Maison Rustic, Or, THE COUNTRY FARM.  
Compiled in the French Tongue by CHARLES STEVENS, and JOHN LIEBAULT, Doctors of Physic.  
And translated into English by RICHARD SURFLET, Practitioner in Physic.  
Now newly Reviewed, Corrected, and Augmented, with divers large Additions 〈…〉; Works of 



FRENCH  
SERRES his Agriculture,  
VINET his Maison Champestre,    
ALBYTERIO in Spanish,  
GRILLI in Italian; and other Authors.    
And the Husbandry of France, Italy, and Spain, reconciled and made to agree with ours here in England:  
By GERVASE MARKHAM.  
The whole Contents are in the Page following.  
יהוה   printer's or publisher's device 
LONDON, Printed by Adam Islip for john Bill. 1616.   

The Contents.  
THere is contained in this last Edition, whatsoever can be required for the building, or good ordering, of a Husbandman's House, or Country Farm: as namely, to foresee the changes and alterations of Times; to know the motions, and powers, of the Sun and Moon, upon the things about which Husbandry is occupied: as, to cure the sick labouring Man; to cure Beasts and flying Fowls of all sorts; to dress, plant, or make Gardens, as well for the Kitchen, and Physic use, as also in Quarters; with many fair and cunning portraitures, to make compartments of divers fashions in every quarter: with a large description of the herb Nicotiana, or Pe●um; as also of the root Mechoacan: to plant, graft, and order Orange-trees, Citron-trees, and such other strange Trees: to order Bees: to make Conserves: to preserve Fruits, Flowers, roots, and Rinds: to make Honey and Wax: to plant and graft all sorts of Fruit-trees: to make Cider, 〈…〉, and Oils: to distil Waters and Oils, or Quintessences, of whatsoever the Husbandman's store and increase; with many patterns of Limbeckes for the distilling of them: to feed and preserve Silkworms: to make and maintain Medow-grounds: Fishponds of running and standing waters: to take Fishes: to measure and till Corn-ground: to bake Bread: to dress baked Meats: to brew Beer: to trim Vines: to make medicinable Wines; with a very large and excellent discourse touching the nature and quality of Wine in general; and after that, another special and particular one, of all such Wines as grow in Gasconie, Languedo●, Touraine, Orleans, Paris, and other countries of France: to plant Woods of Timber-trees and Vndergrowth: to make a Warren: to breed Herons: and to imparke wild Beasts. As also a large discourse of hunting the Hart, wild Boar, Hare, Fox, Grace, Conie, and such like: with the ordering of Hawks, and all sorts of Birds. And lastly, in the end thereof, is briefly showed the nature, manner of taking, and feeding, of the Nightingale, Linnet, Goldfinch, Siskin, Lark, and other such singing and melodious birds.   

TO THE MOST NOBLE, AND MOST WORTHY LORD ROBERT, Lord Willoughby, Baron of Willoughby and Eresbie.  
HOw ever the greatness of your place, or the necessity of the times, may challenge your virtue (most Noble Lord) to be wholly taken up, in the contemplation of high, and serious affairs, as ambitious or covetous to enjoy a full and absolute man, and making every thing that is not equal with your worth, too much too inferior for your eye; yet this excellent glory of Nobility, well tempered Courtesy (in which you are flowing rich) persuade me that the arguments handled in this Book, shall not appear so trivial in your judgement, but that as to the tale of an honest Husbandman, you will bend your Noble ear. And though not for the bettering of your own knowledge, yet for the benefit which may spring unto your neighbours, grant it your most Noble patronage and defence, from the storms and frosts of Envy and Detraction: It first belonged to your most Noble and Heroical Father, as the gift of a learned and well experienced Gentleman, who in the translation, took a long and well-meriting labour; it must needs then, now be yours, both by order and inheritance. And though when it came to kiss his hand, it was all French, except the language, so that many wanted skill to make use, and some were fearful how to use a knowledge so differing from their practice: yet now it is put into other garments, and how homely soever the stuff be; yet it is cut with that art and judgement, that without doubt, it will both endure the wearing, and become any Husbandman of this Kingdom; or the other, who were first breeders of the same: to whose particular profit I leave it, and my s●lfe ever to be disposed as  
your Lordship's servant, G. M.   

TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE, SIR PEREGRINE BARTIE, Knight, Lord Willoughby, Baron of Willoughby and Eresbie, Lord Governor of her majesties Town of Berwick, and Lord Warden of the East Marches.  
AS Darius in his deep affecting desire, 
P●●tarch. in ●eg. Apoh.  made choice of many such subjects and Captains, as Zopyrus; and Aeacus, after that the Pestilence had unpeopled Thessalia, did wish that the swarms of Pismires (whereupon as it is said, 
〈…〉.  the Myrmidons took their names) might be turned into men: So I am undoubtedly persuaded (right honourable) that you having made your chief and special choce of the things which are from above, and striving therein to set up your rest of contentation, would with like delight have welcomed some such thing, as had concerned the dressing and adorning of the soul: rather than any course, country and domestical discourse (such as I am here to offer unto your Honour) being commonly esteemed but as a tale of a turf, or matter for a mattock. And indeed I could have wished that the Heavens had stooped as low to have revealed unto you some of her sacred mysteries: as the earth hath advanced itself herein, and opened her mouth to show unto you her cabinet of rich provision, and casket of precious jewels. Or else, that according to your place and calling, some Caesar had afforded you some learned Commentary of Martial Stratagems: or some Lycurgus, such treatise of Policy, as wherein you might have had pointed out and delineated, as with Polycletus his golden rule, the exquisite rules of upright justice and laws of Commonweals safe government. But seeing this is that mite which my store will allow me at this time to offer unto your Honour, accepting the same, may it please you to look a little thereupon, and consider that variety and store of rarities their power, magnificence, and renounce. Furthermore; of or from the earth, is ministered matter to defend or offend, ●eed or famish, cherish or starve, make blind, or restore sight, to overturn, or build up great towers, to give, or take away light, to procure health or fickenes●e, foes or friends, peace or war, pleasure or pain, sorrow or mirth, taste or distaste, sleep or watchfulness, sores or soundness, barrenness or fruitfulness, life or death: and what not? Yea, if you should desire to look upon the counterfeit of beauty, or to know Divine Pandora her manifold other graces, 
〈…〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉.  you need not far to search, seeing herein irreprehensible shape, surpassing fairness, infinite riches, rare attire, robes, ornaments, issue, ability, utility, wisdom, and government: seeing it also (as the centre of the world) attended with so many glittering globes which the Heavens do contain▪ every one ready and priest to apply themselves, and whatsoever is in them in all serviceable sort, for the effecting of her affairs. For who is he, that upon such grounds can refrain as absolutely to give sentence with it, against all sorts of creatures (not inhabiting the highest heavens) as ever was given with H●l●na for beauty, 
〈…〉  Penelope for chastity, Aeneas for piety, or Themistocles for fastness of memory? And finally, this sacred goddess, 
〈…〉  as she showeth her beauty, in being clothed in her gayest colours, and her perfection in her natural kindness, by pressing out of her never drying breasts (though evermore conceived) even millions of streams to feed (as with sweet milk) both the young and old fruit of her womb: so if you please to call to mind such names, as the Grecians in their wisdom have given thereunto, which are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, or, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, of the verb 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to be glorious, or to excel; or the names affo●rded it in the Holy tongue, which are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 (the one having relation to that kind of earth which bringeth forth food for man, and the other to that which feedeth cattles) you shall clearly see, that there cannot to reverend an estimation be had of the earth; and that it is to fail and come short of the scope of the Creator (by whom first and principally all names are given) to account thereof, in any base and vile manner. Now seeing the earth is so divine a substance as hath been proved, and that every man, as also his labours, are so much the more or less to be regarded, or honoured, as the subject is, whereabout he is occupied. I cannot doubt but that this so renowned a Grace, shall be vouchsafed to have conferred, all due and worthy dignity and grace, upon such as take pains, like devoted favourites, and fervent true lovers, to make her admired and honoured of all. Especially the same falling out not upon any light and wanton fantasies, that young and youthful years may breed; (her last and worst age, having already very deeply seized upon her:) but rather of entire affection (if not compulsive duty) pricking them forward (so much as lieth in them) to pluck off her stiff, hard, and dry grown slough, that so she might receive as it were a second birth, to the doubling of the thread of her lively and lusty days. And that upon both the sorts of them, as namely those which shape their course, to the purchasing of this haven, through the straits of painful toil: and the other who endure hard storms, till led by learning's loadstone, they have also discovered the same by skilful precept. 
2. Chro. 26. ●0.  And the rather, seeing that as wisdom itself: 
Genes. 4. ●.  (calling the first 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is, lovers and tilers of the earth) the practice of the Worthies of all ages & nations, whether you call to mind the Romans amongst the Gentiles; 
● Sam. ●. 14. 〈…〉.  or the Kings and kingly race amongst the jews: and thirdly, the testimonies of profane writers, Dij pecorum pavere greges: And Tempus in agrorum cultu consumere dulce est, have not suffered them to want their due laud and praise: so the common and delightful reading and studying of the second; besides the laurel garland and favour, with preferment, at the hands of the mightiest Princes, ever ready and ordained for good writers, doth sufficiently declare their merit and desert; yea unlettered and senseless works which skill hath framed, cannot but approve and praise the workman: and consiquently, the happy hand that was employed in penning and pointing out the sum of all that art and cunning. Again, if such as faithfully set down the acts, the speeches, and several occurrences of persons and times, for performing so wonderful a work, as to make the things past, and perished, in the first breathing of the world, still to live and yield forth a lively breath unto the last and final end of all; and on the contrary, that which shall be last, and never was before, to be all beset with the roarie hairs of the very first and eldest antiquities, be truly worthy of immortal honour: then how much more should they, who from painful plodding precept, have revealed the knowledge of bringing forth, as also of recording whatsoever such famous deeds or sayings? Wherefore accept, and take in good part, R. Honourable, (as one who can never let slip any the least kindness that hath been offered to a mother) this laboured work, the magazine, and storehouse of all such knowledge, as may make for the honour, dignity, place and possessions, he teacheth thee to charge thyself as thy revenues will liberally reach, taking heed of pordigalitie; and stirreth thee up to the knowledge of the ordering and dressing of ground, or whatsoever other thing: that so thou mayest not only see what is to be done, and how, but also judge thereof when it is done. If an inferior person and having nothing but what thou labourest for, lacking also skill, and so suffering thy field to grow barren: he teacheth thee all good means for the making of it fruitful. If for lack of will, poverty come upon thee as an armed man, know that there is never a precept of painful toil and laborious husbandry throughout the whole Book, but it soundeth an alarm, and proclaimeth an open defiance against thee as a Sluggard. If through skill joined with will, thou reap the plentiful increase of a rich Harvest, but abuse it, to the malicious vexing and troubling of thy neighbour in the Law, or to the corrupting of the honest and chaste lives of Maids, or any of thy neighbour's Wives, he calleth thee from such courses unto the labours of thy ground: for scarce to take thy lawful recreation at lawful delights (such as are Hawking and Hunting) will he afford thee any leisure: If a Farmer, he teacheth thee kindness by devising something to gratify thy Lord withal; and gentleness in lovingly entreating thy servants. If thy neighbour enjoy any goodly commodity of Grass, Corn, or other dead thing, or any other living thing whatsoever that is excellent, because he would not have thee to look upon the same with a repining, greedy, and covetous eye; he calleth thee to the providing of such of thine, by teaching thee how to do it. If thou be a servant, he willeth thee to be both painful and pitiful; that so all thy business may be well done, and in due time: and the beasies wherewith thou art charged, may be tendered of thee in all mildness. And finally, that all unhonest and disgraceful ways may be far from thee, he hath taken the pains to instruct thee in so many things, as that if thou wilt apply thyself thereunto, and to do them well: thou shalt not find the leisure to lend a thought to the evil that might allure thee. And that he might not be mistaken and thought to forget that woman was made for a helper, he hath called her to her task, and that neither little, nor consisting of a few or base things, having committed unto her (besides many other matters) the cure and charge of family's health. But leaving to speak any more of her charge in particular, I could wish all such of that sex as are religious, to look before they leap, and to be wise according to sobriety and gravity: Sobriety, not meddling, above their place and reach, in matters of Physic: and Gravity, as not having any thing to do in the matter of Fukes, either for using or preparing of them; seeing they argue, if not plainly prove, a light, a loose, and very sinful life.  
And finally, seeing that the whole earth was once a Tempe, an Eden (that is, a place of all pleasures and delights) and the assigned possession and natural inheritance of man and woman, to labour and live in, with exceeding great joy and felicity; and that through their sin it was cursed, and they were cast out of the most pleasant, commodious, and beneficial part thereof: I could wish them jointly to record such their former felicity, and the loss thereof, to the end that they may apply their hearts unto wisdom, and learn, that although they do continually labour, yet if they wallow in sins, they do but throw down twice as much as they build up, destroy and mar mare they make, drive far away the creatures of meat and maintenance, which they labour so greedily to scrape and pull unto them, and even bereave the earth (if it were possible) of all manner of fruits and increase, that so it might not any more either feed or clothe them: For knowledge, skill, toil, pain, rising early, lying down late, with every other help, doth lose his virtue and come short of his end, if delight of sin be joined as a companion therewithal; it being the heavy load and burden under which all creatures do groan; the burning ague that drieth all sap and moisture; and that cursed seed which causeth them as a vaporous brood not only to fret out their mother's bowels, and bring a curse upon her body; but thereby also to curse and cross themselves in all that wherein they would most gladly thrive and prosper.  
You must sow in March, the Moon being 

New,  
Garlic.  
Borage.  
bugloss.  
chervil.  
Coriander.  
Gourds.  
Marierome.  
White Poppy.  
Purslane.  
Radish.  
Sorrell.  
Double Marigolds.  
Time.  
Violets.   

