The inuention of G [...]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 hus­bandmā, yeelded a commoditie and yearely reuenew vnto him. But after yeares (that man more estee­med [Page 2] 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 busshes [...], 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▪ 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 husbandmē 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, [Page 3] 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 cōmodiouse 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 again [...] 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, [Page 4] 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 Palladius [...] 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, [Page 5] 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 Cl [...]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, 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 [Page 6] 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: [Page 7] 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 [Page 8] floures, as all maner rounde and delectable rootes, with the sweete and pleasant smelling trees: as all the kindes of the Roses, the sweete Ja­cemine, the Eglantine bryar, the Myrtill tree, and all others of lyke sorte, sowed and planted in due seasons of the yeare. But a Garden plot, onely seruing for the vse of potherbes and the kitchin, ought espe­cially to be a battell ground, sufficient moyst of it selfe, and well turned in or workemanly laboured with dung. Garden plottes ought to be placed, farre from Barnes, Hay loftes, and Stables, if the same possi­bly may be refused, or otherwise chosen for the turne: in that the chaffe or duste of strawes (as enimie to them) the plantes hardly brooke and suffer: in somuch that the very strawes blowē abroade with the winde, and falling on hearbes, do greatly annoy and harme them: as the sin­gular Florentinus in his Greeke instructions of Husbandry skilfully vttereth. For these, sayth he, by cleauing to the plantes, in the fallyng, pearse the leaues, which once pearced, are incontinent burned by them. All Gardens aswell prosper by the dunging with rootes, as with the proper dunge allowable: yet dungyng the Garden earth, with the branches and leaues of trees, is of the skilfull Gardeners very much disalowed, as vnprofitable and noyouse to hearbes.

As to the well standing of a Garden behoueth: the aptest and moste laudable placing of a Garden plot shalbe, if the playne grounde lying somewhat a slope, shal haue a course of spring water running through by seueral partes. But this course of water, running through the Gar­den plot, may in no wise be bigge. And the smalnesse of the labouring and dressing of a Garden grounde, is more of yeelde, than the large­nesse of it, not labored in a maner at all.

It behoueth to haue a well in a Garden, onlesse some running water as eyther ditche or small ryuer be neere adioyning: for that a sweete water sprinckled on yong Plantes, and Hearbes, giueth a speciall nourishment. If a well bee lacking in the Garden, then digge a deepe pitte, in some conuenient place of the Garden: although it may be a painefull labour for the Gardener, to drawe water out of the same. For a Garden grounde needeth often to be watered, through whiche all Seedes committed to the earth, as Plinie reporteth, both sooner breake foorth, and speedier spread abroade. That a pit with wa­ter of long continuance, may be purchased, the same at that time Colu­mella [Page 9] willeth to be digged, whē 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 [...]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 workemāly 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 no [...]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 pl [...]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 [Page 10] prospereth the hearbes growing in it, but procureth a delight and com­fort to the walkers therein. An euill ay [...] in the contrarie m [...]et, trou­bled with the vapours of standing pitt [...]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 [...]ist choke and dull the S [...]yrites of men by walkyng in the [...]. Besides▪ the windes byting, and frostes mortifying, doe both harme and destroy Plantes. Auicen wryting of the ayre, doth in skilfull maner [...]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 h [...]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 frō 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. [Page 11] 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 inuc [...]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 cōmon 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, & cōpassing 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 [Page 12] walles about of F [...]r [...]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 fen [...]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 ca [...]ting vp of banckes & counterm [...]res of earth, round aboute the Garden plotte, much lyke to the trenches in tyme of warre [Page 13] 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 coūtermure) 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▪ 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 [Page 14] same with ease and small coste, after this maner. Gather, sayth he, in a due season of the yeare, the [...]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 sti [...]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 Columella (in his husbandry) & the Neapolitane Pal­ladius Rutilius, wryting the like instruction, in a maner, will that the ground plotte, in which a Hedge shalbe erected, be compassed with two narrow furrowes, digged three foote distant one from the other, and a mans foote and a halfe deepe: but these to be made in the Equinoctial Haruest, at what time the ground shalbe well moystned with shoures. The Furrowes thus prepared, they appoynted to lie open all the win­ter thorough: after in the moneth of Februarie, the roapes with the seedes, layed into eache furrowes, to be couered not thicke ouer with light earth, for hindering the growth of the seedes, especially of the white Thorne: and that this action be rather wrought, when as the winde bloweth from the South or Southwest: the seedes thus coue­red with diligence, shall appeare within a moneth eyther more or lesse, and the tender young Thornes sprung vp to some height, must be hol­pen and stayed with Willow twigges, or other small proppes, set be­tweene the emptie spaces, vntil the Thornes, by their further growth, [Page 15] ioyned togither, may stay one the other: whiche within few yeares, wil grow to be a most strong defence of the Garden or fielde, & a sure safe­guide against outwarde iniuries. Columella▪ besides willeth, that a Willow or Osier hedge, be set on eyther side, and in the middle roome or space, betweene the two furrowes, couered and euen raked: that these might so stay the tender Thornes, springing vp in eyther furrowe, vnto the tyme they ioyned, & were growen aboue this Willow hedge, or at the least vnto such strength, that they wel stayed one of the other. Others there are, as the famouse Diophanes (among the Greeke wry­ters of Husbandry) and with him many the like, whiche will a quicke set Hedge to be erected, and made after this maner. The bigger armes or roddes of the Bramble, they willed to be cut into shorte portions or partes, and these layed aslope, into open Furrowes of a span deepe, to be diligently couered with earth: after to vse aboute the Plantes, a dayly digging or rearyng vp of the earth, and watering of them if neede so requyreth vntill the Plantes budde foorth, and the leaues of the stemmes open, whiche by this maner of comforting and cherish­ing, shall grow in fewe yeares to a strong, sure, and continuall hedge.

The Neapolitane Palladius Rutilius instructeth, the way and maner of erecting an other quicke set Hedge, on this wyse: Plante, sayeth he, young Elder trees, neare three foote asunder, then the seedes of the Brambles, lapped diligently in long lumpes of softned & moyst Cley or tough earth, lay the same orderly in a shallow furrow, betweene the Elder trees, whiche artly couered with light Earth, and watering the places if neede so requireth, will within three yeares following, growe to suche a strength and surenesse, that the same will be able i­nough, to defende the iniuries bothe of the theefe, and beast. Palladius Rutilius reporteth, that this hedge of the Brambles after three yeares growth, ought to be swinged with flaming strawe: for on suche wise handled, it prospereth afterwardes the better. In that the Bramble, as he sayth, through the euery yeres swinging or burning with straw, ioyeth and increaseth the better: yea through the yearely burning, as the skilfull Husband men affirme, they shoote out harder and rougher of prickles.

And this maner, to be briefe, is a generall way of enclosing Garden groundes, with small coste, and easily performed. Although the [Page 16] comlier inclosure or Hedge for a Garden be the same, whiche is made of the white Thorne artly layed: that in fewe yeares with diligence cut, waxeth so thicke and strong, that hardly any person can enter into the ground, sauing by the Garden dore. Yet in sundry Garden groūds be hedges framed with the Pryuet tree, although farre weaker in resi­stance: which at this day are made y ^e strōger, through the yearely cut­ting, bothe aboue, and by the sides: yea the same also caused through the like doyng to grow the euener and thicker, to the beautifiyng of the Garden grounde, and for other necessarie purposes. To conclude, I haue here vttered the making of certaine naturall inclosures for a Gar­den, whiche may with the meanest coste be erected in any ground.

The cause why certayne skilfull husbandmen in Auncient time, misli­ked the dunging of Gardens neere to the house: and what dung best allowed for kitchin or pothearbes. Chap. 9.

THere were in Auncient tyme, as Plinie reporteth, certayne witti [...] husband men, that wholly refused and forbadde the dunging of Gardens placed nighe to the dwelling houses: in that this dungyng might not onely infect the ayre thereabout, but cause also the crescente things to proue both vnsauerier and more corrupt. And in this matter the worthy writers of Husbandrie commended highly the Greeke Poete Hesiodus, which writing very cunningly of husbandry, omitted the dunging of the fieldes, & Garden plottes: contented rather to coun­cell vnto healthfulnesse, thā willed y ^e same to fertilitie. In somuch as it was supposed inough at that time, to haue fatned the fieldes and Gar­den plottes, with the leaues and emptie coddes of the Beanes, Peason, Tares, and such like, turned workemanly in with the earth, in due sea­son of the yeare, and not to haue imployed or dunged the ground, with a rotten and pestilent matter, incommodiouse to Man & the Plantes. Whiche wise men haue well founde out, in that the sowen Plantes sprung vp in such an earth, yeelde for the more parte a harmefull qua­litie to the dayly feeders on them, hardly to be amended.

Yet for that neyther the Auncient, nor later husband men seeme to follow the instruction of this precept, nor approue or allow any proper dunging, in prescribing and commending the same in generall: for that cause, I here purpose to intreate in a briefe maner, of the nature [Page 17] and vse of the same. But first of all to warne you, that a good and bat­tle grounde needeth small dunging, where a drie and thinne or leane earth, in contrarie maner requyreth plentie of dung. A earth onely drie (as Maro reporteth) well ioyeth to be often fed, and diligently laboured with fat dung: But the grounde that hath a meane substance in it, re­quireth in like maner a meane dunging to be vsed. Further conceyue, that good dung doth (for the more part) procure, a good and battle earth the better, yea this helpeth and amendeth the euill and naughtie earth: But the euil dung in a contrarie maner, doth euermore cause al earthes the worser: And this behoueth the Gardiner and husbande man [...]o knowe, that as the earth not dunged, is both colde and stiffe, euen so the groūd by the ouermuch dunging, may be burned altogither. For which cause ( Columella reporteth) that more auaylable and better it is, often to dung the earth, than ouermuch at one time, to bestow in the ground. The earth digged vp to serue for the spring, ought to be dunged in the waine or decrease of the Moone about S. Martyns day: that the same lying all the Winter through, may so be desolued, agaynst the time of committing seedes to the earth: and in the Moneth of Marche to bee dunged againe, that the earth well moystned with showres (in the mo­neth of Aprill) may be procured the apter, for the bestowing of your fi­ner and daintier seedes in the same. Herein consider the leanenesse or fatnesse of your earth, in the often dunging of it, and the worthinesse of your seedes, which may require a lyke paynes to be bestowed on the ground. The plot of earth prepared for the Winter seedes, ought to be wel turned in with dung about the end of September, and the seedes committed to the earth, after the grounde bee well moystned with showers. The dung in a Garden plot, for the planting of yong settes ought not to be cowched or layde next to the rootes of the plantes: but in such order the dung vsed, that a thinne bed of earth be first made, for the setting of the yong hearbes: next layed to this, a handsome bed of dung, as neyther to thicke nor thinne spred on that earth, aboue that let an other course of earth bee raked ouer, of a reasonable thicknesse: which workemanly handled and done, see that your plantes bee sette (in handsome maner) into the ground, and in a chosen tyme. For the earth and beddes (on such wise prepared) helpe that the plants bestowed shall not at all be burned: neyther the heate of the dung, hastily breath [Page 18] forth to them.

Of the kindes of dung, and which well commended for the dunging of Gardens. Chap. 10.

AS touching the worthinesse & excellencie of dung, the Greeke wri­ters of husbandrie (to whom many of the latin Authours consent) affyrme that the Doues dung is the best, bycause the same possesseth a mightie hotenesse, for which they willed this dung to bee strawed the thinner, and in a maner (as thinne to be scattered abroade) as seedes on the earth, wherby the same may so season the earth measurably, and not on a heape or thicke bestowed (as M. Varro reporteth) much like to the dung of cattel throwne abroad on the ground. The dung also of the hen and other foules greatly commended for the fournesse, except the dung of geese, ducks, and other waterfoules, for their much and thin dunging. And although this dung last, bee weaker than the others, yet may the same be profitable, as the selfesame Varro witnesseth out of the Gre [...]ke instructions of husbandrie. A commendation next is attributed to the Asses dung, in that the same beast for his leysurely eating, digesteth ea­sier, and causeth the bitter dung, which bestowed in the earth, for that the same is most fertill by nature, bringeth or yeeldeth forth least store of weedes, and profiteth verie much all plantes and hearbes: yea this causeth the most sweete and pleasantest herbes and rootes. The third in place is the Goates dung, bing most sowre, which ensueth the sheepes dung yet fatter. After this, both the Oxe and Cow dung: next the swi­nes dung, worthier than the Oxen or Kien, but greatly disallowed of Columella, for the mightie hotenesse, in that the same burneth the seedes immediately, bestowed in the earth. The vilest and worst of all dungs after the opinion of the Greeke writers of husbandrie, is the horses and moiles: if either of these be bestowed alone in y ^e earth, yet with the sower dungs mixed, either wil profitably be abated or qualified. But the same especially is to be lerned and obserued of euery Gardener and husband­man, that they fatten not the earth, if it be possible, with dung of one yeares, for the same, besides y ^• it is of no vtilitie, it ingendreth also many noisome wormes, and kindes of vermin. But of the contrarie minde is Columella, who willeth the earth to be fatned w ^t dung which hath lyen a [...]yere, & not aboue, in that the same, as he reporteth, bringeth forth least [Page 19] weedes, and possesseth as yet a sufficient strength for the turne. But how elder the same be, so much the lesse profitable, in that it lesser auay­leth: yet the newest dung (sayth he) will well agree for Medowes or the fields, in that the same procureth the more yeelde of grasse, being be­stowed in the Moneth of Februarie, or Marche, in colder countreys, and the Moone increasing of light. The mud also of a running water, as the ditch or riuer, may be employed in the stead of dung. The dung besides of three yeares is esteemed very good, for that in the longer time lying, whatsoeuer this shall haue of the euill qualitie, and stinking sa­uor, the same by that time vapored forth: & if any hard matter consisted in the same, the age throughly resolued it. Howsoeuer it shall happen, that the earth be, the worthiest dung of all, for floures & Kitchin herbes is the verie thinne Ashes reported to be, which in nature is hote. For this kinde of dung eyther killeth or driueth away the Garden Fleas, the wormes, the canker wormes, founde commonly on Colewortes, Snailes and all other creeping things wasting the stemmes of plants, and herbes. The dung which men make (if the same be not mixed with the rubbish or dust swept out of the house) is greatly mislyked, for that by nature it is hoter, and burneth the seedes sowne in that earth: so that this is not to bee vsed, vnlesse the ground be a barren, grauelly or verie louse sand, lacking strength in it, which being on suche wise, requyreth the more helpe of nourishment and fatning, through this kinde of dung: yet for lacke of the foresayde dungs, the others may bee put in vse: so that these with the Spade be often chaunged and dispersed in the ground. Here you may not forget, that a watrie Garden plot requyreth the more plentie of dung, but a drie earth needeth the lesser dunging: the one for the dayly moysture running in it, being ouercolde and stiffe, is through the often applying of the hote dung, resolued and made temperate: And the other drie of it selfe through the heate consisting in it, by much applying of this hote dung, is of the same burned: for that cause the moysture grounde ought to haue store of dung, but the dryer small dunging. That if no kind of dung can be purchased, t [...]en in grauelly groundes, it shall be best to dung the same with Chalke: [...]ut in Chalkie places, & ouer thicke, those dung with grauelly earth: for on such wise Garden plottes, shal not only be caused to be battle and fruit­full, but shall also become fayre and delectable, as Columella the moste [Page 20] diligent and skilfull instructer (of the Romaine Gardens) witnesseth: let this last instruction of Plinie be remembred, that at what time soeuer you minde to dung a Garden for yeelding of fewe weedes, see that the winde blowe then from the west quarter, and the Moone decreasing of light, and the earth also drie: But for the dunging of a Medow (as before vttered) let the same be done in the increase of the Moone. &c. For by such an obseruation followed, the plentifulnesse of yeeld is maruel­lous much increased: as after the worthie Greekes, the Latin wryters of husbandrie, haue noted.

