the Gardener myndeth to remoue neede not sayeth thys Columella to bee stryked aboute the rootes with any Dung but rather that the endes of theyr rootes before the setting agayne be cutte off as I aboue vttered The Marigolde Daysie Collumbine Primrose Conslippe sweete John Gilyfloures Carnations Pinckes and sundry other delectable floures are procured to increase the bigger fayrer and doubler if the owner or Gardener do often chaunge these into Beddes workmanlye prepared the Moone at those tymes consydered to bee increasyng of lyghte and that a diligence bestowed in the often watering As touching the pulling vppe of sundry dayntie Hearbes of pleasaunt sauour and that these â—o be sette agayne in Beddes orderly prepared after the course of the Moone with a care and dilygence to bee bestowed particularly on moste plantes of the Garden shall at large be vttered in the seconde parte of thys treatise where we purpose â—o iâ—treate of many laudable and weighty matters besydes The plantes which after certaine leaues spring vppe neede not to bee remoued into other Beddes are the Spynage Arache Dyll Sperage Sorrell Cheruile Parsely and dyuerse other of like sorte The laudable instructions of the wise in the gathering and preseruing of the greater number of Kitchyn Herbes and rootes with the times aptest for the like doing by aâ— floures dainty Herbes and rootes to the vse of physicke Chap. 26. THe best and worthyest rootes of Hearbes are for the more parte to be gathered in apt places when the leaues are beginning to fal off and the fruites or seedes already shedde so that the season be fayre for done in a raynie time the rootes be caused the weaker and filled wyth rude moysture The floures in like manner are to be gathered as the Borage Buglosse and al others of like sorte when they be wholly opened and before they feble except the floures of the Rose and Jacemyne whyche ought to bee gathered for the better and longer keeping before they bee much or rather but little opened The leaues and whole Herbes are to be gathered wheÌ„ these be come to their ful growth and perfection The fruites as the Melone Cucumber Cytrone and Gourde when these appeare yealowe and be come to their perfitte growth and perfection The seedes in like condition are to bee gathered when they be well ripened and before y e seeds shed on y e earth but those which remayn after the Herbes through dryed ought to be rubbed furth with the hands and kept vnto the time of sowing Here remembring that the seedes ought to bee gathered in a cleare season and in the wayne of the Moone And this for a general rule obserue that al those to be gathered as the Hearbes floures rootes fruites and seedes are to be done in a fayre and drye season and in the decrease of the Moone The Hearbes which the owner mindeth to preserue are afore to bee cleane picked and clensed and dryed in the shadowe being a place open towardes the South not moyste and free from smoake and dust These after are to be put in leather Bags rather than into Canuase the mouthes at the hanging vppe faste tyed and into wooden Boxes of the Boxe tree to the ende the Hearbes maye not lose theyr proper vertue as wee see those persons to doe whiche preserue daintie Hearbes for the winter time So that the Potecaries in my opinion are verye negligente which hang vppe the Physicke Hearbes in their open shoppes and warehouses through whiche the vertue of these not onlye breath away but the bags charged and
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
eyes stayeth the perillous flixe Disenteria and strengthneth bothe the kidneyes and Bladder The iuyce gyuen in drinke helpeth burning Feuers kylleth the wormes in the Bellie and stayeth the spitting forth of bloud The iuyce bestowed in glister wise helpeth the excoriations in the bowels of women and the rawnesse of the priuie places within procured by distillations from the heade The iuyce of the Herbe is profitably annoynted on the heade wyth the oyle of Roses or oyle Olyue againste the headache caused by the heat of the sun and wounds dangered by blasting or in a furious heat this mightily mytigateth with barly meale anoynted The Hearbe to greate purpose is applyed on the Nauyll of infantes fallyng forth by crying and the Hearbe chewed or rather the iuyce boyled stayeth the griefe and loose teeth of the heade yea the iuyce eaten rawe aswageth the kernels and vlcers in the monthe and swelling of the gummes Leontinus a Greeke writer of husbandrye wryteth that the leafe of the Purselane holden vnder the tong of the person molested wyth thirst to mitygate the desire of often drinking and Plinie writeth that the iuyce to remoue wartes by annoynting the places many dayes togither and hee also wryteth that the inflamations of the pappes and Goute maye bee aswaged and healed by the iuyce of Purselane with Hony The sayde Plinie reporteth that the roote of the Herbe hanged with a threede about the necke remoueth the griefe of fall of y e Vuula which like hapned to a Judge in Italie as he writeth The Herbe Rocket heateth and moysteneth in the seconde degree the seedes and leaues are only vsed in Medicine The Herbe boyled and eaten increaseth the Sperme in the man whiche Aegineta lib. â— like witnesseth saying that the Rocket obtayneth a great vertue in heating and supposed to increase Sperme and for the same to stirre vppe a desire to the Uenereall acte besides to cause through the often eating alone a gyddinesse and payne of the heade The Rocket â—â—creaseth a strong heate for which cause the same is hurtfull to the heade but the Garden Rocket boyled with the Lettuce Beetes worketh or causeth no harme and in such maner 〈◊〉 the same encreaseth the milke in women giuing sâ—cke and Nurses The Rocket eaten and applyed in playster wise on the peâ—ten causeth vrine softneth the bellie coÌ„forteth the stomacke and helpeth digestion the iuce of Rocket myxed with an Oxe gauâ—e recouereth blacke scarres vnto a whitâ—â—sse the pymples or pushes on the face the iuyce with Hony annoynted amendeth in short time The iuyce or seede myxed wyth Hony and annoynted on the head and often vsed with meate doth kyll the Nyttes and wormes of the heade but the often vse of Rocket procureth gripings of the bellie The roote after the tender boyling brused and applyed in playster fourme on broken and brused bones doth put awaye the payne the Seede brused and drunke in wine recouereth the bytte of venemous beastes A skilful practicioner reporteth that if three leaues of the Rocket bee gathered wyth the lefte hande and after the boyling in water and Hony mixed togither takeÌ„ in drink the same sayth he maruelously auayleth against the Jaundise and hard swelling of the mylte The commended Vertues of the distilled waters of Purselane THe Herbe steÌ„me and leaues of the Purselane shred togither ought to be distilled in Balneo Mariae about the ende of May The water of Purselane drunke vnto the quaâ—tine of three ounces at a tyme both morning and euening for three or foure dayes togither amendeth the spitting vppe of bloude and the perillous flyxe Dysenteria The water drunke in like quantitie at a tyme stayeth any fluxe of the belly yea putteth away a hot and drye coughâ— â–ª thys lyke profiteth against the heate of Liuer ceasseth thyrst helpeth the plague remoueth the shortnesse of fetching breath This water also profitable to infants against heate and the wormes gyuen in drinke both morning and euening vnto the quantitie of two ounces at a time If in two ounces of water of Purselane 〈…〉 of the Seede of Psilium or fleaworte be steeped for a night and after a Spâ—nge deeped in thys y e tongue bee washed three or foure tymes a daye whyche through greate heate in a Feuer or other sicknesse is adusted and draweth to a blackenesse thys in shorte time recouereth It helpeth vnto a cooling of the inflamed bloude either drunke alone or taken in drinke and repelleth the griefes of the Bladder What skil and diligence required in the sowing and ordering of the Cheruil Smallage Taragon and Cresses Chap. 7. THe Hearbe Cheruell ioyeth to be sowen in a well dunged Earthe in the monethes of Februarie March and April sometimes in August and September to possesse the Herbe in the winter tyme and this the better prospereth thorough the often watering vntill it bee well come vp The Smalledge seedes ought to be sowen in a wel labored Earth and neare to a stone wal or thicke Hedge thys Hearbe wel ioyeth in the shadow and commeth wel vp in any ground And after this Herbe bee once bestowed in the Garden a man shall hardely weede it forth quyte and the Gardener may leaue a stemme or two to shoote vp into Seede froÌ„ yeare to yeare for this Herbe wyll indure for euer without any weeding at al. The owner may committe the seedes to the Earth after the myddle or ende of Februarie vnto the beginning of September Thys Herbe hath the like vertue and properties which the Parsely possesseth The Taragon of the Garden bearing Seede like to the Flaxe ought to bee bestowed in a wel dunged Earth and after the plants bee shotte vp neare a foote high the Gardener ought then to take vp the hole bodies and set them agayne in the selfe same Earth whych often water vntill they haue taken strong roote in the Earth The Taragon enioyeth the like properties as the Rocket and maye not be eaten a part or alone but rather with the Lettuce Purselane and such lyke Herbes The Garden Cresses is a soure Herbe in taste like to the Onyon which the Germaynes in many places do often vse in Sallets but it seemeth that the Herbe is not eaten withoute other cooling Hearbes matched with it as the Lettuce Sorrel Purselane and such like which temper the fire or burning force of the Hearbe euen as the worthye Phisition Galen hath willed it who forbad the rocket to be eaten without the Lettuce that the contrary vertue might be tempered This Herbe ioyeth to bee sowen in moyste places as by small ryuers or running courses of water Wels and springs for no other labour after the Seedes bestowed doe they require sauing a dayly watering for the plantes in the comming vppe desire oftentimes a day to be watered by little and little The Seedes of the Cresses after the minde of Rutilius bestowed in Beddes wyth the Lettuce increaseth verye well for they ioye in moysture and hate the dung And sowen in a shadowie place
breaketh impostumes If with Opium Barley meale milke and the white of an egge an ointement be made after arte and annointed on any painefull and sore place it doth assuage the griefs in shorte time The Saffron as Vitalis writeth doth greatly amend the feebling of the hart and weaknesse of stomacke The saffron comforteth palsey members and softneth the hardnesse of partes for the which cause the same named Oxicrocie is right profitable The Saffron remoueth the griefe of the eyes eyther of bloude or other blemishe if with rose leaues broughte to powder and mixed with the yolke of an egge the same be applyed in playster forme on a linnen clothe to the eye The Saffron remoueth all swellings and griefes of the eyes if the same be especially mixed wyth wine and applied in plaister forme The Saffron is profitable mixed with womans milke and annointed for the distilling of the eyes The Saffron remoueth drunkennesse drunke with Cuite The person also which shall drinke the pouder of Saffron in wine shall not bee ouercome by drinkyng This besides is very profitable for remedies of the eares What skill care and diligence to requyred in the workmanly sowing and ordering of the Nauewes Chap. 24. THe nauewes and Turnups are sowen after one maner in earth well tourned vp and orderly dressed or if the owner will in earable grounde and will indure in a manner any ayre yet these desire a drye grounde rather leane and grauellye and diligently turned uppe The seeds wel prosper bestowed in a fine poudered earth wel laboured afore and to possesse faire Nauewes lette not the Seedes be aboue three yeares olde for being elder the Seedes runne into Colewortes If the plantes in the comming vp appeare too thicke togither the owner may plucke them vp and sette them thinner in other well dressed places These also in the growing vp oughte diligently to be weeded and the Earthe to be digged aboute and lette the greater and fairer still growe to possesse theyr Seedes whyche in the moneth of Auguste diligently bestowe in a well laboured Earthe To committe Seedes to the Earthe the owner oughte to stay vntill the grounde be well moistned with showers for bestowed soone after they prosper and come the spedier vp But the owner or Gardner ought in any case to take heede that he bestowe not the seedes in a shadowye place for the shadowie places are disagreable and hurtful to the plants althoughe the grounde be good fertill and well laboured The property many tymes of the grounde doth alter the Nauewe into a Turnupe and the Turnupe into a Nauewe The owner ought to gather the Nauews in the moneth of Nouember and to possesse them all the winter time he muste burye the rootes in Sande lying in a seller that hee maye not onlye eate of them in the Winter tyme but all the Lente throughe The worthier Nauewes be those which are rather long and as they were crisped and not big and possessyng fewe rootes at the moste but one seemely roote and the same straight and sharpe downeward There be which make a singular composition of the Nauews with Radishe rootes a little Salte Hony Mustarde delectabler spices and Uinegar yea the same may bee made wythout spices bothe wholsome and profitable The Phisicke benefits of the Nauewes THe worthy Galen reporteth the Nauewe to be hotte in the seconde degree and moiste in the first The Nauews tenderly boyled do nourishe much yet euilly or hardly digested and they make softe fleshe and the same puffed vp yet this lesse than the Turnup who afore oughte to bee boyled in water and that firste water after the boyling poured forthe then into a second water bestowed diligently boyle them for the hardenesse of their substance will well be tempered and meanely ingender a nourishment betweene good and euill The Nauewes whiche are not throughly boiled doe euilly digeste and procure a windinesse in the body besides a stoppyng of the veynes and naturall powers for which cause these yeeld a more commoditye to the stomacke and digeste better beyng twice boyled in faire water and shifted a thirde time into a moste fatte brothe where boyled vnto a sufficiente tendernes and then eaten there be which boile them a thirde time in newe Cow milke for the better digesting The Seedes confected wyth Sugar and eaten encrease Sperme in man But the Seedes brused and druncke doe especiallye auaile against poysons for the which cause there are profytable ministred with Triacle What care and skill is requyred in the sowing and rightly ordering of the Rape and Turnup Chap. 25. THe Rapes be not muche differing from the Nauewes and Turnups sauing that these bee bigger and sweete in the eating For the Rapes or Turneps be muche greater and in the eating pleasanter than the Nauewes The Rapes require a like ordring and dressyng of the earthe as afore vttered of the Nauewe whiche for fronth ought to bee rather sowen in the Moueth of September than in any other tyme in a moyste Earth well dunged diligently turned in and dressed for by that meanes they prosper and come the better forwarde and are caused to bee fayrer tenderer bigger and sweeter of taste thorough the colde season folowing like as the hoarie frostes snowe and colde mistes than in the drye and warme season of the yere After these be come vp and ready to bee remoued the owner muste carefully see vnto that the leaues bee not gnawen neyther of spiders nor of any other vermin or worms for the auoiding of like anoyance it shall be profitable for the Gardner well a daye before the committing of the Seedes to the Earth to mixe the Seedes with the pouder or dust of planke boordes or rather with the foote of a chimney whyche after wette wyth water to the ende the Seedes may receyue some moisture and being thus ordered bestowe the whole togyther in the Earthe the nexte day folowing The skilfull Neapolitane Rutilius reporteth that the Rape or Turnup as the Nauew prospereth vnder euery aire and desireth to be bestowed in a fat and loose earthe and the same so loose that it in a manner falleth to pouder whereby the Seedes may prosper and come the speedier forward The seedes also are to be bestowed with fine poudred Earthe to the ende the plantes may not come vp too thicke togyther about the ende of July vnto the middes of September and if raine happen not the daye before then the day folowing moisten the grounde with water gently sprinkled vpon If the seedes committed to the Earth be bestowed thinne the plants in the comming vp by diligence of the Gardner will encrease the bigger for whiche cause where the plants grow thicke togither and these come so some strength the owner may plucke vp sundry and bestowe those a good distance asunder wherby they growe the bigger in roote And for the better furtheraunce of their growth the owner shall sundry times water and weede about the plants The seedes may be sowen in the