Full,  
Musked anise.  
Blites.  
Skirwoorts.  
Succory.  
Fennell.  
Apples of love.  
marvelous Apples.   

Old,  
Artichokes.  
Basill.  
Thistles.  
Blessed Thistle.  
Cole Cabbage.  
White Cole.  
Green Cole.  
Citrons.  
Cucumbers.  
Harts-home.  
Sampire.  
Dyers grain.  
spinach.  
gilly-flowers.  
Hyssop.  
Cabbage-Lettuce.  
Melons.  
Muguets.  
Onions.  
Flower Gentile.  
Burnet.  
Leeks.  
Savoury.   You must sow in April, the Moon being 

New,  
Mar●erome.  
Flower gentle.  
Thyme.  
Violets.   

Full,  
Apples of love.  
marvelous Apples.   

Old,  
Artichokes.  
Thistles.  
Cabbage Cole.  
Citrons.  
Hartshorn.  
Sampire.  
gilly-flowers.  
Muguets.  
parsnip.   In May, in the old of the Moon Blessed thistle. In june, the Moon being 

New,  
Gourds.  
Radishes.   

Old,  
Cucumbers.  
Melons.  
parsnip.   In july, the Moon being 

Full,  
White Succory.   

Old,  
Cabbage-Lettuce.   In August, the Moon being 

Full,  
White Succory.    
Herbs growing of ●eedes that are sown, may be transplanted at all times (except chervil, Arrage, spinach, and Parsley, which are nothing worth when they are transplanted) ever observed, That such transplantation be in a moist or rainy weather: for otherwise you must look to them, to water them.  
Understand, and know, that the choice and age of seeds is double: for after you have chosen them ripe, full, heavy, corpulent, gross, of a good colour, and that they fall not into powder either through rottenness, or bruisednesse, Some do grow better of new seeds, as Leeks and Cucumbers. Othersome do grow better of old seeds, as 

Coriander.  
Parsley.  
Savoury.  
Beets.  
Origanum.  
Crosses.  
Spinach.  
Poppy.   Know further, that you must preserve from the cold, 

Lettuces,  
Artichokes,  
Basill,  
Thistles,  
Cabage Cole,  
Dyers grain,  
Melons.   fifteen days after they put forth of the earth.  
Know, that seeds do thrive and prosper a great deal better, when they are sown upon such days as are but warm, and not very hot, or cold, than in hot, cold, or dry days.  
Note, that seeds must be Gathered in 

Fair weather.  
The wane of the Moon.   Kept, Some in 

Boxes of wood.  
Bags of Leather.  
Vessels of earth.   And after to be well cleansed and dried in the Sun, or shadow. Othersome, as 

Onions,  
Chibbols,  
Leeks,   in their husks. Note, that it doth well to 

Plant in the last  
Gather grifts in the last but one  
Grift two days after the change   of the Moon. Note, that they which are grown up to the knowledge of the Planets and Signs, may exactly observe the aspects of the Moon unto the rest of the Planets, & how long it abideth in any of them, for she aspecting ♁ by a △ or ⚹, in the sign 

♉  
♋  
♍  
♎  
♑  
♒   it is good to 

Plant Vines.  
Sow all things generally.  
Sow the fields generally.  
Sow Gardens.  
Sow every where, and all things generally.  
Plant Trees and Vines.   ♂ or ♃, by a △, or □, in the sign ♒, maketh it good to plant and set Tr●es and Vines. being in the 

7  
1  
28  
7  
15  
28  
11  
24  
7  
28  
11  
7   degree 

15  
57  
40  
15  
49  
40  
31  
3  
14  
40  
2  
15   minutes of 

♈  
♉  
♉  
♋  
♌  
♌  
♍  
♍  
♎  
♏  
♐  
♑   Astrologians command us to sow and plant, because of a well tempered state and condition in them.   

THE FIRST BOOK OF THE COUNTRY FARM.  


CHAP. I.  
What manner of Husbandry is entreated of in the Discourse following.  
EVen as the manner of building used at this day, 
The variety of Countries causeth a divers manner of labouring of the earth.  for the covering and rest of men, is nor like unto that of old time: so we see the manner of the labouring of the earth for the nourishment and sustenance of the same, to differ greatly, according to the Countries, Soil, Grounds, and Situation of the Places wherein they are seated: yea, there is not so much as their language, apparel, or householdstuff and working tools, but they change after the fashions of Countries, which notwithstanding do not hinder, but that in every thing we may be as well fitted as they which went before us. By this we may see our late kind of Husbandry to attain and bring with it the like issue and effects which that of the Ancients did, which is nothing else, but to live of the increase of the Earth, well husbanded and tilled by us.  
Wherefore I have thought it impertinent and unseemly to tie myself to the several sorts of labour used of men in times past, and that because that Countries inhabited by divers sorts of people, have, according to the several variety of them, every one afforded many particular and several sorts of living; as also for that it hath always been the custom of men (to the end they might the more easily fit and apply themselves to the good liking of others) to compose and frame themselves according to the manners of the Country, without affecting, either by the reading of old Writers, or their own overreaching curiosity (the ruin and overthrow of all good wits) 
Overmuch curiosity the ruin● of good wits.  so many new invented fashions of Building, Tilling, Speaking, or Writing: seeing, that by such means, in seeming to reform things without the perfect knowledge of them, men have been brought oftentimes utterly to spill, spoil, and mar the same. And therefore I would not have you to marvel, if the Frame and Toil used about our French Country-farm be not altogether like to that of former and ancient days: 
What manner of Husbandry i● entreated of in that which followeth.  for it is my purpose (following the Proverb, which saith, That we must learn the manners of our ancient predecessors, and practise according to the present Age) to lay out unto you the ways, so to dwell upon, order, and maintain a Farm, Meese, or Inheritance in the Fields (name it as you please) as that it may keep and maintain with the profit and increase thereof, a painful and skilful Husbandman, 
The name of the Country ●ouse 〈◊〉 a Farm, Meese, or field Inheritance.  and all his Family: whereupon it cometh to pass, that the country inhabitants do call it at this day the only or principal and greatest gain that is, because no other thing bringeth more gain unto the master thereof than the earth, if it be well husbanded and reasonably maintained.  
Now for as much as (with good reason) my countrymen of England may object against this Work, 
The Translator.  that albeit it may sort well with any soil that is in any degree (how much collateral soever) allied to this temper, clime, & mixture of the French: yet to us that are so much remote in nature and quality, and who●e Earth giveth unto us, for our most general profit, things and fruits, either little, or very stranger-wise, acquainted with them; and in as much as there may be found that difference in our labours, which may equal the difference of our tastes, they being as far from our Barley as we from their Vine, and we as far from their Fruits as they from our Wools; 
The English practice added to the French.  I will, after the faithful translation of their noble experiences, add the difference of our customs, and to their labours add the experience and knowledge of our best Husbandmen, hoping thereby to give a public content to ou● Nation▪ who seeing the true difference of both Kingdoms, may, out of an easy judgement, both compare and collect that which shall be fittest for his use and commodity.   

CHAP. II.  
A brief show of that which shall more largely ●e described in that which followeth.  
THe better to help the memory, 
The Sum of the first Book.  and as it were by the way of pointing out of our French Husbandry, I will propound and set before you a champion place seated in such a coast or corner as you may find, not as you could choose, and there we will prepare, without extraordinary costs or charges, a House with all such appurtenances (or very near such) as are fit and requisite for our time, as good Cato hath drawn and described for his, in that Treatise of Husbandry set down by him for the Commonwealth of the Romans: And in the same place we will entreat of the state and duty of the Farmer, his Wife, his People, cattle, flying Fowls, and such other things.  
At the one side of this House, 
The S●mme of the second Book  even just in the place whereupon the Sun riseth, and in one part thereof we will place the household garden, which near unto the borders of his quickset hedge shall contain a frame of Rails in form of an Arbour for Vines to run upon, for the furnishing of our household store with Verivice, and other necessary herbs for the house: and we shall not altogether neglect or forget to provide and plant in the same place herbs sit for medicine. And yet furthermore in this garden also you shall plant things to make your profit upon, as Saffron, Teazill, Woad, red Madder, Hemp, and Flax, if it seem not better to reserve this part of Husbandry for fields that are full of Fens or waterish Places. In the other part we shall make a garden for flowers and sweet smells, with his ornaments and quarters, garnished with many strange Trees. About the Hedge we shall set, for to make pottage withal, Pease, beans, and other sorts of Pulse, as also Melons, Citrons, Cucumbers, Artichokes, and such like: in which place we shall entreat of Bees.  
Next to our gardens were must dress some well-defenced piece of ground or green plot for fruits, 
The Sum of the third Book.  and there place our nursery for kernels and feeds, and there plant such stocks as whereon we intent to graft. After, or next hereto, our square of old grown trees, and such as have been transplanted, taken up, and removed: and together with these things we will write of Silkworms, and prescribe the ways to distil Waters and Oils, as also to make Cyders.  
Next in order to our foresaid Green plot, 
The Sum of the fourth Book.  lying near some one or other little Brook, we are to lay our Meadow Grounds, or Pastures for feeding, compassed about with Osier, Elm, Aller-tree, and Withie; and by the borders of such Hedge we will provide some Pool of standing water or running Spring: and next in order to these, the great and large Meadows for the provision and revenues of the Lord.  
Betwixt the South and the North we will appoint▪ and set down Corne-grounds, 
The Sum of the fi●● Book.  and teach how to measure them, and describe their fashion and manner of ●illing▪ in which place we will speak of making and baking of Bread; and over and above the moiety or half part of a hanging thing, and the moiety of a Butt or little Hill.  
In the place which is nearest unto the South, 
The Sum of the sixth Book.  we will plant the Vine, and withal declare the ordering of the same: We will speak of Vintage, and the making of common and medicinable Wines. And thereto we will add the divers sorts of Wines which grow in our Country of France.  
Betwixt the North and the East we will place our Warren, 
The Sum of the seventh Book.  either upon some Hill, or in some other place fit to hunt in, and in the higher grounds we will plant small Wood and great Timber-trees: not forgetting, in the mean time, any thing which may appertain to the ordering and governing of Wood, or concerning Carpentry. We will also make mention of Parks for wild Beasts, of the hunting of them, but that in a few words (for there is no need that a good Householder should trouble his brain with much hunting) and of the breeding of Herons. Finally, we will briefly describe the order and manner of taking of Birds. So that after all these things, there shall not much remain further to be added hereunto, either concerning the pleasure or prof●t of a Country Farm, especially such a one as a man ought to desire, which would live carefully, and within the compass of reason, upon the labouring of his Land.   