What to be considered of euerie gardiner, before the casting forth and leue [...]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 cōdition 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 [Page 21] 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 gardē 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, rūning 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 [Page 23] 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 fre [...]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. [Page 24] Here may any truly learne by the instruction o [...] 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 nūber 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 thē. Thus briefly haue I touched [Page 25] 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, choi [...]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 b [...] ­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 [Page 26] 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 [Page 27] 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 cōmit them to the earth, ought afore to regard, that the wind at that instant bloweth not frō the north but rather frō 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. [Page 28] 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, Ba [...]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 [...]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 [Page 29] for the Kitchin, prosper farre better by their remouing, and thinner set­ting, through which (by report of the skilfull) they yeelde a pleasanter sauour▪ 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 [...]he knowing at that time to be vnder the earth in the day time▪ 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. [...]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, [Page 30] 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 Patiēce, 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, [Page 31] 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 Housele [...]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 experiēce 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 [Page 32] 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 [...]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 cōmit­ted the earth to bee afore sprinckled & moisted with the water of [Page 33] 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 [...]with water & Bryne mixed and sprinckled on them.

There are c [...]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 b [...]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 [...], in the sowing of them, for as much as the [...]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 [Page 34] 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 notwithstāding 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 instructiō 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, [Page 35] 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 Seedes that at will of the Gardener may be committed to the [Page 36] Earth, either in Haruest or Spring time, chiefly for the Kitchin or pot, vnder a gentle ayre, and in a Battle ground, are these, the Coleworts, N [...]uew, A [...]ti [...]hocke, Endiue, Lettuce, Dyll, Rocket, Coliander, Par­selie, Fennoll, Radishe, Parsnip, Carret, and sundry others. Yet these by report of the skilfull, come better forward, being sowē in the moneth of July, the country there hotte, but in the countrie temperate, the seedes ought rather, in y ^e month of August: and in the Countrie beeing colde, in the month of September. Those seede committed to the earthe in warme and caulme dayes, prosper far better than those being sowen in hotte and nipping colde dayes: for that the warme, comfortablie drawe vppe the plantes, where as the hotte dayes (in a contrarie man­ner) do drie, and the bitter colde shut the earth.

The seedes which the Gardener mindeth to bestowe in the earthe, ought not to be aboue a yeare olde, and that brused haue a white meale wythin, & ful: for otherwise being ouer old, or withered, they wil neither grow, nor profit at all. The fresher and newer that the seedes be, at time of the bestowing in the Earthe, as the Leeke, the Coucumber, and the Gourde, so muche the sooner these breake, and appeare aboue the Earthe: contrariwise, howe muche the older the seedes shall be, as the Parsely, Betes, Organy, Cresses, Peneroyall, and Coliander, so much the speedier do these shoote vp, and appeare aboue the Earth, so that the seedes before the sowing be not corrupt.

Certayne preceptes of the skilful in our time, for the sowing of many delectable floures, and tender Herbes, with the obseruations of the Moone in these, and in other matters necessary. Chap. 19.

THe latter writers of husbandrie reporte, that these tender Hearbes, and pleasaunte floures, as the Maioram, Sauerie, Herbe Fluell [...]ne, Buglosse, the blessed Thistil, the Herbe Angelica, Ua­leriane, Bauline, Ar [...]s, Dil, Fennel, Organy, Myntes, Rue or herbe Grace, Sp [...]rag [...], [...]ache, Spynache, Beetes, Endyue, Borage, Rocket, Taragone, Parselie, Sorrell, Endiue, Strawberrye, Lettuce, Artichocke, and sundrye others, the Marrigolde of all kyndes, Rosecampion the redde and white, the flower Amoure, y ^e [Page 37] Floure Petilius, the Columbine white and blew, sweete Johns, the Pincke, Heartes ease, the Pionie, red Lillie, herbe Sticas or Lauander gentle, Batchlers button, the Gillifloure of al kindes, the Carnation, and many others, ought rather to be cōmitted to the earth in the spring time and sowne in the Monethes of March and April, for so they spee­dier come forwarde, than bestowed in the Moneth of Februarie, herein considering the state and diuersitie of the time. The seedes also of the tender hearbes, committed to the earth in an apt time, and the Moone in hir first quarter, doe the speedier shoote vp, being especially sowne af­ter showers of raine, on sunny and warme places, as lying open all the day to the Sunne) which on such wise do the soonest and spediest break, yea and appeare aboue the earth. For which cause, a diligent care must be had in the bestowing of tender Seedes, that the winde then bloweth not from the North, nor done in colde and close dayes: for these both include the seedes in the earth, and hinder their growing and shooting vp.

Seedes bestowed in hote places, do sooner yeeld their stemmes and leaues, yea these speediest giue their seedes. Such time vse in the sowing of your seedes, as may be both milde and warme, in that warme dayes following speed more forwarde the seedes bestowed.

As touching the most seedes committed to the earth, they ought ra­ther (as afore vttered) to be newe, not riueled but full, bigge, weightie, fayre of color, fattie or hauing a iuice, which broken giue a white meale and no drie powder, for the seedes that after the breaking yeeld a drie powder, do well declare them to be corrupt, and seruing to no purpose.

The seedes thus tried afore, and bestowed at that time in the earth, when flowers fell a day or two before, and a temperate day at the sow­ing of the seedes, doe verie well prosper the growing, and procure these to shoote vp farre speedier. In that a colde ayre at the sowing, and a day or two after, is knowne to bee harmefull to seedes, through the inclu­ding of them in the earth, and hindring in theyr growth and shoo­ting vp.

If necessitie forceth the Gardener to bestowe any seedes or plantes, in a salt earth▪ let these be eyther set or sowne about the ende of Haruest, whereby the malice and euill qualitie of the ground may be so purged, through the shoures falling al the Winter.

[Page 38]If the owner or Gardener mindeth to bestowe yong Trees in th [...]s grounde, lette sweete Earth or Riuer sande, bee turned in with the same.

The Greeke writers of husbandrie (after whom Columella and Ru­tilius) will, that al the kindes of pulses, as Peasone, the Hastings, Uet­ches, Tares, and such like, to be sowen in a drie Earth, sauing the Bea­nes, which rather ioy to be bestowed, in a moyst ground.

What seeds the Gardener mindeth to commit, in a wel dressed earth let these be bestowed from the first day vntill the ful light of the Moone (wel nigh) for that seedes sowen in the Moone, come vp thinne, and the plantes insew weake of groweth. Such trees as the husbandman, min­deth to builde wyth all, let those rather be cut downe after the consent of the skilfull in the laste quarter of the moone, shee being (at that tyme) of small light, yea neare to hyr chaunge, and vnder the Earth.

In the cutting downe and gathering of corne (as Macrobius wylleth) for the longer preseruing of it and the straw drie (so that the same be done in a drie season) doth better agree, being in the wayne of the Moone.

Such crescent things as the Gardener (or Husbandman) mindeth o­therwise to sel, ought to be cut, and gathered in the full Moone, wherby the greatnesse thereof suche things may yeelde a better sale, and bee de­lectabler to the eye.

Such things as the Husbandman myndeth to preserue a long time moyst, as Aples, Peares, Wardens, & such like, let these (after the minde of the skilfull) bee rather gathered neare the full light of the Moone.

For the cōmitting of seedes to the Earth, although the antient Hus­bandmen prescribe proper monthes and dayes, yet may euerye person herein kepe the precepte, according to the nature of the place and ayre, so that these diligently bee considered, howe certayne seedes there are, whiche speedier spring vp, and certaine which slower appeare aboue the Earth.

The commended times to be obserued, with the anoyannce and incommoditie to be eschewed, in the bestowing of seed [...]s and plants in the Earth. Chap. 20.

The singular D. Niger learnedly vttereth, that the more of estima­tion the seedes and plantes are, with the trauailes there aboute be­stowed, so much the circumspecter ought euery Gardener and husbād­man to be, and the more instructions and helpes the Gardener may at­tayne, or the greater daunger he may therein auoyde, the more carefull ought he and all others to be.

The dayly experience is to the Gardener, as a Scholemaister, to in­struct him, how much it auayleth and hindereth, that seedes to be sowē, 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 influēce both quicken, cōfort 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.

Whē 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.⚹

But when these are 126. degrees asunder, which properly is named a Trigon, or trine aspect thus noted △ for y ^e more part, then is that time better cōmended for laboring the Earth, whether it be for tilling Gar­dening, sowing, planting and setting, or cutting of vynes.

[Page 40]When the Moone and Saturne, are well a quarter of the Zodia [...]e distant, which is .90. degrees (named of the skilfull a quadrate aspect) thus comonly marked, □ then is denied vtterly to deale in such mat­ters.

The Moone being sixe signes distant frō Saturne, so that she occu­py [...]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.

[Page 41]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.

[Page 42]In a contrarit maner, the Garden ground of the dryest, or the [...]eedes very dry, then in committing such seeds to the Earth, let the Moone beē 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 vt­t [...]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 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, [Page 43] 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.

[Page 44]The Spinage, Rocket, Basi [...], 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 Coucūber & 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.

[Page 45]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) thā bestowed in drie ground. For whiche cause, election vsed in the sowing of good & ful seedes ( [...]n either [...]round) [Page 46] 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 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 [Page 47] 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,

[Page 48]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 cō ­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▪ 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 Sōmer time, about the Cof [...]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 [Page 49] 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 pe [...]i [...]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 b [...]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 cōming 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 [Page 50] 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.

[Page 51]

[Page 52]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.

[Page 53]

[Page 54]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 s [...]ipping of sundry settes from old bodies, which with skil require to be bestowed in the Earth. Chap. 25.

The Husbandman or Gardener, whiche woulde haue plantes growe vnto a greater bignesse than customable, ought to remoue [Page 55] 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.

[Page 56]agayne, a good distaunce asunder, are the Cucumber, Gourde, Melone, Artichocke, Nigella Romana, and sundry other [...]: 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 pu [...], 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 [...]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 [...]o i [...] ­treate of many laudable and weighty matters besydes.

[Page 57]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 a [...] 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, whē 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 [Page 58] 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 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 s [...]opped.

But the Seedes of the Onyons, Chybolles, and Leekes, as also of the Poppie, are to be preserued in theyr Hu [...]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.

[Page 59]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 d [...]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 s [...]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.

[Page 60]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 worth [...]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 field [...]s) in which these once shal be lodged or abiding, can [Page 61] 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 this w [...]deth them cleane away. The Plants or Herbes will not after be gnawen or harmed by Garden fleas, if with the naturall remedie, as with the Herbe Rocket, the Gardener shall bestowe his beddes in many places.

The [...]wortes and all pot Herbes are greatly defended from the gnawing of the Garden fleas, by the Radishe growing among them. And the worthy Anatolius in hi [...] Greeke instructions of Husbādrie af­firmeth the like, so that some bitter fitches bee also bestowed with the Radish in beddes. And this Seede committed in beddes with the Ra­dish and Rape, doth greatly auayle, as the auntient witnesse of expe­rience. The eag [...]e or sharp vinegre doth also preuayle, tempered wyth the Juice of H [...]ban [...], and sprinckled on those Garden fleas. To these, the water in whiche the Herbe Nigella Romana shall bee stieped for a night, and sprinckled on the plantes, as the Greeke Pamphilus repor­teth, doth like preuaile against the Garden fleas.

If from other creeping things the Gardener would defend y ^e Seedes committed to the E [...]th from being gnawen or harmed, let him stiepe those Seedes for a night (as I afore vttered) before the sowing in the Juice of the Seng [...]ene or Houselecke, which Seedes also the Gardener shall preserue vngnawen, if hee bestowe of them in the shell of that Snayle, which I suppose to bee the same, named the Tortuise, as the [Page 62] former Authour Anatolius writeth, in whiche place I may not omi [...]te the same practise of the skilfull Paladius Rutilius, who reporteth, that the noysome vermine or creeping thyngs will not breede of the Pot-Hearbes, if the Gardener shall before the committing to the Earthe, drye all the Seedes in the skynne of the Tortuese, or sowe the Herbe Minte in many places of the Garden, especially among Colewortes. The bitter Fitche and Rocket (as I afore vttered) bestowed among the Pot Hearbes, so that the Seedes be sowen in the first quarter of the Moone, doe greately auaile: As vnto the Canker and Palmer wormes belongeth, which in many places worke great iniurie both to Gardens and Uines, may the owner or Gardener driue away with the Figge tree ashes sprinckled on them and the Herbes.

There be [...]some whiche sprinckle the plantes and Hearbes with the [...]e made of the F [...]gge. Tree ashes, but to destroy these Wormes, to strowe (as experience reporteth) the ashes alone on them.

There be others which rather will to plant or sowe that bigge O­nyon, named in Latine, Scilla or Squilla heere and there in beddes, or hang them in sundry places of the Garden.

Others also will, to fixe riuer Creuisses with nayles in many pla­ces of the Garden, which if they shall y [...] withstand or contend wyth all these remedies, then may the gardener apply or exercise this deuice, in taking the Oxe or Cowe Urine, and the mother of Oyle Oliue, which after the wel mixing togither, and heating ouer the fire, the same be stirred about vntill it be hote, and when through colde this mixture shall be sprinckle [...] on the Pot Hearbes and Trees, dothe maruellously preuayle, as the skilfull Anatolius of experience deporteth.

The singular Plinie in his practises vttereth, that those harmefull Wormes, touched with bloudy r [...]ddes, are likewise driuen away.

The worthy Paladius Rutilius reporteth, that if the owne [...] o [...] Gar­dener burne greate bundels of the Garlike blades without heads dryed through all the Alleys of the Garden, & vnto these the dung of Backes added, that the sauoure of the [...]ke (by the help of the w [...]de) may bee driuen to many places, especially to those where they most abound and swarme, and the Gardener shall see so speedie a destruction, as is to bee wondered at.

That worthy Plinie of great knowledge reporteth, that these maye [Page 63] be driuen from the Pot Hearbes, if the bitter Fitche Seedes be mixed and sowen togyther with them, or to the branches of Trees. Creu [...]sses hanged vp by the hornes in many places, doth like preuayle. These also are letted from encreasing, yea they in heapes presently gathered, are destroyed, as the Greekes report of obseruation. If the Gardener by ta­king certaine Palmer or Canker Wormes out of the Garden nexte ioyning, shall seeth them in water with Dill, and the same beyng tho­rough colde, shall sprinckle on the Hearbes or trees, that the mixture may wet and soke through the Neastes, euen vnto the yong ones, clea­uing togither, that they may tast thereof will speedily dispatche them. But in this doing, the Gardener must be very warie, and haue an at­tentiue eye, that none of the mixture fall on his face nor hands. Besides these, the owner or Gardener may vse this remedie certaine, and easily prepared, if aboute the bigge armes of Trees, or stemmes of the Hearbes, he kindle and burne the stronger Lime and Brimstone togy­ther. Or if the owner make a smoke with the Musheromes growing vnder the Nutte tree, or burne the houses of Gotes, or the gumme Gal­banum, or else make a smoke with the Hartes horne, the winde aiding, by blowing towardes them.

There bee also some, which infuse the Uine ashes in water for three dayes, with whiche they after sprinckle abundantly, both the Herbes and Trees. Manye beddes make soft the Seedes, sti [...]ped before theyr committing to the Earth, in the Lye made of the fygge ashes.

The Husbandmen and Gardeners in our time, haue found out this easie practise, being now common euery where, which is on his wi [...]e, that when these, after shoures of Rayne are cropen into the warme Sunne, or into places standing againste the Sunne, may earely in the morning shake eyther the fruites and leaues of the Pot Hearbes, or the [...]ughes of the trees, for these as yet [...] through the colde of the night, are procured of the same the [...]ghtlyer and soone [...] to fall, nor able after to recouer vp againe, so that the Palmer Wormes thus lying on the ground, are then in a readinesse to the killing of the Gardener.

If the owner minde to destroy anye other creeping thyngs noy­ous to Hearbes and Trees (whyche Palladius and Ruellius name, both Herbe and Leeke wasters, then lette hym harken to this inuention & deuise of y ^e Greeke Dyophanes, who willeth to purchase y ^e Mawe of a [Page 64] Wether Sheepe newe killed, and the same as yet full of his excremen­tall filth, which lightly couer with earthe in the same place, where these most haunt in the Garden: for after two dayes, shal the Gardener finde there, that y ^e Mothes with long bodyes, and other creeping things wil bee gathered in di [...]ers companies to the place right ouer it, whiche the owner shall eyther remoue and carrie further, or digge and burie verye deepe in the same place, that they may not after arise or come forthe, whiche when the Gardener shall haue exercised the same but twice or thrice, hee shall vtterly extinguishes, and quite destroy all the kindes of creeping things that annoy and spoyle the Garden plantes. The Hus­bandmē in Flanders, arme the stockes, and compasse the bigger armes of their trees with wispes of Strawe handsomly made and fastned or bound about by whiche the Palmer wormes are constreyned to creepe vp to the toppes of the trees, & there stayed, so that as it were by snares and engines layde, these in the ende are eyther driuen away, or thus in their way begunne, are speedily or soone after procured to turne backe againe. As vnto the remedies of the Snayles particularly belongeth, these may the Gardener likewise chase from the Kitchin Herbes, if h [...]e eyther sprinckle the newe mother of the Oyle, Oliue, or Soote of the Chimney on the Herbes, as if he bestowed the bitter fitche in beddes a­mong them, whiche also auaileth againste other noysome wormes and creeping things, as I afore vttered. That if the Gardener woulde pos­sesse a greene and delectable Garden, let him then sprinckle diligentlye all the quarters, beddes, and bordures of the Garden, with the mixture of water, and powder of Fenny Greke tempered togither, or set vpright in the middle of the Garden, the whole bare head without fleshe of the vnchast Asse, as I afore wrote.