they become in their further growth but â— harde and hollow like to the Mushrome as Plinie reporteth whyche prescribeth to these both a loose and moyst Earth The worthy Rutilius in his instructions of Husbandrye vttereth that the Radishes refuse a harde Sandie and Grantllie grounde and do ioy in the moysture of the ayre besides these ought to bee sowen in Beddes a good distaunce asunder and the Earth deepe digged after a late or new rayne fallen excepte the place by happe shall be moyst and soone watered The Seedes committed to the Earth ought immediatly and with dyligence to bee couered lighte wyth the Rake and neyther dung bestowed within nor strawed vppon the Beddes although Columella otherwise willeth but only chaffe of Corne as after shall further be vttered The skilfull practised in Garden matters reporte that these better prosper being orderly sette than curiously sowen and that these to bee bestowed in the Earth as both sowen and sette at two tymes of the yeare as in the moneth of Februarie and beginning of Marche if the owner woulde enioy the rootes tymely and in August vnto the middes of September if the owner woulde enioy them much sooner and these then bestowed in the Earth are without doute farre better for as much as the Radishe in the colde season groweth and encreaseth especiallye in the roote and is the same time tenderer wheras the plants otherwise in the fayre and warme season runne vp into a leafe and stemme Yet thys manner of trauaile to possesse them in the sharpe winter is little in vse with vs bycause the Radishe can ill abyde the bytter ayre which once bytten and taynted with the frostes either wythereth or soone after dieth yet the learned Plinie wryting of the Radish vttereth the same to ioye so much in the colde ayre that in Germanye hath sometymes bin seene a Radish which grew in coÌ„passe so big as an infants middle The skilfull Aristomachers in hys learned instructions of husbandrie wylleth that the leaues of the Radishe in the wynter tyme bee broken off and throwen awaye and to heape the Earth high about them leaffe puddles of water doe stande in the Beddes for the rootes on such wise increase and be bigge in the Sommer tyme. Howsoeuer the rootes shall bee handeled certayne it is that the colde ayre and frostes do increase and sweeten the rootes as afore vttered of the Rape if so be they maye continue the wynter tyme for the colde ayre conuerteth the increasement into the rootes and not into y e leaues although that those as Theophrastus vttereth do waxe then harde in many places The rootes are caused to growe the sweeter in eatyng and more delectable in taste if the leaues be broken off as Plinie hath noted before the Radishes shoote vp into a stemme And the leafe of the Radishe howe muche the smaller the same shall be euen somuche the tenderer and delectabler roote wyll it yelde whyche by watering with a Salte Lycoure or Pickell causeth to breath forth the bytternesse quite if any such rest or be in the roote As the lyke Plinie wrote that the Radishe to bee fedde yea and willed the rootes for the tendernesse to bee often watered with Pickle or salte water The Egiptians watered with y e Nytre to the end the rootes might be commendabler in sweetenesse and delight to the mouth which possesse a Cartilage and thicke rynde to these in many rootes sharpe in taste yet delectable in the eating which part left bare aboue the ground becommeth toughe and harde through the occasion afore vttered and hollow like to the Mushrom vnlesse they be wel couered aboute wyth light Earth There are Radishes supposed to be of a Feminine kynde whych bee so sharpe and these possesse smaller leaues and to the eye be a fayrer greene as Rutilius vttereth of them If the owner couete to enioy sweete rootes in taste then after the counsel and minde of the singular Florentine let hym stiepe the Seeds for two dayes before in either water and Hony or Cuyte or else Sugered water and these dryed in the shadowe to commit them orderlye to the Earth If the Gardener desire to possesse fayre and greate rootes let him after the minde of the Neapolitane Rutilius when the rootes bee growen to some bignesse plucke away al the leaues sauing two within to growe stil which done couer the Earth often ouer the heades whereby the iuyce may the more run to the rootes in causing them to grow the sweeter and pleasanter A like experience in causing the roote to become maruellous big doth Plinie skilfully vtter and teache after this manner by taking a greate dyble with the whiche making a hole in the Earthe well sixe fingers deepe fill it vp with fresh Chaffe after bestow a seed of the Radish with dung light erth ouer the mouth couering the same in like maner euen with the Earth these performed the roote will growe and increase vnto the bignesse of the hole The skilfull practicioners reporte that the goodnesse of the Radish is knowen by the leaues which the sweeter they be after the manner somuche the tenderer and more pleasaunt are the rootes in the eating the like teacheth or sheweth the rynde which the thinner y e same is somuch the delectabler is the roote in tast of the mouth The thinne bestowing of the Seedes in wel dressed beds from the ende of Jugust vnto the middes of September and after the comming vp diligently weeded about with the leaues broken off the light Earth couered about and often watered with salt water do procure the rootes not only to waxe or growe the bigger but tenderer and sweeter in the eating for as much as the salte pickle very much abateth the bitternesse consisting in them as by a like we customably see that these bee eaten with vineger and salte And the plantes better prosper comming vp in an open ayre than bestowed in a shadowie place where in the increase the rootes be much hyndered If the owner happen to commit seedes to the Earth in a drye season let them be sowen the thicker in beddes and if the same may be in a moyste grounde lightly watered The plantes growen to a reasonable height aboue the Earth and y e shoures haue moystned the grounde a day before the plantes may then be remoued and set into beddes wel laboured and workmanly dressed which by diligence bestowed growe the bigger and pleasaunter in the eating That the Radishes maye not bee harmed with the Garden â—leas Theophrastus willeth to sowe in the Beddes among them the pulâ—â— named Eruum Other singular helpes for the most Hearbes may bee learned in my first part which I haue gathered for y e most part out of antient writers Here is not to be ouerpassed that in Radishes a bitternesse consisteth according to the thicknes of the rynde as the worthye Plinie vtereth which writeth that these also do offende the teeth by blunting or setting them an edge But in this place
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
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
¶ The Gardeners Labyrinth Containing a discourse of the Gardeners life in the yearly trauels to be bestovved on his plot of earth for the vse of a Garden with instructions for the choise of Séedes apte times for sowing setting planting watering and the vessels and instruments seruing to that vse and purpose Wherein are set forth diuers Herbers Knottes and Mazes cunningly handled for the beautifying of Gardens Also the Physike benefit of eche Herbe Plant and Floure with the vertues of the distilled Waters of euery of them as by the sequele may further appeare GATHERED OVT OF THE BEST APPROVED WRITERS of Gardening Husbandrie and Physicke by Dydymus Mountaine PRINTED AT LONDON by Henry Bynneman ANNO. 1577. Henrici Dethicki ad lectorem Carmen COelum aequor tellus nunc lumina flumina fructus Praestat fundit habet sole vapore fimo Hortus praestat olus praestant Pomaria poma Cuncta vigent magno parta labore viri Vrbis honos hortus florum speculatio grata Et sunt herbarum pharmaca graeta viris Falce ligone filo qui dissecat effodit ornat Plantam terram hortos haec documenta tenet Sano aegro caeco vis victum pharmaca visum Lingua mente manu haec perlege disce tene ¶ To the righte honourable and his singular good Lorde Sir William Cecill knighte of the moste noble Order of the Garter Baron of Burghlev Lord high Tresurer of England c. Henry Dethicke wysheth long health with encrease of honour COnsyderyng right honorable my promise plighted vnto my friende lately enterred I was enforced to performe the perfecting of this Englishe Treatise otherwise I had not so willingly attempted to sollicite your honour wyth this vulgare stile And sithens that reason requyreth and duty demauÌ„deth the satisfying of the trust in me reposed I doubte not but that myne enterprise will be allowed Vnreasonable were I and destitute of all humanitie if that I shoulde obstinately neglect the earnest desire of the deseased likewise worthy were I to be deemed vndutyfull and altogether vngratefull if that I shoulde omit any oportunitie whereby I myght encrease so rare a commoditye to my country I therefore respecting the requeste of my friend and teÌ„dering the profit of my couÌ„try haue craued herein as heretofore in all other mine affaires your honours protection and the rather for that I finde none your honour excepted neyther in auntient aucthoritye neyther by common consente neyther by present proofe that hath more warely and wisely warded the weale of this countrey In fine to auoide tediousnesse I haue omitted all circumstaunces whereby I might display the sundry coÌ„modities rare rudiments contained in this painful and gainful discourse but surceasing to trauise farther in this terrestriall Gardeners Labyrinth I wish vnto your honour by dayly Prayer the fruition of the Heauenly Paradise crauyng of the Omnipotent and prouident God the guider of that gorgeous Garden that hee woulde vouchsafe to graunte vnto you the sweete sauour of his chiefe fragrante floures that is his comfort to cleaue faste vnto you his mercy to keepe you and his grace to guyde you nowe and euermore Your honours most humble HENRY DETHICKE ¶ A Table expressing the Contentes of euery Chapiter conteyned in this Labyrinth THe firste deuising of Garden plottes vvith their commodities in tyme past Chap. 1. The dilligence requyred of a Gardener and vvhat encrease a vvell laboured earth yeeldeth Chap. 2. The choosing of a Garden plotte vvith the goodnesse of the earth Chap. 3. Of playner instructions for the choosing of a battell ground vvith other matter necessarie Chap. 4. Of the placing of a Garden plotte vvith the Commodyties therevnto belongyng Chap. 5. VVhat aire is noyous to meÌ„ to plants and vvhy a Garden shoulde bee placed nigh to the ovvners house Chap. 6. The forme of Inclosures inuented by the Romaines Chap. 7. The inuentions of erecting a strong hedge for the defence of a Garden Chap. 8. The cause vvhy dunging of Gardens vvas misliked in auntient time neare to houses and vvhat dung is best allovved for pothearbes Chap. 9. Of the kindes of dung and vvhich is commended for a Garden Chap. 10. VVhat is to be considered before the Ieuelling of Beddes Chap. 11. Of the framing of Herbers VValkes and Alleys in a Garden Chap. 12. The forme of disposing quarters beds Borders vvith the sovving choise and defence of the Seedes vvyth the vveding of the beddes Chap. 13. The artely disposing of Beddes for the encrease of Kitchen Hearbes vvyth the vvittye defences to bee vsed after the Seedes are bestovved Chap. 14. The vvorkmanly deuidyng of Beds for rootes and hearbes Chap. 15. The rare inuentioÌ„s for the defence of Seedes committed to the earth that they may not be endamaged by byrdes nor creepyng things Chap. 16. The vvittie helpes for the Garden Seeds to bee employed before and after the sovving of them least that they should be harmed by outvvarde or invvard iniuries Chap. 17. Of the nature and election of sundry Seedes vvith the apt times commended for the sovving of moste Kitchen hearbes Chapter 18. Certaine preceptes for the sovving of delectable floures and tender herbs vvith the obseruations of the Moone Cha. 19. The commended times to bee obserued in the bestovving of Seedes and plantes in the earth vvith the discommodities Chap. â— Of certain curious instructions for the bestovving of Seedes and daintye Hearbes Chap. 21. In vvhat space of tyme Seedes committed to the earth in the encrese of the Moon commonly shoote vp Chap. 22. VVhat diligence is to be had in vveeding of a Garden Chap 23. Of the tymes of vvateâ—yng beddes and vvhat manner of vvater oughte to be vsed for Plants vvith the inuentions of Vesselles Chap. 24. Of the remouing of plants vvith the breaking and sâ—ipping of sundry sets Ch. 25. Certayne instructions for the gatheryng and preseruing of kitchen Herbes and rootes vvyth floures daintie Hearbes and rootes to the vse of phisik Cha. 26. The remedies vvhiche preuayle agaynste Snailes Cankervvormes Garden fleas and Barthvvormes Chap. 27. The helpes agaynst Garden Moles Ants Gnats Fleas Frogs vvasting herbs trees and fruites Chap. 28. Of rare practises against serpentes of the Gardeyn and other venemous thinges hurting as vvel men as kitchen hearbes trees and fruites Chap. 29. Of the helpes againste Scorpions Todes Garden myce VVeasels and all other beasts vvasting herbs and fruits Cha. 30 Of remedies against haile lightnings tempests and beatings dovvne of Kitchen herbes trees and fruites Chap. 31. Of the healpes against frostes blasting of trees mistes and rust Chap. 32. Certayne proper knots deuised for Gardeyns to be placed at the ovvners discretion ¶ The Chapiters conteyned in the seconde parte THe secrets in sovving and remouing the garden Colevvort vvith the physicke healpes of the Colevvorte and distilled vvater thereof Chap â–ª 1. The order of sovving the Beete vvith the phisicke healpe of the Beete and vvater distilled thereof Chap. 2. The order in sovvyng or settyng of the Blete vvith
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
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
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
this for the more parte be wonte to vaporate or breath foorth any noysome ayre that may both to men and the Plantes be harmefull For peculiar or proper is the same or rather such is the propertie of very many still waters and Motes So that it is the counsell of the skilfull if any lyke be knowen to refrayne from placing any Garden plotte or Orcharde if the owner may choose neare to the same The forme of the inclosures whiche the Husbandmen and Romaynes in time past inucâ—ted Chap. 7. FOr asmuche as the same may be thought a meere madnesse to haue chosen out a fitte plotte of grounde and to cast digge and dresse it seemely in all poyntes yet lying open day and night aswell to the incursious and coÌ„mon haunte as to the iniuries to be wrought done by robbers or theeues foules and beastes for that cause I here minde to intreate of the sundry maners of fensing coÌ„passing in of the Garden groundes in auncient time First the skilfull and warie husbande men in tyme paste being those of good abilitie buylte them walles about of Fâ—râ—stone artly layed and mortered togither some did with baked bricke like handled Others of lesser abilitie and of the meaner sorte framed them inclosures with stones handsomely layed one vpon an other without morter or Cley and some of them couched the broade Slate stones with other bigge and large stones in like order aboute where such dwelt by quarries of stone But very many of the baser and poorer sorte made them fenâ—es and walles aboute with mudde of the ditche dung chaffe and strawes cut short and wel mixed togither Others there were whiche with bigge Canes set vpright by small poles bound togither so fensed theyr Garden plot in handsome maner round about Some also with yong Willow trees set by certayne distances and the drie blacke thorne purchased from the woodde beyng bound in betweene the spaces so framed theyr inclosure but this maner of inclosing wrought or buylte by Arte the skilfuller named a dead and rough inclosure made especially for the keepyng and defending of Cattell out of the Garden ground Yet the hedge or inclosure erected after this maner required euery yeare to be newe repayred and bounde vp in the places needefull to the tediousnesse and great paynes of the husbande man The learned Columella in his husbandry reporteth that the Romaynes in time paste fenced and inclosed their Garden groundes with bigge quarters set vpright and Poles with lathes very thicke fastned to them by small roddes of the Osier tree walling them in Some boared large holes through bigge bodies or stockes of trees that quarters or great poles made for the purpose might passe thorough them eyther by twoo or three togither in reasonable distaunce with payle borde raysed and fastned along to them Some also through the tymber of trees set into the earth fastned bigge poles or long quarters round about much like to the vsuall Cattell poundes in our age But some attayning a more skill erected as Varro reporteth a natural inclosure set about with the blacke or White thorne trees and yong willowes whiche had besides the rootes of a quicke set hedge that in tyme growing vp withstoode tempestes windes landfloudes yea fire the consumer of all things put to it The Auncient husband men did besides these inuent the caâ—ting vp of banckes countermâ—res of earth round aboute the Garden plotte much lyke to the trenches in tyme of warre aboute Bulwarkes and Tentes and these they especially made neere to high wayes or by Riuers and in Marrishes or Fennes lying open or other Fieldes that the Garden plot might on such wise be defended from the damages and harmes both of Theeues Cattell and Landfloudes For a playner conceyuing of the abouesayde learne these folowing that the Auncient husbandmen did caste vp and made a deepe ditche about theyr Garden ground standing in the open fielde whiche might receyue al the rayne water falling and this they so digged with a slope passage whereby the water might runne the easier and freelier from the bottome The earth and Clay cast vp on the inside faste by the brincke they so wrought vp togither that hardly any person after the drying of the couÌ„termure could clyme ouer the same Some also made high banckes or countermures without a ditche digged about and the same so serued in the open fieldes in steade of a wall To be brief the inclosure whiche longest indured surest and of the least cost was the same that the Romaynes in auncient time made with Brambles and the white Thorne layed orderly in bankes for the better growing vp For this inclosure or hedge after yeeres sprung vp endured by reporte of the learned Cato an infinite time yea experience in our age doth likewise confirme the same For whiche cause this inclosure was very much commended of the Auncient Romaynes who well conceyued and knew that the Bramble decayed or died not at any season except it were digged and plucked quite vp by the rootes Yea they learned by practise that the Bramble swinged or scorched with straw flaming recouered grew euery yeare after both stiffer rougher and thicker togither The later inuentions of erecting a naturall and strong Hedge â–ª whiche in time growing may proue a most sure defence and sauegarde of the Garden Chap. 8. THe most commendable inclosure for euery Garden plot is a quick set Hedge made with the Brambles and white Thorne but the stronger and more defensiue Hedge is the same whiche the singular Democritus in his Greeke instructions of husbandry that wrote long before Columella and Palladius Rutilius cunningly vttereth and the same with ease and small coste after this maner Gather sayth he in a due season of the yeare the â—eedes founde in the redde berries of the biggest and highest Bryars whiche by a more common name with vs are called the wilde Eglantine Bryars the through rype seedes of the Brambles runnyng low by the grounde the rype seedes of the white Thorne and to these bothe the rype Berries of the Gooseberrie and Barberrie trees this done mixe and stiâ—pe for a tyme all the Berries and Seedes in the blended meale of Tarts vnto the the thickenesse of Honie the same mixture lay diligently into olde and vntwisted Shippe or Well roapes or other long worne roapes and fittered or broken into shorte peeces beyng in a manner starke rotten in such order that the Seedes bestowed or couched within the softe heares of them may be preserued and defended from the colde vnto the beginnyng of Spring At whiche tyme where you be minded that the inclosure or Hedge shall runne and spring vp there digge in handsome maner twoo small furrowes and these eyther two or three foote asunder and a mans foote and a halfe deepe into whiche lay your roapes with the Seedes couering them workemanly with light carth and if neede shall requyre water by sprinckling or moysten the Seedes in the same wise agayne The worthie