CHAP. III.  
What things are requisite before we go in hand with building of this Country Farm.  
AS concerning the propriety of Inheritance (whereof many Authors, both Greek and Latin, have entreated so exactly and curiously) I do not at all intent to encumber myself therewith, supposing, that this Country Farm, and the Land belonging unto it, is either descended by succession, and that there is an intent to make it in such case as may serve most commodiously to the ease and good liking of the owner: or that (if you have purchased and bought it with your money) you have cheered it from all encumbrances and claims before you go about the building and sitting of it in every point as you would have it. For like as some say, 
The Kitchen must be the first piece of building in a good house.  that the first foundation of a good House must be the Kitchen, that is to say, the Revenues and Grounds thereto belonging for the maintenance of the same: even so, the first point and principal care of an Householder, before he build or trim up his House, is to bethink himself how he may make the state entire and absolutely unto himself, and so to have nothing to do with such as are under age, Creditors, Rentors, or others in superior place, which may interrupt and command him from his intended purposes and necessary affairs. 
Purchase by statute, the surest of all others.  He must also see, that all such Charges, Rites, and Customs, as Law doth require, be fully answered, and by name that it be clear of all former Sales▪ Bargains, and Statutes, which is the safest manner of purchasing in these days: 
That there be 〈◊〉 foolish buyers than sellers.  for there are found a far greater number of foolish buyers than of foolish sellers. Let there be past a year and a day before he make any exchange, raising and moving of new debts, for the cleared of his Inheritance, and let him not lay out to the value of a penny, before he have fully ended all things, measured and bounded his grounds from his neighbours, and assured his peace even against the most wayward and troublesome. To be short, let him be free from all manner of Courts and Suits: and if it cannot be otherwise, but that one or other controversy do still hang upon him (seeing, 
That Land 〈◊〉 stri●e in hand.  as some men say, that Lands do avoidable infer and bring with them strife in the Law) yet let it be of such nature, as that he may be plaintiff rather than defendant: I mean in respect of duties to be performed to the chief Lord, and other impositions by the Prince; in discharging whereof, even to the uttermost Penny, Capon, or whatsoever else it be, he ought to be no less careful and diligent, than in mending one tile in the roof of his house, which in course of time being left unrepaired and unput in again, causeth others also to fall, and so causeth great annoyance to the lodgings underneath.   