That worthy man Iulius Fronto reporteth, that all Kitchin Herbes may greately be holpen, if among them the herbe Rocket shall eyther be sowen or planted. But an intollerable iniurie shall bee wrought to the Husbandly Gardener, if the G [...]se dung dissolued in brine, be sprinckled on the Kitchin Herbes, as these worthy writers, Democritus, Fronto, and Damageron in their chosen precepts of the Greeke Husbandry, haue left noted to our age.

The skilfull inuentions and helpes againste the Garden Moles, antes, Gnattes, Flies, and Frogges, euerting, harming and wasting as well Kitchin Hearbes, as Trees and fruites. Chap. 28.

FOr asmuch as the Moles in manye places of Garden groundes, through their casting vp and hollowing of the same, the Seedes a­fore bestowed in beddes they on such wise vncouer, and the plantes in like manner turne vp, and vnbare of earth, to the great griefe and paine of the carefull Gardeners, in dayly renuing and repairing of their for­mer laboures, for that cause hathe hee iust occasion to trauell and busie himselfe, in searching out, and deuising by all skilfull meanes, in what maner he may surest and best preuayle againste this harmefull blynde best. And that I maye doe a most gratefull matter to all Gardeners in the same, I will heere vtter all▪ such singular practises, that eyther the worthy Greekes or Latines haue vttered and noted to be auaylable a­gainst them.

First the skilfull Paxanus hathe lefte in writing, that if the Gardener shall make hollow a bigge Nutte, or bore a hollow hole into some soūd piece of wodde beeing narrow, in filling the one or the other with Ro­sine, Pitch, Chaffe, and Brimston, of eache so muche as shall suffise to the filling of the Nutte, or hollow hole in the wodde, whiche thus pre­pared in a readynesse, stoppe euery where with diligence, all the goings forth, and breathing holes of the Mole, that by those the fume or smoke in no manner may issue out, yet so handle the matter, that one mouth and hole be onely left open, and the same so large, that well the Nutte or vessell kindled within, may be layd within the mouth of it, whereby it may take the winde of the one side, which may so sende in the sauoure both of the Rosin and Brimston into the hollowe tombe, or restyng place of the Mole: by the same practise so workemanly handled, in fil­ling the holes with the smoke, shall the owner or Gardener eyther driue quite away all y ^e Moles in that groūd, or find them in short time dead.

There be some which take the white Nesewort, or the rinde of Cy­nocrambes beaten and sarced, and with the Barlie Meale and Egges finely tempered togither, they make both Cakes and Pasties wroughte with Wine and Milke, and those they lay within the Moles denne or hole, Albertus of worthy memorie reporteth, that if the owner [Page 57] or Gardener closeth or diligently stoppeth the mouthes of the Mole holes with the Garlike, Onyon, or Leeke, shall eyther driue the Moles away, or kill them, through the strong sauour, striking or breathing in­to them. Many there be, which to driue away these harmefull Moles, do bring vp yong Cattes in their Garden groūd, and make tame Wea­fris, to the ende that eyther of these, through the hunting after them, may so driue away this pestiferous annoyance, being taught to watch at their straight passages and mouthes of the holes comming forthe. Others there be also, which diligently fill & stop vp their holes with the red Okare or Ruddell, and iuice of the wilde Cucumber, or sowe the Seedes of Palma Christi, being a kinde of Satyrion in beddes, thorough which they will not after cast vp, nor tarrie thereabout. But some ex­ercise this easie practise, in taking a liue Mole, and burning y ^e powder of Brimston about him, being in a deepe Earthen potte, through whyche he is procured to crie, all others in the meane time as they reporte, are moued to resort thither. There are some besides, whiche lay silke snares at the mouth of their holes. To the simple Husbandmen may thys ea­sie practise of no cost suffise, in setting downe into the Earthe a stiffe rodde or greene braunch of the Elder tree. The worthy Plinie whyche hath left to memorie skilful practises. reporteth, that the mother of the Oyle Oliue alone, sprinckled on the heape of Pismires or Antes, killeth them. This Authoure also writeth, that the Pismires are wicked an­noyers to trees, which the Gardener or Husbandman sayeth hee, maye force to forsake and leaue, if he bestrike the neather partes of the Trees round aboute with the powder of the Ruddell, and Liquide pitche or Tarre, mixed togither, and hang also by the place the fyshe named of the worthy Rutilius after the Greeke Writers Husbandrie Coracinum, and of Ruellius Graculum, for on suche wise handled, they will resorte and gather all into one place, whereby the Husbandly Gardener maye the speedelyer destroy them. Others there be, which with the powder of the Lupynes and Oyle Oliue tempered togyther, doe bestrike the lo­wer partes of Trees and plantes, for the letting of them in creeping vp. Many kill them as I afore vttered, with the only mother of the Oyle Oliue. The skilfull Neapolitane Rutilius reporteth, that if the greate company of Pismires or Antes haue deepe holes in the Garden groūd, those may the owner chase away, or kill in the ground, by stopping the [Page 58] mouthes of the holes, with the heart of y ^e Owle. If they creepe abrode, then sift all the Alleys where these runne with bright Ashes or else score the grounde thicke togither with the redde Okare or white Chalke, or make long strikes with Oyle on the Earthe. Further hee writeth, that the Husbādly Gardener may driue away Pismires, if on the mouthes of their holes hee sprinckle the powder of Organy and Brimston bea­ten togither, or burne the emptie shelles of Snayles, and with the a­shes of the same, stoppe abundantly the mouthes of their dennes and holes. In which deuise, this Rutilius omitted the Storax that of Pax­anius the Greeke, out of whome hee borrowed this conclusion added. The words of Paxanius be on this wise: If the owner sayeth he, shall burne certaine Antes or Emots in the middle of the Garden, the othe [...]s of the sauour will creepe away. To these, if about the mouthes of the Emots holes the carefull Gardener shall smeare the grosser Turpen­tine, the Emots or Antes will not after come forthe, and these he may expell or driue away from their proper resting place, or dwelling togi­ther, if the shellie couerings of Snayles, burned with Storax Calamita, and beaten to powder, or the ashes sifted, hee shall after sprinckle on the heape of the Pismires. And the owner shall throughly destroy the Antes, if he sprinckle on them the iuce of Cyrenaicum dissolued and wel mixed in Oyle. This Authoure further reporteth, that the Emotes will not creepe on the plantes nor trees, if the Husbandly Gardener shall diligently sprinckle the bodyes and stemmes of them, wyth the powder of the bitter Lupines and mother of Oyle, well mixed or boy­led togither. The selfe same matter shall the Gardener performe, if hee compas their holes with white and cleere Wolle or Bombaste, or that he marke on the groūd long strikes, or forme round circles, with white Chalke, or red Okare, all those wayes especially that these most often haunt, or compas their holes with Organy as I afore vttered: for by y ^e like doing as he affirmeth, the Emots after will not only leaue y ^e cree­ping vp on y ^e plants, but refuse also to ascend ouer y ^e rings made wyth white Chalke about y ^e bodies of Trees. There be others which report, that the Emotes will not creepe to that hony pot set on the ground, a­bout which the like circles with Chalke or red Okare shall be fourmed, yea though the same were left vncouered, yet is it knowen to many, y ^t the Antes are maruellous desirous of Hony, and other sweete thyngs.

[Page 68]The skilfull Neapolitane Rutilius willeth, that the diligent Hus­bandman annoint or best rike the stemmes of plants, and the bodyes of Trees, with the redde Okare, Butter, and liquid Pitche mixed well togither. There bee certaine of the Greeke Writers of Husbandrie, which will the thicke Yuie Garlandes to bee bound about the bodyes of Trees and Uines, that by the same skilfull deuise, the Antes lodging vnder the shadowe of these, as then pledges they slay and kill.

There be many whiche reporte, that the like may be wroughte and done with the Bulles gaule, mother of Oyle, and Liquide Pitche, smeared about the bodyes of Trees. The singular Plinie reporteth, that the Sea mudde or Ashes, stopped diligētlye into their holes, is a most sure remedy against the Emotes, so that the places be not moist or wa­terie. But with the surest practise and remedie of all, are the Pisemires killed with the Herbe Heliotropium. Some suppose, that the water in which the crude Tile shall bee infused for a time, to be enimie to them. The Gardiner may driue away Gnattes, if he sprinckle on the beds & plantes, the decoction of Organie in vineger, as that skilful Democri­tus in his Husbandrie hath noted. To these the owner may sprinkle on the Plants, the infusion of Rue in water, or vse the decoction of the herbe Fleabane, or else make a smoke either with Brimstone, or Cum­myne, or the drye Oxe dung, or the gumme Bdellium. The learned Plinie vttereth, that the Gardner may driue these away with the smoke of Galbanum burned, and that worthie Neapolitane Rutilius, of ex­perience affirmeth, that if the owner eyther sprinckle the newe mother of oyle, or soote of the chimney on the plantes, it likewise driueth thē a­way. That skilfull Greke Berytius hath left in writing, how that the Gardener maye dryue the Flyes farre off with this fearefull deuice▪ if mixing the pouders of the Hellebor or Neeswort, and Orpiment with milke, the same be sprinkled on the plantes and place where the Flyes most haūt, it either hastily driueth them away, or kils them soone after. The selfe same will the common Alume, beaten with Organye, and tempered with Mylke preuayle agaynst the Flies: For what plantes and herbes shall be sprinkled with this mixture will not after be resorted vnto nor touched of Flies. The Bayberries wyth the blacke Neese­worte beaten together, and infusing it in milke or water and Honey myxed, doth like profyte: for this mixture sprinkled on the Plants, and [Page 69] places where the flyes moste haunt, doth after as it were by a poyson, hastily kill the flyes, or otherwise force them to flye speedilye away ne­uer to returne.

As touching remedies against the Frogges, whiche in the sommer nights are wonte to be disquieters to the weried husbandmen (through their dayly laboure, by chyrping and loude noyse making, let the Hus­bandman exercise this helpe and secrete, borrowed of the skilful Greeke Africanus, which is on this wise: Set on some bancke (saith he) a Lan­terne lighted, or other bright light before them, or on some tree (fast by) so hang a light, that by the brightnesse of the same light▪ it may so shine vpon them, as if it were the Sunne, which handled on thys wyse, will after cause thē to leaue their chirping and loude noyse making: A prac­tise tryed by many of later yeares.

The skilful Greeke Beritius reporteth, that if the Husbandman bu­rie in some Banckee fast by, the gaule of a Goate, the Frogs wyll not afterward gather to that place.

The rare practises and secrets, both of the auntient, and later writers of Husbandrie, against Serpents of the Garden, and any others veneming aswel men as the Kitchin Hearbes, trees, and fruites. Chap. 29.

FLorentius (a singular and diligent interpreter of the matters of the fielde) wrote, that serpentes in the Garden grounde or elsewhere, wil not lodge or abide, if the owner sow or plant in bordures about, or in apt corners of the Garden, eyther the wormwoode, Mugworte, or Southernwood, which if these shall some where happen to haunte, then may the Gardener (as he writeth) driue them incontinent furth of the ground, if he make a smoake either with the Lyllie rootes, Harts horne, or Goates houes.

The skilful Rutilius vttereth, that all Serpents bee forced out of y ^e ground, by euery sowre sauour, and stinking smoake, flying abroade w ^t the winde.

The learned Democritus affirmeth, that the serpentes assuredlye do dye, if the Gardener straw or throw Oken leaues on thē, or if any spit­teth fasting into their mouth gaping or wide open.

The well practised Apuleius writeth, that these stricken but once [Page 70] with a tough reede or willowe rodde, are mightily astonied, but giuing them many strokes, do recouer & wax strong again. Tarentinus (a skil­ful writer of y ^e Greke Husbandrie) denyeth, y ^t any can be harmed of a serpent, if the person afore be annoynted with the iuyce of the Radish, or that hee hath eaten of the Radish, which matter ( Athenaeus and Ga­len, with many other worthy Authours) ascribe to the Orenge or Le­mon, and they confirme the same, with a pleasant Historie.

The former Florentinus vttereth, an other singular practise against serpents of the Garden, to be wrought after thys maner: Lay (saith he) the fatte of the Harte in the Garden Earth, or else burie the Centorie roote, or the Geate stone, or else the Eagle, or Kytes dung, and the ser­pentes wil refuse the grounde (or at least) not come neare the place, and euery venemous worme wilbe driuen away, if the Gardener by taking ( Nigella, Pelitorie, Galbanum, of the Hartes horne, Hysope, Brimstone, Peucedanum, and the Goates houfes, shall diligently bring these to ponder, and infuing the whole for a time in the strongest vine­ger, shall after make little balles of the myxture, with which through dried cause a sauoure and a smoke. For through the sauour of these matters sparsed in the Ayre, all creeping vermine wil eyther hastely (for the great feare) forsake the ground, or dye there incontinent. The same Authoure Florentinus, reporteth, that the serpents may like be gathered on an heape, into an olde deepe poudering Tubbe, as fish into a wele or bownette, if the same bee deepe set about that place of the Garden or field, where these most lurke and haunte: for after the speedie resorting of these to the brincke of it, they fall willingly in, not able after to reco­uer themselues out, Plinie writing of the withye named Siler, repor­teth this, that the serpents refuse, both the tree and fruite, for whiche cause, the husband men made them staues of the woode to carrie about with them. But this by a most certaine experience or trial, proued and confirmed, that by making a smoke with old shoes burned, the serpents incontinent speed away, nor these only flye out of the Garden ground, fielde, or house, but suche as are enterd into men, by dead sleape in the sommer, in sleeping open mouthed, or with open mouth, in the fielde, do like come forth with the sayd smoke. Which matter ( Marcus Gatinaria a famouse Phisitiō) confirmeth, who reporteth that the like hapned to a certayne man in his time, to whom after infinite medicynes and most [Page 71] effectuous remedies were ministered, and none of them preuailed, at the last this imployed, fel out most luckylie and wonderful of all the others, in burning the leather of olde shoes, and receiuing bothe smoke and sa­uor by a Tunnel into y ^e body. For assoone as this hidious beast (which was a mighty Adder) felt the sauour of this smoke, he was seene (to the standers about) to come forth by the fundament, to y ^e mighty astonish­ment & wonder of al the beholders. And this worthy secrete, easie to bee prepared, I thought here good to place, that the same, a like case happe­ning, might be profitable, to euerie person. But in this place is not to be omitted, y ^t serpents greatly hate the fyre, not for the same cause, that this dulleth their sight, but bycause the natrue of fire is to resist poison. These also hate the strong sauoure far flying, which the Garlik & redde Onyons procure. They loue the Sauine tree, the Juie, and Fennel, as Todes do the Sauge, and Snakes the Herbe Rocket. But they are mightily displeased, and sorest hate the Ashe tree, insomuche that the serpents, neither to the morning nor longest euening shadows of it, wil draw neere, but rather shun the same, & flye far off. As a like matter Ply­nie reporteth, was on a time proued, by inclosing a serpent, within the large cyrcle made of greene Ashetree leaues, in the middle of which a quicke fire made, to the terroure of the serpent, for that ende to proue, whether she had rather runne ouer the Cyrcle, than drawe neare to the fire, which neuerthelesse (the fire kindling more dna more) at the laste, rather crepte to the fire, where hee peryshed, tnha by any meanes woulde drawe neare to the Cyrcle of the Ashetree leaues. Yet here learne, the maruelous benignitie of nature, which permitteth not the serpents to come forth of the Earth, before the Ashe tree buddeth forth, nor to hide them agayne, before the leaues fal off. The singular Poete Virgil sayth, that the smoke made of Rosen or Galbanum, doeth hastilye chaste and driue the serpents away.