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
be examined and knowne Therefore euery Gardener and owner ought to be careful and diligently to foresee that the seedes committed to the earth as M. Cato willeth be neither too olde drie thin withered nor counterfeyted but rather full new and hauing iuice These notes of the seedes remebred and the Gardener minded to coÌ„mit them to the earth ought afore to regard that the wind at that instant bloweth not froÌ„ the north but rather froÌ„ the south or southwest nor the day verie cold for in such seasons and dayes as all the skilfull report the earth as then timorous and fast shut hardly receyueth and nourisheth the seedes committed to it where the ground in a contrary maner doth willingly apply and retaine the seedes bestowed or sowne in fayre dayes and temperate hote The artely disposing of sundrie beddes for the sowing and increase of diuerse fruites and kitchin herbes with the wittie defences to be vsed after the seedes are bestowed Chap. 24. THe Gardener minding to commit chosen seedes into sundrie beds ought to lerne that the beddes lying open to the south be high raised through the well mixing of horse dung with the earth and after the euen raking and leuelling to remain a certaine time vnsowed then one or two of the beddes in the moneth of March and in the increase of the Moone may he sow with Lettuce and Purselane seedes for these sooner spring vppe in the moneth of March than Februarie to bee remooued in the beddes after the plantes be shotte vp halfe a finger heigth In those beddes may he also sowe the Parsely Rocket Sorrell Endiue and diuerse other Sallat hearbes which after they be somwhat come vp may bee thinner sette in other beddes Haue beside a speciall regarde to your Seedes that they bee neyther to olde wythered thinne and emptye and the borders of those Beddes maye you bestowe with the Seedes of the Artichoke well two hande breadth asunder In an other bed may you sow fine seedes to haue pleasant hearbes that may be kept drie for the pot or kitchin in the Winter time and those which yeeld delectable flowers to beautifie and refresh the house as the Maiorani French balme Time Hysope Baâ—il Sauerie Sage Marigolde Buglas Borage and sundrie others The Gardener may trie these seedes in beddes lying all open to the warme Sunne as the Orenge Lemmon Pomecitrone Pomegranate the Myrtle and Date but these ought so to be fensed by a succour on the North side that the colde Ayre hinder or let not the comming vp of them When the Cytrone or any of these be well sprung vp the Gardiner ought to remoue and set them into proper chestes filled with light earth which at will and pleasure may be rolled hither and thither for the better auoyding of the Sunnes great heat and bitter colde ayre by standing vnder a couer or Penthouse made for the onely purpose In an other bed being of good length and placed toward the quickset hedge and to runne ouer the Arche Herber may the Gardener bestow seedes of the Cucumber Cytrone round Gourd and long In an other bed also bring long and narrow and deepe furrowes at eche side made to set vessels lower than the beddes may the Gardiner sow seedes of the sundrie kindes of Melons That the Byrdes and other foules may be defended from comming to the seedes committed to the earth the skilfull will that the white thorne be layde on the beddes but to bestow your seedes in beds rather in the Moneth of March than Februarie and the moone increasing do spedier appeare aboue the earth But if the Gardener feareth least the seedes committed to the earth should be in daunger through the â—itter cold ayre and Sunnes heate following as yearly the like so happeneth the beddes may then be couered with thick Mattresses of straw in such maner that they hinder not through their weight the crescent things comming vp which may thus bee ordred in setting fyrst vp sundrie forked stickes at eche corner and in the sides of the beddes on which long roddes layde reaching to eche corner and at the endes as Columella willeth these done let him wittily lay on the Mattresses in couering and defending the yong plants from the cold or heate at that time But at such times as the ayre being cleare in the colde season the Mattresses when the Sunne shineth warme may be taken of for the speedier increasing of the plantes spinging vp All herbes and rootes for the Kitchin prosper farre better by their remouing and thinner setting through which by report of the skilfull they yeelde a pleasanter sauour â–ª There are of the Greeke writers of husbandrie which will the sowing of seedes to be done in the increase of the moone as from the first quarter vnto the full light of the Moone and â—he knowing at that time to be vnder the earth in the day time â–ª Others hauing deuised a perfiter way do not allow a timely or early sowing of seedes for whiche cause they disposed and deuided the same sowing of seedes into two yea into three or foure seuerall times of the day contenting by this meanes to auoyde the vncertaintie of the time to come herein calling to mind the husbandly prouerb of the worthie Columella which sayth Haue no mistrust in the committing of seedes to the earth It therefore behoueth the gardiner which hath an earnest care for the purchasing of Kitchin or pot hearbes to regard see that the seedes comitted to the earth be ful new the earth artely prepared y e dung in the same laudable water at hand for the vse of the seedes For the seedes founde and good do yeeld after the sowing plantes of the like goodnesse and vertue the earth laboured and made apte will verie well keepe and prosper the seedes committed to it the dung being good and well myxed with the earth will cause the earth batteller and to these the louser whereby water diligently sprinckled on the same may the freelier and easier enter in to feede and cherish the rootes and the water seruing to the same ende that it may as by a feeding pappe nourishe and bring vp all crescent things The workemanly casting forth deuiding and preparing of beddes for the most hearbes and rootes of the Kitchin Chap. â—5 THe owner or Gardener ought to remember that before he committeth seedes to the earth the beddes be disposed and troden out into such a bredth and length as best answereth to euerie plant roote in that the beddes to be sowne for Nauew rootes ought to be troden out large and long next to which may the beddes for Colworts and Cabbages be ioyned of a sufficient bredth to these next may you place beddes of a reasonable breadth for the Rapes and Tureu rootes then for a seemely diuision in the Garden may hee treade out by these an Alley of three foote broade next to whiche if the Gardener will may he dispose sundrye beddes togither for diuers kindes of Herbes
as the Arrache Spinedge Rocket Parselie Sorrell Beetes Speradge Cheruill Borage Fenell Dill Myntes white Poppie and sundrye others Next ioyning to these may the owner or Gardener place an other alley of three foote broade by whiche frame beddes for the Leekes and Cyues and to these nexte may the Gardener ioyne beddes for the Onyons and Chiboules by these nexte the Scalions and Garlike in two beddes disposed Then leuell out by these an Alley of three foote and a halfe brode to which the Gardener maye adioyne manye beddes about for bordures seruing as wel for the keeping in of y e sauoures as for hedges and pot hearbes for the Winter After these it shall be right profitable to leuell a bedde only for Sage another for Isope the like for Time another for Maioram a bedde for Lauender another for Rosemarie and Southernwood a bedde for Sauerie and Isope beddes for Costemarie Basill Baulme and running Tyme yea a bedde of Camomile for the vse of Benches to sytte on and a delectable Labyrinth to be made in the Garden if roome wil so serue with Isope and Time or the Winter Sauerie only In the Garden besides to sowe and plant diuers Phisicke herbes and pleasaunt floures shall be to great vse and commoditie in that these besides their delectable sight yeel a commoditie to our bodies in curing sundry griefes as wel in women as men for which cause it shall be necessarie to sowe Beddes of Physick Herbes next to these as the blessed Thistill the Romaine Wormewood the Sperage Herbe Mercurie Gentiane Dittany Herbe Fluelline Hartes tung Buglosse Selfeheale Liuerwort Lungwort Stecados Ualeriane Spykenard Lyons foote Mugwort Herbe PatieÌ„ce Angelica Byttonie and many others of which in the seconde part shall particularly be vttered and their Phisicke benefites to bee employed manye wayes The rare inuentions and defences for most seedes to be committed to the Earth that these be neither endamaged of Birds nor creeping things Chap. 16. AL worthy Writers agree that in vaine the Husbandly Gardener shall trauel yea and all others if the Seedes bestowed in the earth happen after to be endamaged eyther of Wormes and other creepyng things or otherwise scraped vp and wasted by Byrdes or else harmed by any other iniurie whether the same bee wrought within or without the Earth for which cause that the owner or Gardener may auoyd these iniuries it is high time that he employ a care and diligence in the conceyuing of these remedies and secretes following If Seedes to be committed to the Earthe are a little time before the bestowing stieped in y e iuice of Houseleâ—ke or Syngrene they shal not only be without harme preserued from Byrdes Antes Field Mice and other spoylers of the Garden Herbes but what plants shoote vppe of these shall after proue the better and worthier as I obserued the like founde noted both in the Greeke commentaries of matters of the fielde and Latin authours of husbandrie which to be most true although experieÌ„ce instructeth and approueth the same yet this many times happeneth in sundry Countries that small store of the Herbe can be founde to supply the turne by reason whereof the Gardener must be forced to exercise a sparer way after thys manner in steeping of the Herbe for a nighte in a good quantitie of water and the same to sprinckle sufficientlye on the seedes whereby they maye all the nyght drawe and drinke in the substaunce of the Herbe as the worthy Columella instructeth And for lacke of thys Hearbe altogither the sayde Authoure reporteth that the Gardener maye vse in steade of it the Soote cleauing on the chymney whyche gathered a daye before the bestowing of the seedes in the earth and myxed for a night with them doeth the like defende the seedes in safety The Greeke writers of husbandrie and after them Plinie and the worthy Neapolitan Palladius Rutilius reporte that those seedes maye bee preserued in safetie from all euill and Garden monsters if the bare heade without fleshe of eyther Mare or shee Asse hauing bin couered of the Male bee buried in the Garden or that the middes of the same fyxed on a stake set into the earth be erected The worthy Plinie further reporteth y t there is a Garlike growing in y e falowe fielde named Alum which on such wise boyled y t the same wil not grow again strawed on the Beds sowen doth in such maner auaile y t Byrdes after wil not scrape vp the earth nor spoyle the seedes bestowed in them And such which haue eaten of this are taken as being astonished with the hande The well practized Affricanus vnto the same matter instructeth that if a quantitie of Wheate or Barley bee boyled or infused in wine and mixed with Neeswort as either the black or white and the same sprinckled abroade by the pathes of the beddes round about doth on such wise defende the seedes sowne from the iniurie of Byrdes But those being in a maner dead by eating of this or at the least starke drunke he willeth then to â—ang vp by the legges on a long rodde sticked in the earth to the terrour and fearing away of all other Byrdes comming to the place Nor this worthie Authour omitteth the rare practise of the decoction of riuer Creauises with whiche if the Gardener shall sprinckle his seedes before the sowing Byrdes will neuer after a matter to bee maruelled at approche to the Garden Beddes yea the plantes beside whiche are sprung or shotte oute of these shall endure and continue safe and free from all the iniuries of creeping things There are certain skilfull practisioners which affyrme to haue auayled mightily in dryuing away Byrdes by the onely sprinckling of this decoction aboue taught on the plantes come vppe which matter hath of many beene experienced aboue a hundred tymes so that the same were wrought at a certaine period and time of the Moone Sundrie practicioners myxed the bruised leaues of the Cypresse tree with the seedes for a night and the same myxture on the morow they bestowed in y e earth being afore wel wrought and turned in with dung For on such wise the plantes sprong out of these were deliuered from all maner of gnawings of creeping things Others skilfully practised vsed the drie shauings or filings eyther of the heartes horne or Elephants tooth which they myxed with the seedes for a day and committed them after to the earth or they otherwise sprincled the seedes to be sowen with the water of the infusion and mixtion of these for a night The wittie helpes commended of the auncient for the Garden seedes to be employed as well before as after the sowing that these be not harmed by outward nor inward iniuries Chap. 17. THe singular Port Virgill counsayleth that the seedes to be coÌ„mitted the earth to bee afore sprinckled moisted with the water of Nytre infused or the Bryne made of the same The Greeke Apuleius willeth that Seedes beefore the sowing bee sprinkled and moistned with Wine for
on suche wise handled the plantes springing and shooting vp weaken the lesse yea being feeble they shal mightly be holpen â—with water Bryne mixed and sprinckled on them There are câ—rtaine Greeke instructers of Husbandrie both of Plinie Columella and the Neapolitane Paladius Rutilius allowed and commended which will that the rootes of the wild Cucumbre be infused for one whole day and a night in faire water and with the same through the often sprinckling so to moisten well the Seedes the next day those Seedes couered ouer with a Blancket they will the next morrowe to be committed to the earth affirming the Seedes thereby to prosper the bâ—tter and these for a certaintie to bee preserued from all euill annoyances The selfe same doth the skilful Apuleius will that a fewe Lentels be also myxed with the seedes â— in the sowing of them for as much as the â—ame pulse by propertie auayleth againste the harmes of wyndes Thys authour further willeth that for a safety of the seedes bestowed a speckled Tode named of the Greekes Phrynon bee drawen by a lyne in the nyghte time rounde about the Garden or fielde afore the earth be laboured or diligently digged and dressed of the Gardener and the same after inclosed in an earthen potte to be buried in y e middes of the Garden or Falowe fielde which at the present sowing time approched shall then bee digged furth and throwen or carryed from that place a greate distaunce off least the plantes after the seedes sowen growing vppe in that place maye proue or become bitter and vnpleasant of smell The Egiptian and Greeke instructors of husbandrie reporte that the seedes after the bestowing will remayne vngnawen or bitten and free of harme by creeping things in the Garden if the seedes shall bee committed to the earth when the Moone possesseth hic halfe light or is quarter olde It might be thought an obliuiousnesse to haue ouerpassed y e physicke experiment of y e singular Democritus both for the seedes and plantes noted diligently of the skilfull Neapolitane Palladius Rutilius after this maner Bestow and close couer saith Democritus of the Sea or riuer Ereuises no fewer than ten in number into a glasse body filled vp with water the same set abrode in the aire let so stande to bee sunned for tenne dayes togither the Seedes that you would after haue to remaine in the earth vnharmed sprinckle and moisten with the same water for eyght dayes togyther after these eyght dayes ended as Rutilius instructeth doe in like manner with that water vntill the plantes after your desired minde be well sprung vp at whiche experiment thus handled you will greatly maruell for out of these Seedes what plants shall be sprung and shot vp will not only driue Beastes and Cattell from the eating of them but all other creeping things of what condition they be from the gnawing and biting of them of whyche matters shall further be intreated in the proper Chapiters a little after and for other defenses and helpes of Seedes as occasion offereth in the places shall be vttered The laudable instructions of the auntient in the nature and election of sundry Seedes with the apt times commended for the sowing of most Kitchin Herbes Chapter 18. THe singular Columella instructeth that all Seedes bestowed in the Garden for the vse and benefite of the Kitchin or potte ought rather be done in the increase of the Mone as from the first vnto the sixte day For asmuch as all Seedes committed