CHAP. FOUR  
The seating and situating of the Country Farm, with other his appurtenances.  
ALthough every man in all things inquireth after his own commodity, and straineth himself to come as near to perfection and excellency as possible he can▪ notwithstanding, the well-instructed and modest House. holder contenteth himself with that, whatsoever it be, that cometh of the hand and grace of God, and accounteth for great bountifulness and liberality such Pittance, Grounds, and Seat as falleth unto him, assuring himself, that choice and perpetual fruition belong no more to him than Empi●es and Kingdoms unto Princes. Wherefore, if the place wherein he was borne, which he enjoyeth by right of Succession, or Purchase, be not naturally so sit and convenient, as that he may thereby be drawn and alured with the love of it▪ then he must endeavour so to fit it by his skill, 
Labour 〈…〉 a Householder.  and endeavour by his labour so carefully to amend and correct it, that it may be sufficient for the maintaining of him & those that belong unto him, and the erecting and setting up of an House. 
That 〈◊〉 to say, that everything having attained his height, doth in the ●nd decrease.  For he should not learn to lust after, or desire, any more (if the Proverb be true) than a Wheelbarrow for the first hundred years, and a Banner for the second hundred years.  
If I should here go about but once to imagine such a situation of a Country House, as should be so perfect and exquisite, at that nothing should be wanting therein, I might justly seem to myself to be void of all reason. It is very true, that if any such place could be found, 
〈…〉  where the Air, Water, and Earth did all afford their best and most desired favours and qualities, it would much avail and make for the purpose: but so it is, that neither Emperors nor Kings could ever attain the skill to content themselves otherwise than with the situation of their own Countries: some of them sometimes being too hot, too cold, very subject to corruption and putrefaction; othersome less profitable for the bringing forth; and some again of a mean and indifferent condition, and chose. Notwithstanding, although the place be not so fertile as a man could wish, neither yet so commodious as that great Husbandman Cato doth desire it; yet it must be provided and foreseen above all other things, that it have the benefit of a good Air: for suppose, that the grounds were very fruitful, and endued with all the best properties and qualities that a man cou●d possibly wish to be in a champain ground; 
A good air 〈…〉 Farm.  yet notwithstanding, if the Air be pestilential and infectious, or not found, it should argue nothing but great foolishness in a man thereto employ his cost and pains. For where a man is in continual danger of sickness, or of death, not only the gathering of Fruits, but also the life of the Workman is continually hazarded: or rather, which is more truly said, death ●s there more certain than any profit. Wherefore (if it be possible) you must make choice of a place far from marshes, far from the Sea shore, and where as neither the Southern nor Northern winds do ordinarily blow, and which lieth not altogether open to the South Sun, nor yet unto the North: but principally see that it be placed near unto some one or other good and honest neighbour, 
near unto a good neighbour.  seeing it is an insupportable thing to be daily haunted of a brawling and wicked neighbour: let it not be placed near to Holds or Towns of Garrison, thereby to avoid the outrages of Tyranny, and inroads of Soldiers: 
far from places of garrison.  let it in like manner be far from Rivers and Brooks, which are subject to overflow, and that in respect of the unavoidable charges for the repairing of such ruins and spoil as such overflowings do cause. 
far from Rivers and Brooked  And yet I could willingly wish, and greatly desire, that it might not be far off from some smooth and gentle stream, able to bear a ship, to the end that victuals may with the less cost be transported thence to other places for your better commodity sake: as also near some great good Town, that so the things of readiest sale may be sold for the best advancement and making of the most of the revenues of the same. Although to wish to have a Farm in every point so perfect and well seated, as that nothing should be wanting unto it, were (as hath been said) an unreasonable thing: as it is also to expect or look for grounds and fields so well conditioned, as a man could desire in a ground of special and principal praise and commendation. It is true, that besides that Necessity doth beget skill, and provoke and stir up men to take all possible pain, industry, and care; it doth also procure, that there should not that discommodity be found to offer itself, which shall not be recompensed and countervailed either by one or other commodity: as for example, in hot places there are grown good Wines and Fruits of long continuance: in cold places, great store of sweet waters, and sometimes sea-water, which greatly increaseth their profit: in others, for the most part, when the Earth is barren in the upper part, it containeth some good things underneath, as it falleth in Stone-pits, Ours, 
It behoveth v● to content ourselves with that which God and Nature affordeth.  and such other things, which make the change for the better. So then we are to hold ourselves content with such estate and condition as the place shall afford, where we must dwell and settle our habitation: and if it be not such as some curious man in his desire, or one that is hard to please, might require and look for, than we shall strain ourselves to mend it by the means see down hereafter.  
There are very few Farms to be found so seated, as that there is not something to be supplied, as want of Water in high and ascending places; such as are the Countries of Beaux and campaign, notwithstanding that their grounds there be strong, as it happeneth in rising and mountainous places: too great store of water in falling grounds and long valleys, such as are to be found in some places of Savoy, Dauphin, Awergne, and Gascoigne, in which places there is more pasture than tillage: other quarters are given by nature to be sandy, as towards the Town of Estamps, Saint Marturin de l'Archaut, in Solongue, and in the Country of Lands, which notwithstanding cease not to be moist and waterish: other quarters are chalky and clayey, as towards Rheims, Troy, and Chalons in campaign: othersome are stony, as towards Saint Lou de S●rans, Tonnerre, Vezelay in Dauphin, and in the Pyrene Mountains, 
Rocky grounds good for the bearing of Vines, and so for such Countries as a bound with Vines.  where is to be found great store of excellent Marble: and some are rocky, which are most fit for the Countries abounding with Vines. Howsoever the case stand, the building cannot happen in so inconvenient and strange a place, but that a man may make choice to take the best quarter for the Sunshine, as that which is most for the health and wholesomeness of the inhabitants, and apply it every way for his use and ease.  
If therefore a high and flat place, as Beaux or high France, do want Water, you must, 
A high and flat Country. Pools. cisterns.  for a supply, make Pools right over against your Courts, and Cisterns in your Gardens: and as for your grounds, you must draw furrows therein in such sort, as that the earth, cast up by the way, may retain moisture a long time: and if the ground prove itself strong, you shall not need to manure and dung it so oft, neither yet to let it lie fallow more than every fourth year. If you cast Pits, you must dig them of a convenient wideness and length, that is to say, foursquare; but somewhat more long than wide, 
Pits called Aranques.  after the fashion of the Pits Aranques, which are in use in the gardens of Provence and Languedoc, with their trough laid to the brinks of the Pits, to receive such water as is drawn: but if the water be so low in the ground, that such kind of Pits cannot be made, then there must Pits be made to go with a wheel, and those so large, as that at every draft you may draw up half a pipe of water at the least, which you shall empty into particular troughs, and keep them for the use of your People and cattle: but above all other things, you must have a special care to gather and keep well all Rain water, either in C●sterne, or otherwise.  
The Cistern shall be set in such a place, 
To make a Cistern for to hold and keep Rain water.  as that it may receive all that cometh from such spouts as are belonging to roofs or lower lofts of the house. It must be firmly and closely paved with clay and mortar, and after drawn over and floored with the same mortar, to the end that the water be not made muddy, or ●ast of the earth: and if there happen any cleft or chink, you must stop it with Cement made of clean Hair, Tallow, unquenched Lime, and yolks of Eggs well beat and made into powder, and then all of them well mixed together. The throat or passage for the water out of it, shall be such as that appointed for the Pits or Wells▪ Some cast into their Cisterns E●les and other fresh water fish for to be fed and kept there, to the end that the water may become the lighter by reason of their moving and stirring of it, and that so it may the more resemble the nature of running water: but indeed such water is nothing wholesome for men, as neither yet for beasts; it were far better to straw with green herbs all the bottom of the said Cistern, and cast in little pebbles of the River upon them, for by this means rather the water would be made better.  
Moreover, 
The way to prepare ground for the bearing of wood.  for the discommodity of Wood, you shall make lean the earth in certain places near unto your lodging with gross Sand, Fuller's earth, and ashes from off the Earth: after that, you shall either sow or set there such Trees, as you shall think that may serve you; although indeed it were good to prove what kind of Trees would best prosper there, before you wholly sow or set it.  
If your place extend and reach unto some running stream, 
A Country near unto Rivers.  your meadows shall not be so far off from it as your house; which, to be too near a neighbour unto Rivers, would be a cause of procuring Rheums, and the falling down of some Rooms: and yet it is not good to have it too far off, as well in respect of watering of the cattle, as for the washing of Bucks, Skins, Line, and H●mpe; for the whiting of Webs of Cloth, if so be that you intent or purpose any such thing; for the grinding of your Corn, as also (if only the River near unto you be navigable) to send that which you reap from your Fields unto the Town: but you must choose the highest piece of ground to build your dwelling house upon.  
I leave out the pleasures of Princes and great noble Personages, 
The pleasures of Princes.  who for their delight sake do dwell in Summer in wattie places, excellently trimmed and beautified with waters, and furnished with all delights: for our householder may not in any case charge himself with further costs, than this his state may well bear: for Princes have wherewith they may be at their change and variety of lodgings, according to the changes and alterations of the seasons of the year, and to turn at their pleasure the square into the round, and chose.  
In a dry place, 
A dry Country.  as Beaux and champaign, and the mountainous Countries, learn● to set your building so well, as that it may take the Eastern Equinoctial, and not lose the rising of the Sun in March and October, or rather in September.  
If there be ever a Hill, 
A Hill to build upon.  build upon the edge thereof, making choice to have your lights towards the East: but if you be in a cold Country, open your lights also on the South side, and little or nothing towards the North, if it be not in your Barns where you put your Corn, or such other things, as are subject to the Weasel and other vermin. Over-against the North you shall procure some row or tuft of Trees for to be a mark unto you of your place, and defence also for the same against the Northern winds in the Winter time. But if you be in a hot country, you must set your said tuft of Trees on the South side, against such winds and heat of Sun as come from thence, and boldly open your lights, especially in the said Barns which lie on the North side.  
Make good choice of the best parts of your Grounds, to be most fit for Fruits, Corn, and Meadows, and plant your Vineyard, to have the South open upon it. You shall make also certain cross Barns with their counter-windowes, in the place towards the South, to open them in the time of a Northern wind. Such places are found in Country's full of Mountains, which do greatly desire the East; and yet notwithstanding would therewithal take part of the South, which is so needful for them.  
In this and such like places Wells are in greater request, and much more necessary than in valleys and plain grounds, and that we may find out the place where it is best to make them, we must choose the Eastern side, at the beginning of the descent, somewhat therewithal bending towards the North, but we may not have any thing to do with the Western side: and yet somewhat better toward the South, where having over night digged the earth in divers places the quantity of three feet over and five in depth, and after returning in the morning at the Sunne-rise, you must make trial how it soundeth, being strucken with the end of a Holly staff, armed at the said end with some round piece of Iron or Latin, after the manner of the end of a shepherds staff without the Crook; and there, by the judgement of the ear, to observe and mark how it soundeth underneath, as whether it sound like a Mortar, or like fat Earth, Potter's clay, or some other that is very hard, or like a Glass half broken, or else like a very deep Pit, that toucheth the Quarry or Vein lying underneath: and this is the best way to judge and make trial. Or otherwise in the month of August or September, at such time as the Earth is very dry, a little before the Sun rise, you must lie down flat upon the ground, having your face toward the East, and choose out that place where you shall espy a vapour to rise up out of the Earth, after the manner of little Clouds, for this is a token of a proud (or plentiful store of) water. Or else to make a shorter trial, to make deep trenches of four foot within the ground, and therein to put sponges or fleeces of Wool very dry and clean, covering them with boughs of Trees, or leaves of Herbs: then, after some time, to take them out of the Earth, and they being wet and moist, do argue abundance of water, according to the quality of moisture which they have within them: whereas if on the contrary they be dry when they be taken up, it argueth that there is no water to be come by. divers there be that gather figures of the springing up of water in place where, by their seeing of small clouds and vapours rising from thence into the air, in dry, fair, and calm seasons. But howsoever, it is not convenient to content one's self with the bare viewing of the herbs which grow thereupon, without having first made some trial: for under Crowfoot, Folefoot, Plantain, Dogtooth, Cinquefoil, Milfoile, and three-leaved grass, Water is not far to seek, but it is nought worth, if one dig not very deep, as is to be seen at Bagnolet Belle-Ville upon the Sand, and other places of Liury. Under Vervain is oftentimes found good Water, and deep, according to the nature of the ground: and withal, if the head do spring from grounds apt to boil, as red Sand, or grey Rock, and not from those sides which by and by are dried up. Above all, to the end we may have Wells containing water of a good relish, 
〈…〉  and such as will never dry up, we must make choice of a s●●die, black, gravelly, or clayish ground, or such a one as is full of pebbles, and especially that which is mixed of pebbles and sand together, but never of that water which floweth from Fuller's clay, mire, mud, or springeth from the grounds where Sallowes, Roses, Reeds, and other such Plants, which are engendered of a watery humour, do grow: for although that such places do yield great store of water, notwithstanding that water is nought worth, and will easily be dried up. Wherefore as much as lieth in you procure that your Wells be far off from such ditches, as wherein they lay the dung of Stables, cattle, or Swine-coats to rot, or any other place which may annoy in regard of the pissing of beasts, if they be not well digged and made very deep. 
Wells of good Water.  True it is, that Wells will be a great deal● the better, if they consist of a high rising water, and not such a one as lieth deep in the earth. For howsoever that such Wells be less hot in Winter, and in Summer less cold, yet notwithstanding it shall be infinitely better, because it hath more help of the Sun and Air, which are the two things which do greatly amend and make better the water: and if necessity force the water to lie so deep and low, we must seek to help the inconvenience, by drawing but a little, and oft, for the jumbling and stirring of the water will rectify it: and amongst other things, you must have special care not to keep it covered.  
Fountains 
Fountains.  in like manner rising from such places of Mountains, are had in request, as well for the profit of the water, which is a great deal better and more pleasant than that drawn out of Wells, 
To find out the beads of Fountains.  as also for the beautifying of the Country Farm. And for to find their Head, or Spring, we must use the like means as we have laid down for the finding of Wells, excepted that we must make chief choice of such as break forth upon the North at the bottom of high and great Mountains, having hollow places, and compassed about with plains, for in such plain grounds the water gathereth itself together, and distilleth through the earth. Now this kind of provision of water is when you desire it in great abundance: but if you stand upon and desire the best and most excellent water, you must make choice of high places, and such as are not over-shadowed, the fall whereof doth enjoy the sun-rising, for water out of such Fountains is a great deal more light and pleasant in taste, and by how much it runneth the swifter and longer way in the Air and Sun before it come to the bottom, so much it groweth the better; as when it falleth from high Rocks, it is (as it were) beaten and broken in falling through the downright places of stones and craggednes●e of the Rocks. We must also see that such Mountains, be full of Dogs-tooth, Plantain, Fox-taile, wild Pennyryall, transmarine Sage, which is called Adianthum, Milfoile, Chameleon, and generally, all other herbs and plants, which grow without being planted, and are by nature green, well branched, good and thick, and well flowered.  
The time most apt in all the year, 
The best time to 〈◊〉 out Spring-heads.  and affording greatest perseverance for the finding out of the heads of Wells and Fountains, are the months of August or September, for than it is easy to know the greatness of the head, when the earth, by the great heat of Summer, hath no moisture of rain left remaining in it, and then also we may gather assurance of such as will never dry up altogether.  
If it happen that the head Fountain be somewhat too far from the Farm, 
〈…〉  you may force the water to come thither by little Rivers, or rather more conveniently by chapels and conduits made of Lead, Wood, or Pot-earth: the best are made of Aller tree, F●rre tree, or Pine tree, out of which distilleth Perro●en, because that such Trees have an oily humour, and hot, which easily resisteth the hurts which water might cause: Next to them are those which are made of Pot-earth, if that the water carried along in them were not the cause of breeding obstruction. These must be two fingers thick, and sharp at one end the length of half a foot, to go the one of them into the other: the worst sort is those made of Lead, because the water carried along by them purchaseth from the Led an evil quality, and that because of the Ceruse thereof, so that it oftentimes causeth bloody fluxes and other such like diseases, if we believe Galen and them which for this cause call the inhabitants of Paris Squitters, because they use Fountain-water which runneth through Leaden pipes: which point notwithstanding seemeth not to be without all doubt, seeing that Ceruse cannot breed, nor be made of Lead, without vinegar, and for that we see also divers Countries do drink of such waters, without being troubled with bloody fluxes: whatsoever it is, we must set well together and soldier the pipes with a compound made of unquenched lime, and the grea●e of a hog, or of Perrosen and the whites of eggs, or of lime, whites of eggs, oil, and the filings of iron, because that all these things do hinder corruptions and rottenness which the water might cause. If any Mountain do hinder the laying or bringing along of these Pipes, we must make them way: if any Valley, we must rear arches, such as are to be seen in a Village near unto Paris, called Ar●ueil, and that because of those said arches; or raise pillars and other matter to support those water-passages.  