These hytherto vttered, for the driuing awaye and killing of ser­pentes. But here was almost forgotten, that y ^e leaues of Ferne, do chase away the serpent: for which cause, many skilful thinke it profitable, ey­ther to sowe, or strawe the Ferne, in suche places where the serpentes haunte. The Neapolitane Rutilius addeth, that if the leaues of the same bee burned, they (wyth the sauoure onely) wyll flee or creepe hastylye awaye, yea and force them to chaunge theyr lodgings, [Page 72] farre from the Garden grounde or fielde.

Here a doubt may be made, whether the same be to purpose here to recite, that the worthy Albertus reporteth of the rounde Aristolochia wyth the field Frog, and a certaine proportion of writing Incke dili­gently laboured, and mixed with these, to make the Serpentes imme­diately to quayle as deade, if any of the myxture bee written wythall, and throwen before them.

But I thinke it highe time to come vnto the remedies, whiche are both readie and easy to be prepared.

If that any shal be bitten of a serpent, vnlesse hee haue a Feuer, and dryncketh a certaine quantitie of the iuyce of the Ashe leaues, with plea­saunt white wine, and applyeth also of the freshe leaues on the place bitten, shall in short time see a worthy secret, greatly to be maruelled at, and by happy successe, proued of many.

Here briefly to conclude, if the Gardener bestoweth the fresh elder floures where the Serpents dayly haunte, they will hastily departe the place, yea these by reporte (artely bestowed in the Garden ground) do in short time destroy the Mothes, the Cākerwormes, and Palmers brea­ding in trees.

The other helpes and remedies necessarie to be vttered in this Cha­piter, shall in apte places be declared in the seconde part, where we pur­pose to intreate particularly of most Hearbes growing in the Garden.

The laudable deuises and cunning helpes against the Scorpions, Todes, Gardenmyse, Weasels, and al other greater beasts wasting and corrupting, aswel the kitchin Hearbes, as fruites. Chap. 30.

PLinie reporteth, that if slippes of the greene Heliotropium, bee sette rounde about the place where the Scorpions frequente, that they wil not after creepe thence. But if the owner either lay on or strew vp­on the Scorpions, the whole Herbe, they incontinent (as he affirmeth) die.

That skilfull writer Diophanes (in his Greeke commentaries of Husbandrie) vttereth, and the like many other, that the freshe Radish, eyther layed or strewed on the Scorpions, killeth them incontinent.

[Page 73]To these, if any annoynteth the hands circumspectly with the iuyce of the Radish, he may after handle Scorpions or any other venemouse thing, without daunger.

This Authour further addeth, that a smoke made with Saudaracha and better, or the fatte of a Goate, wil driue away both them, and other venemouse things, and by burning one Scorpion, al the others flye forth of the ground.

If any boyleth the Scorpion that stung hym, or any other in Oyle, and annoynteth the sore place wyth the same, it shal greatly auayle.

The lyke commeth to passe, if he may kyll and bruse the same on the stinging, but perillous wil the same stinging be, if he refrain not the ea­ting of Basill all that day of the stinging. Florentius reporteth, that the iuyce of the figge tree leaues, dropped on the stinging, mightily a­uayleth.

The learned Plinie affirmeth, that the Ashes of the Scorpion drunke in wyne (if the fitte of the Feuer bee not vppon the person) to bee a singular remedie, as the pouder of wormes burned, to per­sons hauing wormes, or to beastes the like ministred, and anye byt­ten of a mad dogge, if the heares of the same be burned and druncke, do greatly auayle.

The Todes, (as the Greeke and Latine professours of husbandrie write,) may be driuen furth of the Garden ground, with those remedi­es, that the serpents: for which cause, the remedies and healpes against them to repeate I thinke here superfluous.

The wise (as the learned Apuleius writeth) wil in no maner harme or wast those seed [...]s committed to the Earth, which before the sowing are steeped a tyme in the Gaule of an Oxe.

They will bee kylled in the grounde, if the Gardener shal stoppe their commings forth, with the fresh leaues of Rhododaphnes.

There be (of the Greeke writers of husbandrie) which wil that like portions of the wylde Cucūber, or Henbane, or of the bitter Almondes and blacke Noseworte, bee orderly brused, and tempered with Meale, the same after wrought into Balles with Oyle, to be layed at the ho­les of the fielde, and house Myse. Plinie wryteth, that the seedes (before the bestowing in the Earth,) infused eyther in the Gaule of a Weasell, or the ashes of him committed to the Earth with the seedes, doth like [Page 74] them from being harmed of Myse, yet the plants springing out of these are greatly misliked▪ for that they then giue the sauour of such a rancke beast, so that the seedes are farre better commended, to be ste [...]ped afore in the gaule of an Oxe.

The skil [...]ull Africanus vttereth, that the Gardener may eyther kyll or driue away Weasels if he mixe salte [...]rmoniack with wheate paste, and lay of the same in such place, where these often haunte. Others there be, which wil the carefull Garden [...]r to get one alyue, and cutting of both tayle and testicles, to let him so passe again, for by that meanes (others perceiuing the like sight) will depart the place, the easie experi­ence of which matter, wil after bring a credite to thee in the same. For the dryuing away of the greater beastes, conceyue these remedies folo­wing, that if the Gardener shall water the seedes bestowed, with the olde vrine in which the ordure of a dog shall be infused for a tyme, they shal after [...]e defended in y ^e growyng vp, frō the spoyle of greater beasts.

The selfe same doth the worthy Democritus affyrme to come to passe (as I afore vttered) if that the owner take to the number of ten Riuer or Sea Creauises, and in putting them into an earthen potte full of water he set the same in the sunne for ten dayes, to bee wel heated and vapored through the hot beames, which thus handled let hym sprinckle on the beddes and plantes, that he would haue defended from the ayre, & great beastes: yet may he not water the yonger plants, but euery third day, vntil these be growen vp stronger. The skilful Africanus, and o­ther worthy wryters of Husbandrie, report, that if eyther the Pyonie or Herbe Personata be buried, or otherwise sowen about banckes or bor­dures, in the Garden or field, are after (as by a secrete protection) pre­serued, that neyther t [...]e great nor smaller beastes, will after spoyle the plants there growing. But if the Husbandman woulde haue hys trees preserued, from being sore eaten and wasted of the greater beasts, then let him exercise (after the minde of Plinie) this easie practise, in [...]as­ting or sprinckling on the leaues, the water in whiche Oxe dung hath bin disolued, so that he be sure those tymes, that rayne will fall within a day after, to the cleane purging againe of the braunches and leaues of that sauoure, a matter in verie deede wittily deuised for the purpose.

The skilful practises and remedies, against Hayle, lightnings and tempestes, beating downe, and spoyling the Kitchin Hearbes, trees, and fruites. Chap. 51.

FOr the Hayle, which for the more parte destroyeth both the la­bours of the Oxen and men, conceiue these fewe remedies folo­wing. That if the Husbandman, woulde auoyde the same daunger at hand or ready to fal, then let him draw about the grounde (whether it be fielde, Orchard or Garden) the skinne of a Seale, or Crocodil, or Hyena, and hang it after at the entrie or comming in of the place, as the worthy Philostratus, in his Greke cōmentaries of husbādry, hath noted. Others there be, which seeing the Hayle at hād, by holding vp a mighty Glasse, do so take y ^e Image of the darck cloud, directly ouer the place, to y ^e end, the abiect by the same remedy (as Rutilius reporteth) may offend, whereby as doubled, it may giue place to the other, and on suche wyse be speedily auerted and moued away.

There were some (as Philostratus writeth) whiche with the righte hande drawing the Marrish Tortoise on hir backe, laboured so aboute the Garden grounde or fielde, and returned to the place where they be­gan, they so layed hir vpright in the furrow made w ^t hir backe, and sho­red cloddes of eyther side, that shee might not fal, neither to one nor o­ther side, but abide steadie vpright, to the ende she might so beholde the big & thick cloudes, directly ouer the place. And the same, at such times they exercysed in the syxt houre of the day, or night. Certayn others (se­ming to be of greater skil) when the Hayle approched, did spreade ou [...]t euerie space of the Garden or field, white Uine, or fastned in some place right against the Tempest immenent, a liue Owle, with the wings spredde abrode, whiche two remedies also muche auayle againste the lightnings and hayle, as sayth the singular writer of Husbandrie ( Ju­nius Columella) in his little treatise of the Garden.

To vtter here the populare helpe againste Thunder, lightnings, and the daungerous hayle, when the tempest approcheth through the cloude arysing, as by the loude noyse of Gunnes shotte here and there, with the loude sounde of Belles, & such like uoy [...]es which may happen:

[Page 76]I thinke the same not necessarie, nor properly auailable to the bene­fite of the Garden.

The famous learned man Archibius whiche wrote vnto Antiochus king of Syria, affirmeth, that tempestes shal not be harmefull to plātes nor fruites, if the speckled Tode inclosed in a new Earthen pot, be bu­ried in the middle of the Garden or field. Others there are, which hang the feathers of the Eagle, or Seales skinne, in the middle of the Garden or at the foure corners of the same.

For these three, as by a certaine secret propertie (and for truth) by a maruellous repugnancie to resist the lightnings, and that of these (the aboue sayde) in no maner to be harmed or blasted, is to memorie of the posteritie committed, and by the experiences or tryals of many skil­ful men confirmed. Wherfore Tiberius Caesar (as reporteth Suetonius) was wonte to weare a Garlande of Bayes, and to couer his proper tente all ouer with Seale skinnes, at such times as thunder and light­ning happened, supposing himselfe to be defended from these, which he maruellously feared. Plinie reporteth that Bulbus (not for y ^e smalnes only of hys bodie) escapeth the force of lightning, but through a secrete and naturall repugnaunce doth this auaile against the stroke of lightning.

The laudable deuises and helpes against Frost, blasting of trces, Mystes, and ruste, whyche be enemies aswel to Garden Hearbes as fruites. Chap. 32.

TO most men it is manyfest, that there are two kindes of celesti­all iniuries, the one, that men name tempestes, in which the hayle, storme, and such like as are ment.

These (when any happen) are named a mightier violence and wor­king of heauen moued forwarde, as Plinie reporteth, by the fearefull starres, whiche be Virgiliae, Hyades, Canicula, Arcturus, Fidicula, Hae­di, Orion, Aquila, and sundry others, carefully obserued of the writers of Husbandrie and Physicke, and of them most diligently noted.

The other kinde is wont to happen, the ayre being caulme and qui­et, and in fayre nights, no feelyng to bee decerned, but when the same is come to passe and wrought, which bewayled calamity is one while [Page 77] wont to be named rustie, an other whiles burning, and an other whiles blasting, that to all crescente things, is a strerilit [...]e, and at one worde a destruction, so that al is caused by Heauen, and wont especially to hap­pen in the Spring time. The blasting and burning of the blossomes of Aple trees, the floures of Uines and Corne, are caused through the in­iurie of the Frostes hapning in the nighte, and not as many reporte, to be wrought by the Sunnes sharp heate, burning hastily vp the deawe, or the moisture entring in, and corrupting the heads of Corne. The same also wasting the tender buddes, plantes, and branches, is com­monly named burning, for that it burneth and consumeth in places so blacke as any Cole. The blasting besides of the tender blossoms of Trees and Uines, is named sideratiō, for that this especially is caused through the blast and stricking of some Constellatiō. To these we adde the rust, as a mighty enimie to fruites. The worthy Plinie reporteth, that the rust and burning, bee caused only of colde, whiche happeneth in the nighte time, and before the Sunne rising, so that the Sunne is not worker of these. And the time when the like succeedeth, is knowen to be after the minde of sundry skilful Writers of Husbandrie, at the change or full Moone, some Starres then of the fist bignesse ayding, in the ri­sing, or setting. The suspected times and days of the rust for iudgyng of the good or euill successe of fruites, is knowen in Aprill, accordyng to the falling out of George and Saint Markes daye, and the ninth day of May, for the caulmenesse and cleerenesse of the aire. This celestiall sterilitie, dothe neither happen, nor cannot euerye yeare, for the proper courses of the Starres, both in the descending and ascending in Hea­uen, with the radiations or aspectes one to another. In the which wor­king, who can not but wonder, and for the same honour and reuerence, the maruellous benignitie and goodnesse of Almightie God towardes mankinde, yet of the constellations afore mentioned, and of the others which are infinite in number, the diligent antiquitie only feared three of these greately, and obserued them for that cause, as the diligent Pli­nie noted, and to memorie committed. First, the constellation Virgiliae for the fruites, the constellation Aquila for the Corne, and the constella­tion Canicula for the gathering of fruites, so that these for y ^e same cause were named the Judiciall Starres, to foreknowe the seasons by. In whose dayes of the firste appearance, if the aire cleere and caulme sente [Page 78] downe a kindly and feeding iuice to the Earth, then was it a sure note to thē, that such things sowen, would grow and encrease prosperously. Contrariwise, if the Moone at those times sprinckled a dewie colde on the plantes and crescent things, then as a bitternesse mixed contrarie to the sweete and nourishing iuice, the same so slewe or killed the tender things, shot forth appearing aboue the earth. But to come to the mat­ter: there is neither frost, hayle, storme, nor tempest, so harmefull to cer­taine fieldes or Garden groundes, through whiche they at anye tyme cause the sterilitie and penurie of victuals, as the rust and burning heate doe, for these falling and working in open Countreys, procure for the more part through their harmes a publique calamitie & present dearthe, to the auoyding of which, shall heere be vttered those skilfull remedies, inuented of the auntient Writers of Husbandrie. If the carefull Gar­dener would withstand the force of Frost and rust approching, then let him burne store of Chaffe, if such plentie be there, or neere hande, but for lacke of the same, may he vse the drie weedes plucked vp of the Garden or field, and the bigge Thistles, or other wast fruites, in many places of the same, especially towarde that way whiche the winde then bloweth, for on such wise handled, Diophanes in his precepts of Husbandrie wri­teth, that the euill nighe or at hande is auerted. The selfe same pra­ctise may be vsed against thicke and darke mistes. Beritius in his Greke preceptes of Husbandrie giueth warning, that the Husbandman or Gardener diligently marke, whether the same bee gathered in the ayre, whiche readie to fall, let hym then burne incontinente the left horne of an Oxe, with eyther Cowe or Oxe dung, making with these a migh­tie smoke round about the Garden ground or fielde, but the smoke espe­cially directed by the winde, in fleeing against it. The worthy Apuleius wrote, that the smoke of three riuer Creauisses, burned with Oxe or Gotes dung, or with Chaffe, to bee a most sure healpe and remedie a­gainst the like, that if the same be already fallen, I meane the rust, the Gardener may recouer the harme after this manner, as the skilfull Be­ritius reporteth, in taking the rootes or leaues of the wilde Cucumber or Colocynthis, which after the brusing and infusing in water for a night, sprinckle and wet the places well taken with rust before the Sunne ri­sing. The like may the Gardener worke and do, with the Figge or Oke tree ashes, sprinckled in the places endamaged with rust.

[Page 79]All Seedes of the Garden or field are defended, as reporteth Anato­lius, from al iniuries and Monsters, if the Husbandman or Gardener before the committing of Seedes to the Earth, dothe infuse them for a time in the iuice of the rootes of the wilde Cucumber.

If the Gardener or Husbandman as Apuleius witnesseth, shal sticke and plante rounde aboute the Garden ground or fielde, many slippes, stockes, and branches of the Bay tree, these will after auayle againste the rust, for into them all the harme of the rust passeth and entreth, as the like many times hath bin obserued 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 Lab [...]inth.

Vale.

[Page 80]

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 [...]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 [Page 5] 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 plāts 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 [Page 6] the stronger, and causeth the Coleworte to be of a greater increase, and tender of lea [...]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 cōmended for Sallets, so y ^t somewhat hot, both oyle & Salt be bestowed vpō. When raine after a drought in sommer time falleth, y ^e owner may renew those Coleworts decaying, by plucking away from thē the decayed leaues, which eyther shall b [...]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 tē ­derer and delectabler through sharpe fros [...]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 sowē 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 s [...]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 aboundāce of hotte dung, or through the watering or well moystenyng of them wyth y ^e Lyes of wine, or else by the planting of thē 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, [Page 7] 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 nei [...]her des [...]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, [...] 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 Hogg [...]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 argumēt 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 thē 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 strēgth is corrupted & changed in licor. By a like man may contrarie gather, y ^t the person which would drinke plenty of [Page 8] 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 the singular man ( M. Cato) who willeth the person purposed to drincke much wine at a feaste, and to dine or suppe freely, to eate afore supper, as great a quantitie of the rawe Coleworte as he wil, with good vineger, and being also sette downe to supper, to eate fiue leaues raw, these then wil cause him to be, as one that had neyther eaten nor drunke, whereby he may drinke as much as he wil, throughe the maruellous repugnancie of this Herbe with wine, as afore vttered, and like noted by Agrius, in the worthy worke of M. Varro.