to the Earthe in the decrease or waine of the Moone eyther slowly breake and shoote vp or else so weakely increase that these after serue to small purpose It many times also happeneth as the worthy Varro reporteth that although the Seedes bestowed in the Earth be done in the increase of the Mone the Seedes besides hauing a iuice waightie full white meale in them and in no maner corrupted or too old yet these notwithstaÌ„ding are hindered through some euill constellation which of the skilful is named an influence of Heauen were the Gardeners diligence neuer so muche so that it is not impertinent to the matter heere to recite what the worthy Neapolitane Palladius Rutilius reporteth of the Garden ground which sayeth that a garden plot placed and lying vnder a freshe and sweete aire and moistned gently by some Spring or sweete water runnyng by is in a manner battell and readie ynough whereby the same requireth but a small instructioÌ„ and diligence to be bestowed in the sowing of it The bestowing of Seedes in a moist earth the beddes afore short cast ought to be done in the warme season of the Spring as in May and the Mone increasing for seedes on suche wise handled prosper the better through the warme and drie time following But if occasion moueth you to commit Seedes into a drie ground and that water bee farre distant then digge the alleis of the beddes deepe and in a slope maner for the better leading of the water from beddes sufficiently moistned to others lacking moisture and to these such a drie Earth better agreeth to be sowen in the Haruest time the ground before well moystned with shoures heerein not forgetting the choise of seedes nearest agreeing to the natures of these two Earthes with the furtherance of the Moone at time of the sowing If the Gardener mindeth to commit seedes to the Earth in the Sommer time lette the same be done in the increase of the Mone in the monethes of July and August In the Haruest time about the middle of September and in October y e Mone in those monethes in hir first quarter for the time againe of committing Seedes to the Earth let the same be done in the Monethes of February and March the Mone at those times increasing of lighte The Seedes which ought especially to be sowen in the Earth about the ende of Haruest as about the middle of September and in October the Mone at those times increasing that these may all the Winter endure and be strengthned in the ground are the Endiue Onions Garlike Scalions the great Garlike yong Leekeheads Colewortes Mustard seede and such like The Garden ground naturally colde or all the day receyueth but a weake comforte of the Sunne through his shorte presence or tarying there or else in colde Countries as at Yorke and farther Northe In such places I say the bestowing of many seedes better agree to be done about the middle of the Spring or in the moneth of May in warme and caulme dayes the Mone then increasing of light But the seedes to be committed to the earth in those Countries and places in the Haruest time ought rather to be done sooner or before the time with vs where the Seedes otherwise to bee bestowed in hote Countries and places in the Spring time require farre timelyer to be done as in the beginning of the moneth of Marche and the Seedes to bee sowen in those places in the Haruest time to bee bestowed muche later The
experience is to the Gardener as a Scholemaister to instruct him how much it auayleth and hindereth that seedes to be soweÌ„ plantes to be set yea Sions to to bee grafted in this or that time hauing herein regarde not to the time especially of the yere as the Sunne altereth the same but also to the Moones increase and wayne yea to the signe shee occupyeth and places both aboue and vnder the Earth To the aspectes also of the other planets whose beames and influeÌ„ce both quicken coÌ„fort preserue maintaine or else nippe wyther drye consume and destroy by sundry meanes the tender seedes plantes yea Graftes and these after their property and vertue natural or accidentall Herein not to be forgotten the apt choyse and circumspection of the Earth with other matters generally required in the same for whyche cause after the minde of the skilful Astronomers and prudent experimenters in either committing seedes to the Earth and planting or other like practise to be vsed about the seeds plantes and yong trees these rules folowing are to bee vnderstanded and kept which they haue lefte to vs for our commoditie in cases of importance and where the occasion may be imployed WheÌ„ the Moone and Saturne are either three score degrees of y e Zodiacke asunder which distance in heauen is named of the skilfull a Sextyle aspect it is then commended to laboure the Earth sowe and plant marked after this manner âš¹ But when these are 126. degrees asunder which properly is named a Trigon or trine aspect thus noted â–³ for y e more part then is that time better coÌ„mended for laboring the Earth whether it be for tilling Gardening sowing planting and setting or cutting of vynes When the Moone and Saturne are well a quarter of the Zodiaâ—e distant which is .90 degrees named of the skilfull a quadrate aspect thus comonly marked â–¡ then is denied vtterly to deale in such matters The Moone being sixe signes distant froÌ„ Saturne so that she occupyâ—th the like degree in Taurus as Saturne in Scorpio or y e Moone other wise in like degrees of Gemini to Saturne right agaynst in Sagitarie this aspect togither is disalowed of the expert Astronomers and noted after this maner ☠The Moone possessing hir full light at those times is like denied of the skilfull yea the Moone being neare to that section named of most Astronomers y e Dragons tayle is in like maner disallowed for sowing of fine seedes and setting of daintie plants Here vttering preceptes generall as we now do But the Moone approched nere to that section named the Dragons hed the same time for doing the like is verie wel commended al things before supposed agreeable But to be briefe and to knit vp other obseruations answering to the Moones place especially lerne these ensuing The Moone increasing and running betweene the .28 degree of Taurus and the .xj. degree of the signe Gemini sow fine seedes and plant daintie herbes your earth afore prepared and ayre answerable But the Moone founde betwene the .28 degree of Gemini and the sixt of Cancer although shee increase yet bestow no daintie seedes in your earth prepared for the purpose From the sixth degree of Cancer vnto the .xix. degree of the same signe so that the Moone increase both labour the earth sow fine seedes and plant daintie hearbes herein regarding the condition of the ayre From the .28 degree of the signe Leo vnto the .xj. degree of Virgo your seedes and plantes of valour sow and set the warme ayre and Moone ayding thereto From the .xj. degree of Virgo vnto the .xxiiij. degree of the same signe commit seedes to the earth and set your daintie plantes so that the winde then bloweth not from the north nor the ayre colde From the .xxiiij. degree of Virgo vnto the seuenth degree of the signe Libra labour the Garden grounde and sowe your fine seedes so that the Moone increase From the seuenth degree of Libra vnto the .xix. degree of the same signe the Moone answering thereto sowe and plant From the sixth of Capricornus vnto the .xix. degree of the same signe both the Moone and Ayre ayding thereto sowe your fine seedes and daintie plantes set From the .xxiiij. degree of Pisces vnto the seuenth degree of Aries the Moone increasing of light and ayre calme bestowe your seedes and plantes in the well dressed earth prepared for the onely purpose These precepts of the prudent experimenters well borne away of euery carefull Gardener the seedes and plantes no doubt shall prosper and increase the better Certaine instructions more curious to be learned of euery skilfull Gardener in the bestowing of seedes and daintie hearbes in a well dressed carth Chap. 21. THe learned Plinie worthy of memorie vttereth a speciall note and rule of the auncient obseruers to be learned of euery carefull Gardener in the bestowing of seedes that if he bee occasioned to commit seedes into a moyst earth or the seedes to be bestowed are of a greate moysture then shall the Gardener commodiously choose the ende of the Moones decrease or waine and neare to hir chaunge In a contrarit maner the Garden ground of the dryest or the â—eedes very dry then in committing such seeds to the Earth let the Moone beeÌ„ increasing and drawing neare to hir full To the better furthering of the Gardeners trauelles he oughte afore to consider that the Garden earth be apte and good wel turned in wyth dung at a due tyme of the yeare in the increase of the moone shee occupying an apte place in the Zodiacke in agreeable aspect of Saturne and wel placed in the scite of heauen All these thus afore hande learned and wyth dilygence bestowed procure the plantes the speadier to grow and wax the bigger if afore waightie ful c. as before vttâ—red in the ninteene Chapter for otherwise this care and paynes bestowed about the seedes and plantes nothing auayleth the Gardener The yearely Almanackes doe maruellouslie helpe the Gardners in the election of tymes or sowing planting and graffing but especially in obseruing the Moone about the bestowing of plantes as when the Moone increasing occupieth Taurus and Aquarius But if it be for the setting of yong Trees let the same be done in the laste quarter of the Moone she then being in Tauro and in a coniunction with Venus for so these speedier take roote in the Earth And the Gardener planting in either Taurus and Aquarius or Virgo and Pisces must as carefullye take heede alwayes that the Moone bee not euill aspected of Saturne and Mars In the planting also of yong trees lette the same bee done from the middle of October vnto the myddle of Marche In the sowing of seedes in a well dressed earth lette the Moone runne at those tymes in Taurus Cancer Virgo Libra and Capricornus But thys dilygently learne that the seedes and Plantes increase the better if anye of these signes shall be ascending in the Eastangle and that Marse neyther beholdeth
of Husbandrie For certaine denie that the raking doth profit y e plantes any thing at all in y t by y e Rake the rootes of the Garden plantes are so vncouered and the plantes with the same felled and caused to lye flatte on the ground which if cold weather insue are vtterly killed wyth the nipping ayre for which cause they better thought of that weeding and clensing exercise by pulling vp wyth the hande so that the same were done in due order and time Yet it pleased manye Husbandmen in tyme past to rake vppe the weedes in beddes yet not after one maner nor at al times alike but accordyng to the vsage of the Countrie the good skill and condition of the weather for whych cause in what manner soeuer this exercise shall bee taken in hand that weedyng shall neede or be required in these places the Gardener shall not attempte or beginne the weeding of beddes with the hande before the plantes well spring vp shall seeme to couer theyr proper Beddes and that in this high growth the plantes shall be mixed and ioyned one to the other according to the nature and forme in their growth In thys pluckyng vp and purging of the Garden beddes of weedes and stones the same about the plants ought rather to be exercised wyth the hand than with any Iron instrument for feare of feebling the yong plantes yet small and tender of growth And in the weeding with the hande the Gardener must diligentlye take heede that he doe not too boysterously loose the Earthe nor handle muche the plantes in the plucking away of the weedes but the same purge so tenderly that the rootes of the yong plantes be not loosed and feebled in the soft earth For occasion will moue the carefull Gardener to weede daintie Herbes beeing yet yong and tender least grosse weedes in the growing vp with them may annoy and hinder their increasing Therefore the yong plantes in some readinesse to bee taken in hande ought not to be stayed vntil their strong and biggge growth but weeded in the meane time for doubt of the inconueniences aboue vttered But the common Herbes for the Kitchin the Gardener shall not begin to weede before they be growen strong in roote and bigge shot vppe And this learne that if the Earth be lose and soft at the time of weeding the dayntie plantes you may not then lose and pull vppe weedes but in a soft and tender manner and yet fine Herbes require at all times to bee weeded so that shoures of raine haue well softned the earthe a daye before The walking or treding often about the beddes of the little and tender plantes shooting vp looseth much the soft Earth about them yea this so settleth downe the ground by the help of shoures of raine falling that the weedes growing vp in those beddes are caused the harder to be plucked vp And sometimes the rootes of the weedes in the plucking vp with the hande are lefte behinde through thys fastnesse caused of the Earth Heere remember that you neuer take in hande or beginne the weeding of youre beddes before the Earthe be made soft through the store of Rayne falling a day or two before Heere conceiue that the clipping plucking away and pressing downe of sundrye Herbes with Tyles or other waightie things after they bee growen to some greatnesse is to greate purpose for somuch as this causeth them to keepe the longer greene and to yeelde the thicker fairer and bigger Touffes besides the letting of the Herbes that they growe not vppe into Seede and to giue with these a plesanter sauour than the same that afore they possessed in theyr growth simplye As by a like meanes and ordering both the Lettuce Cabbedge and Coleworte may be caused better and more pleasant of taste than the leaues simply growing wythout any such manner of ordering In the like condition doe the Radishe and Nauew rootes grow the fayrer and bigger if diuerse of the greene leaues after some growth be handsomely clipped or broken off But of the apt ordering of these two laste in causing theyr rootes to be farre bigger than customable and pleasaunter in tast shal more fully be vttered in their proper Chapters hereafter in the seconde perte of this treatise The commended times for watring of the Garden Beddes and what manner of water ought necessarilye be vsed to plantes with the later inuentions of sundrye vessels aptest for thys purpose Chap. 24. THe Beddes being furnished with seedes in due age of the Moone requireth diligence if the ayre sufficiently moysteneth not in the watring of them least the ground being very drie of the proper nature may through the dryeth for the lacke of rayn cause both the seedes and tender plantes shot vppe to perishe and drye For which cause euery Gardener ought carefully to consider the coÌ„dition and property of the earth of his Garden whether of it selfe the same be very moyst or ouer drie which two extreames learned he may with the more diligence bestowe paynes aboute the watering of the Garden beddes so often as neede shall requyre And for that the seasons in a manner sufficiently instructe euery owner and Gardener when to water the plantes come vp it shall not be of my part a newe instruction to vtter vnto them the dayes and tymes necessarie to water the plantes seeing the yongest of any discretion know â–ª that the Beds chiefly require watering after a drought or when many hotte dayes haue chaunced togither as the like especially commeth to passe in the SoÌ„mer time about the Cofâ—icke rysing of the Canicular or dog Starre which with vs commonly happeneth about the seuententh day of July And this watring of the Beddes ought rather be done as Plinie witnesseth in the morning soone after the Sunne rising and at the euening when the sunne possesseth a weake force aboue the Earth The reason this Authoure alledgeth of the same is that by watering at the hote time of the day as at noone the water then made hote by heate of the Sunne woulde so burne the yong and tender rootes of the plantes And in this watering of the beddes the Gardener must haue a speciall care and regard that he moisten not the plantes too muche least cloying them too much with water they after wax feeble and peâ—iâ—h The water best commended for watering of the plantes is the same drawen or gotten out of the Riuer or other narrow Streame ebbing and flowing or else sweetely running one way through the help of Springs falling into it But if the Gardener bâ—e forced to vse Well water drawen especially out of a deepe Well or the water out of some deepe pit he ought then to lette the same drawen vp stand for two or three dayes togither or at the least for certayne houres in the open aire to be warmed of the Sunne least the same beeing new drawen vp and so watered or sprinckled forth on the beddes both raw and colde may feeble kil the tender yong