But it is not sufficient to have found out those Heads of Wells and Fountains, 
What Waters are best.  but we must further consider of the goodness and wholesomeness of the Water, as Aristotle teacheth us: For seeing the greatest part of our life dependeth upon the use of this element, it is requisite that the Master of the Household should have care to procure good Water, in as much as Water must be the most of his servants drink, and that the Bread which he and his family do eat, is kneaded therewith, and the greatest part of his victuals boiled therein. The best and most wholesome Water of all others is Raine Water falling in Summer, when it thundereth and lighteneth very much; and yet notwithstanding, Rain Water causeth costiuenes●e and obstructions, especially that which is kept in cisterns newly made, and that by reason of their Mortar wherewith they are overlaid: It doth also corrupt very quickly (that only excepted which falleth in May) and being so corrupted, it ma●reth the voice, bringing Hoarseness, and a little Cough. Next to this in goodness is 〈◊〉 Fountain Water, which falleth from the Mountains, and runneth along amongst Stones and Rocks. Next to this in goodness is Well Water, or that which issueth at the hanging parts of the Mountains, or that which springeth in the bottom of a Valley. The fourth different sort of Waters is that of the River. The worst of all the rest is that of the Pool and Marish Grounds: and yet that which runneth not is worse than all the rest, and more apt to in●ect. The Water of Snow and Ice is the most unwholesome of all, because it is the coldest and most earthy, as not having been prepared by the heat and virtue of the Sun. And as concerning the Water of Wells and Fountains (seeing it is not found good always and in all places) we shall know them to be good, if it have neither taste, s●●ell, nor any colour whatsoever, being notwithstanding very clear, and of the nature of the Air, taking quickly the colour of any thing that one shall cast into it, being also clean, warm in Winter, and cold in Summer, easy to make hot, and as soon becoming cold again; in which, Peason, beans, and other such like things, do boil easily, and which being put for some space in a Brazen, Copper, or Silver Vessel, well scoured, leaveth no discoloured parts or spots in the same, and which, when it hath been boiled in a Cauldron, made very fair and clean, doth not make any ●etling or show of filth in the bottom: if such as use to drink it, have a clear voice, a sound breast, and the die or colour of the face be neat and lively: finally, that which together with the rest of the marks, is very light, and by consequent as principal of all the rest shall that be judged, which excelleth in the foresaid marks and qualities: and for to know which is the lightest, weigh as much with as much of every sort of Water, or else take two, three, or ●oure Clothes of one and the same web, length, and breadth, according to the quantity and sorts of Water which you would compare together, and in every one wet a Cloth, distil the Clothes, or let the Water drop out of them, and then weigh them, for the Cloth which was moistened in the ●ightest Water, will then weigh les●e than the rest. It is true, that the lightness of Water is not so truly tried by weight as by drinking, not causing at such time any burdenous weight in the places about the short Ribs, and passeth through the body speedily, as also in being quickly hot and quickly cold.  
Dry Places, 
Places given t● bring forth 〈◊〉.  and Countries abounding with Mountains, do commonly bring forth Stones, which is easily perceived by the rough and boisterous handling of the Earth, and also by the Stones lying upon the upper part thereof, which otherwise might have fallen and been cast there: in manner as sometimes it falleth out, that men find upon untilled grounds the lively shapes of Fruits and Corn gathered together and grown unto the Stone, which is to be seen near to Mommirall in Brie, where Wood is grown unto the Stone: besides that, the Hearth will make quick and speedy trial hereof. This will do you service in the enclosing either of your Park, or of your Vineyards, and other such like commodities, besides the profit you may make of it by the selling of Millstones and Stones to build withal. 
Deceitful stone-pits.  But look well to yourself, and take good heed of Quarries, and casting of Stone-pits, and of their deceits, which oftentimes rewards us with our pains for our labour.  
And as for the Earth (taken and understood generally) it beareth all manner of Corn, 
Why the earth is termed by the name of a Mother.  Fruits, Herbs, Timber-trees, Metals, Stones, and other things, and this hath been given unto it even since it was first made: and hereupon old Writers have justly given unto it the due name of Mother. But although, in respect of the cold and dry substance and nature whereof it consisteth, it may be called all of one temperature, yet it purchaseth and getteth contrary qualities, according to the several situations it hath in divers places, as also upon occasion of affinity, intercourse, and participation it hath with things of repugnant quality: and hence do rise the divers sorts of the same, and so divers, as that every ground will not bear every thing, but one or two at the most. For this cause, to avoid both cost and labour, see above all things, that you prove, either by your own trial and experience, or else by such enquiry as you can make of your neighbours, what kind of Fruits, what kind of Corn, and what sorts of Trees, 
That it is against the nature of the free Country of Bea●x to bear any Rye. To●●aine the Garden of France.  do prosper best thereon. Some places in Trance, and the free Country of Beaux, beareth no other grain than Rye, which is contrary to the nature of the ground new broken up: another loveth nothing but Wheat: Solonge loveth March corn, and sometime Mesling: Touraine, worthily called the Garden of France, is found most plentiful in Gardens and Fruit-trees, as that part called Brie or bray (because it is situate betwixt the Rivers of Marne and Seine) doth bring forth Fruits and Corn for sustenance: and that quarter which lieth betwixt Marne and the River of Aube bringeth forth an infinite deal of Hay: Notwithstanding, 
Man by labour is able to tame every thing.  the diligence of the Farmer may by his industry overcome the weakness of a ground, even as well as all sorts of wild Beasts may be tamed by the painfulness of man.  
In watery and marish places it will stand us upon to make our profit of the water, 
Watery and marish places.  which you shall oftentimes by sluices turn from his natural courses into your pasture grounds and ponds of running and standing water, for the profiting and helping of the same. About the brinks and edges of the most commodious ones, you shall set ranks of such Trees and profitable Plants as you know to like and prosper in the water. And you must especially observe and mark the diversity of the bottom and undermost part of the ground, 
The under parts of watery grounds.  which in watery places is often found to differ much, and to be somewhat strange, and according to the nature thereof to set such Trees as may best agree therewith.  
Your House being ●eated in such places, 
Islands of Flaunders.  will be most strong and pleasant in Summer, but of greatest maintenance, preservation, and safety, if you environ it round about with water, after the manner of an Islet, as it is practised in many places of Flanders, who make the use thereof familiar among them, to reap thereby the benefit of Fish in his season, the flesh of wild Fowl, Trees as well for Fruit as for Fire and Building, besides the helps of their excellent pasture grounds: but indeed your own health, as also the health of those of your family, is impaired hereby, especially in Winter. 
To build on the tops of high ground.  Wherefore it will be better to build upon high ground, as the ancient Romans did, and to leave the waters below, for the comforting of your ●ight, if so be you have not the means of closing in all the same round about, for your breed of young Colts and other cattle, all which will like very well upon such grounds, except it be your cattle serving to furnish you with Wool.  
If your Farm do, 
Wild grounds, Deserts, and Bulrushes.  for the most part, consist of wild Grounds and Deserts, you shall make them arable by labour and pains, and recover them, delving them diligently, and raking them often: for the Bulrush, B●akes, and such other herbs will soon be killed, when the earth is often turned. But and if you desire with more haste and certainty to destroy them, you shall burn the ground 〈◊〉 two first years, and sow therein Lupins or Beans, to the end that together, with the curing of the disease of your fields, you may reap some profit and commodity.  
Stony grounds 
Stony grounds.  are mended by taking away the stones, and if the quantity be ●reat, it will be best to cast them together in manner of some small hillock in certain places of the ground, and so by that means the rest will be cleansed and freed: or ●●ther, when the days of handie-workes shall be got good cheap, it will be best to dig the earth very deep, and there burying the stones beforehand, afterward to ●uer them with the earth.  
If the Farm consist most of Forests and Woods, 
Untilled grounds.  you shall make thereof arable ground, by plucking up the Trees altogether, as also their roots: but and if there be but small store, it will be enough to cut them down and burn them, and then to till the ground. And such grounds are wont the first year to bring forth much, because that the moisture and substance, which before was spent in the bringing forth and nourishing of Trees, Bushes, and Herbs, doth prepare itself wholly for the good of the Corn that is sown upon it; or for that it having been fatted and grown better by the leaves and herbs of many years, which of it own accord it brought forth before it was tilled, becometh afterward sufficient to nourish and bring forth great abundance of fruits: and so it cometh to pass also, that being robbed of her former nourishment, in time it groweth lean, losing the freshness and moisture which was maintained by the covert, and therefore continueth not so fruitful as it was at the beginning.  
Sandie places may be made better by Dung and Marl, 
Sandie grounds  which yet notwithstanding, even without such Husbanding, by means of some currant of water running v●der the Earth in some Countries, ceaseth not to yield good profit to their owners: but these crave rest, which is the principal remedy to help their weak and feeble estate, and also to be sown with variety of grain, as after Rye, some kind of pulse. The way to know such grounds is common: when the great Sand is fast and yellowish, it is then found to be good for Corn; and when it is white and dry, it is good for Wood and wild fruits. But it behoveth the Farmer to apply himself unto the nature and temper of his field, 
What is 〈◊〉 to know the nature of great Sand.  and according unto it to sow and plant in every place such things as are best agreeing with them, as Pulse, Millet, Panic, Ryce, Lentils, Fetches, and other things, which do not require great store of fatness. But in our English Soils we find, that our sandy and hard grounds do bear best Barley at their first breaking, or when they are fattest; after, Rye, Oats, Fetches, or Tear.  
The strong, 
Strong grounds,  hearty, and fat Soil is good for Vineyards, and is apt to bear great store of Wheat-Corne, foreseen that the year be dry, especially in the month of May, but small store of any other increase: yea, and if the times be much given to rain, they will bear but a little Corn, and great store of chaff. Yet if the Seedsman have a careful hand in the bestowing of his seed, and do not (as it were) cloy or choke his ground therewith, these fat Soils will bear very well and sufficiently the first year, either whole Straw-Wheat, Pollard-Wheat, or Barley; and the second year, beans, Pease, or both mixed together; and the third year, Wheat or Rye, or both mixed together, which is called Maslyne or blend Corne.  
A raw, 
Rough ground.  rough, and tough Soil is hard to till, and will neither bring forth Corn, nor any other thing, without great labour, howsoever the seasons be temperate in moisture and dryness. To help the same, you must labour it most exquisitely, harrow it and manure it very oft with great store of dung, so you shall make it better and less subject to the injuries of the Sun, Winds, and Frost: but especially desire that they may not be watered with rain, for water is as good as a poison to them.  
The Clay and strong ground, 
A clay ground.  as that in Bresse and other places of Partois, craveth great and deep furrows when it is eared, and every where else, as even in the very places where stones lie deep and over-covered again with good earth: and this to the end that the water may the better be conveyed away, which is naturally mixed therewith, and cannot so easily depart, by reason of the clammy sliminess of the earth. This plot is not so fit either for Trees or Vines, except it be for some fruit Trees, and those well husbanded and nourished. If you build there, then do it upon some high ground, 
To build upon a high ground.  and near enough unto the River, and cause the Eastern and Northern quarter, because such places are subject very much to putrefaction, and very unwholesome.  
The territories of Croye and Ardose are more sound and wholesome, 
Territories and fields lying in Croye and Ardose.  though they be more barren: but it must be made better, and much mended, and employed only to that which it delighteth in: for the Bailiff of the Husbandry ought to know the nature of the ground, and not to force it to bear that which is contrary unto it, 
The nature of the earth must be known.  notwithstanding whatsoever you do unto it for the bettering of it: for of forced grounds there comes as much profit as there doth of beasts, by violence used towards them. For suppose you may compel them, yet it shall be to your great cost and charges, by reason of their hurts, maladies, and otherwise, for such cattle commonly stand not in good plight and state. 
An old proverh, That of compulsions comes no good.  The old Proverb also saith, That a Householder should give greater heed unto his profit, and the holding out or continuing of that which he hath under his hand, than to his pleasure and rare commodity.  
Every Country fit for good Vineyards is stony and gravely, or full of pebbles, and is found to be better on the South quarters, or on the descent of the Hill, lying on the side toward the River: This place is not so good for Corn; in the plain or ●lat places thereof you must make it better, and dung it. Make your buildings there on the sloping side, which looketh into the Southeast, where you may not remove yourself far from the River, for the reason afore given.  
The best Soil is that which is black, 
Good ground, a fruitful country of France.  crumbling, and easily turned over, that is to say, which easily falleth into small pieces in one's hand, and feeleth light, sweet, and fat in handling, like to that which is found in the country of Tourraine, main, and Anjou, which are fertile in all manner of fruitfulness and abundance of goods, rich in Hills, Valleys, Pasture-grounds, Vale-grounds, Vineyards, and all sorts of fruits: but upon good cause they give place to Provence, part of Languedoc, and Guienne, and the better places of Aquitaine, 
The fruitfulness of Aquitaine.  all which, by reason of the heat of the South Sun, bring forth not only in greater abundance, but their fruits of all sorts of better qualities and more forcible. 
The inconveniences of the Southern wind in Languedoc, Provence, and Guienne.  This is the land of Promise in our France, and hath no discommodity save that of the Southern wind, which they call Austrault: which except it be tempered by the Northern winds, doth almost every year engender unhappy calamities both in men and beasts. Wherefore in this Country the dwelling places and buildings must be set upon a Hill, and the South wind shut out and den●ed all entrance by lights, except when it shall be needful, in the depth of Winter.  
But to speak generally, 
The signs of a good and sertile ground.  the Soil may be known to be good and to bear great store of fruits by these means: as, if it be somewhat black, or somewhat yellow; if it 〈◊〉 not when it is ill tilled; if it become not miry when great store and abundance of rain shall fall upon it, but drinketh up all the water that shall fall, and therewithal keep this moisture and refreshment a long time; if in Winter time it become not hard in the upper part thereof; if without being husbanded or mended by great labour, or fatness of dung, it bring forth flourishing herbs, timber-trees, strait, thick, having great a●●es, and abounding with store of their several fruits, and those good and well-rellished in their kinds: and if it yield great fruitfulness of Corn: if by being watered, or reigned upon, it become blown up, and as it were stretched out and black, and not hard bound, or turned white: if the water springing forth of it be sweet, or if the green sods thereof being broken in pieces, and steeped two or three hours in water that is sweet and of a good taste, do not mar or make worse the taste of such water, which must be tried by tasting of it, after that it hath been strained and clarified: For naturally water issuing out from a spring, or wrung from something that hath been steeped in it, retaineth and carrieth with it the taste of the Earth: and on the other side, if the Earth steeped in Water, the same Water do after such steeping yield a sweet and pleasant relish: if cast up, and two or three days after thrown into the said ditch again, it gather on a heap, and rise higher than the said ditch; for in doing this, it shows itself to be a fat Earth: and whereas one shall do nothing but pair the said ditch, without doing any more, it will be but indifferent: but and if he come not to touch the edges of the said ditch, it will be light earth: furthermore, if it be watered with rain, it yieldeth a pleasant smell. On the contrary, 
Naughty earth.  the Earth must be judged of no value, if it have not all these signs of goodness: and principally, that which is cleaving like Glue, like Potter's Clay, Chalky, Whitish, which shaketh and trembleth, which is too hard, rough, and strong, which is watery and marish, which hath a salt or bitter taste, which bringeth forth Trees and Herbs that are bitter, cold, and thorny, as Brambles, Ferne, briars, Wormwood, juniper, Lavender, Broome, Butcher's Broom, and other such like: as on the contrary side, Rushes, Roses, small Grass, three-leaved Grasses, Thorns, Dane-woort, wild Plum-trees, and such other things, do show the goodness and fruitfulness of the Soil: for the things above named are not found or nourished any where almost but in the sweet veins of the Earth. Yet, according to the opinion of Serres, all Clayes which are black, grey, or marlie, albeit a little tough and gluey, yet, if after their drying they become not hard, but crumble, and (as it were) fall to cinders, or if they be not much subject to a kind of vomiting or casting up of water, or to an extraordinary excess of coldness, they are to be reputed the fattest and best Soils for Corn, though not for the Vine: and though they are less apt to breed or put forth Wood, yet the Wood growing upon such Soils is ever the best and the longest lasting.   