The Coleworte in like maner, ought not to be planted nighe to the Organye, Ru [...], nor Sowes breade, for the drying qualitie consisting in thē, so that these either sowen or planted nighe to the Coleworte, and other very moyste Herbes, doe greatly hinder, and cause them to wy­ther. A like matter worketh the Lauander, set in beds neare to moyste Hearbes, through the heale consisting in it, as the Radish doth, whyche through y ^e proper tartnesse or sharpnesse being in it, burneth any moyst and tender plant growing neare to the same.

Thys also is worthye memorie, whiche Athenaeus reporteth, that in Athens (in time past) the Coleworte was wonte to be prepared with meate for women with childe, in the steede of a certayn defensitiue against annoyances.

There is also made of the Ashes of the Coleworte, infused in water, a salte, in that the same possesseth a Nytrous substance (as afore vtte­red) through whose benefite, if this be meanly boyled, and takē in broth (as we shall here after write) doth loose the bellie.

What worthy instructions to be concey [...]ed in the sowing and ordering of the Beete for the Po [...]te. Chapter. 2.

THe Beete more often eaten at poore mens tables, ought to be be­stowed in a most fatte Earthe, and sowen at any season, but ra­ther the Seedes to be committed to the Earth abou [...] the middle of De­cember, and vnto Marche, and like in August, to possesse Seedes, which may indure for three yeares. The Seedes ought rather to be thicke than thinne sowen in be [...]dde, and shot vp to some growth, as that four or fyue leaues be sprung aboue the Earth, then in the Summer time, the plantes are to be remoued, if the beddes afore were moystned or wet with floures, as the singular Columella writeth: but if the grounde bee drie in the Haruest time, then to remoue them where shoures lately fell and softned the Earth.

The Beete loueth or ioyeth to be often digged about, and to be fedde with much dung, for which cause, the yong plantes to be sette againe, ought after the endes of the rootes cut off, and the toppes of the leaues clipped, to be striked or annoynted about with newe Cow Dung, and then bestowed in beddes a good distance asunder, which after the plants be more growen vp, to be diligētly weeded about, and the vnprofitable weedes throwen away, for by that meanes they growe the fayrer and bigger, being as I said bestowed in fatte Earthe and well dunged.

The Beete may be caused to growe bigge and brode as [...]ostion in his Greeke instructions of Husbandr [...]e affirmeth: if before the Beete shall be growen vp into a stemme, and shot forth in stalkes, the owner lay vpon y ^e head a brode Tile, Posthard, or some other thing of waight, to presse the toppe gently downe, for by that practise or meanes in the waightie bearing downe, the Beete is caused to spreade into a breadth with the leaues.

The Beete becommeth the whiter and farre greater, if the Husband­ly Gardener annoynte or couer the roote with newe Oxe or Cowe [Page 14] dung, and that hee cutte the roote and toppe of the yong Bete▪ as the Leeke handled before the setting, and after a bigger growth to p [...]asse it downe as afore vttered. To haue the Beete growe redde, water the plant with redde Wyne Lyes or set the same in a hote place, where the Sunne dayly shineth long. The Beete rosted in Imbers, taketh away the stincking smell and sauoure of Garlike eaten, if the same be eaten vpon or after the Garlike, as the Greeke Menander hath noted. Thys is maruellous to heare by the Seede of the Beete, that it yeeldeth not the whole perfection or perfite Seedes in the first yeare, but an increase in Seedes somewhat more the seconde yeare, and in the third yeare a full perfection, from the first sowing. And Plinie reporteth, that the Beete speedie [...] comm [...]th forwarde with the olde Seede, than with newe for whiche cause the matter demanded of a skilfull Gardener reported of experience, that the Seedes of the Beete to sowe, ought not to be gathe­red, before the Beete had borne a thirde yeare, after the first sowing of which Seedes sowen in due time of the Mone, the best Beetes come, and this not to be forgotten, that when the tast of Wine, through the Colewort (as afore vttered) is corrupted in the vessell, the same againe by the sauoure of the Beete, as through the leaues put into it, is recoue­red. These hitherto of the Beete.

What fate drawe [...] and [...] to be learned, in the sowing and setting of the Blete. Chapter. 3.

THere are two kindes of this Blete, as the white, and the redde, or blacke, both at this day very well knowen through their growing as common in the field as Garden. The stalkes and leaues of the redde waxe so redde in the growing, that they appeare as dyed with a scar­let coloure, but after a further growth, in time, these from that coloure are changed into a purple, and at length waxe blacke of y ^e eye, of which the same also is named o [...] [...] the blacke Bleete. The roote besides of this Hearbe in the breaking, appeareth so redde as any bloud.

The white Blete possesseth or rather [...]deth forthe branches and leaues like to the Beete, and the same without any sharpnes or biting, being vnsauerie, and eche is of the same cōdition, that it spedely sprin­geth in the Garden, as Plinie reporteth.

And the white or redde Blete may be sowen in any earth, but rather in a well dressed ground, in the moneth of March, as the skilfull Nea­politane Ruellius willeth, whiche strongly growen in the Earthe, or fully come vp, continueth and yearely reneweth of it selfe, without any proper sowing, so that in time this so taketh roote by the seedes yearely falling, that the Gardener after can hardely weede the same out of hys ground, if he would wherefore this once sowen in a fertile Earth, pro­spereth many yeares by the yearely yeride and falling of the Seedes, and requireth neyther raking nor weeding about it, as the worthy Pal­ladius reporteth.

What diligence and skill is required in the sowing and setting of the Garden Arage. Chapter. 4.

THe Garden Orage for the Potte, ought by the agreement of the skilfull, to bee sowen in the Moneth of March and Aprill, and in y ^e other Monethes following, vnto Haruest, the apt seasons and times heerein considered. But in some places are the Seedes bestowed in the Moneth of December, in a well dressed and dunged Earthe, and the plantes better prosper, being thinne sowen. These also may bee sowen by themselues in beddes, and togither with other Herbes, and they al­wayes desire to be cut or broken off with an iron instrumente, that they ceasse not yeelding forth of yong. The Orache ioyeth in the often wa­tering, if the season and ground be very drie. The Seedes of the Arage ought diligently to bee couered, incontinent after they are bestowed in the Earthe, and the rootes of the Hearbes to be often digged vnder, and [Page 18] left hollow of Earthe, that the rootes may growe within the stronger.

This Hearbe is supposed to grow [...] 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.

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 dr [...]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 [Page 20] 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 dūged 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 come vp or appere aboue the ground, the Gardener or owner with a forked Iron, cōmonly named a debbill shall so loose the earth, y ^t the end of it may appere out, & the roote of the Herbe loosed frō the ground, may by that meanes increase of a more bignesse.

[Page 21]The same M. Cato willeth the plante to be raked and diligently wee­ded about, but so handled in the digging aboute or weeding, that the rootes of the plante bee not loosed, or in the weeding by it bee otherwise febled in the treading downe.

In the wynter time, the little groue of Sperages shall be couered o­uer with thinne and light Matteresses of strawe, least it shoulde be bit­ten and greatly endamaged, with the frostes and colde ayre, whyche in the Spring time shal be opened and vncouered againe, and fedde wyth dung about the rootes, that the plants may the speedier come forwarde & increase, through the comfortable feeding of the dung and moysture, orderly done.

The worthy Didimus (in his Greeke instructions of Husbandrye) reporteth, and after hym the learned Plinie that manye Sperages do spring vp throughe the hornes of wilde Rammes broken into grosse pouder, and these strewed along in little furrowes, and after the light couering wyth Earth, often watered, whiche although it seemed not credible to the worthy Dioscorides, and that he much mislyked the rea­son of the same, yet if y ^e Gardener or owner shall make a profe or trial, he wyll after confesse (I dare affyrme) thys experimente to bee moste true.

There bee which farre maruellousser reporte, euen that the whole hornes of Rammes, not broken a sunder, nor cut into small pieces, but only boared through in many places, and then bestowed in the Earth, to bring forthe or yeelde in shorte time the Sperages, whiche if the owner woulde possesse of them for all the yeare to feede on, when hee gathereth the fruite, must then in the digging about (as the sayd Dydi­mus writeth) open those rootes, whiche scatter and spreade in the toppe of the Tyrfe, for the yong plant thus ordered, wyll speedilie sende forth newe tender stemmes, and yeelde Sperages, whiche lightly boyled in water and fat broth, and to the same both salte and oyle or sweete but­ter orderly mixed, and a little quantitie of vineger poured vpō, wil after yeelde a singular delight to the eaters therof.

But in thys place I thinke it necessarie to be remembred, that the Sperages require a small boyling, for to much or long boyled, they be­come corrupt or wythout delight in the eating.

Of whych the worthy Emperour Drufus, wylling to demonstrate [Page 22] the speedye successe of a matter, was wonte to say, the same shoul [...] bee sooner done, than the Sperages boyled.

As touching the making of the sauce or pickle, the tender stalkes sprinckled with salt, and wrought vp in rounde heapes, ought so to bee lette alone to sweate in the shadowe, after to bee diligentlye washed w ^t the owne licoure, vntill they bee sufficientlye abated and cleared of the moysture in them, at the leaste, clensed from the pickell, and in the lay­ing on of a weight (after such maner) pressed forth. Then poure [...]to an apt vessel two partes of vineger, and one of the pickel, which workmā ­ly thicken with dry Fennel seedes, in such maner as the tender stalkes and leaues, may wel be pressed downe & couered in the same; and that y ^e lycor retch vp vnto the toppe or brimme of the Earthen potte.

What skil and obseruation to be folowed, in the sowing, and ordering of the Spynage. Chap. 6.

THis plant aptest for y ^e Lent time (or for y ^t the same oftner or more cōmon vsed in that season) may in any ground be bestowed, for it cometh vp very wel in euery place. And the seedes are to be committed to the earth in the monethes of Septēber and October, to serue for the Lent insewing for y ^t it is the first pot Herbe, which is foūd in Gardens about the lent time. But in the monethes of December, Januarie, Fe­bruarie, and March, for al the sommer folowing. And this plant very wel indureth the extremitie of times and seasons, as the colde, frostes, & Snow. And although Spynage commeth wel vp in any ground, yet y ^e earth ought to be diligently labored before, & the same to be somwhat moiste. The plants after the cōming vp, which appeare by the seuenth day after the sowing, nede no weeding to be done about them, but only to clip off the tops of the tender leaues, wherby they may [...] grow vp the comlier & fairer to y ^e eye. If the Gardener would haue the bed of Spi­nage indure a long time, & to profite he ought to cut halfe the bed along at one time, and the other halfe, at an other time. This pot Herbe (after the tops cut and throwen away) ought to be sodden without water, in that the same (in the seething) yeldeth much moysture, for contented w ^t the proper licoure, it refuseth anye other broath added, so that thys otherwise sodden, looseth the kindly and natural iuyce of the same, and besides to hastily drowned or ouercome with the same. This being very tēder 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 Ueriuy [...]e and Pepper [...]used, that it may the more delight the tast.

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, [Page 25] 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.

What skil and diligence required, in the workmanly sowing and ordering of the Borrage and Buglosse. Chap. 8.

THe Borage, & Buglosse or Longdebeefe seruing for the Potte, when the leaues are yet tender, and theyr floures for Sallettes, requyre to bee sowen in the moneth of Auguste, and in September, to serue the wynter time, and in the moneth of Aprill (the Moone increasing) for the Sommer tyme, in that the seedes (especiallye of the Buglosse) prosper not so well, to be sowen at any other tyme, for so muche as it ioyeth to be placed in a warme & Sūny [Page 28] place, the Earth afore diligently laboured and dressed. These may the owner or Gardner remoue (after certain leaues sprung vp) at any time of the yeare, and to bee placed in Beddes, either alone, or in Bordures, rounde aboute the newe Beddes of other Hearbes. The seedes both of the Borage and Buglosse require to be gathered in a maner halfe ripe, to the ende they fal not out of their Huske. And the whole Hearbe wyth the seedes of eyther ought to be layed in some high place, open to the warme Sunne, that they may rypen the speedier, which full rype, rub tenderly betwene the handes the seedes forth on a linnen cloth or sheet, and these may you kepe for two yeares.

What skill and secre [...]es to be learned, in the sowing, remouing and setting of the Marigold. Chapter. 9.

THe Marigolde named of the Herbarians Calendula, is so properly tearmed, for that in euery Calends, and in each moneth this renueth of the owne accorde, & is found to beare floure, as wel in the Winter as Som­mer, for which cause, the Italians name the same the floure of euery moneth▪ but some tearme it y ^e Sunnes floure, or the folower of the Sunne, and is of some named the Hus­band mans Dyall, in that the same sheweth to them, both the morning and euening tide. Other name it the Sunnes Bride, and Sunnes Hearbe, in that the floures of the same follow the Sunne, as from the rising by the South, vnto the West, and by a notable turning obeying to the Sunne, in such manner, that what part of Heauen he possesseth, they into the same turned behold, and that in a cloudie and thicke ayre like directed, as if they shoulde be reuiued, quickned, and moued, with the Spirit of him. Such is y ^e loue of it knowen to be, toward that roy­all Starre, beeing in the night time, for the desire of him, as pensiue and sadde, they be shutte or closed togither, but at the noone time of the daye fully spred abrode, as if they with spred armes lōged, or diligētly atten­ded, to embrace their Bridegrome. This Marigold is a singular kinde [Page 32] of Herbe, sowen in Gardens, as well for the potte, as for the decking of Garlandes, bewtifying of Nosegayes, and to be worne in the bosome.

The Seedes of this floure, are commonly bestowed in a Husbandly and well dressed Earth, but this rather done by the counsell of the skil­full in the increase of the Moone, whereby the floures may growe the bigger and broader. But to procure the floures to growe the doubler, bigger, and broader, the owner ought to remoue the plantes often, and to set them in new beddes, lying in Sunny places, heerein considering at those times of remouing, that the Moone bee increasing so nigh as you can.

Besides some will, that many Seedes be put togither into one hole, in the first quarter of the Mone, and to be sundry times watered, in the first comming vp of them, vnlesse the moisture of the aire otherwyse healpe.

These after certain leaues sprūg vp, if they be oftē remoued & clipped by due course of the Moone, yeelde a bigger, broader, and fayrer floure, and they yeeld always more floures in the Haruest, than in the Spring time.

What skill industrie and secretes to be learned, in the sowing and ordering of the Parselie. Chapter. 10.

THe Parsely in the bestowing in the Earthe, requireth small la­boure and diligence, and loueth a stony and Sandy Earth, so [Page 34] that the same needeth small fatning, whereby it maye well agree to 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 growē 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 thē 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 [Page 35] 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 [...]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 mā. 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 Phisitiōs do aduise & warne persons, hauing y ^e falling sicknes, [Page 36] 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: besid [...]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.

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.

[Page 40]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.

What skill and diligence is required in the sowing and ordering both of the Myntes and Holyhocke. Chap. 12.

THe Garden Mynte desireth to bee bestowed, neither in a dunged, nor fat erth, but rather in an open, and Sunny place: yet this best ioyeth in a moyste place, or by some well. And where the like is not, the Minte in y ^t ground ought to bee often watered in the first bestowing in the earth, or this otherwise in short time withereth and dyeth.

[Page 41]The Minte ought to be set in the roote or whole stemme, in Haruest or in the spring time. The owner or Gardener lacking or not hauing the Minte seedes to sowe, may in the steede of them, vse or bestowe in hys grounde, the seedes of the fielde or wilde Myntes, in setting the sharper endes downewarde of the seedes, whereby to tame and put a­waye the wildnesse of them. This plant wel growen vp, needeth not after to be renewed or sowen euery yere, in that once sowen or planted, it after commeth vp yearely of the owne accorde. And for the delecta­ble sauoure which it enioyeth, much desired and vsed, both in Brothes and Sallets.