plants coÌ„ming vp The age also of the plantes shall greately direct the Gardener to know how much and how smallye he ought to moysten them at eache time needefull for the tender yong plantes new come vp require a lesser watering and the same gently where the Herbes more growen well ioy to be plentifully moystned with the water temperate warme And this water ought gently to be sprinkled forth on the beddes with a watering potte and by other meanes which after shall bee demonstrated that the rootes of the yong Herbes may alyke drinke in of the water and not to be cloyed through the ouer fast or too muche moysture sprinckled on them by whiche doing these the rather retaine the spirite vanquishing procured to passe through the exhalation of the Earthe For whiche cause the beddes at one instant shall not fully be watered but as the Earthe and plantes drinke in so gently sprinckle forthe the water in feeding the plantes with this moisture as by a brest or nourishing pappe whiche like handled shall greately prosper the tender plantes commyng vp where they otherwise by the hastie drownyng with water are much annoyed and put in a hazard of perishing To the water standing in the Sunne if the owner or Gardener mixt a reasonable quantitie of dung after hys discretion thys mixture no doubt will be to great purpose for as much as the same gently watered or sprinckled abrode procureth a proper nourishmente to the tender plantes and yong Herbes comming vp The cold as well as the salt water is knowen to be enimie vnto all kindes of plants yet Theophrastus reporteth that the salt water is more proper for the watering of certaine plantes than any other The common watering potte for the Garden beddes with vs hath a narrow necke bigge belly somewhat large bottome and full of little holes with a proper hole formed on the head to take in the water whiche filled full and the thombe layde on the hole to keepe in the aire may on such wise be carried in handsome manner to those places by a better helpe ayding in the turning and bearing vprighte of the bottome of this potte which needefully require watering The watering pot best to bee liked and handsomest for this turne both for the finely sprinckling forthe and easie carriage of water in the same from place to place in the Garden is that much vsed in the chiefest Gardens aboute London and in diners partes of Englande nowe knowen whose forme is after this manner the body wholly of Copper hauing a bigge bellie and narow necke a strong handle of the same mettall workemanly fastned to the bellie and head to carrie the potte if neede be to places in the Garden but for a more easinesse and quicknesse in carriage of the potte vprighte and full is an other strong ring or handle fastned artelie to the lippes of the potte much like to the Barbers waterpot carried abrode that serueth to none other turne sauing for the easie carriage of the potte full of water to needefull places but this other handle especially serueth to sprinckle forthe the water by the long pipe full of little holes on the head that some name a Pumpe whiche reacheth from the bottome vnto the head of the potte for the handsomer deliuering forth of the water the handle in the meane time guiding this long pipe of the potte vntill all the water be spent The Gardener possessing a Pump in his grounde or fast by maye with long and narrowe troughes well direct the water vnto all beddes of the Garden by the pathes betweene in watering sufficientlye the rootes of all such Herbes which require much moisture But for a playner vnderstanding of this I haue heere in the Page following demonstrated the forme to the eye The maner of watering with a Pumpe by troughes in a Garden There be some which vse to water their beddes with great Squirtes made of Tinne in drawing vp the water and setting the Squirt to the brest that by force squirted vpwarde the water in the breaking maye fall as droppes of raine on the plantes which sundrye times like squirted on the beddes doth sufficiently feede the plantes with moisture An other way better commended and the same with more ease in watering of plantes and Herbes is done by a greate vessell of Tynne formed somewhat like to a Squirte yet in the deuided partes the same differeth for that this hathe a pipe of the same mettall raised from the bottome and reaching in a manner so high as the greate pipe hauing many little holes at the imbossed toppe or ende this bigger Pipe formed after the manner of a small Pumpe at whose nether ende a thicke square plate of Tinne stricken ful of little holes workemanlie fastned into which a Pumpe staffe put for the drawing vppe and forcible sending forth of the water by thrusting downe with both hands a good distance off The vessell thus prepared in a readinesse must bee sette into a deepe vessell or tubbe of water in what place of the Garden the owner or Gardener mindeth to beginne in drawing firste the Pumpe vppe and with mightier strength thrusting it downe againe whiche so handled causeth the water to ascende and flee forthe of the pipe holes on suche heigth that in the falling the droppes come downe through the aire breaking it in forme of raine that one place being sufficiently watered the Gardener may then remoue the tubbe and vessel into another place which needeth the like watering and on such wise doing in thre or four places he shall sufficiently moisten all the beddes and bordures of the Garden That the forme of this vessell with the tubbe may the readier be conceyued beholde this figure following heere faythfully demonstrated The maner of watring with a pumpe in a tubbe The owner or Gardener enioying a Ponde with water in his Garden grounde or a ditch of water running fast by so that the same bee sweete may with an instrument of wood named of most men a skiffe sufficiently water all the Beddes of the Garden with great ease and expedition Such Plantes which come spediest forwarde through much moysture bestowed on them as the Cucumber Mellone Gourde and sundry others the Gardener may with farre greater ease and trauaile water after this manner in taking woollen clothes or Lystes and these like tongs cut sharpe at the one ende whiche lay to the botome of the potte filled with water the sharpe ende hanging forth well foure fingers deepe and the Potte leaning somewhat forwarde that these may through the continual dropping hastily speede the increase of the aboue sayde plantes so that to eache plante a like potte prepared be set which manner of doing is termed filtring At what tyme diuerse plantes sprung vppe ought to be remoued and set againe as out of one bedde or bordure into another with the breaking or sâ—ipping of sundry settes from old bodies which with skil require to be bestowed in the Earth Chap. 25. The Husbandman
of the skilfull whych very often is wont to happen in the dewie Countrey valleys and in places where bigge winde of a suddayne doth many times blowe Thus muche for the rust being enimie to fruites Against the burning heate whych peculiarly is wont to happe to Uines the learned Plinie willeth the Husbandman to burne three liue Creuisses or to hang them aliue on the Tree or Uine The Greekes as certayne Latine Writers haue noted didde sowe Beanes as well within as without the Garden ground or fielde to auoyde by that meanes the Frost falling or at least to auayle agaynste the Frost These instructions for the workemanly handling and ordering of a Garden plotte shall at this presente suffise and like the remedies againste the harmes and iniuries that commonly annoy whereby all Seedes and plantes bestowed in the same may with gladsome cheere to the Gardener prosper and encrease whiche the gentle Reader shall conceyue to be borrowed out of the workes both of the olde and newe Writers of Husbandrie as well Greekes as Latines that by greate studie and painefull laboure searched and obserued the most of these or else not attempted of my part to be published and made common to all men Besides these you shall well conceyue that the better parte were confirmed in oure time by the experiences of sundry skilfull men in the matters of Husbandrie and by earnest sute purchased whiche to be briefe being thankefully accepted the Authoure hathe hys due rewarde and so an ende of this fyrst parte of the Gardeners Labâ—â—inth Vale. A proper knotte to be cast in the quarter of a Garden or otherwise as there is sufficient roomth The second part of the Gardeners Labyrinth vttering suche skilfull experiences and vvorthy secretes about the particular sowing and remouyng of the most Kitchin Hearbes with the wittie ordering of other dayntie Hearbes delectable floures pleasant fruites and fyne rootes as the like hath not heeretofore bin vttered of any Besides the Phisicke benefites of each Herbe annexed with the commoditie of waters distilled out of them ryghte necessarye to be knowen WHere in my firste parte I haue fully satisfyed as I trust the exspectation of the Husbandly Gardener and owner in all such matters which may appeare needefull or requisite to be learned and knowen for the better ayde in possâ—ssâ—ng of a commodious and delectable Garden in like manner I purpose to ayd the carefull Husbandman or Gardener after the possibilitie of my skill in this seconde parte with suche skilfull healpes and secretes as are required about the artely sowing and particular bestowing as well of the Kitchin as other dayntie Hearbes â–ª pleasaunte fruites delectable floures and fyne rootes whiche at large I purpose to vtter in the same and likewise the Phisicke benefites to eache Hearbe I adde wyth other matters profitable to the ende the owner or Gardener may with better good will be moued to bestowe an earnest care and diligence aboute the often remouing as well of daintie floures as Hearbes with the clipping pressing downe breaking away and cutting off the endes of rootes that these may growe the thicker and bigger both in Hearbe and roote All whyche instructions and rare secretes are parte borrowed out of the worthy workes and treasures of the Greeke and Latine professors of Husbandrie and parte purchased by friendshippe and eaâ—nest suite of the skilfull obseruers and wittie searchers in oure tyme of laudable secretes in Garden matters seruing as well for the vse and singular comforte of mannes life as to a proper gayne and delight of the minde The lyke of whyche alreadye vttered maye the owner both see and knowe by that plante whyche in Gardens euerye where as well those in the Countrey as in the Citie is placed none so common none more plentifull nor oftener vsed among Kitchin Hearbes than thys familiar Pot Hearbe named the Colewort whyche by a diligence of the Husbandly Gardener may well serue in the coldest of Winter in the steade of other Pot Hearbes so that this Hearbe by good reason knowen to be not only profitable for the Pot but to the vses of Phisicke ryghte necessarie hathe moued mee the rather to begynne first wyth the Coleworte in vttering what care and diligence is required aboute the sowyng often remouyng clippyng and dressing of the same beeyng afore bestowed in Beddes workemanly prepared What healpes and secretes to be learned in the sowing and often remouing of the Coleworte Chapter 1. THe worthy Marcus Cato in his husbandrie preferred the Colewort before all other Pot Hearbes and the learned Plinie in like manner ascribed a principalitie to the same of all Garden Hearbes for whiche cause I purpose heere to intreate first of this Hearbe that manye of the Latines also for the mightie stemme and armes like branches named the Colewort Suche is the nature of this plant that the same refuseth no condition of ayre for whiche cause it may bee committed to the Earth in any time of the yeare This plant desireth a fat Earthe and wel turned in with dung but the Cleyie grauellie or Sandie thys refuseth except a floud of raine water shall now and then healpe The Coleworte prospereth the better beeing placed towarde the South but this standing open to the North not so well encreaseth although both in tast and strength it ouercommeth in the same place for through the colde aire and frostes the Herbe is caused the tenderer and pleasanter The Colewort ioyeth on a hill syde or the ground stieping downe it delighteth in dung and encreaseth by the often weeding as the worthy Rutilius hath noted when sixe leaues shal be sprung vp or â—ut fiue the same then must bee remoued but in such manner handle that the roote afore the setting againe bee annoynted with softe Cowe dung whiche ought so to be ordered in a warme day if it bee Winter but if in the Summer time then at suche time as the Sunne shall be goyng downe in the West The most auntient of the Greekes deuided the Colewort into three kindes only as the crisped which they named Selinoidea for the similitude of y e leaues of Parselie the same of them Lean for the brode leaues issuing or growing forthe of the stemme for whyche cause some named it Cauloden And the same whych properly is named Crabe growyng vppe with thinner leaues both single and very thicke The Colewort becommeth the bigger through the Earthe dayly turned light vp about the bodie And particularly to write the common Colewortes which they name the long or greene ought to be sowen from the middle of August or from the beginning of September that these maye bee growen vppe into bigge leaues to serue in Wynter and in the lent time The husbandly Gardener or owner may plant yong Colewortes in October and set them againe in December to possesse the leaues in the sharpe winter and y e seeds in June and July and to make them also grow as bigge touft as in the other seasons of the yere
and as tender or rather tenderer although not so delectable and haue good regarde that the seeds be not to old for these then bring forth plaÌ„ts out of kinde of whiche the reporte goeth that seedes sowen become Rapes or Nauews Such seeds as you would to indure for sixe yeres ought to be carefullie preserued Marcus Varro willeth the Coleworte to be sowen in saltie places and when three leaues bee come vp to sifte Nyter or salte Earthe on them so fyne as the froste falling for on suche wise handled these are caused the tenderer delectabler the vertue notwithstanding preserued which like practise is confirmed in y e Greke Husbandrie of Praxamus There be some which vse Ashes in steade of Nyter or for the same cause y t eyther may kil and destroy the Canker wormes which gretly offend waste y e Coleworts in some Gardens The singular Columella reporteth that the Colewort doth come soner softe and tender in the seething and doth kepe the green color without Nyter if the roote lapped aboute with three small blades of the sea weede be againe set in the Earth The worthy Plinie willeth the Reyte or sea weede to be put vnder the stalke in setting againe and vnto the same ende the delicate and tender seething vsed so that the Colewort before y e seething be steeped a time in Oyle and salte but in the seething put in a little salte for the Nitrous and salty substance consisting in it The Coleworte may be caused both bigge and pleasaunte if thrust into a whole you set it vnto the leaues in Earthe that no parte of the stemme bee lefte bare for doubte of perishing and as the same groweth vp in heigth and the earth shrinking from it so continually raise the Earth high vp to the bodie and cut away the outwarde leaues so that no more than the top of the leaues may appeare aboue the Earth The Coleworte often weeded aboute and workemanly dunged waxeth the stronger and causeth the Coleworte to be of a greater increase and tender of leaâ—e Al the yeare through may the Coleworte be cutte seing at the yeare as aforesayde the same may be sowen yet growen to feede it ought not to be cutte The tender tops of y e yong Colewort is greatly coÌ„mended for Sallets so y t somewhat hot both oyle Salt be bestowed vpoÌ„ When raine after a drought in sommer time falleth y e owner may renew those Coleworts decaying by plucking away from theÌ„ the decayed leaues which eyther shall bâ—e drye or eaten in manye places through The Cabedge Cole or white Cabedge may be sowen thick in beds but after certaine leaues come vp remoued into wel dressed beds halfe a yarde asunder growen especially to a bigge stemme or stocke these wel ioy vnder a colde ayre in that they are caused the teÌ„derer and delectabler through sharpe frosâ—es and the heads couered with strawe are caused both rounder and whiter The wrinckled crysped and Romayne Cabedges which of nature are more tender and delicate ought to be soweÌ„ in the month of March and remoued at certaine tymes of the yeare being alwayes watered when nede requireth When the Gardener or owner at any tyme seeth that the leaues of the Coleworte either wythereth or waxeth yealowe the same then is a note of the default of water which like happening causeth the leaues to be yealowe and ful of holes or lythie and feeble or else drye through which of necessity they must feeble and die If the Husbandman or owner would haue Colewortes tender and pleasant as afore vttered let him breake off in the sâ—tting againe the outwarde leaues for the inwarde leaues in the growing will after become better of taste and pleasanter in sauoure than the outwarde leaues were The redde Colewortes naturally growe throughe the aboundaÌ„ce of hotte dung or through the watering or well moystenyng of them wyth y e Lyes of wine or else by the planting of theÌ„ in hot places where the sunne dayly shyneth a long time togither Neuer take the toppes of the Romayne crysped nor the other for your turne and vse but alwayes the thicke leaues downewarde from the heade or toppes All the sortes or kindes of Coleworts may be planted at al seasons so that the tymes and Earth be neyther to colde nor to hot When you mynde to set them againe in holes made with a Dybbel cut away the endes of the rootes least in the setting into the earth they folde or bende to the ground which harme them greatly only those of a big growth are to be set againe which although they slowly take roote yet are they caused the stronger And y e rootes of these neiâ—her desâ—â—e any softe dung nor Riuer mud to be annoynted or layed about them nor to be set in a soft earth in that they ioy prosper in a ground meanly dry although the outward leaues wyther vntil the time a sweete rayne falling recouer their strength Some water the yonger Colewortes with salt water to cause them grow tender c. as afore vttered Plinie that incomparable searcher of the matter of nature reporteth that pottes or other vessels in whiche by water daylye seethyng â— crust or parget so fast cleaueth or is baked to the sides within that the same with no scouring can be gotten off yet by seething the Colewort in this potte the cruste immediatly and with ease falleth off Athenaeus wryteth that the Coleworte ought not in any case to bee planted or sowen neare to the vyne nor the vine in like maner nigh to it for such is the great enmitie betwene these two plants as Theophrastus witnesseth that being both in one plotte togither these so hinder one another that the vine in braunches growing further rather turneth or bendeth backe agayne from the Coleworte than stretching toward it it yeldeth lesse fruite there through And the same to be true Plinie affirmeth the wine in the Butte or Hoggâ—sheade to bee corrupted both in sauoure and taste throughe the Coleworte putte into it but the wyne agayne to be restored through the leaues of the Beete steped in it By which argumeÌ„t or profe Androcides singular in knowledge as the like Plinie writeth reported that the Coleworte grealye auayleth againste drunkennesse Of whiche it is nowe a common exercise among the Egiptians that greatly loue wyne to boile y e Coleworte w t their meates y t in eating of theÌ„ like prepared they may so anoyde y e annoyance of wine after drunke Paxamus a Greke writer of Husbandry reporteth y t if any poureth a little quantitie of wine by drops into y e licour of y e Coleworte boyling y e same after seetheth no more but quailed in streÌ„gth is corrupted changed in licor By a like man may contrarie gather y t the person which would drinke plenty of wyne withoute being ouercome with the same ought to eate afore a quantity of the rawe Coleworte with meate But for this matter heare the sentence of