CHAP. V.  
The building and enclosing of our Country Farm.  
PEace being purchased, then build thine House, saith the wise and prudent Householder: and the Author of the Latin Georgickes doth highly prize and value those great Farms and Houses, whose appurtenances and expenses are great: but he counseleth men to undertake and deal with so little as he knoweth well to do. 
Great Cages make not thei● Birds good.  For as great Cages make the Birds never a whit the better, even so it is not so safe and sure a course to have a costly and large Building upon the ground, neither yet to have so fair and large Fields, neither yet so great quantity of Grounds, as that they must be either all ill husbanded, or else if for the careful tilling of one part of them, all the rest be left and let go untilled, as neither to covet greedily, or aspire to possess other great and stately Farms, when he is not able to husband and till that which he hath already in possession, if so be perhaps that a man long not to bring himself wilfully into the danger of the Lords of such Farms, rather than to advance or further their own profit: like to those bad Carters, 
Unfaithful Farmers.  which will not see or suffer either Horse or Man to stand still, until by continual toil and uncessant labouring of them about the grounds of his Farm, he bring to pass, that both Lands, Horse, and Men be not able to hold out, but become little worth: which is the cause, that a Lord letting his Place and demeans to Farm, must make account, that the earnest desire and watchful regard he hath to uphold and maintain his grounds in good plight, will not be accomplished or manifested by deed of Indenture, or posting over of the charge to another, but rather it standeth him upon in his own person to see such as are to labour therein, to be set to their work, overlooking ever & anon the company, and ordering used by the bailiff of his Husbandry in the handling of his business, 
The eye of the Master fatteth the Horse.  that so he may prevent the mischiefs above named. It is also said of some men, That the eye of the Master doth fat the Horse; and that matters are never so well cared for, or looked to, as by himself. For there are but few, 
〈…〉  either Hinds, day-Labourers, or Labourers by great, which do not love their Master's profit a great deal les●e than their own, and every day are behind hand in one duty, or piece of work or other, which ought to have been done.  
Better therefore is a small House of good stuff, not sumptuous, well seated and well fitted (but let it have of every thing a little) than so costly a place, and of such large rooms, as that either they become envied of their Superiors for it, or else at length causeth the Master to sell it again. For the good Roman Husbandman saith, That a Householder must so diminish the charges of every thing by his labour, 
〈…〉  as that he may evermore have more things, and more to sell than to buy, and that he every day become more strong and powerful than his Field: For seeing that the Lord and it must needs combat, wrestle, and encounter the one with the other, if the Field be too strong, than the Lord is wronged. Every place in the Fields is also oftentimes to b● looked unto, and if need be, speedily repaired, because the decay of any part of it, 
〈…〉  or of any thing which is to be used in it, being let alone and neglected only one year, draweth on another los●e as great as itself, and costeth thrice as much to make it up again, as and if it had been looked unto within a month or fi●teene d●yes after the decay did fall and happen. And their words in this case are of no val●e, 
〈…〉  wh●ch ●ay, That Ground● trodden upon and trampled with many fect, are half 〈◊〉 and spent: or, that Ground lying far off doth breed nothing but flagons and bottles. For I wou●d hau● the Master to be more commonly there, than at home at his House, and that he should so dispose of his estate, as that there may be both for all neces●●●i●s of food▪ and so ●o●th, and somewhat to spare: otherwise his House and 〈◊〉 should minister more unto his servants than to himself, and his charges should exceed the increase and revenues: and that as well in tarrying at home, as also when he goeth abroad, he make it his chief delight to understand and see the governing of whatsoever belongeth unto him, not troubling his mind with Hunting, Banqueting, much Company keeping, Drunkenness, and welcoming in of every comer, and so to give himself excessively to his delights and recreation of his spirit.  
The placing of such Building as is made, 
〈…〉  is most fit to be on the edges of some great Hill, upon some small 〈◊〉, or the top of the Hill, if the Country be tempestuous and full of Mountains: for by 〈◊〉 means he shall reap the liberty of the Air, and a goodly Prospect: he shall be safe from the annoyances of foggy Mists: he sha●l not be oppressed with cold in Winter by reason of Ice, nor over hot in Summer, and the Wat●r● and Floud● which run down from the top of the Hills shall not threaten, much l●sse do harm unto the foundation of his dwelling place: as also he shall not be too much subject to the Winds and Rains of the whole year: he shall proc●re h●s principal Lights to stand upon the sun-rising in the months of March and September: for the Winds blowing 〈◊〉 those quarters are dry, more hot than cold, but very wholesome, as well for the body as for the spirit of Man: and the Sun, which cometh to enter betimes in the morning into the House, doth diminish and waste the darkness and grossness of the Air: add further, that look by how ●uch his Hou●e shall be set more upon the said Eastern point, by so much the more easily it will be able to receive that Wind in Summer, and be les●e beaten in Winter with Frosts. The Barns shall be open towards the Sunset, in respect of their greatest lights, and withal, shall have one light serving toward the North, for the cause above named: but all Houses for Beasts shall have their Windows towards the South, and borrowing somewhat of the East, for that the Winds blowing from thence will keep th●m sound at all seasons and times. 
〈◊〉.  It is true, that as for St bees for Horses, it is necessary to make them a light serving towards the North, to open ●n the hot time of Summer, during the vehement heat thereof, and that at the hour of their ease and rest, which is Noontide: for at this time and hour, if you give them not some breath of air to cool them withal, the heat of the Noon Sun, which would strike in, and their own, which is always in the Stable, as also their breathing and press of the whole company of Horses, being there together, would set them in such a sweat, faintness of body, and loathing of their mea●, as that the very Stable would weary, wear, and spend them as much as the Plough itself. And as for the rest of the Buildings, or the base Courts, it maketh no great matter upon what Coasts or Quarters you dispose them: 
The base Courts  howbeit, if you so contrive them, as that they may mark upon the North, they cannot but be to good purpose. These instructions for Lights and Windows are not so strictly enjoined, as that the differing qualities and conditions of Countries, where such building must be made, may not move you to dispose them otherwise: for seeing there are found in some Countries such Winds as are almost ordinary, and may be said to have gotten (as it were) ● habit, and those blowing from such Quarters as lie upon the Sea or Marshes, or such other, and therefore bring with them some noisome quality, or at least little profitable; it must needs be permitted in such places to alter and change the former directions. And to speak the truth, seeing that by the means of Windows and counter-Windowes you may cut off the entrance both of Sun and whatsoever Winds, it shall be left in your free choice to make such Lights as may seem most necessary in your own judgements, being evermore directed against such annoyance as the Air might bring from that place whatsoever from whence it cometh.  
And although that every one build after his own humour, 
〈…〉  yet the cause should so stand, as that reason should rule evermore: and surely, such a man should be estee●ed but of a slender judgement, which having a place and commodities belonging ●hereto, did not fit things in such sort, as that on the one side of his chamber he have ● light open upon the Court and forepart of his Farm by which they must enter that ●ome to it, 
Of the Lights to be made in Building.  and another open upon his Gardens and principal Grounds. Wherefore that he may know the more easily to prepare his Buildings (as it were) anew, or else repair it after his own fancy, it will be meet and convenient for him to do in manner as followeth.  
Draw a great Court and wide, and that very square every way, 
〈…〉.  in the midst thereof cause to be cast two Fishponds at the least; one for Geese, Ducks, and other cattle: the other, to water, steep, or soften Lupins, Osiers, Rods, and such other things, as also for the rotting of your dung: and somewhat more to the further side, a Well with two or three troughs of hewn stone, to water your cattle and Poultry ●t, if you have not the benefit of a running Water, or some near River, either great or small. Make also two Dunghills; the one, to contain and rot all your new dung, ●nd to keep it till the year following: the other, that from it you may take the old and rotten dung, and carry it out into the fields▪ These two Dunghills must be far from them, and on a ground falling from the forenamed Fishponds and Well, if so be that the place will afford it, or else, at the least, cast deep within the Earth, and paved in the bottom before hand, lest that the Earth should drink up the moisture: for Dunghills must of necessity be kept in continual moisture, to the end, that if peradventure amongst the Straw, Litter, Stubble, or Chaff, which is brought thither, there be the seeds of any Herbs or Thorns mixed among, they may rot, and not bad or bring forth any Weeds, when the dung shall be spread upon the ground. And therefore expert and skilful servants do cover with Clay the dung which they cast out of the Stables, to the end the Wind may not dry it up, or that the Sun or Wind should cause it to spend all the moisture, and turn it into dust.  
This Court, 
The Wells of the C●●rt.  containing two acres square, shall be compassed in with a Wall of ●ighteene inches thick, and ten foot high from the ground, for the resting of your Buildings upon that are within: and to meet with the danger threatened by thieves, and ruin●s procured by Rain, it shall be strengthened with chains on those sides which lie next unto Ways, as also with good Rafters, according to the greatness of the commodity of your plac●, and other stuff.  
In the midst of the Wall, 
T●e door of ●he H●use.  and in the forepart, which is the part lying upon th● Sunset, you shall make your Gates and their Porch, and in like manner a cover over head, to keep the said Gates from the Sun and Rain, which otherwise would beat full upon them, and overthrow them, as also for the special use of yourself and your family, as to give them place and shelter in the time of Rain, or when they please: And the Gates must be so high and wide, as that a Cart laden with Hay or Corn may go in with ease. You shall raise it half a foot above the ground, and defend it on the outside or upper ground with a threshold well and fitly laid, and in such sort, as that upon the running down of water it may not rot, which they would do, if they should come close to the ground: and that thieves may not cast them off their hooks with Levers or Crows of iron standing on the outside, which they might the more easily do, if they should be cut short of the Earth, and not have the help of the Threshold.  
Over-against the Porch, 
A partition.  toward the trade-way, you shall make a partition of ten or twelve furlongs, well enclosed with Ditch and Quickset, hedged round about, for the feeding of your tired, weary, or sick cattle, which cannot keep or go in company with others, as also wherein they may rest and chaw the cud in fair Wether and in time of great Heat.  
The Farmer's Lodge shall be built near to the side of the Porch upon the left hand, 
The Farmer's Lodge.  and shall have the daylight coming in upon the side toward the street, Westward; notwithstanding, that his Windows shall lie upon that side of the Court which is Eastward. His Kitchen shall be raised two or three steps about the ground, to the end it may be freed of the moisture wherewith the Court aboundeth in Winter: it must also be high built and great, to the end that the floor lying nex● above may not be so subject to the danger of the ●ire, and to the end that all his friend's and servants may at all times easily bestow themselves therein. 
The Farmer's Oven.  The Oven shall be set without the room, having the mouth in the inner side of the chimney of the said Kitchen, and lower than the Mantletree, not far above the Hearth.  
At the entrance of the said Kitchen, and in such place thereof as shall be least subject to the Sun, and most cool, you shall have a Dairie-house or small vaulted Room paved, and lying slope-wise, and with a gutter, to serve for the housewives Dairy, and therein she shall do all her business about making of Butter and Cheese, and the said Gutter or Sink shall serve for the avoiding and conveying of all such washings as she is to make about her Milk vessels. On the other side of the said Ki●chin she shall have the like house of Office, or vaulted room, which shall also b● for the housewives v●e, and serve for a Spence to keep her provision of victuals in; and underneath this, a little Cellar: and the place for the coming out shall be in stead of an upright Table, set as you go into the kitchen.  
On the other side of the Kitchen shall be the Farmer's Bedroom, 
The Farmer's Chamber.  and one other joining to it for his maid servants and children, and a third joining close unto it, for to keep foul Linen: To the walls of which room you shall go forward to ioyn● a fourth, which shall be sufficient large, and the door to go into it shall stand in th● court without, and it shall serve for fuel, working tools, and other necessary things. And the upper part of fit of this room shall serve for Garners 
Garners.  to lay Fruits, all manner of Pulse, Corn, Herbs, and Roots in, that are to be kept.  
Upon the right hand as you go in shall be Stables for Horses, 
Stables for Ho●se.  reserving also a sufficient great low room bounding the great Porch, for the Carter and other men servants, 
〈…〉  as also for the keeping of Collars, Cart-saddles, Traits, thick clothes, and other furniture for Horses: and along, at the end of your Horse stables, you shall make Houses for Oxen and Kine. 
Oxe-hous●s.  And over the said Stables, Lo●ts and Rooms for Hay and Provender for cattle, adding to the end of these great Houses a little one, to keep Calves in of both kinds, which you have waned, with intent to bring up for further services. At the end of all these Beast-houses, and close to the same, you shall appoint a Dog-house, if you like not better to place the same in the midst of your base court under some small Shed laid over with boughs, covered with straw, open 〈◊〉 two places, to the end the dogs may take sent and breath on two sides, for this ●atch thus placed will serve for the whole base Court.  
In the place right over against the Porch of the Farm shall open the door of your ●wne house, 
The entrance of the householders dwelling place.  which by a stair of eight steps at the most shall bring you to the first story of the same, the entry whereinto shall be like unto a plain vacant alley of an indifferent wideness, with an outcast at the further end upon the Garden, and that ●ith a descent of a like pair of stairs unto those at the entrance. 
The round stairs.  Upon the right ●and of this entry shall be your Kitchen, Storehouse, Buttery, and a place of recourse or lodging for two or three serving men: 
The kitchen.  betwixt which Kitchen and Buttery ●here shall be a winding stair which shall have his foot into the Kitchen, and thereby you shall go up to the Corne-lofts there above. near unto your Kitchen, you shall make rooms to stamp and press your Grapes in: The first story shall be of such length and breadth as your appointed platform layeth out unto you, borne vp●n a raised vault from the ground, well stayed upon bearing pillars, and furnished with casements to take the Air at, upon both sides, and that to the end that you may have an under story of like length and breadth to that above, which shall be a halfe●ellar and a halfe-vault; which, b●side that it will preserve your lodging from earthquakes, will also serve you to couch your Wines and Cidres in, without any fear of ●otting the hoops, as also to hang your Bacon and other powdered provision, your Oils, Candles, yea, and your Wood also, and your Fruits likewise during the Frost. Your Lodging or Mansion shall have no more than this one story, above which you ●hall raise no other save only your Garners and Galleries, keeping your house thereby of a lower pitch, and so less subject to the rage of the Winds, which will save you ● great deal of charges, wh●● as you shall not be forced to use the helping hand of Tilers every hour. Upon the left hand of the said Alley or Entry shall be your Hall, through which you shall pas●e into your Chamber, and out of your Chamber into your Wardrobe and inner Chamber: and at the end hereof, if the body of your House shall have compassed in place enough, you shall make a Chamber to lodge strangers; the way into, as also out of which, shall be by a turning stair on that side toward the Court, that so such strangers may be at their liberty, not molesting or troubling you by their passing in or out: and this if so be that your good liking and inclination mo●e you not rather to build for the entertaining of your friends & other strangers on the other side of your Hall. 
The chietest Lights must be toward the East.  You shall make your fairest Lights and Frames towards the East upon your Garden, reserving only half windows for the side lying upon your Court, seeing they serve for no other thing, but that you may have an eye upon your folk, and to see who be comers and goers to your lodging: and at the end of every such little chamber you shall make a Privy, for the necessary use of every of the two said bodies of the house. Whatsoever room shall be over head or above your Alleys, Hall, Chamber, Wardrobe, & Chamber for strangers, shall be for Garners, 
Garners.  that so you may lay apart, and by itself, your Rye, Wheat, Pulse, and Fruits, and cast aside your foul Linen, and they shall all of them have pretty windows upon the North side, 
The North wind good for the keeping of Corne.  for that quarter is most cool, and least moist: which two things are of great force, long to preserve and keep Grain. At the end of your Rooms, for the treading and pressing of your Grapes, you shall set up your Henne-house, 
A Henne-house.  and rooms for other Fowls, fashioned foursquare like a tower, but yet more long than wide or broad: in such sort, as that the lowest room shall serve for Water-Fowles, as for Geese and Ducks by themselves; and the upper for those of the yard, together with their perches and Baskets to lay in: and you must make under the Henne-lo●t some separated room for Turkey Chickens and Turkey Cocks: 
Turk●● Henn●● and Cock●.  and upon high, under the floor that is over them, you shall contrive a close room, after the fashion of a Lettuce, therein to keep your Feasants. 
Pheasants.  As for your Peacocks, you shall give them liberty to roost every where. near unto the same place you shall make your ground Dove-house (if the Law will permit you such a one) in fashion like a round Turret in the midst of your Court.  
Set your Sheepe-cotes and Swine-sties upon the South, in such manner as they may have no open pl●ce but upon your Court: 
〈…〉  and unto the principal Sheepe-cote you shall make a par●●●ion of very high Hurdles, to draw the Lambs from the Ewes, a● also the Ramme● in like manner: and close unto these shall you make your swinesty, raising two enclosures of Walls well daubed on both sides, the one for the Sowe●, and the other for the ●ogges. In like sort you shall deal with Goats, making several Cotes 〈◊〉 them: and the upper parts of all these shall serve for Garners to lay their meat and whatsoever food necessary for such cattle.  
Right 〈◊〉 against these Sheepe-cotes you shall make your Barn, 
〈◊〉  with his great d●re of the wideness of the middle Bay, and that to give light to the Thresher's: 〈…〉 o● the said Barn (if the Law will not permit you to build a 〈◊〉 on the ground) you shall make you a place to keep Birds in, of the same 〈◊〉 with the porch, and as high as you will: the lowest part of it shall serve for Birds to keep themselves s●fe in, when either the Rain, or too much heat of the Sumne, shall 〈◊〉 them. One of the sides of your Barn, all along for the space of three ●ayes, shall serve to put your Rye and Wheat in, and the other side, for as much length▪ shall contain your Pulse or March Corn: the middle part is that which i● of the breadth of the porch, with his roof above.  
And betwixt the Sheepe-cotes and Swine●sties, 
〈…〉  right over against the porch of the Ba●ne, you shall make a place of a competent height, in manner of an Appentice, to s●t your Ploughs, great Carts, Drayes, Tumbrels, Wanes, and other Instruments and Furniture for Husbandry, if you please not rather to make the groundwork of your place to keep and nourish Birds in, to serve for these purposes, when as your authority will not bear you out to build a Dovehouse on the ground, because you h●ld not in see Fa●me, or Copyhold.  
Under, 
〈…〉  or upon the side of your turne-stayers, according to the breadth of the body of your House, your Farmer shall have a way into the Gardens: but you yourself shall have your way in by another winding stair, which you shall make to descend ●●om above, from your alley that is over them: the one of which Gardens, as that on the right hand, shall be for Potherbs; and the other for Quarters and ●●lse, together with a place for Bee-hyves.  
At the end of a great Alley which you shall make from your winding-stayre to the wall of your Orchard, running betwixt the two Gardens, without any manner of par●●●ion except two Hedges of Quickset, shall be your Orchard, separated from your other Gardens by a wall continuing all along the two sides of the enclosure of your pla●e. And in the midst of the said great Alley there shall be Wells, to water by Pipes and Spouts so much as is needful in the Gardens, if it like you not better to con●ey some Fountain that way, or else to seek for the Heads of some Springs, or else to make a Cistern well mortered to receive and keep Rain water.  
Th● Orchard s●all make the fence on the side toward your House, 
〈…〉  and by it you shall make your way into your Feeding or Pasture grounds, lying along by the sides of some grieve and flourishing Water-bankes: along the sides of which Brook, as also about your Ponds of salt and freshwater Fish, you shall plant Willows.  
Where you enter into your Orchard out of your Garden, 
〈…〉  you shall on the one side make a Nursery for Seeds and Kernels, and on the other side for Stocks and Plants, a●d in the midst the ranks of removed and grafted Trees, and at the end below y●u shall plant by ridges your Osiers, which may, for their better prospering, take the benef●● of the coolness and moisture of some small Brook.  
The 〈◊〉 Gate (otherwise called the Back or field-Gate) on that side toward your Meadow, 
〈…〉  made for your own going in and out alone, shall be set out and garnished with two Chevrons, set upon one main Timber, and no more, and four or five Battlements above, and shut with a strong door: for that way you shall go into your House privily, and in like sort go forth again when it seemeth good unto you, without your servants their privity, and for your avoiding of the noisomeness of the Beasts Houses and of your great Court. And to this end you shall have a special passage from your Stable or Garden, not far from your house wherein you tread your Grapes, to drive your cattle by continually.  
Notwithstanding all which, 
〈…〉  yet my meaning is, that your cost and course in building should be according to the revenues of the grounds, or value of the profits, and that (as saith Cato) the dwelling House be not set after seeking of Grounds, nor Grounds caused to go seek Houses and Rooms: for great Plots of Building, and Enclosures of Pleasure, cost much to build and maintain: and Buildings which are less than were requisite for the profits of the grounds, are a great cause of much loss in the Fruits of the same.   