But thys plant after the comming vp, maye in no case bee touched with any Iron instrument, in that the same soone after dyeth. Thys plant flourishing in the Sommer, becometh yelowish in the wynter time.

The Holyhocke or greater Mallowes of the Garden, as Ruellius out of the learned Theophrastus affirmeth, doeth often shoote vppe in­to the fourme of a tree, and waxeth so great, that the stemme or bodye of it may serue to the vse of a staffe, which sendeth forth bigge stalkes, and leaues both large and rounde.

The floure of this plant for the proper time flourishing, is named y ^e winter Rose, in that this plant yeeldeth floures like to the Rose, from the beginning of Haruest, vnto the winter time, which floures both of y ^e red and white, lesser than the fading or vanishing Rose, longer indure and inioy force.

This Rose of the auntient Greekes, was named [...], in that the leaues (as Columella reporteth) turne about with the Sunne, which at Noone time of the day are fully opened. The auntient Romaynes did also name it the sowen or Garden Mallowes. The cōmon people in time past greatly pleased w ^t the beautie of y ^e same, named it y ^e beyōd sea Rose. For in comelines, nether of thē giueth place to y ^e Rose, which if the same inioyed a sauour, it were not inferoiure to the Rose, seeing in coloure they be equall in bering of the red carnation and white, so y ^t in sauoure the Rose only excelleth.

This for the worthy comelynesse and beautye, to bee sette in win­dowes, is at thys day diligently sowen and sette in Gardens.

The worthy Rutilius (in his treatise of the Garden instructeth, that [Page 42] the Seedes to be committed to the Earth, ought rather to be bestowed about the middle of Aprill, in a well dunged and fatte grounde, and to be often watered, vntill the plantes be well sprung vp.

The skilfull Columella in his Husbandrie vttereth, that this rather ioyeth to be bestowed in a fatte Earth, well turned in with dung, and that moyst dung be layd about the rootes of the yong plantes, in the set­ting againe, whiche the sayde Authoure willeth to remoue, after foure leaues are well shotte vp aboue the Earth.

This learned Columella writing of the holyhoke, reporteth, that the floure (as the Marigolde) openeth at the rising of the Sunne, full spred at the Noone time, and closeth agayne in the going downe of the Sunne.

What care and skill is required in the sowing and worke­manly ordering of the artochoke. Chapter. 13.

THe Herbarians write the Artochoke to be a kind of Thi­still, of them named, the Thistill of the Garden.

The Artochoke which before grew wilde in the fieldes, came by diligence (for the benefite of sale) to bee carefully bestowed in the Garden, where through trauell, broughte from his wildenesse, to serue vnto the vse of the mouth and bellie. The Artochoke growing with thicke scalie [...]ares, in forme to the pinaple, and sufficiently knowen to most persons, ioyeth in a loose and dunged earth, yet the same better commeth forward, being bestowed in a fatte ground, and by that meanes defended from Moles, as the worthy Ru­tilius reporteth, but sowen in a fast Earth after their growth, be not so lightely digged vp of an enemie. The sayd Rutilius willeth the Seedes of the Artochoke, to be cōmitted to the Earth in the moneth of March, the Moone then increasing of light, and that in beddes well dunged, and workemanly prepared, which bestowe in the Earth halfe a foote a­sunder, yet these not deepe put, and in such maner deale with the seedes, that taking so manye vp, as you may handsomly with three fingers thrust or set those vnto the middle ioyntes in the Earth, couering them lightely with loose Earth, which if hote weather happen to ensewe, the Gardener with diligence must water the plantes for a time, for the plantes on suche wise handled, will yeelde a tenderer fruite and fuller head, as the worthy Varro reporteth, yet maye not the owner hope or looke for fruites or heads to come to their full growth and perfeitnesse for the eating in the first yeare. If the Gardener would bestowe seedes to profite, hee ought to make little furrowes on the bedde, w [...]ll a foote distante one from the other, being in breadth and deepenes of halfe a foote, which after fyll with olde dung finely broken, and blacke Earthe in like manner small, in whiche so handled, bestowe the Seedes to the depth of the middle ioyntes, and after couer them lightely with fyne Earth, not pressing or t [...]ading it downe. And as soone as the plantes [Page 50] haue yelded foo [...]th leaues suffic [...] greate, the owner ought to water them often, and to continue the ly [...]e watering in a grounde very drye vntil the herbes yeld or send forth heads both tender and sufficient big, when the plantes shal be wel growne vp, the Gardener must clense and purge dayly the beds of weeds, & dung about the roots of the plants (if he wil credit Columella) store of ashes, for y ^e kind of dung the said author reporteth to be most apt and agreable to that potherb, of whiche by the kinde of the dung, this hearbe taketh the Latine name.

The owner or Gardener must haue a special care, that he bestow not the sedes in the earth with the contrary ends downeward, for these will bring forth Attochokes crooked, weake & very small, if we may credite the Neapolitan Rutilius. If the owner wold haue the herb yeld beds or Artochockes without prickles, hee muste after the instructions of the Greeke writers of husbandry) either breake the sharpe ends of the seeds, or make blunte the prickes (before the bestowing in the earth) on some stone rubbed, whiche also many affirme to come to passe, if the Garde­ner paring off the rinde of the Lettuce roote, and shreading or cutting the same into many small pieces, dothe after the bestowing of the see­des into [...]che piece, diligently set these a foote distance asunder, wil af­ter yelde heads the lyke.

The Gardener shall possesse Artochokes of pleasaunt sauoure, if he laye the seedes to sti [...]pe for three dayes before the sowyng, in the iuyce of the Rose or Lillie, or oyle of bays, made with the sweet Almonds, or in any other pleasant iuyce or lycour, whiche after the drying in the aire from the Sun beames, he cōmitteth 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 sti [...]pe them with the leaues of the Bay tree, or he otherwise making holes, bestowe the seedes within the bay berries, before the cōmitting 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 cōmitting of the sedes to the earth) doe sti [...]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 [Page 51] 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 frō 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 sufficiētly 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 pleas [...]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 groūd, 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, [Page 52] 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 [...]e commonly wo [...]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.

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, [Page 55] 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.

What care, skil, and secretes to be learned in the sowing, and workmanly ordering of the Lettuce. Chap. 15.

THe Garden Lettuce, desireth a wel laboured ground, fat, moyst, and dunged, appearing for the more part by the fourth daye aboue the Earth, so that the Seede in the Earth be not burned of the sun, or the ground vnfruite­ful. The seed may be committed to the earth, al the yere through if the place for the growing, shal be battle dunged, and moyst. The seedes may be sowen in beds thicke togither, and in the moneth of March or beginning of April, in that the tender plantes can not indure the nipping frostes, nor colde ayre. Those seedes whych the owner be­stoweth in beddes in the moneth of September, will so be hardned for the winter time, that the plantes may well endure to bee remoued and set at any tyme, and watred for two or three days togither, vnlesse these be otherwise moystned with the dayly and sweete shoures of the ayre. And in committing of the seedes to the Earth, the owner oughte to haue a care, for watering of the beddes, leaste the heate consisting in the dung, breatheth or casteth the seedes forth of the earth.

The plantes r [...]sen or sprong vppe, well foure or fiue leaues aboue the Earth, ought then to bee remoued and sette agayne into a fatte grounde, a good distaunce one from the other, and to water them well at the rootes, so that it freese not, nor the season bee very [...] hotte.

The owner or Gardener maye not remoue (to sette agayne) the small or common Lettuces, but the greate, whyche wyll become cris­ped and thicke (named of diuerse, the Romayne Lettuce) that yeeldeth whyte and farre bigger seedes: these if the Gardener bestoweth a­gayne in Beddes, wyll shoote vppe farre fayrer and greater in Touff [...], and in taste pleasaunter, if hee especially breake awaye the firste leaues before the setting of them in Beds, for as much as the first or outward stalks haue much milke in thē, which wil lightly become bitter through the heate of the Sunne.

If the owner would possesse fayre and whit Leettuces, he ought to [Page 60] bynde the leaues vp togither with a threede, well two dayes before the plucking vppe▪ and setting againe in other Beddes, whych so done, he must straw thicke ouer, with riuer or sea sād, which the worthy Plinie 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 tēder, by plucking them vp, and setting thē 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 stēme. 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 [Page 44] 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 thē, 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 plāt 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 [Page 62] 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.

What care and skill requyred in the sowing and ordering of the purselane and Rocket. Chap. 16.

THe Garden Purselan, how diligētly 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, [...]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 Tuf [...], and thicker leafe.

The Seedes ought to be [...]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 sti [...]ped (lightly decayed and withe­red) and these wyth water clearely and throughlye clensed from the fyne Sande, hanging on, and the f [...]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 so [...]e grapes, strewed thicke ouer [Page 67] 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 who [...]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 brimm [...] 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 substāce 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 f [...]oting a­boue, but always couered well one [...] 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 fi [...] dish [...] 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 tempe [...] the con [...]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 ma [...]. And the worthye Galen in hys booke de aliment. [...] willeth no man to eate the Lettuce or Purselane without the Rocket, nor the Rocket cō ­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 ma [...]ter profiteth man▪ The seedes may be com­mitted to the earth and the Hearbe planted, aswell in the winter tyme, as in sommer, for it neyther f [...]eth the colde, nor anye other distempe­ [...]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 [...]ra­uelly grounde, ought afore to be well [...].

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, frō 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.

[Page 72]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, in Fe­bruarie and Marche, the Plantes reasonablye prosper and come for­warde.

What care and skil required in the sowing and ordering of the Buckes horne, strawberie, and Mustardseed. Chap. 18.

THe Buckes or Hartes horne, whose leaues be sweete in tast, & somwhat saltie, is at this day sowē in Gar­dens, & yerely vsed in Sallets, and requireth a small labor, before the bestowing in the Earth, for as much as this Herbe, so wel ioyeth in the earth not labored & dressed, as afore prepared.

But if the owner mynde to haue the Herbe thicke toufte, & fayre to the eye, he must often clyppe the toppes of the leaues, and presse the heade downe 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 aff [...]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 frō 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 cōmitted to the Earth wyth fyne pouder dust, both before and af­ter y ^e winter, these after the comming vppe require to bee often weeded [Page 77] 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.

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 [Page 84] 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.

[Page 85]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, shal mixe Sande with the Earth, the Blades wil shoote vp the fuller and bigger.

The sayd worthy Greke Sotion addeth and affirmeth, y ^t if the owner shal eate a little Cummyne seed before, he shal breath forth no stinking sauoure at all of the Leeke, although hee shall eate a great handfull at a tyme of the Leekes, for by eating of the Cummyne seed is the strong sauoure extinguished or put away.

Here out of Petrus Crescentius I haue added, as a matter worthye of the noting, that the Leeke seede throwen into a vessel of wine, causeth that the wine soureth not, but rather that veneger returneth into wyne, that is, putteth away al the egernesse.

This to conclude conceyue, that the Leeke in the eightenth day af­ter the sowing, to shoote appeare (for the more part) aboue the Earth, and to indure for tenne yeares, after whyche tyme to yeelde seedes, and dye.

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 [Page 90] 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 [Page 91] 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 vp into a round stemme.

[Page 92]To these I adde, that the Onions plucked out of the ground and ly­ing vpon the Earth, or hanged vp in ropes, do continue longer sounde in the ayre, but if we may creedit Aristotle in the sōmer Solstice, these, as the Penny royal, & many other Herbes, do at the same time flourish, which may be as if they were of a doubtful life, that one whyle takyng nourishment out of the Earth, and an other whyles from the ayre. But the Onyons lightly budde and shoote out, not being in the earth, and sende forth fayre greene blades by occasion of the moysture in the hrades, but after the stemme shall bee full shotte out, the heades wyther.

To whiche Plinie wrote, that the Nuttes bee contrarie, in that these do abate the strong sauour of the Onyon. I read that many skil­full Gardeners vsed to sowe the Onyons and Garlike neare to Gar­lande floures (but especially the Rose) to procure them to yeelde a swe­ter sauoure, and the same done by the counsel of the Auntient and the worthy Plinie, which (in my opinion) deserueth to be followed.

Truely, this one thing is gretly to be maruelled at, that the Onyon alone of all other Hearbes, as Plutarch writeth, receyueth no damage of the Moone, and hath contrary vertues of encreasing and diminishing to hir: for the Oniō becommeth grene and buddeth forthe in the wane or laste quarter of the Moone contrariwise she encreasing of Light, the Onion then withereth and rotteth.

For which cause, y ^e Egiptian Priestes in time past, refused the Oni­on in their Religious meates, where otherwyse fruites, Hearbes, Trees, and Beastes, receyue a domage or diminishing and increasing through the occasion of thys starre, so that the Onyon onlye obey­eth vnto the contrarie turnes of the Moone, whose preseruing vnto wynter tyme, Columella prepared after thys manner, hee chose the Onyon or Sealiones (that are all alyke) whyche be not budded forth, or that greene blades appeared, and these dryed afore in the hotte sunne after which cooled agayne in the shadowe, by strewing vpon Tyme or Sauorie, he thē laied thē by courses, w ^t either of these strawed betwene in an Earthen potte, and by pouring the Licoure vpon, which was iii. parts of vineger, and one of Bryne: he strewed then a good handfull of Sauery (in such maner) that the Onions were couched or pressed vnder the Licoure, which when they had drunke vppe the Licour, and seemed [Page 93] to lye drye, hee poured vppon and fylled the vessell wyth the like mix­ture, and in an apte place set the pot to preserue them to vse.

This one thing I will not omitte, althoughe the same maye seeme childish, in that it is noted by the learned man Cato, who writeth, that the letters drawen and written with the Iuice of the Onion, are inui­sible, whyche then shewe and appeare euidentlye, when the paper shall be heated at the fire. To conclude, the Onions set in the middle of Au­guste in a red earth, doe yeelde the yeare following their high stemmes and seede, but the worser will those be, which are bestowed in the earth, to serue greene in the Lent time.

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 hand­bredth 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 [Page 97] 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 [Page 98] and bidde. Oure later writers of husbandrye and Phisicke reporte▪ that the rancke sauour of Garlike may be extinguished, with the one­ly eating of greene Parsely blades.

The commodiouser & apter time for gathering of the Garlike heads is in the decrease or wane of the Moone, the daye beyng drye and faire, when the blades be withered, that they leaue or hang downe.

Many of the aunciente writers of husbandry vtter, that the Garlike heades will endure a long time, and be to better purpose afterw [...]des, if they bee eyther hidde in chaffe, or after the tying togither hanged vp in thesmoke. There bee others whiche after the infusion of the heades a while in warme salte water, and letting them drye, doe likewise hide them in the chaffe.

But the heads handled after either manner, doe for the more part re­maine barraine, or prosper not after the bestowyng in the earth. To o­thers it was sufficient to haue dried them ouer the heate of the fyre, that they mighte after growe. The learned Plinie vttereth, that those heades of Garlike bee of a sowrer tast, whiche possesse the more cloues round aboute, and he addeth that no more loathsomnesse or strongnesse of sa­uour doth consist in them after the seething, than in the Onion like or­dered. Nor hee omitteth not, that the Garlike heades afore eaten, to be in steed of the white Neeswort for the Pioners, if they minde to auoide & escape the hazard of deathe. There is another wild Garlike, which the Greekes name Ophioscoridon, in english Ramsies, growing of the own accorde in the fallowe fieldes, through whiche the Kines milke by fee­ding on the greene blades, is caused to sauoure of the Garlike, yea the chese made of the same milke, doeth sender in the eating the like ranck­nesse of sauour: The husbandmen name this both the wild and serpen­tine Garlyke.

This Garlike on suche wise boyled, that it may not growe againe, and bestowed on beddes, doth greatly auaile against the harme of birds to Seedes, as afore is uttered in my first part, there writing, that the same of Plinie is named Alum. But here commeth to minde a mar­uellous matter, not to be ouerpassed, whiche is, that neither the Wea­sell nor Squirrell will after the tastyng Garlike presume to bite anye fowles, by whiche practise. Pullets and other soules in the night bryng sprinkled ouer wyth the lycoure of the Garlike maye bee defended from [Page 99] harme of eyther of these.

There is yet a matter more worthy the remembrance, and the same farre maruelouser, which Volateranus vttereth, that in his tyme hap­ned a husbandeman to sleepe open mouthed in the field by a hey cocke, caste vp in the Haruest tyme, which when he had unwittily suffered an Adder to creepe into his body, wyth the eating incontinente of Garlike heads, was (as by a certain preparation against poison) deliuered, yet the venome & death of y ^e adder, consisting or remaining within the body di­stilled & shed forth in the coeating a matter to be marueled at of y ^e wise.