be often digged vnder and left hollow of Earthe that the rootes may growe within the stronger This Hearbe is supposed to growâ— the greater beeing not remoued at all and for that cause the plantes thinne bestowed in beddes do euermore ioy and encrease the better The plant in like manner encreaseth and becommeth the sooner greate through the often and diligent weeding exercised about the same To be briefe this plant after the mind of Rutilius requireth to be watered all the hote and drie seasons vnto the time of Haruest in that the same delighteth and encreaseth the faster through the dayly moysture bestowed on it The Phisicke benefytes of the Orache THe Seedes of this Herbe may bee kepte to vse for foure yeares and these through their clensing qualitie healpe greately the stopping of the Liuer causing the sheading of the Gaule or yellowe Jandise Two drammes of the Seedes brused ministred with two ounces of Hony and a draught of warme water and drunke fasting dothe on such wise by vomiting caste vp Choller The Herbe in qualitie is knowen to be colde in the firste degree and moyst in the second through whyche reason it softneth the bellie The Herbe smallie nourisheth in that the licour or iuice of it is waterie and slipperie through whiche it lightly looseth the bellie and the leaues after the brusing layd in playster forme on hote impostumes and swellings and like on the Shingles doe both speedelie coole and heale them The Seedes after the brusing taken with a quantitie of Hony and the same sundry times healpeth such as fetch the winde hardly The Seedes like vsed doe expell the Wormes in the Bellie and prouoke vomiting Pythagoras greately misliked the Orach in that the same as he affirmed caused by the often eating both a palenesse of face and the kings euill But the worthy Dioseorides farâ—e otherwise iudged in that hee affirmed the Arache Seedes to healp the Jandise The Arache also helpeth suche as haue a hote Lyuer If the Hearbe Mercurie with the Orach be diligently boyled and the broath sundry times vsed it doth both loose the Bellie and deliuereth the paine of the Bladder The person dayly vsing the decoction or broth of the Orach with the Hearbe Mercurie and Beetes for a time togither doth speedely deliuer and ridde the Agew The Orach eaten is thought profitable for the person spitting bloud The Herbe brused and applyed to the bellie not onely clenseth the defaultes or corrupt matter within the priuie place but ceasseth in shorte time the paynefull griefe of the Matrice The Orache brused and layd in playster forme on any member hurte eyther with Thorne or Nayle doth with expedition drawe the same forth and healeth it The Herbe boiled with hony and applyed on rough nayles of the fingers dothe within short time loose them off The Orache brused and after the mixing with hony applyed in playster forme doth in short time remoue the aching paine of the hote Goute in the feete The Hearbe so tender and soft boyled as any other Potte Hearbe and eaten of the patient doth not only soften the bellie hardned or costiue by heate but remoueth diuers swellings What singular skill and secretes to be knowen in the sowing remouing and setting againe of the worthy Hearbe named Sperage Chapter 5. THe field and garden Sperage ioyeth in a fatte moist and wel drâ—ssed Earth and the Hearbe growen vp to heigth hath by euery leafe growing forthe a redde Bearie hanging downe in whiche a Seede is that the Hearbe in the sowing commeth of The Seedes to be committed to the Earth as the worthy Didymus in his Greeke instructions of Husbandrie reporteth ought to bee bestowed in the Spring time into little holes of three fingers deepe in whiche the owner or Gardener may putte two or three Seedes togyther well halfe a foote distante one from the other whyche thus bestowed require after no more trauell nor care for the first yeare sauing the digging about and plucking vp of weedes growing among them But for the sowing and increase of the Sperages it shall be to great purpose and commoditie to heare the wittie preceptes and instructions of Marcus Cato Columella Plinie and Palladius like agreeing The Seedes say they as muche as three fyngers can take vppe to one tyme maye the owner or Gardener workemanly putte and lyghtely couer in Earthe bothe fatte and dunged and in verye little furrowes so straight made as a line whyche on this wise handled will by the fortith day after growe so inward in the Earthe that the rootes shot forth wil clasp and fold one in another as if they ioyned togither in one and for the same named of the auntiente Gardeners Earth Spunges If the places in whiche you purpose to committe the Seedes shall bee drie then these layd in soft dung lying alowe in the furrowes shall on suche wise bee ordered and couered as if they lay or were bestowed in little Hyues But in a contrary manner shal the owner or Gardener worke and doe in continuall moyst places for the Seedes in like places shall bee bestowed on high ridges workemanly raysed with dung that the moysture maye lesser annoy the plantes in the growing which only ought to be fed or watered with the moysture passing by and not still to abide in that moysture to be cloyed with it The Seedes on such wise bestowed will yeelde a Sperage in the firste yeare whiche the owner or Gardener shall then breake or cutte off beneath But if the owner assay to pull at it neere the ground the small rootes as yet tender and weake in the Earth may happen to rise and followe with the whole Spunge whiche therefore workemanly broken off ought thus to be fedde and nourished in one proper place growyng still for two yeres with dung and diligent weeding In the other yeres following the Sperage shal not be broken off by the stalke but plucked vp by y t roote that the same may so open the eyes of his branching for except the plant be handled on such wise the stemmes broken off will not encrease the eyes of the Spunges but rather growe as blinde so y t these will not after suffer the Sperage to yeeld or send forth the proper encrease The same shal y e Gardener preserue of whiche hee gathered the seede and burne after the croppes knobbed endes or iointes of the same Herbe After this about the Winter time shal the owner lay or bestowe on the Spunges both ashes dung whiche the learned M. Cato rather willeth to be Sheepes dung There is another manner and way of sowing by Spunges onely which after two yeares ought to be remoued into a Sunny wel duÌ„ged place The like furrowes ought to be made well a fote distante one from the other and not aboue twelue fyngers deepe in which the tender yong Spunges are so to be set that lightly couered with Earthe they may easily spring and shoote vp But in the Spring time before they shall
ouercome with the same This being very teÌ„der after the seething ought to be finely chopped w t a wodden knife or otherwise stamped and turned often in the beating of it which wrought vp into rounde heapes and fryed in the sweetest oyle or butter must so be prepared with a quantitie of Ueriuyâ—e and Pepper â—â—used that it may the more delight the tast The Phisicke benefites and helpes of the Spynedge THys Herbe for the potte named Spynedge moysteneth and cooleth after the minde of the skilfull in the ende of the firste degree The Spynedge both softneth the bellie and moystneth the bodie and remoueth the grieâ—es of the Breast and Lungs This gathereth winde in the bodie vnlesse the excrementall humoure be sente forth by purge but applyed in hotte causes this greatly profiteth And if wee may credite the Phisition Serapion this more nourisheth thanâ— y e Arage looseth the bellie and leaueth after it a better nourishmente yea clenseth mundifyeth aswageth Choller and profiteth both the breast and lunges The Hearbe boyled and applyed helpeth the sorenesse and griefe of the throte proceeding of bloude and the redde Choller The dayly eating of this Herbe doth maruellously profit such hauing a hoarse voyce and that hardly fetch breath and much molested with the coughe if the Herbe after the proper seethyng and ordering as aboue taught bee eyther fryed with sweete Butter or the oyle of sweete Almondes and that to it Ueriuyce and Pepper brused be wittilye added For on such wise handled the same dayly eaten doth expel euil humors where in a contrarie maner the decoction and Herbe simplie being dayly eaten doth by agreement of the skilfull ingender in like condition Melancholie as the dayly eating of Lettuce doth The Herbe prepared as afore taught and eaten with the decoction of the same drunke doth not helpe without doubt the grieuous paynes and ache of the backe but looseth a costiue bellie What skil and diligence is required in the sowing and ordering of the Garden Sorrel Chap. 7. THe Sorrel of the Garden although it wil wel ynoughe come vp in grounde not dressed yet the seedes are euermore bestowed in laboured Earthe not dunged at all in the moneth of Aprill and to bee muche and often watered vntil they bee wel come vp in that the same especially ioyeth being placed neare to water And the Gardener mynding to possesse the seedes of the Sorrel ought after certaine leaues come vp to remoue the plants in letting them growe vnto the ful rypenes of the seedes which after the through drying to be kepte vnto the sowing time The Sorrel come vp neither well abydeth frostes colde nor ouermuche moysture and to haue the beddes of Sorrel continue seemely to the eye all the sommer through let the owner or Gardener cutte the toppes of the Sorrell three or foure times in the yeare The like diligence may bee imployed in the sowing and ordering of the Garden Pimpernel The Phisicke commodities and helpes of the Sorrel and Pympernel THe Hearbe Sorrel cooleth and dryeth in the thirde degree and the Hearbe eaten remoueth lothsomnesse and procureth an apetite to meate The Sorrel sauced with vineger and eaten fasting in the morning is a preseruatiue for the Plague The leaues wrapped in paper and rosted vnder hotte imbers whyche after the brusing and mixing wyth a little oyle of Roses applyed on swellings doth bring them in shorte time to mattering The seedes of the Sorrell brused and druncke either wyth water or wyne aswageth the daungerous flyxe Dissenteria and the payne of the bellie of a continuall flyxe and the abortement of the stomacke The rootes of the Sorrell boyled with vineger or rawe imployed and annoynted doe heale the Leprye and Ringwormes and rough nayles but it behoueth to rubbe ouer the places afore with salte Nyter and vineger in the hotte Summer A decoction of the rootes ceasseth the ych of the bodie if with the same the bodie in a Bath be gently rubbed and suppled the roote besides boyled in wine aswageth both the griefe or payne of the eares and teeth Manye in remouing of the kings euyll weare the roote about their neck The iuyce of y e Sorrel tempered with oyle Olyue and rubbed on the heade remoueth the grieuous payne of the heade proceeding of an vntemperate hotnesse The rootes boyled with wine and drunk or eaten remoue any sicknes comming of heate as the Jaundise proceeding of the liuer or Mylte in the like manner druncke and the rootes after the brusing applyed in plaister forme to the priuie place do stay the reddes of women long coÌ„tinuing The sedes boyled in wine do staye all manner fluxes of the bellie and remoue the swelling of the mylte The leaues of Sorrel wel brused and applied on the wreast do aswage the burning of the Feuer The Pympernell of the Garden heateth and dryeth in the seconde degree The Herbe is especially applyed for poison in that the same cleÌ„seth al the outwarde fylth of the body The roote boyled in wine and drunke remoueth the euil and venemous bloud from the heart of which the plague is easily caused to proceede and ceasseth the headache If a man be wounded vnto the skul the iuyce of this Herbe dropped into the wound and applyed vpon doth in short time recouer and heale y t same without griefe This dropped into vlcers and other woundes cureth them As for proofe take a cocke and â—trike him into the skull with a knife but not pearcing it after take the iuyce of thys Hearbe and instyll two or three droppes into the wounde and it wyll immediately bring the same vnto a skar The Hearbe mixed with Rockette seede and vineger and drunk moueth sweate expelleth poyson and euil humours boyled with wine and drunke remoueth the disease of the Hyppes and especially helpeth an euil cough purgeâ—h the breast The Herbe boyled in wine receiued breaketh y e stone of the Kidneys and Bladder remoueth y e strangurie In the same maner imployed profiteth against y e gripings of the bowels But this especially auayleth against the stopping of the Liuer Mylte The Pympernel to be briefe helpeth the stone moueth vrine aswageth the strangurie purgeth the breast expelleth the poyson of the plague from the hearte The iuyce of it boyled and drunk before the fit of the Ague putteth away any Feuer The roote may also be canded as y e Ginger with Sugar or hony and to preuaile the like againste the aboue sayde diseases The Herbe boiled remoueth a coÌ„tinual Ague the iuyce of the herbe a tertiane Ague so that the same be drunke before the fit A worthy experiment against the Phtysicke of the Lungs Take of y â— Pympernel brought into very fyne pouder two ounces of new Pympernel water and of Sugar as much as shall fuffise making therof an Electuarie of which take daily two drammes The commended helpes of the distilled waters both of the Sorrel and Pympernel THe Sorrel is to be distilled wyth the whole substaÌ„ce
be sowen in shadowie places neere to the Hedge or Herber in the Garden and this especially requireth muche watering for the speedier shooting vp The olde Seedes if we may credite Theophrastus doe sooner come vp yea and the elder Seedes are better for the turne the plantes shot vp do endure a long time without sowing any more in such condition that the owner or Gardener shall not neede to sowe or set of the plantes agayne for fiue yeares after The Parsely when it hath groweÌ„ a yeare it sendeth vp or beareth stalkes and Seedes and a yealowishe floure The new Seedes of the Parsely committed to the Earthe doe most slowly come vp in beddes in that these not before the fortith yea fiftith and sixtith day after the sowing do for the more part appeare as the learned Plinie reporteth yet this ease and commoditie ensueth that once sowen and come vp as aboue vttered it yearely encreaseth of the owne accorde without renuing for many yeares The Seedes as the worthy Neopolitane Rutilius witnesseth ioy in any earth and as well in the colde as warme places sauing the Seedes in the first commyng vp require much moisture through which watering they come so speedely strong that after no ayre nor grounde hindereth them Bothe the Seedes and plantes as Columella instructeth maye prosperously be bestowed to increase the speedier neere to Springs and little running waters If the owner or Gardener would haue the leaues growe verye broade then let him attende to the words of the worthy Greeke Florentinus who willeth to take vp of Parselie Seedes at one tyme as muche as can handsomly be holden betweene three of the fingers and these after the tying vp in a thinne or well worne linnen cloth to be set into a shallowe hole with dung handsomly mixed in the Earth which on suche wise handled will after come vp and growe with so large a lease for the increase of al the Seeds wil then be ioined shote vp togither in one blade as the worthy Rutilius hath noted and before him the singular Columella But y e Parsely shal growe biggest as the worthy Florentinus reporteth if y e owner by digging about y e rootes bestowe chaffe about them after y e couering with lightearth to water theÌ„ wel often The Parsely may y e Gardener cause to growe crisped in leafe if he thrust and bestowe the Seedes a little before the sowing in a ball stuffed with them whiche broken somewhat with a staffe and as they were spoyled committe them as Columella willeth to the Earth Or the Gardener otherwise with lesser paine may procure them to growe crisped in what manner soeuer they be sowen if he turne on the bedde and plantes a round stone or bigge roller as soone as the plantes bee somewhat growen vppe aboue the Earth and the like may the owner doe with the plants come vp if he treade them often downe The best commended time for committing of the Seedes to the Earth is from the middes of May vnto the Sommer solstice in June in beddes thicke togither and to be often watered for that these speedyer encrease and come forward through the heate in the same season If the owner or Gardener woulde haue the Seedes sooner breake and shote vp let him infuse the Seedes for a certaine time in Uinegre whiche bestowing in a well laboured Earth fill halfe the beddes with ashes of the Beane coddes After the Seedes are thus sowen water them often and lightely with a small quantitie of the best Aqua vitae and soone after the sprinckling and moistning of the Beddes couer the beds ouer with some peece of wollen cloth to the ende the proper heate ministred breath not away for by that meanes the plantes within one houre will begin to appeare so that the owner must then take off the cloth and sprinckle or moisten the plants appeared oftentimes whereby they may the sooner shoote vp into a high stemme or Blade to the wonder of the beholders To Florentinus doe â—unius Columella Plinie and Rutilius agree that there are two kinds of the Parsely as the Male and Female the Male as they describe it hath blacker leaues and shorter roote but the Female possesseth crispeder leaues and hard a bigge stemme in tast soure and hote but neyther of these two doth Dionisius Chrisippus y e Phisition alow to be eaten with meate as Plinie writeth Although the same muche vsed in Plinies time as at this day bothe in brothes sawces for a better delight and appetit They report y t by the often eating of the Female blades wormes engender in the body and y t the female eaten doth procure the woman barein as y e Male the maÌ„ And further y e Parsely eaten of women with child doth cause y e birthes to haue the falling sicknes yet they affirme the Male to harme lesser so y t for the same it was not altogither misliked nor condemned of the antient among the wicked fruites Therefore it is not to be maruelled at if y e late PhisitioÌ„s do aduise warne persons hauing y e falling sicknes and women with childe not to eate y e Parselie To these if the Greekes forbad Nourses and women with childe the eating of Parselie wyth meate although an other occasion may also ensewe of the same that it may hinder womens Milke Springs and extinguish the comming of milke besidâ—s that this procureth the eaters of it vnto the venerial acte Certaine reporte that the sicke fishes in Pondes are mightely recouered and made lustie through the Parsely layd in them There is nothing that doth like sweeten the mouth as the freshe and greene Parselie eaten so that the Hearbe often eaten of them whyche haue an vnsauerie or stinking breath sendeth forth an odious smell to be abhorred dothe in shorte time maruellously recouer and amende the same A matter very commendable and necessarie both for Maydens and widowes to deceyue their wowers by the chawing and bearing about of the Grene and fresh blades whereby they may so remoue for the presente the strong smell of the breath yawning or otherwise issuing forth and by the customably eating send forth a sweeter breath Sundry in times past preserued the blades of Parselie in a pickell vnto vse whiche receyued or conteyned two parts of Uinegre and a third part of Brine The Phisicke benefites and healpes of the Parselie THe Garden Parselie is hote in the beginning of the thirde degree and drie in the second or it heateth and drieth by nature in the secoÌ„d and third degree The iuice of Parselie Turpentine Wheaten Meale and the Oyle of Roses artely mixed and boyled togither with a little quantitie of Sarcocolla of which by arte an abstersiue or clenser made doth most perfectly clense and incarnate y e vlcers of Carbuncles and other impostumes The Parselie boyled with leaues of the Coleworte and Melilote of whiche a plaister made with Otemeale Oyle of Camomille Dill and Oyle of Roses and applyed