CHAP. VI  
The duty of a Father of a Family, or Householder.  
AFter I have thus disposed of Rooms and Building, 
〈…〉  I wish and desire, that the Lord of the Farm may be a man of great knowledge, well acquainted and given to matters of Husbandry: for who so is ignorant of them, having had but small practice in them, as also he which doth take his chiefest delight in other things, and spendeth his time otherwise, must of necessity commit himself to the mercy and discretion of a Farmer, which will mock him to his face, and will impair his grounds and house also, heaping thereto a world of quarrels and suits, which he will raise: or else he must trust to some other accomplisher of the business, either in governing or waiting & attending: and he ask counsel of other the ●armers thereabout, they will make him believe things to be not so good by the half ●s they are. And indeed we read for a certainty in the Roman Histories, That the Earth was never so fruitful as then when it was alured & won by the industry of the famous Roman citizens, & delivered out of the tyrannous handling of gross-headed peasants, whom we see before our eyes, notwithstanding that they are altogether ignorant, to grow rich at our costs & charges, & to the great spoil of the ground which they husband & till. There is nothing comparable to the overlooking eye of a prudent & discreet Lord, and one that is accustomed to Husbandry, and which looketh after & contenteth himself with such estate as may stand with his profit, and keepeth to himself the principal charge, which is a watchfulness & earnest desire to preserve his goods, and hath always care of his company, and farmeth not nor yet renteth ou● any thing but that which he will have nothing at all to do withal, except a little oversight: Neither yet would I have him, 
What things are most fit to be farmed out.  in so doing, that he should pass any bargain by the way of Notaries, or by Writing: for by this means he robbeth himself of his liberty. Let him learn well to know & understand the natures and choice of Men, cattle, & Grounds, and let not that work possibly fall out, which he himself knoweth not to do, if he should stand in need, or else to give directions in and to command unto others; at the least let him understand the times & seasons when, as also the manners how, things were accustomed to be done: for as a man which seeth not any place whereby he may give light to another, can never lighten him so well; even so that Lord of a Farm, which understandeth nor, neither knoweth the seasons and proper times for to do any thing belonging to his government & jurisdiction, neither yet the ordering of things, to execute every thing accordingly, shall never know so well what to command, and doth nothing to the workman but trouble and grieve him: and it is the manner of men to mock at such as command & will things to be done which are nothing to the purpose, but must afterward be undone again, or else abide without any profit. This is it which the great Husbandman Cat● hath written, That the ground is very ill entreated & grievously punished, whose Lord & owner knoweth not to teach & command that which is to be done: but must depend & rely wholly upon his Farmer. Therefore it is most necessary, that the father of the Family, or owner of the Farm, be most expert in every work due for every Season of the year, as thus: first, for such Earth's as are applied only to Tillage, he shall know, that if the Soil wherein he liveth be a stiff, strong, heavy, and tough Clay, he shall then, from Plow-day, which is ever the Monday after Twelfth-day, till S. Valentine's day, break up 〈◊〉 Pease-Earth, where he intendeth to sow Pease and beans, which must lie for ●ait, which is, till it have received Frost and Raine, that thereby the Mould may break▪ but if his Earth be a mixed Earth, and of a more light nature, then from Plow-day to S. Valentine's, he shall break up or ●allow that Earth which he intends to keep 〈◊〉 the year following: From S. Valentine's day till S. Chaddes he shall sow his Beans, Pease, Fetches, or other Pulse whatsoever: provided always, that he sow his Beans first, he Pease next, and his smaller Pulse last of all: He shall from S. Chaddes day till a fortnight before our Lady day, commonly called the Annunciation, sow his Oats, either upon the I●●ams, which is land ●owne the year before, or on the tilth or fallow ground prepared for the purpose: from a fortnight before the Annunciation, till a fortnight after, he shall sow his Barley, either on Clay ground, hassel, or mixed Earth: and upon light sands, from mid April till Whitsuntide: from May day till Midsummer he s●all fallow his stiff Clayes, or Summer-stirre his lighter mixed Earth's: from Midsummer till Lammas he shall Summer-stirre his stiff Clayes, and foil his lighter Earth's: from Lammas till a fortnight after Michaelmas he shall Winter-rigge all such land as he intends to sow Barley on the year following: He shall also in that season sow his Wheat, Rye, or Mas●yne: he shall then also furrow or cut sluices whereby to drain the water from his arable land, because the drier that it lies, the better it is, and evermore the more fruitful, as the experience of Husbandmen find by a continual practice. And as he thus knoweth how to dispose and order his arable ground, so he shall also know how to husband his Pasture or Meadow ground: as namely, in the months of januarie and February he shall first plash and cut his Hedges and Quicksets, that thereby they may grow thick and strong at the bottoms: he● shall then cast his Molehills level, and kill Moles, and prune such Fruit-trees as either have decayed or dead branches in them: or else such superfluous succours, as growing from below, robbeth the trees of much sap and nourishment. In March, if your ground be not very fruitful, but of an indifferent temperature, you shall lay all those grounds of which you intent to have Hay: but if they be fertile, and bear much burden, then if you lay them at May day, it will be fully early enough. At Midsummer you may mow your fruitful low grounds, and at the translation of S. Thomas you may mow those which lie higher and are less fertile: observing this, that i● the season of the year be moist, than you may let your high grounds grow the longer, and cut your low grounds sooner; but if the season be burning and dry, than you must cut your high grounds the sooner, and let your low grounds stand the longer▪ because the first will burn at the root, and the other retain his moisture. All these months of june, july, and May also, when either the weather or other hindrances detain you from these greater works, you shall then lead forth your dung, compass, or manure to your tilth or ●allow field: and it is also a good season for the bringing home of your Fuel, especially when your provisions lie far off. At Lammas pull your Summer fruit, and reap your Corn, and your other Grain, either before or after, as you find them ripen. After S. Ma●hewes day if you have any manure unlaid, lead it forth, for one Load then bestowed on the Earth, is more precious than two in the former Seasons. About a week before S. Luke's day begin to scour your Ponds and Ditches, plant and replant Fruit Trees: and if any of your Hedges were left unplasht in the Spring, plash them now, for it is an excellent Season. At Allhallontide cut down your Timber, chiefly your Ash, Elm, or Ewe, or what else you prepare ●or Cart, Blow, or Harrow Timber. Before Christmas brush your Hedges▪ and weed them from all dead and superfluous branches: also then, and to the end of januarie, is good stubbing of Wood grounds, and removing of Bees: also than you shall bare the roots of your Fruit Trees, and cover them again with rich Mould the March following. Thus our Husbandman, according to the opinion of Oliver d● Serres, having enriched his memory with these knowledges, shall live a Free man, and no Bondslave, a Master, and no Apprentice, to his Farmer or bailie.  
I mean all this while, 
The chief key of all the rest.  that the abode of the owner of the Farm is upon his Inheritance, and that he have the Royalty and chiefty of the whole, and that he doth withdraw himself from home, and secretly return thither again when it shall seem ●ood unto him, to keep his people continually in doing o● their office and charge: ●his is the cause why, among the rest of his Buildings, we have counseled him to provide a back gate in the end of his Enclosure, 
〈…〉  Let him not go to see the Town, ●●cept it be upon his earnest affairs, and let him commit his Suits to be followed● which without great loss he cannot let pass and neglect) by some faithful Attorney, 
To order his Suits.  to whom he shall give nothing but the only counterpane of his Evidence: and ●eing in the Town, 
What time the Householder should keep at his Farm, and when he may best go● abroad to the Town, or elsewhere.  let him not go to see any man therein, except it be in Winter, ●r at such time as when his Harvest is in, and his Seed ●ime & first arder be dispatched, ●o the end that by one and the same means he may attend upon his causes in controversy, and go about the getting in of his debts, I wish further, that he carry himself pleasant and courteous unto his folk, not commanding them any thing in his choler: ●or boisterous and rough handling will prevail as little with men as with stiffnecked jades. Let him speak familiarly unto them, let him laugh and jest with them sometimes, 
Men cannot abide to be roughly entreated.  and also either give them occasion, or else suffer them to laugh and be ●●errie: for their uncessant pains are somewhat mitigated, when they ar● vouchsafed some gentle and courteous entreatance of their Master towards them. Notwithstanding, I wish him not to be too familiar with them for the avoiding of contempt: ●either would I have him to acquaint them with his purposes, except it be sometime 〈◊〉 ask their counsel in a matter, and let him not spare sometimes to seem to do af●●r their advice, though he had determined the same course before: for they will ●orke with more cheerfulness, when they think that the matter is carried according to their invention. Let him maintain the cause of his neighbours, and not to ●rrogate unto himself, or take any thing upon him, as commanding them. Let him also relieve them in their necessities▪ and yet let him not lend them, except it be some small thing▪ and such as he had rather lose than ask twice, except it be in their extreme need and necessity. Let him patiently and quietly bear their tedious and troublesome natures, whom he knoweth to envy and repine at him, never falling out with them, or giving them ever any just occasion of displeasure: but win●ing at that which he knoweth of their nature and natural inclination, let him pleasure them to the uttermost that he can, and seem to be at one with them, as if he h●d never understood any thing to move him to the contrary. And thus he may purchase peace and rest. And there remaineth nothing more for his office, but his service to God, love to his neighbours, good instructions to his children, honest examples to his servants, and peacefulness with all men living: he shall rather lend than borrow, rather buy than sell those things he hath use for, but evermore better furnished to sell than buy necessary commodities. This is Serres opinion, and worthy a general imitation.   