But this also is maruellous in the Garlike, that if it be boiled wyth a salte lycoure, the same dothe effectuouslye destroye the mites or little wormes in either peason or beanes, so that the walles and floores of the barnes be wet with this mixture. Here also I thought not to ouerpasse the maruellous discorde of the Adamant stone and Garlike, whiche the Greekes name to bee an Antipathia or naturall contrarietie betweene them, for suche is the hatred or contrarietie betweene these twoo bodies, (lacking bothe hearyng and feeling) that the Adamante rather putteth awaye than draweth to it Iron, if the same afore be rubbed with Gar­like, as Plutarchus hathe noted, and after hym Claudius Ptolemaeus. Whiche matter examined by dyuerse learned, and founde the contra­ry, caused them to iudge, that those skilfull men (especially Pt [...]lomie) mente the same to be done with the Egiptian Garlike. Which Diosco­rides wrote to be small Garlike, and the same sweete in taste, possessing a bewtiful head, tending vnto a purple colour. Ther be which attribute the same to Ophioscerido, whiche Antonius Microphonius Biturix, a sin­gular lerned man, and wel practised in sundry skils, vttered this appro­ued secrete to a friend whom he loued. And the same as last, shal here be placed, that diuerse Garlike heades hanged on the braunches of trees, do driue far off birdes from the spoyling of fruites, as the like Democritus noted in the Greeke instructions of husbandry.

That bigge Garlike named of certaine skilful Authours the Affri­ca Garlike, is of far bigger increase, than the Garden Garlike with vs. Whiche the worthye Greeke Sotion, Columella and Rutilius instructe, that the cloues to bee broken from the heade, and bestowed in a white ground, well laboured and dressed without any dung, and set in high ridges of beds, to the ende y ^• natural moisture of the earth, nor shoures [Page 100] falling may offende.

The tyme commended for setting of the cloues, is in the moneths of January, Februarye, and Marche, but some will to bestowe them in the Earthe, from the beginnyng of October, vnto the ende of Nouem­ber, well a hande breadth asunder, and vnto the middle ioyntes, or ra­ther a finger deepe in the Earth, whyche growen vppe to some heigth, to be often weeded aboute, and the Earth diligently raked, wherby the plantes may the better prosper.

These further growen vp, the skilfull teache, to tye the toppes of the blades, by two and two togither, which done to treade the blades down with the foote, that the iuyce by the same meanes may run to the roote to increase the heades bigger.

The other instructions neede fully to be learned, may the owner cō ­ceyue by the former taught of the garden Garlike, which for the Physik benefits deserueth a place in euery grounde, especially in the husband­mans Garden.

What care and skil is requyred in the sowing and or­dering, both of the Scalion and Squyll Onyon. Chap. 2 [...].

THe Scalyons better prosper and come vp, being set than sowen, for when they are committed to the erth in the Seedes, the owner may not hope for a seeme­ly groweth of them, before the seconde yeare. The owner may bestow y ^e Scallions in wel dressed beds, frō y ^e beginning of Nouēber, vnto the end of Febru­arie, for to enioy the proper yelde the next Spring following: and they require to bee likewise set in the grounde, as afore taught of the Garlik. [Page 105] But they are to bee plucked vp to vse, before that the March vyolettes be in their full pride and flourish, for if these be longer suffered, as vnto the time of the perfit flourishing of the violettes, they are then founde feeble and wythered. And for to knowe when the Scallions are rype, it behoueth the Gardener to marke whether the blades beneath be wy­thered, for on such wise seene, denoteth the ful rypenesse of them. And to possesse Scalions with bigge heades, it behoueth the Gardener, to bestowe rounde about the rootes softe Cow dung, and to water them often, which growen to a reasonable height, he must also treade downe and order as afore vttered in the using of the Leeke.

The Squyl Onyon better commeth forwarde in the Garden, being set with the heade, than sowen in the seede, for when the seedes are com­mitted to the Earth, they yeelde slowlye their seemelye bushe and heades.

The owner maye bestowe the heades of the Squyll Onyons in well laboured and dressed Beddes, so that the ground bee of a drye na­ture, and tending vnto a Saltnesse, whether grauellie or Sandie, for they desire a like diligence to be bestowed on them, as is afore vttered of the Onyon and Garlike.

The auntient and latter writers reporte, that there are two kyndes of the Squil Onion, as the Male and Female, the Male yelding white leaues, and the Female blacke. This strong by nature, will continue in the hanging vp (in a shadowie place) a long time greene, and it light­ly groweth (as Theophrastus writeth) bestowed in drie Earth, & speedi­ly shooteth vp to a height, it keepeth fruites to be preserued, especiallye Pomegranates, the stalkes afore broken off: and this is sayde to beare floure thrice in a yere, foreshewing by it, the three seasons of cōmitting seedes to the Earth, as the first tyme of bearing floures, to signifie the first tyme of plowing, the seconde time of floure bearing, the seconde time: the thirde, the last time: for how many times these appeare, euē so often is the Earth accustomed to be laboured.

The floure also of the Squil Onyon (as Beritius writeth) shooting vp in a straight stemme, if so be it doth not hastily wyther, signifieth the large or plentiful yeelde of fruites.

What care and skill is requyred in the preparyng and ordering of the Garden Saffron. Chap. 23.

AS touching the Garden Saffrone, it ioyeth to bee bestowed in a meane and chalkie grounde, and euer­more well laboured, and it may very well be sette in the beddes, where Onions haue bene newly plucked vp. The Saffron refuseth wateryng and moysture, for wh [...]che cause the heades oughte to be set in beddes (betweene which) furrowes made, that these may receiue the moisture falling, whiche they greatly feare. Besides these, the heades are muche endomaged throughe the resorte of Mice and Moles, whiche greatlye couet to feede on the rootes or Onions of the Saffron.

The remedies against these twoo noyouse Beastes, are fully taught in my firste parte, whiche the reader maye resorte vnto.

The heades are rather to be bestowed in the Earth, than the Seedes, in that the Seedes (after the committing to the Earthe) prosper not.

The heades are to be sette on ridges, in the month of Aprill or May, and the heades layd on a heape, to lye and wither in the shadowe from the Sun beames, for the space of eight days before, whiche done, to set them with the hearie rootes in the Earth well laboured and dressed, and a lengthe one by another, well halfe a hande breadth asunder, and three fingers deepe. Certain there are which will them to be set for the better yeelde, after the middes of Auguste, vnto the middle of September, let­ting these so to remaine for twoo or three yeares, and that euerye yeare in the month of Aprill and May the leaues or blades then dry, to break off orderly, the other prospering to weede aboute, and to raise the earth after, twoo fingers deepe, but in suche manner, that the heades bee not touched.

After that the hearbes be sufficiently clensed, when as the flowers be withered and deade, especiallye in Auguste and towards Haruest, whi­che, flourishe not aboue a moneth, then these are to bee gathered in the morning after Sunne rising, and after the drying by a gentle fire to be kepte togyther in bagges of leather, in a close and drye place.

And this one thing as maruellous, is worthy to be noted, that the roote or Onion standyng quite oute of the Earthe, yeeldeth notwyth­standing [Page 110] the proper floure of continuance but a daye or twoo after the full openyng, at the season of the yeare: but the heade afterwardes (as depriued of nourishement) withereth and rotteth.

The blades be freshe and greene all the winter throughe, in that the heades be full of iuice, and sufficient strong to endure the colde season. When the Saffron is set, and in the thirde yeare digged vp, there are founde aboute eche heade fiue or sixe heades growing, and ioyned togi­ther wythin the Earthe.

The beste Saffron is the same, which is freshe and newe, and excel­leth in the goodnesse of coloure, in such maner, that the toppes in whiche the Seedes are contained be white, and mixed with a rednesse: the chiue also is not lightly brokē, and rubbed in the hand, coloureth the skin, and is in sauour comfortable, wyth a gentle sharpnesse. And this is named the Orientall Saffron.

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.

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 [Page 114] 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 open fielde, and where Corne grewe, if so be the grounde be di­ligently plowed, and the rootes weeded foorth, these after the bestowyng in the Earthe, may the owner only couer with the harrowe or rake, bi­cause the seedes lye shallow on the ground.

The Seedes ioy in an open fielde, far from the shadowe of Trees, in that these lying vnder shadow be muche harmed: if the owner minde to commit Seedes to the earth in a drye season, he may then bestow them in some well dressed place being moiste and shadowie, thicke togyther [Page 115] after the maner of the Coleworte.

After this, when the plantes be well growen vp, and the earthe suf­ficiently moistned with shoures, the owner maye remoue and sette the plantes in larger places well dressed, from the ende of August vnto the entring of the Sunne into Libra or middle of September.

The Rapes to serue in the winter time, oughte to be gathered in the moneth of October, and those whiche are the fairer, by plucking away the outward leaues, may be set againe in well dunged and dressed earth to yeelde Seedes the Sommer following.

And to preserue the Rape or Turnup rootes, to serue the Winter and Lente time, the owner may worke after this manner, by washing first the rootes, and these raw, bestowe in rankes one vppon another, and in eche rank strew salt, fennell seedes, and sauerie, or only couer them with salte, close couched, and on suche wise letting these remayne for eyghte dayes, poure so muche faire water vppon, as will well couer them: Whiche done, lette the vessell stande in some vaulte or Seller, to serue for the aboue saide times, or longer if the owner will, if so be he fill vp the vessell, when these lye bare and drye. These hitherto Ruellius in his instructions of husbandry.

This one thing is in maruellous and worthy the noting, so small a seede to encrease in roote, to suche a bignesse as wee manye tymes see them, of which the like hathe bene seene to haue wayed thirtie, yea for­tie pounde weighte, to the admiration of many.

The owner oughte especially to take heed, that the seedes to be com­mitted to the Earthe, be not aboue three yeares olde. For the grounde otherwise of the Rapes, will change and bring foorth Colewortes.

For to enioy faire and big rootes, let the owner new sette those rootes which be grown vnto a finger bignesse, wel a span distant one from the other. Which done, and these somwhat more growen, the owner ought to treade downe with the [...], and diligentlye couer the heades thicke with Earthe, whereby the Juice of the leaues and stalkes may runne to the encreasing of the rootes.

The rootes after the gatheryng in the moneth of Nouember, maye likewise be preserued, to serue the Winter and Lente time, as afore is vttered of the Nauewe.

What skil and diligence is required with the secretes to be learned in the sowing and ordering of the Radish. Chap. 26.

THe Garden Radish with vs, is better knowen, than I with pen can vtter the discription of the same, for in a maner euery person, aswel the rich, as the poore, the Cytizen as Countreyman, when their stomacke is slacke or yrketh at meate, they then to procure an ap­petite to feeding by the same roote, by cutting y ^e rootes eyther into a length (on eche side) or into round slyces, do workmanlye season them with salte, beating them for the more delight to the mouth, betweene two [...], supposing a more tendernesse caused to the rootes, through the like [...]doyng: whose care and diligence in the bestowing of it in the Earthe, oughte (after the minde of Columella) to bee after this manner, then the beddes, before the bestowing of the seedes, be wel labo­red, and workmanly turned in with dung, and when the rootes be gro­wen to some bignesse, then the Earthe to bee raysed and diligentlye heaped aboute them, for if the rootes shall bee naked or lye bare of Earthe, that doth the Sunne and ayre beate vppon them, then wyll [Page 118] they become, in their further growth, but [...] 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 cōpasse 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 [Page 119] 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.

[Page 120]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 [...]leas, Theophrastus willeth to sowe in the Beddes among them, the pul [...] 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.

[Page 121]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 commeth to mynde, a secrete very profitable, and to bee esteemed with vinteners, whiche the Authour freely vttereth to them.

If the vintener cutteth a Radishe into slyces, and bestoweth those pieces in a vessel of corrupt wine, it doth in short time draw al y ^e euil sa­uoure and lothsomnesse (if any such consisteth in the wine) and to these the tartnesse of it, like receiueth, which if the roote be not able to ridde and drawe quite forth this defaulte, let the same immediately be taken forth (and if neede shall require) put in a fresh roote like ordered. For thys no doubte hath often bene proued, and profited many by vnderstanding of the secrete.

This no doubte is a secrete very maruellous, that the Radyshe in no wise agreeth to be placed or growe nigh to the vine, for the deadlye hatred between them, in somuch that the Uyne nere growing, turneth or windeth backe with the Braunches, as mightilye disdayning and hating the Radishe growing fast by: If we may credite the learned Plinie, Galen, and the Neapolitane Rutilius, whiche seeme to haue dili­gently noted the same.

And the reason they reporte to be like as afore vttered of the agree­ment of the Coleworte with the vyne, whych is, through the hyd dis­cord of natures consisting in them, so that if the places were changed, yet for all the remouing, will they in no manner ioy togither.

Of whiche Androcides affirmed the Radishe and Colewort, to be a sigular remedie against drunkennesse, so that the auntient in Greece, cōmonly ioined and matched the drinking of wine, with the Radish, as I afore vttered in the Chapter of the Coleworte, so that no maruel it is, if these bee vsed so common.

The Radysh in time past hath bene of suche accompte, and so wor­thily esteemed, that Moschion the Greeke wrote a large pamphlet of the worthy prayses of the same: yea the Radishe before other meates, was so preferred in Greece, that at Delphos in the Temple of Appollo, the Radishe was esteemed as Golde, the Beete as Siluer, and the Rape [Page 122] or Turnup as Leade.

The Radish also is sayde to polishe very fayre the yudr [...]e, and but [...] ­ed in a heape of salte, doth alter and reduce y ^e same into a watery pickle.

The Radish to conclude, in the remouing and settyng again, looseth the sharpnesse resting in it, and this hath a singular delight in the rinde, so that the same bee newe gathered and not too olde of growth, ther­fore by the example of many seldome eaten, do vnaduisedly refuse and omyt the vsing of it.

And drawing to an ende, I thinke it righte profitable to vtter the makyng of vineger with the Radishe, as the learned Petrus Crescentius (in his work of Husbandry) hath noted the same. The rootes of the Ra­dish (sayth he) being dryed and brought to fyne pouder, and bestowed into a vessel which hath wyne in it, let stande to settle (after the well laboring and mixing togither) for certayne dayes: which done, the ow­ner shal enioy a Radish vineger, very laudable and much commended for the dissoluing and wastyng of the stone in the kidneys, and many o­ther paynful griefes.

What care and skill is required in the sowing and workmanly ordering both of the Parsnep, and Carote. Chap. 27.

THe seedes of the Parsnep and Carote, require one man­ner of diligence in the sowing, and to b [...]e bestowed in a ground painfully digged, well turned in with dung, and workmanly dressed before: but the seedes to be commit­ted to the earthe, maye not bee bestowed in beddes verye thicke togither, to the ende these in the encreasing, maye growe the fairer and bigger.

The plantes are in the like maner to be set, and at those tymes sow­en as afore vttered of the Radish, as sowen in December, January, and February, to serue in the Lent and Spring time, but these better com­mended, to be sowen in the Harneste time to enioy them all the Lente.

The Gardner which wold possesse faire and big roots, ought to pluck away the leaues often times, and to couer light earthe on the heades, as afore vttered of the Radishe: besydes these growen to some bignesse, at the leaste so big as the finger, ought to be thinner set, and often weeded aboute, whereby the rootes maye growe the bigger and sweeter in the eating.

The diligence and skill to be vsed, both in sowing and ordering of the Garden Poppie. Chap. 28.

THe Garden Poppy (after the minde of the Neapoli­tane Rutilius) oughte to be committed to the earthe' in the moneth of September, if it bee in a hotte and drye place: but the Seedes in colder and more tempe­rate places, may be bestowed after the middle of Fe­bruary vnto the ende of Aprill, and sowen in beddes among the Colewortes.

The plantes come the better forwarde, if so be vine braunches or other boughes of trees be burned in the places, where you after mind to bestowe the Seedes. To be briefe, the seedes of the Poppy and Dyll, re­quire the like order and diligence in the bestowing in the earth, as afore vttered, of the herbe Cheruill, and Arache.

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, [Page 132] 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 [Page 133] 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, [Page 134] 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 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 [Page 135] 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 [Page 136] 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, [Page 123] 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 the vineger, in no maner breatheth forth, for by nature is otherwise penetrable or per­ceth, through the thynnesse of partes. And by thys practise, may the owner at due tymes, all the winter through, make delectable Sal­lets of them.