doth maruellousely resolue the impostumes of the pappes caused through the ranckling of Milke stayed backe by part drying vp the Milke and part by purgyng the same The Parselie eaten eyther rawe or sodden doth amend the stopping of the Lyuer prouoke Urine stayeth loosenes of the Bellie and hathe a propertie in strengthning of loose partes The Parselie also hathe the nature of pearcing for whyche cause it moueth vryne and very much preuaileth againste the stone as wel the seede as roote The Greeke Florentinus writeth in his husbandrie that the Parsely with crummes of bread applyed in the steede of a playster doth heale the Shingles but the decoction of the same drunke to breake the stone and the like to perfourme by applying outwardly To these for such hardly making water and diseased in the kidneys to helpe aswel by the leafe as by the roote The blacke spottes to restore to the proper colour if the decoction of the seedes be applyed vpon and to soften the hardnesse of the pappes by applying the leaues brused on them Plinie writeth that the brused seedes annoynted with the whyte of an Egge or the seede boyled in water and drunke to amende and helpe the kidneys and brused in colde water to profite and remoue the vlcers of the mouth this also with olde wyne ministred to breake the stone in the bladder which like doth the roote perfourme Thys profiteth giuen for the Jaundise in white wyne and to such women whose monethly courses doe not orderlye proceede or be stayed This is worthy to be noted that the rawe Parsely yeeldeth sweeter waters in the drinking as the worthye Plinie hath noted and to the mouth as Galen writeth the same pleasaunt and very delectable to the stomacke The seed taken in meate doth expel winde in the body the same brused and applyed on a foule Scabbe doth very wel clense and procureth a fayre skinne The seeds eaten doth remoue the swelling of the stomacke and profiteth the dropsie men in that the seeds drye and pearce the euil humors and consume them The Parsely profiteth those persons which haue gotten the Leprie of Fleumaticke humors It clenseth the Liuer and remoueth the payne of the Loynes and Bladder A sauce prepared of the Parselye wyth Sorrell and vyneger myxed togyther and eaten preuayleth agaynste the burnyng of a Feuer If after the drying of the Parselye rootes and beaten fynelye to pouder the same be mixed and drunke with the purest wine doth not only procure a sounde brayne and perfite memorie but purgeth the bloud The Seedes after the agreement of the best writers are principall in the causes of Phisicke the rootes next to them and the leaues as third in working The rootes Herbe and seedes of the Parsely applyed in meate and drinke do procure vrine remoue the stone of the Loynes drawe downe the reddes dissolue winde in the bodie take awaye the gripings of the bellie aswage the strangurie paine of the backe griefe of the Kidneys and bladder and swellyng of the stomacke The person bitten of a mad dog by boyling and drinking the decoction of Parsely and applying a playster made of the seedes and Herbe shal be speedily holpen The Phisicke helpes of the distilled water of Parsely THe commended time for the distilling of Parsely is in the beginning of September and that the fresh rootes and Herbe wyth the whole substance be distilled togither in Balneo Mariae The water of the Parselye drunke vnto the quantitie of three or foure ounces at a time morning and euening for thirtie or fourtie dayes togither profiteth against the stone of the kydneys and Loynes purgeth the kydneys and bladder and greatlye moueth forwarde the vrine The water drunke in the same manner helpeth digestion procureth an appetite to meate purgeth the Liuer easeth the strangurie and where so euer thys water is annoynted on the heade or bodie heares do soone after shedde What skil and diligence required in the sowing and ordering both of the Garden and wilde or running Time Chap. 11. THe Garden Time although it seeme better to agree to be placed nigh to Beehiues for the commoditie of Honye than in Gardens yet our purpose is here somewhat to write of the same in that this is so carefully bestowed in Gardens as well for the commoditie of meates as for the deeking of Garlandes There are found to be two kindes of it the one white with a wooddy or hard roote growing on little Hilles which is accompted the worthiest The other aswel in kinde as floure ▪ blacke which Actius in meates disaloweth for the same inwardly receyued lightly putrifieth and increaseth Cholericke humors The Tyme of the Garden growing bushie and full of slyppes is seene to shoote vp ▪ two handfuls high bring most sweete and delectable of sauoure and decked with a number of smal leaues bearing also purple floures tending to a whitenesse and the toppes after the fourme of Antes bending in bodie The Garden Time better cōmeth forwarde being bestowed in a leane and stony ground for which cause it neyther desireth a fatte nor dunged Earth but ioyeth to be placed in a Sunny and open place This wel ynough prospereth being bestowed in beds either in the seede or plant but this speedier cōmeth forward being only set yea this increaseth being set againe with the floures bearing as the singular Theophrastus witnesseth The owners of Hiues haue a perfitte forsight and knowledge what the increase or yeelde of Honye will bee euerie yeare by the plentiful or small number of floures growing and appearing on the Tyme about the Sommer solstice For this increaseth and yeeldeth most friendly floures for the Bees which render a coloure and sauoure to the Hony The saide Theophrastus writeth that the floure of Tyme spreade abroade is destroyed and dyeth if a big shoure of raine happen to fal The worthy Neapolitane Rutilius in his husbandrie instructeth y t the whole plant is to be rather set than sowen about the middle of April in a well laboured Earth lying open to the Sunne and that the same may prosper and come the speedier forwarde Hee willeth the owner to water the Plantes of time or to moysten them al a day with water finely sprinckled on the beddes in that the tyme so fast drincketh in If the owner or Gardener woulde possesse y e seedes he must diligently gather the floures in whiche the seedes are contained and not laboure to separate the one from the other The running Tyme ioyeth to bee set or sowen neare to springs of water as by a Wel or Ponde for on such wise bestowed in the Earth the same yeeldeth the fayrer leaues This neyther requireth a fatte nor dunged Earth but only to be bestowed in a Sunny place and ioyeth in the often remouing The running time doth many tymes proceede or come of the Basill rudely or wythout care bestowed in the Earth The Phisicke helpes both of the Garden and running Time THe Garden Tyme heateth and dryeth in the thirde degree The Tyme
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
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
by some wayghte or properly treade wyth the Foote on it for on suche wise handeled wyll the Hearbe be procured to growe downeward and into a breadth This especially in Sallets in the sommer time although the same haue no apte sauoure nor tast The Strawberies require small laboure and diligence in the bestowing in the Earth sauing that these ioy to bee sette in some shadowie place of the garden in that these rather desire to grow vnder the shadow of other Hearbes than to be planted in Beddes alone and planted vnder the shadowe of high trees these prosper without any trimming of the Earth Here note a maruellous innocencie in the strawberies that although these creepe law by the Earth and that diuerse venemous things creepe ouer the Hearbes yet are these in no manner infected with any venemous contagion which is a note that the Herbe of propertie hath no affâ—nitie with poyson This Hearbe by diligence of the Gardener becommeth so great that the same yeeldeth faire and big Beries as the beries of the Bremble in the Hedge and hereof it seemeth that Virgilianus Seruius named the strawbury the Mulbery of the Earth Certaine skilful men by a diligence and care procure the beries to alter froÌ„ the proper red coloure into faire white delectable to the eye The Mustarde seedes desire to bee sowen in a fatte grounde and to be coÌ„mitted to the Earth wyth fyne pouder dust both before and after y e winter these after the comming vppe require to bee often weeded and watered But the Seedes may not be sowen too thicke in that the plantes multiplie and spreade into breadthe After the plantes haue enioyed strong roote in the Earthe they are hardely plucked vppe by the rootes and the Seedes may well be kepte for fyue yeares whyche the newer they be so muche the better to sowe and to be eaten The goodnesse of the seede is knowen in the breaking or cracking of it betweene the teeth whether the same be founde greene or white within for if this be white the Seede is olde and nothing worth neyther to sowe nor to eate The seedes which the owner would keepe for to eate those plants muste he remoue after certaine leaues sprung vp and set them a good distance a sunder whereby the toppes may bushe and spreade the broader but suche plantes which the owner woulde haue runne vp to seede those maye he not chaunge nor remoue oute of the proper places The phisicke remedies and helpes of the Buckes horne â–ª Strawberie and Mustard seede THe Hartes horne hathe the propertie of heating and drying for whiche cause takeÌ„ in drinke it ceasseth the grypings of the belly yea this vsed healpeth the griefes of the ioyntes strengthneth and expelleth the euill matter in them This herbe after the minde of Dioscorides hathe the propertie of binding so that the same be profitably giuen in redde wine for the perillous Flixes Certaine reporte that if foure rootes of the Buckes or Hartes horne be eyther diligently hanged about the necke or bounde to the pulses of bothe the handes that these in shorte time do put away the Feuer or at the least moysture the heate or burning of the feete The Berries aswell as the Hearbe of the Strawbery haue the vertue of cooling and moystning in the third degree and the Herbe it selfe endureth not aboue a yeare Vigonius writing of the Strawberie leafe affirmeth the same to be of a colde qualitie especiallie the Juice of whych Hearbe mixed with the wine of Pomegranates and a little quantitie of Rose water applyed on hot impostumes bothe in the beginning and encrease of them doth maruelouslie healpe The Berries eaten with white wine and a little suger doth maruellously amende the hardenesse and swellyng of the splene the selfe same doth the iuyce of the berrie taken with honye the leaues sundry tymes vsed in a bath is said to be most profitable against the stone The leaues and roote orderly applyed doe heale as well woundes as vlcers these also procure the termes stay the bloudy flixe Dysenteria and cause vrine the decoction of the herbe and root drunk helpeth inflamations of the lyuer and clenseth both the kydneys and bladder If any shall be mightily molested with grieuous ache and paynes of the hyppes lette him take three or foure handfulles of the Strawbery leaues and boylyng them tender sitte in the bath and rubbe the legges well with the licour and leaues from the nether parte vpward Whiche done and thoroughly dryed with a warme cloathe applye thys Oyntmente following prepared after thys manner Take of the oyntmente of Marche Mallowes one ounce vnto whiche myxe halfe an ounce of stone honey and a dramme weight of Waxe makyng thereof an oyntment by a softe fyre this on suche wyse handeled not only amendeth the griefs of the hippes and softneth the matter hardned in them but prouoketh vrine applied on the proper place The decoction of the Hearbe and roote holden in the mouthe and washing or rubbing the teethe and gummes with it dothe not onlye strengthen the gummes and fasten the teeth but stayeth the distillings from the heade The Berries in the Sommer tyme eaten wyth Creame and Sugar is accompted a greate refreshing to men but more commended beyng eaten wyth Wine and Sugar for on suche wise these maruellouslye coole and moisten Chollericke stomackes or suche beyng of a Cholericke complexion The Juyce of the Berryes pressed forthe and the water of Plantaine added of eche eight ounces to these mixe twoo ounces of Rosed honye one ounce of the Juice of the Mulberries of white Greeke pitche and the flowers of the Pomegranat of eche a dramme wayghte these after the diligent beating and mixing togither washe and gargell the same in the mouth sundry tymes for this in shorte time remoueth and putteth away the impostumes of the throate Among other commodities whiche the Berries yeelde the Juice or wine pressed forth of them is a soueraigne remedie for the remouing of the greate rednes spots and red pimples which happen on the face through the heate of the Lyuer the selfe same asswageth and putteth away the rednesse of the eyes the spots hot distillings froÌ„ the hed by dropping of it sundry times into y e eyes The decoction of y e roots leaues of the strawbery in wine is maruellous profitable for the Jandise beyng takeÌ„ diuers mornings fasting The decoction only of the root taken doth miâ—igate the heat of the liuer so that the same be drunke in the morning and at noone the herbe eaten with vineger a little white pepper doth greatly helpe such fetching the winde shorte the Beries also eaten doe ceasse and coole thirste for whiche cause profitable to the stomacke but these especiallye commodious to the Cholericke The Mustard seede heateth dryeth in the fourth degree and it is like to the Rape seede sauing that the rape seede is bitter the Mustard seede sowre The goodnes of the mustard seede is knowen in the breaking of it