The Cucumbers, by report of the skilful) are the longest time pre­serued freshe and greene, if so be these are bestowed in a Glasse vessel, fil­led with the purest distilled vineger, which if the owner will, hee maye also preserue a long time, if that he cutteth them off, whyles they yet bee young and small, and these bestowe in a vessell of hotte water to bee scalded, whyche done, laye the Cucumbers abroade all the night tyme, to be throughly cooled, after lay Cucumbers into a vessel filled with a sharpe Pickle, made of water and salte for thys wil preserue them, by the former meanes, vntil new do come or may be had.

[Page 142]The Auntient reporte, that a Pickle maye be made, to preserue the Cucumbers and Gourdes a long tyme, wyth Salte, vyneger, Fen­nell, and Maioram, if so be the Cucumbers in some vessell be layed by courses, and these aboue named, strewed betwene.

There bee others, whiche affirme, that these maye a long time bee preserued freshe and greene, if they bee bestowed into the Pickle made of vyneger and Mustarde Seede wroughte togy­ther.

The lerned Plinie wylleth the Cucūbers to be laid in a furrow made in a shadowie place, strewed after the forme of a Bed with sifted sande, which on such wyse handeled, to be couered ouer wyth Earth and dry Hey.

Athaeneus reporteth, that the Cucumbers bee byggest and fay­rest to the eye, at the full of the Moone, so that these receyue an in­crease, acording to the Moones light, through the watrye moysture consisting in them.

For which cause, if the Gardner myndeth to enioy fayre and bigge Cucumbers, let those be gathered at the full of the Moone, where in the decrease or wane of the Moone, they be then slenderer and not so sight­ly to sale.

To these, thys Athaenaeus (fauoured of Plinie) addeth, that how of­ten it thundereth and lightneth, the Cucūbers so often (as stricken with a feare) turne and bende.

Thys one thyng is maruellous, that Moyles and Asses are ex­ceedinglye d [...]lyghted with Cucumbers, in so muche that they re­ceyuing the sauoure farre off, are by a maruellous delyghte allu­red to runne and breake into the place, where these manye tymes grow. For which cause, the hedges and bancks about must be strongly made, wherby they may in no manner, breake in to treade downe and waste the Cucumbers.

But the same is more maruellous whyche in the Greeke instruc­tions of Husbandrye is noted, and of manye hath beene proued, that if an Infante sicke of the Ague, and suckyng styll of the Breaste, bee layed on a Bedde made of the Cucumbers to sleepe, beyng framed of lyke lengthe to the Chylde, and that hee sleepeth on the Bedde but a little tyme or a nappe, he shall immediatly be deli­uered [Page 143] of the same, for whyle he sleepeth, al the feuerous heate passeth in­to the Cucumbers.

If the owner would enioy Cucumbers, hauing but little water in them, hee muste digge a furrowe, of a reasonable deapth, and the same filled halfe vp wyth chaffe, or the wast braunches of Uynes or trees, fynely broken, couer ouer wyth Earth, into whyche then bestowe the Seedes, of a reasonable distaunce asunder, and in the comming vppe water not the Plantes, or these moysten very little, but in the rest, order the Plants as afore taught.

As to the loosing and purging of the bodye belongeth: if the owner shall steepe the Seedes in the rootes of the wylde Cucumber brused, eyther Ruberbe, Turbyth, Agaricke, Ellebore, or any such lyke made into a Potable water, for three dayes togyther, and for fiue dayes togyther, after the Plantes shotte vppe, doeth often moysten them wyth thys licour, he [...] shall after enioy fruites, whych wyl gently purge the belly.

And they may be caused to worke the stronger, if the rootes, while they sende foorth theyr braunches, bee digged aboute, and the smaller rootes vpwarde cutte awaye, in the places of whyche, a quantitye of the Ellebor, or some other purgyng simple layde, and the Earth dily­gently couered about.

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 [Page 146] 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, [Page 147] 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, [Page] If the Seedes before the setting be stieped for three dayes at the least, in Sesaminum, or Sauine oyle, as the Neapolitane Rutilius vttereth, or in the Juice of that hearbe infused, named Conyza, in Englishe Flea­bane.

The like may bee wroughte, if after the condition of the Uine, the principallest and firste stemme shotte vp, be on such wise digged about, that alonely the heade of the same be lefte bare. Whiche as it shall en­crease, muste the owner repeate, yea a thyrd time, if neede shall require the same.

And in this doing, muste the owner haue a care, that as the braun­ches spread foorth (whether vpright or on the ground) to be cutte away, herein preseruing only that stemme, which shot foorth last.

The Gourdes on such wise handled (as the Cucumbers afore noted, will yeelde fruits without seedes, possessing only Cartilages, and a softe pulpe within. If the owner would possesse fruits timely and very soone, then after the instruction of the Greeke writers of husbandry, bestow in earthen pannes or olde baskets without bottomes, fine sifted earthe in­termedled with dung, aboute the beginning of the Spring, in which the Seedes sette, sprinkle and moisten sundry times with water: after this, in faire and Sunny dayes, or when a gentle shower falleth, set them abroade, but when the Sunne goeth downe, bestowe the baskets with the plants within the house againe, and these like order so often (and water when neede requyreth) vntill all the frostes, tempests, and colde season be gone and paste. After this assoone as oportunity and time wil serue, and that a faire day be presente, bestowe all the baskets and pans of earthe vnto the brimme, in well laboured and dressed beddes, and applie that other diligence requyred, throughe whiche the Gardner shall possesse timely fruite, aswell of the Gourde as Cucumber.

The same matter shall the owner b [...]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 [Page 145] 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, [Page 146] 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 thē 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.

[Page 147]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.

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 [Page 151] 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 [Page 152] 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 [Page 153] 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 to feeble, and the fruites to yeelde a pleasaunte sauour in the eating, at whiche tyme the owner muste diligentlye take heede of Cattes, that haue an earnest loue and desire to them, as afore is vttered

Also the Gardener ought to conceiue, that those named the wynter Pompons, do neuer growe to a ful rypenesse on their beds, and for that cause, to procure them speedily to rypen, hee must (after the gathering) hang them vp in the roofe of the house, and eate of those, when they ap­peare yellowe within.

Worthy instructions about the sowing and setting of sundry Phisicke herbs, to these of the greatest number of fragrant herbes, and pleasaunt floures, and first of the blessed Thistle. Cap. 32.

WHere afore wee haue sufficiētly wri­tē of the apt pla­cing, and work­manly orderyng of the most her­bes, and fruites, both for the pot and sallets, and of theyr benefits for the vse of phi­sicke: in this part following (for a further encrease and comforte of the simple) wee purpose to [...]n­treat not only of the artly placing of sundry phisick herbes, but to what vses these serue for the ayde and benefit of helthe.

And of these wee entende to beginne with that worthy hearbe na­med the Blessed Thistle (for his singular vertues) aswell againste poi­sons, as the pestilente Ague, and other perillous diseases of the hearte: Whyche to many at this daye is verye well knowen althoughe greate controuersies haue bin amongst the Auntient phisitions, about the true description of the hearbe: for both the name and forme of the hearbe, doe declare the same to be a kinde of Thistle: yet the learned Ruellius wri­ting of the blessed Thistle, came nearer to a trouth, and faithfuller de­scribed the forme of the herbe: in that he affirmed the same to haue a big [Page 158] stalke, and leaues crisped with prickles (after the condition of the En­diue) the flower yelowish, and seedes small, contained within the softe downe, (as in the other Thistles,) and that they doe late waxe ripe.

This hearbe named the Blessed Thistle, requireth to be sowen in a well laboured grounde, and the seedes oughte to bee committed to the Earth in the firste quarter of the Moone, but those not to bee bestowed in beds, aboue three fingers deepe.

The Hearbe also ioyeth and well prospereth commyng vp among Wheate.

What care and secrets ar to be lerned in the sowing and setting of the hearbe Angelica. Chap. 33.

THe hearbe Smyrnium, which at this daye of all the phisi­tions and poticaries throughe out Europe is named Angelica: thys when in the firste yeare it shall come vp of the Seede, yeldeth stalkes of a foote and a halfe high, a finger bigge, rounde, tender, smoothe, and bendyng backe to the Earth: these also deuided and spreade foorth into twoo, three, and manye tymes foure smaller stalkes or armes, in whose toppe are leaues in forme like to the leaues of the Smallache, but farre greater, and those diuided into three partes, sharpe fashioned at the ende, and growyng vnto twelue fingers in heigth and breadth, and greene all the Winter.

In the second or thirde yere, the stemme shooteth vp out of the mid­dle of the leaues, and in heigth twoo or somtymes three cubites, encrea­sing a within thombe bignesse for the more parte, rounde, ioynted, whitish and smoothe, and as the same were sprinckled with dusty spots and hollowe within, beset also wyth leaues in ioynte forme, much les­ser than the abouesaide. Thys also hathe little braunches, and certayne [Page 162] stemmes shooting foorth, in whose toppe are greate tuffes, well fiue or sixe ynches broade, and those in forme imbosed rounde, and full of whi­tishe floures in whiche do after succeede twoo seedes, conioyned togy­ther, long, cornered, and of an ashie white coloure: those also contained within the hulke, be long, plaine, blacke without, white wythin, and the tough kernell couered with a rinde or pillyng sharp edged. This en­creaseth in roote many times so bigge as the hand can clappe aboute, and somtimes bigger, yea it sendeth foorthe the roote, before the stemme bee come vppe, whyche roote encreaseth in yeares well a soote of length, or into many partes deuided, beyng blacke wythout, and white wythin, bigge, softe, and full of Juice, whiche being cut sendeth foorth a yelow Juice or licoure, from the inner side of the rinde, and a like licoure is cō ­tained in the veyns of the leaues, but the same more watery.

The root, sedes, and leaues possesse an eger taste, fretting the iawes, somwhat bitter, thinne, and aromaticke or sweete smelling.

The moste effectuous of all the partes, is the proper licoure, nexte the seedes, then the roote, laste the floures and leaues.

The hearbe Angelica ioyeth to be sowen in a well laboured earthe, and the same rather drye than moiste, for the harming by wormes, af­ter the commyng vp, this requireth to be diligently weeded aboute, and seldome watered. This Angelica florisheth and beareth floures in the moneths of July and August.

What care & diligence is required in the artely sowing of the hearbe Ualerian. Chap. 34.

THe Ualeriā groweth vp with a long and high stemme, ioynted and hollowe, bearing on the toppe a tuffe, and flowers purple mixed with a whitenesse, or white mix­ed with a rednesse, after the forme of Organy, the roote as bigge as the little finger, and white, with manye o­ther small rootes braunching in the earthe, and these ye­lowish of coloure, sweete in sauoure, and yeelding the force of the spike, by a certaine strengthe of the sauoure. And this doth Hieronimus booke reporte, to be the true Ualerian, and that rare to be founde, which for the rarenesse, is at this day sowen in many Gardens. The Ualerian com­meth very well vp, being bestowed in a moist and wel dunged ground, and the hearbe after the comming vp, requireth to be often watered, vn­till it hath yeelded a highe stemme.

The dilligence required in the bestowing of the Hearbe Bytonie. Chap. 35.

THe Betony is an Hearbe, hauing a slender stemme, and foure square, growyng in manye places a foote and a halfe hyghe, the leaues long and softe, and indented rounde aboute, like to Oken leaues, and sweete smel­ling, among the whiche, greater leaues are those, growing nighe to the roote, in the toppe of the stemmes is the seede, ea­red after the maner of Sauerie, the rootes spreading small, and beareth purple floures.

The Herbe Betonie ioyeth to be sowen in a moist and cold ground, and by a bricke or stone wal to enioy the shadow of the same, for the Herbe much delighteth to stande in the Sunne beames.

The skil and diligence required in the artly bestowing of the Herbe Louage. Chap. 36.

THe Louage ioyeth to growe by Wayes, and vnder the Eiuesyng of an house, it also prospereth in shadowye places, but especially delyghteth to growe neare to a run­ning water.

Thys in the growing, sendeth vp a long and slender stem, like to the Oyl, ioynted, with leaues rounde about like to the Me­lylote, sweete sauouring, tenderer and softer, towards the toppe smaller and much more deuided. In the toppe of the stem groweth a touffe, in which consisteth the seede, blacke, hard, and long, like to the Fennel seed being sharpe in tast, & sweete in smelling, it also beareth a yelow floure, & hath a pale roote within, but black without, sharpe, sweete sauouring, tender, ful of iuyce, and byting the iawes.

[Page 170]The Herbe for hys sweete sauoure is vsed in bathe, but the seede is of greater effecte in medicine.

What care and skil is required in the bestowing of the Herbe Elecampane. Chap. 37.

THe Herbe Elecampane groweth vp w ^t a long stem, big and Mossie, & the leaues with mossie bears on the one side on the toppe of the stem, being many times a mans heigth, is a bigge yealowe floure growing, in which the seedes are contained, and those by feeling procure ytche.

The roote within the erth reddish without, and white within, bigge, sharpe in tast, and sweete smelling. The roote is digged vp, at the bee­ginning of sommer, and slyced, dryed in the sunne.

This especially flourisheth in the moneth of July.

The Elecampane may not be sowen, in that the seedes bestowed in beds prosper not, but rather set the yong buds broken tenderly from the roote in Earth wel dunged and laboured afore. And those begynne to set, in the moneth of Februarye, wel three foote asunder, one from the o­ther, in that those sende forth bigge leaues, and long rootes spreading in the Earth.

The care in the bestowing of the hearbe Pepperworte. Chap. 39.

THe Pepperworte is a seemly hearbe, yeelding leaues greater and broader, than the peache, or Baye tree, and those thicker, greener, & softer, the herbe also gro­wing a foot and a half, and somtimes, two foot high, wyth a stiffe and rounde stemme, bearyng on the top white and very small floures, after these a small seede and long roote.

The leaues are sowre, and bite in taste like pepper on the tongue, for which cause this is rightly named Pepperworte. Thys groweth euery where in Gardens, and well ordered in the ground, endureth for two [Page 176] yeres, in certaine places also (as witnesseth Ruellius) it continueth grene tenne yeares. It florisheth or beareth floures in the moneth of June, and July, and nexte yeeldeth the Seede.

The hearbe Pepperworte oughte to bee sette before the beginning of Marche, after the growing vp, to be clipped and cutte like the Siues, but this not often: for after the firste day of Nouember, the hearbe ought not to be cut, leaste it perisheth or drieth throughe the colde season en­suing. The hearbe prospereth and continueth twoo yeares, if the same be well dunged aboute, and diligently weeded.

The care in the bestowing of the Celondyne. Chap. 39.

THe Hearbe Celondyne shooteth vp a foote and a halfe high, and somtymes is more slender of them, bearing many leaues, and those like to the Crowfoote, but sof­ter and to a yelowish coloure tending, yeeldyng also a yelow floure like to the Violet.

The iuyce in the Hearbe of yelowe coloure to Saf­frone, biting the tongue, sowre, somwhat bitter and strong sauouring. The roote aboue all one, but within the earth shedde into many yellow hearye rootes: it commonly groweth in shadowie places, by walles and in stony heapes: this florisheth at the comming of the Swallowes, and all the Sommer, but it wythereth at the departure of them.

The Celondine commeth vp in any earth, yet dothe the same more ioy bestowed in a shadowie place, and the seedes ought to be commit­ted to the Earth in the moneth of February, which after the comming vppe, wil endure for twoo yeares, if after the shedding of the Seedes, the stemmes be cutte away, well foure fingers aboue the rootes.

The care in the bestowing of the hearbe Filipendula. Chap. 40.

THe hearbe Filipendula groweth in stonye and roughe places, as on hils, bearing a leafe like to the wilde parse­nep, or parseley, the stemme bigge, and a foote or som­what more in heigth, yeeldyng on the toppe a white floure, in the moneth of July, after that the Seede like to the Orache, and a bigge roote, out of whiche many round heades or kernelles growe.

The roote oughte to be digged vp in the ende of haruest, whyche en­dureth for tenne yeares.

The Filipendula commeth well vppe in anye Earth, yet doeth the Hearbe more ioy, beyng sowen or sette in a stonye or grauellye grounde: the Seedes require to bee committed to the Earth in the mo­neth of Aprill, and to be like ordered, after the shooting vp in the weeding and watering as afore taught of the other hearbes.