more healthfull and profitablee The whole herbe bearing flowre of the Mustard seede after the finely shredding oughte to be distilled in a Tinne Limbecke in the beginning of June The water amendeth the vlcers of the gummes if the same be holden a while in the mouthe and the gummes often washed therwith This water helpeth vnto the consumption of mēbers if they bee bathed and rubbed wyth the same for the members thoroughe the same doe recouer in shorte time strengthe and fleshe This water heateth the marow in the bones if they be often rubbed wyth the same and the water to drye in alone Thys water profiteth against a colde disease and ache of the ioyntes if they be often rubbed with the same and the water suffered to drye in by it selfe What skill and care is requyred in the sowing and workmanly ordring of the Lekes and Liues Chap. 19. THe Leeke for that it is a roote of the Garden to be eatē and often vsed in the potte therefore I will firste entreate of the same whiche as the moste skilfull reporte desireth to bee sowen in a fruitfull and battle place and lying especiallye open whether the same be in a lowe place as the worthye Rutilius writeth and to these that the beddes be leuelled deepe digged diligently turned and very wel dunged The husbandmē in time past noted twoo kinds of this herb as y e one which grew into a head like the Onion and the other into many deuided blades both long and straight whose bush sprung vp is wont to be cut neare to the grounde and this with vs named the vnset Leeke The owner or Gardner which would possesse vnset Leekes oughte to cutte the greene blades come vp in the beddes after twoo monethes of the sowing For these after the mind of the learned Columella wil endure the longer and encrease farre bigger if after this cutting they be remoued and set againe and how often the greene blades shalbe cut so often the herbe is holpen wyth water new Cowe dung And vse instructeth euery carefull owner as the saide Authoure reporteth that in the remouing suche skill muste be vsed for the newe setting as when they be growen into a bignesse in the heade to be remoued certaine distances asunder as foure fingers breadth betweene eyther set and when they shalbe growen to a farther strength and bignesse to be agayne cutte The Leekes oughte so often to be watered dunged and weeded as neede requireth the same and the place is to bee often raked ouer wherby the plantes may encrease the better through the helpe of the often killing casting forth of the vnprofitable herbs or weedes As touching the Ciues and vnset Leekes they may like be bestowed in the earth as the Leeke bearing the heade And the seedes of these maye bee committed to the earth at any tyme if so be the owner forceth not for the yelde of the seedes but they otherwyse oughte to bee sowen in the Monethes of December Januarie and Februarye for the gathering and occupying after the Moneth of Marche vnto the middes of Auguste And the plantes after the sowing when the blades bee well shotte vp oughte lyghtely to bee troden downe with the foote and not to bee watered for foure dayes after When the yong and tender blades bee shot oute of the seedes and that the owner mindeth to haue the heades growe big he ought not after the pulling vp to set them agayne before all the small rootes bee cutte awaye and the greene blades nighe halfe cut off which done that small pote shardes or oyster shelles be layde as it were right vnder eche heade and then diligently couered with earthe whereby the heades may so encrease the bigger in the which dooing the worthy Greeke Sotion forbyddeth the watering of thē til foure dayes after if a drouth ensew otherwise water thē not at all The skilfull Neapolitane Rutilius instructeth that when the Leekes be growen to a finger bignesse by cutting the blades halfe awaye and the hearie rootes quite leaste these seede and drawe away of the substance then in the setting in earth mixed with sand and annointed fresh with Cow dung let the plants be distante in beds well foure or fiue fingers one frō the other when these haue sēt forth rootes sufficiēt long let the owner gently putting vnder his Dible raise softly the heades that these remaining as hanging in the Earthe maye on suche wise fyll the roomes or emptye spaces by the greatenesse of the heades growing And that in fewer wordes I vtter thys instruction if so be the owner woulde enioy vnsette leekes hee maye bestowe the seedes in beddes the thicker togyther If these to growe into a heade then the thinner in the earthe and shall cause them to prosper the better throughe a dayly weeding and feeding with freshe Cow dung The seedes oughte to be committed to the Earth in the moneths of Aprill May and June throughout to possesse the herbes in the Sommer time in the Harueste September and October for to enioy the plantes in the Winter tyme but these especiallye requyre to bee often weeded and dunged which growe into heades The Leeke shall yeelde a far bigger heade and stemme as after Columella Rutilius wrote yea before them both the worthy Greeke Sotion if in thinne linnen cloutes or clothes muche worne the owner shall bestowe and tye vp manye Seedes togyther whyche so handled to couer diligentlye wyth softe dung and earthe and immediatly to water them so lying in the earthe for these thus knitte vp throughe the runnyng of the Seedes into one will send forth leekes of a wonderfull bignesse which practise also may the husbandly Gardner trye in the other seedes of plantes I like experience wil come to passe if the owner bestowe a Rape seede into the heade of a Leeke with out making a hole with anye Iron instrument whiche so handled sette into the Earth for on suche will it grow verye bigge as both Rutilius and diuerse Greeke instructers of Husbandrie report There bee some whyche makyng holes in the heade with a woodden pricke or piece of Elder Cane or else reede sharpened bestowe in place of the Rape the Gourde seedes Others there are whiche taking vppe so many seedes as they can handsomely retayne with three of the fingers and poured into a thinne Reede doe commit those to the Earth wyth softe dung couered and layed about whiche practise doth euen like agree to the former vttered The sayde Greeke Sotion commendeth and affirmeth that immediately after the seedes shall be sowen the softe earth of the Beddes bee troden wyth the feete into small and shallow furrowes and the Beddes for three dayes as if they were neglected not watered at all but in the fourth daye to bee holpen through the sprincklyng of water on the Beddes for suche wise handled to the Blades commyng vppe wyll growe as hee reporteth the more bushie and fayrer to the eye yet if the owner betweene the sowing and planting
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
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
euerye day obtayned the like as he writeth But wyth a lesser care and laboure may the same be perfoumed as Columella writeth if in a Sunny and well dunged place sayth he besundry roddes set a rowe aswel of the Osior as Bremble and these so planted in the Earth after the Equinoctiall of Haruest to cut a little wythin the Earth whose heads after the wider enlargyng with a stiffe wooden pricke to bestowe softe dung eyther within the pithes of the Osiers and Brembles consisting in the middes these done to fixe or putte Seeds of the Cucumber into the places which after the growing to some bignesse ioyne with Oslers and brembles For the plants on such wyse growyng are after not fed with their owne but as it were by an other mother roote feeding whyche by the same meanes yeelde Cucumbers that wyl indure the colde season and frostes The learned Plinie vttereth the same matter admonyshyng here the reader of the wrong instructions of Columella although he seemeth to alledge an Authoure for whych cause it shal bee to great purpose to heare the sentence of Plinie in this who remouing the erroure of Columella vttered that Cucumbers may be enioyed all the yeare greene instructeth and willeth that the greatest roddes of the Bremble ▪ bee set agayne into a Sunny place where these be cutte well two fyngers long aboute the Equinoctiall Spring or myddle March and into the heades of these after large holes made the Seedes to bee bestowed lying especiallye within the Pythes of the Brembles and fylled wyth softe dung whiche done that fatte dung and fyne Earth after the well myxyng togyther ought to bee thycke layed and dylygentlye heaped aboute the rootes which maye the better resyste the colde But howe so euer these ought to bee handeled it well appeareth that Plinie doth dysagree wyth Columella in thys instruction For Plinie wylleth these to be set about the Equinoctiall Spring but Columella aboute the Equinoctiall Haruest as the Neapolitane Rutilius interpreted and noted the same to whom as it shoulde seeme he bare a fauoure The plantes muche feare the Thunder and Lyghtning for whych cause the Gardener may not set nor remoue them at those tymes besides if the tender fruites bee not couered ouer wyth sheetes or thynne Couerlets when such Tempests or stormes happen they commonlye after perish and wyther The Gardener myndyng to possesse long and tender Cucumbers oughte to sette vnder the young fruites growyng an Earthen Panne Bole or halfe Tubbe fylled wyth fayre water wel fiue or sixe fyngers yea halfe a foote distaunce from them for these by the nexte daye wyll bee stretched vnto the water so that settyng the Pannes lower into the Earth or raysyng the fruites higher ye shall daylye see them stretched forth towardes the water vnto the admiration of the owner for the length of them which depriued of their vessels of water shall in a contrarie manner see them wynded and crooking so muche these ioye in the moysture and hate the drouth The fruites likewise wil grow of a maruellous length if the floures be put to grow wythin hollowe Canes or Pypes of the Elder But the same is otherwise to be learned of the Oyle for as the Cucūbers so deadly hate as Plinie writeth y t setting vessels of the oyle in steed of the water vnder them they after ▪ bend and wynde away as disdayning the Licour whych the owner shal wel try and see that these to haue bended so croked or winding as an Hooke in one nights space But there muste be a special care as Columella after the Greke Florentinus admonisheth that no woman at that instant hauing the reds or monthly course approcheth nighe to the fruites especially handeleth them for through the handling at the same tyme they feeble and wyther If she in the place be like affected shal she after kyl the yong fruites with hir onlye looke fixed on them or cause them to grow after vnsauerie or else corrupted The Cucumber will yelde fruites without seedes if three dayes before the sowing the seedes be stieped in oyle Sesaminium or Sauine oyle as the Neapolitane Rutilius hath noted or that the seedes afore be steped in the iuyce of the Herbe named of Plinie Culix or as the same in Greeke may be coniectured Coniza in English Fleabane The like shal be wrought if the first armes or branches after the conditiō of the vines be on such wise digged about that only the heads of them appeare naked which a thirde time to be like bared if neede shal so require yet such a diligence to be exercised in the same y t what branches growe out and spreade on the earth to be workmanly cut awaye preseruing only the stem and branches that last shote foorth ▪ which on such wise handeled yelde fruites with the only Pulpes hauing no sedes in them If the Gardener desireth to enioye Cucumbers hauing Romayne letters strange figures and skutchings or Armes imbossed on the grene rynde without he may after the liuely coūterfayting of formes on the Mouldes of woode bestowe of the potters Clay or playster of Parys vnto the thicknesse of a finger which like handeled and cut into two partes let drie in a fayre and hot place that these may the sooner serue to vse after bestow into the hollow mouldes framed to a like bignesse and length as the fruites of the yong Cucumbers which fast bound about and so closse togither that no ayre breath in let these on such wise hāg vntil the fruites haue filled the mouldes within which they ioy to do and be readie to be gathered For the yong fruites of propertie by the reporte of the skilful doe so much desire or be so wonderful desirous of a new forme that into what workmāly vessel or moulde y e yong fruites be bestowed they by an earnest wyll and desire represent the figures counterfayted wythin as the same founde noted in singular worke of Husbandrie which why Rutilius may ascribe to Gargilius Martialis I see no reason To be briefe as the cōming of the moulde shal be such wil the beautie of the fruites bee for many fruites haue bin seene as Plinie reporteth whiche represented the image of a winding Dragon on them The owner minding to enioye Cucumbers a long time freshe and fayre ought to bestow them in white wine lies vncorrupted or not turned the vessell after the wel pitching without couered with a heape of sande in some lowe Seller or vaulte in the ground The Cucumbers doe lyke continue a long tyme if they bee beestowed in a proper Pickle made of water and Salt But the freshnes and delight of them will a longer time be preserued if after the husbandlye instructions the owner hang them so hygh in Barrels or Ferkyns beeing a quarter filled or somewhat lesse that these in the hangyng doe in no manner touche the vyneger And the vessels shalbe dilygentlye pitched about whiche the owner prepareth to serue to thys purpose that the force of
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
like Nicander long before Athenaeus and many others report who will the Gourds to be firste dried in the ayre and stitched through the heads with a strong packthreed to be after hanged vp in the smoke that the pots filled with them maye leysurely soke all the Winter and drinke in of the Brine At this day in Fraunce throughe all the Winter moneths are the Gourdes hanged vppe in the roofes of their houses to bee preserued for daintye dishes greene when occasion offereth to vse them especiallye those whiche are named the Citrones that farre longer endure and bee not so lightly subiecte to putrifying The fruites of the Gourdes Melons Pompons and Cucumbers may be caused to loose and purge like to many others if the seedes bee stieped for a nighte and a day in the licoure made wyth Ruberbe Agaricke Turbith Senae Colocynthis Scamonie or other simple purgyng medicines and those after the bestowing in the Earth watered for fiue dayes togither and fiue times euery day When the Gourde is felte vnpleasaunte the fruites by the stieping may after receyue what sauoure and taste the owner will if the seedes before they bee committed to the earth be infused for a time in any pleasaunte licoure whether the same be damaske or muske water for the plantes shootyng vp of these will yeelde fruite of like sauour aswell being sodden as rawe after the condition of the Cucumber The like altogither may be wroughte or caused without any arte if whiles the fruite is a seething you bestowe in the licoure what taste coloure or sauoure you desire to haue For the Gourde and Cucumber are of suche a kinde that they be voide of any qualitie The rinde of the fruite of the Gourde growen to full ripenesse becommeth so harde as woode The Gourd planted in the ashes of mans bones and watered wyth oyle yeeldeth fruite by the ninth day as the auntient Hermes affirmeth Whiche man for that he teacheth vaine matters for the same cause he giueth me occasion to credite him weakely Yet experience doeth many times cause the vncertaine to proue certayne The phisicke benefits and helps of the Gourde THe fruite of the Gourde is of a colde and moiste temperament and the seedes especially vsed in medicine That worthy phisition Crisippus with the Grekes condemned or rather vtterly forbad the Gourds in meate as vnprofitable for their coldnesse to the stomacke That skilfull man Diphilus contrarie affirmeth that the Gourdes boyled in water and vineger do strengthen the stomacke The learned Galen writeth that the Gourde in no manner maye bee eaten rawe in that the same is vnpleasaunte to eate but either sodden rosted or fryed in a panne is well commended The Greeke writers of husbandry doe report that the Gourd doth loose the belly and that the Juice of the same dropped into the grieued eares caused of heate they affirme to profit vnto whyche vse of it self and with the oyle of Roses dropped warme into the eares The outwarde rinde pared away and the meate with the kernels not fully ripe heated or parboyled in water and after shred small like to the Cabbedge and boyled with butter Onions and a quantitie of Salte This on suche wise prepared and eaten profiteth leane men Others after the cutting of the vnripened fruite into round slices boyle them with butter in a dishe like Apples The wine standyng for a night abroade in the hollowe of the freshe Gourde and drunke with a fasting stomacke purgeth gently the bellye costiue The meate of the Gourd after the seedes taken foorth applied helpeth the cornes of the toes and feete the Juice of it boyled and rubbing the mouth therewyth fastneth loose teeth and assuageth the paine of them proceeding of a hot cause The seedes of the Gourde cleane picked from their skinne being sodden in Barly water strayned and druncke healpe the inflamations of the liuer kidneys and bladder the impostumes of the breaste and prouoketh vrine If a sicke persone of the Feuer refuse to drincke of this water a Sirroppe then with Sugar may be compounded of the same whyche mightily profiteth all kindes of Agues The iuyce of the pieces of the Gourde tempered with milke and vineger in whyche a linnen cloth wette and applyed on the Lyuer verye much aswageth the heate of the Liuer When the winter approcheth the seeds ought to bee taken foorth of the fruite and these rubbed wel with Salte that the clammy humours may on such wise be remoued The seedes ought after to be layed in a drye place wherby the proper moysture may not corrupt them and those seedes like prepared wil indure for three yeares The pieces of the rynde of the Gourde bruised and annoynted or applyed in playster forme one the heades of Infants doth aswage the inflamation or burning caused of the braine the peeces or iuyce of the same applyed doth like mytigate the burning Goute and qualifye the inflammation of the eyes The Gourde after the fine shreddyng applyed in playster forme aswageth tumours and swellings the drye Ashes applyed on burnings doth maruellouslye auayle the Ashes also of the ryndes applyed on vlcers of the priuy place beginning to putrify both purgeth and bringeth them to a scarre The iuyce of the Gourde after the boylyng wyth a little Honye and Nytre drunke gentlie looseth the bellye the same iuyce myxed wyth the Oyle of Roses and annoynted on the Rydge bone and Loynes cooleth the burning of the Feuers this besides annoynted helpeth the shyngles Here learne that the Gourde rosted or boyled in a dish or frying pan is more holesome than rawe for that through the rosting it leaueth a great force of waterie moysture and therefore yeeldeth a stronger and worthyer nourishment The Gourde sodden requireth a tartnesse to bee matched wyth it for the same otherwyse is felte vnsauerye and wythout delyghte so that it better relisheth being matched with eyther salte soure or tarte thyngs that nerer agree to the benefit of our bodie and the same ought to be on such wise prepared that it procure not the creature to vomyt as the singular Galen hath clearely vttered The benefites and helpes of the distilled water of the Gourde THe chosen time for the distilling of Gourds is when they be ful ripe for those then are to be finely shred and the kernels with the whole substance artely distilled The distilled water of the fruites mixed wyth a quantity of Suger drunk not only looseth the belly but ceaseth thirst and helpeth the cough proceeding of a hot cause The sayde water drunke morning and euening vnto the quantity of three ounces at a tyme for fourtie dayes togither doth maruellously help the stone in the kidneys This water drunke in the lyke manner for tenne dayes togyther purgeth the kydneys and Bladder and causeth vrine this also drunke in the like manner qualifieth the burning of Feuers when no other Medicine can aswage the same thys besides applyed without on the regyon of the hearte wyth linnen clothes wet in the same like represseth