CHAP. VII.  
The Office of the Farmer.  
TAke unto you for your Farmer a man of indifferent years, not ●ickly, but lusty and strong, and of the same Country & Soil that your Farm lieth in, if it be possible, and him such a one, as whom you have known of long time, or else by the report of honest men have he●rd of, to be a good man, and his wife also to be a thrifty housewife, & his children well nurtured: Such a one as hath no Farm or Inheritance near unto your house, who from 〈◊〉 youth hath been hardly brought up▪ and well experienced in matters and businesses belonging to Husbandry, or otherwise, by means of great diligence & good will toward the ●ame, hath attained the Mystery of Husbandry. One who is a sparing and sober minded man, not poor and very needy, a gadder to Towns, quarreler or haunter of Alehouses or Taverns, not suffering any thing to go backward, or by little and little to come to nothing: one that will v●e to rise first, and go to bed last▪ not haunting Markets or Fairs at Towns, if it be not upon very urgent necessity; not admitting of new Ways or Paths, and Breaches into his grounds; or suffering any encroachment to be made upon the least part of the Inheritance belonging to the Farm; for 〈◊〉 inch of ground lost in one year, is worth a foot within two years after: Which will not undertake to lodge any Guest, if he be not the very friend and familiar of that Lord of the Soil: which is given to have himself and all his family clothed rather for pro●it than for pleasure; as namely, to save them only from the Wind, Cold, and Rain: 
husbandmen's apparel.  for which purpose shall serve Garments and Sleeves made of Skins; Caps, Cloaks with Hoods, or Cassocks of Canvas: for by this means there shall be no day so boisterous and cruel, wherein they may not work abroad: O●e which will not have any other to his servant, but such as is ●it for the business belonging to the Farm, and for the work and profit of his Master: Not given to play the Merchant for himself, nor to lay out his Master's money in cattle and other Merchandise; for such businesses do turn away and hinder Farmers from attending upon the affairs of the House, and cause them that they are never able to render any sound account unto the Lord of the Farm: and again, i● they be demanded such moneys as they owe, they show you nothing but layings out and costs in stead of pence. Such a one as will make no Bargains when he is in drink. 
To know to write and read, is not necessary for a farm●r.  And for Writing and Reading, i● skilleth not whether he be able to do it, or no: or that he should have any other charge to look unto besides that of yours: or else that he should use another to 〈◊〉 down in writing such expenses as he hath laid out; for Paper will admit any thing. Again, 
Paper endureth all things.  you shall not put him to make Reckonings of long time, neither yet of mo● things than his memory may well carry away. It behoveth that he be skilful in all things, for which he hath Tools, Instruments, and handy work to exercise himself with and in, 
A Farmer must have much knowledge.  about his matters of Husbandry: As also that he know to govern and amend all such Tools as he hath the handling of, or which his folk use: otherwise, if there should but need a handle to a Spade, or a nayleto a Horse or Tumbril, there must presently be admitted into wages a Nayle-Smith for the Cart, and a Shoo-Smith for the Horse. This his knowledge shall also serve him to judge if he be well dealt withal by such Craftsmen, as to whom he shall of necessity be driven sometime to commit, either to be mended, or else new-made, the Instruments requisite for his business. He must ha●e Tools and Instruments twice so many in store as he useth to have Workmen, to the end they need not to borrow any thing of their neighbours, for otherwise he shall lose more in days works not fulfilled than would pay for the buying of his iron Tools. Again, let him at the first time do his work so well, as that he need not to go 〈◊〉 it the second time: For in attempting to mend that which hath been done amiss for lack of heed or negligence, beside the loss of time, which always is required in labour, the thing itself is also impaired and made worse: and this is loss unto the Lord for the present, and without hope of recompense for the time to come, not being fit to yield such profit as it was wont in years p●st.  
Let him have his eyes always upon his people, and oversee his cattle every night, and not only when they are in the house, but also as they return from labour, or from the pasture: let him view and look well upon their countenance, gate, sta●●, and gesture, for to know, if there be any diseased or languishing: and from this care he is not to exempt himself any one day in respect of the Oxen, Kin●, Swine, and Sheep: for oftentimes in the morning they go to the place of th●ir walk in good state and plight, and return sick home at evening: let him not go to bed 〈…〉 have appointed every one of his people what he is to do the next day in the morning. Let him be last in bed, a●d up against by break at the spri●g of the day, to see hi● company every one set to his appointed work: let him every ●orning ●iew the state of his grounds, let him not suffer his cattle to be dulled with labour, ●nd let him know the remedies that are good f●r them against falls, wrenches, and ●●ch other inconveniences. Above all things, let him be true, let him keep and hold 〈◊〉 perform what he hath spoken, let him no● swear, but show such example to his people as that thereby he may induce them to esteem highly of him, to ●eu●rence ●nd to honour him. 
〈…〉  For as a true and simple speech maketh a man to be highly re●arded; even so a blasphemous mouth, and such as is full of oaths, an unprofitable, ●anton, and scornful speech, accompanied with evil example of deeds, maketh a ●●an contemptible amongst all men. Let him eat and drink among his servants, and ●f the same, and at the same Table. Let him pay them their own justly, declare his ●ind unto them in mild sort, and not to pay them any thing before hand, if it be not ●n case of los●e or sickness.  
If you set any pieces of ground to him to farm (for still I understand, that the ●hiefe charge and oversight should be yours) let him not run day after day behind ●and with you, lest so you might make him negligent, and an ill paymaster, both ●o your loss and his own, and yet seeming to hold him excused, either in respect of ●he unseasonableness of the time, or hardness of the year, if either of the two can 〈◊〉 any likely sort be alleged: In which cases also you shall somewhat bear with ●im, and let him pay at many and little payments what he ought to have paid together, thereby to ease him so much as may be; and to the end he may bring his Farmer ●●ut of his debt, he shall not let to take it by penny and penny, even by any very 〈◊〉 payments. 
Necessary things to be provided.  Do not pinch him of such necessaries as he shall request of you, ●hether it be for the maintenance of your House, or the repairing of any other ●●ings that do belong unto you. Watch him not ●o near, as that he may have cause 〈◊〉 complain, for he may wring you in some one thing that you would ●euer think ●f. 
It is not good ●o exact too much at a servants hands.  And mark, that to be much exacting and ingrating upon your Fa●mer, doth oftentimes make him either a mere negligent, or a pla●●e thee●e. Praise him for what ●ou see discreetly carried in the affairs of your Farm, and rebuke him not sharply ●or that which you shall not find so well done, but counsel him to amend such and ●●ch bad trick●s, signifying unto him therewith, that in so doing he shall greatly ●lease you. Now adays Farmers do not thrust themselves upon a man, or offer themselves in multitudes as they have been wont to do in time past, and therefore ●t is no more a common thing for Masters to make choice of some one among many, ●ut he must be content to take such a one as he can find. 
The natural inclimat●on of the s●uerall Countrymen of France.  For this cause it is needful ●or the Lord of a Farm to know the divers dispositions of men of divers Nations: ●or the Norman 
Normans.  lo●eth to be peaceably dealt withal: and chose, the Picard ●oth stand in need to be handled ho●ly. The natural Frenchman is ready, and full of invention, 
Normans. Picards. B●yais. Lim●sins.  but not very hasty, except necessity do mightily provoke him. You ●aue a threefold choice of the Bryais, for there are some of them subtle, and some ●ierce and outrageous, and othersome si●ly and sottish. The Lymosins are industrious, and given to sparing▪ but if you take not heed, he will rather procure his own ●ro●i● than yours. The Gascoine is hot, and quickly fallen into choler. The Pro●inciall is haughty, 
Goscoins. 〈…〉.  and cannot endure to be reproved. The Poitevins are deceitful. The Awerguaes are industrious, painful, and enduring all alterations of Time 〈◊〉 Fortune: but and if he once spy out the thing whereby you gain▪ he will share with you, 
〈…〉  or else it shall go hard. The Angevin, ●aurang●ois, and Mancean, are ●ittie, subtle, and lovers of their profit. The Ch●ram, Beauceron, and Soloignois, ●re laborious, peaceable, apt, and given to be gatherers and close graspers. The Champenois and Burguignons are frank, free, and of a stout heart, but opinative, ●nd wedded to their own conceits, so that you must oftentimes let them go on, vn●ill the thing itself show them their error. Then according to the Country and complexion that your Farmer is of, whom you shall place in your Farm, you shall ●●solue with yourself to handle his humour mildly and cunningly, that so you ●ay draw from him, for your profit, as much as possibly you can, applying and fitting yourself to bear that in him which you shall see past hope of amendment. But of many and divers Nations, have a care to choose out of many bad, the best, and after such choice to be wary and circumspect to prevent that in him which might hurt or hinder you: Considering, that as grounds are of divers natures, and love that which agreeth with their natures; even so there are some men more fit, apt, and ●nclined to one thing than unto others.   

CHAP. VIII.  
That the Farmer must have knowledge of the things foretelling Rain, Wind, fair Wether, and other alterations of the Seasons.  
YOur Farmer, 
The foretelling of Rain.  although he need not to be Booke-wise, notwithstanding▪ by long and assured experience must have some knowledge in the things foreshowing Rain, Wind, fair Wether, alterations and changes of the Air, of all the parts of the year, and of the qualities of the same, of Tempests, Lightnings, Thunders, Colds, Frosts, and Hail, that so, according to the fitness of the Seasons, he may begin himself, and set all other his workmen to their labour.  
He shall know before hand that it will be Rain by these and other such like signs: If the Moon, when she is very new, have her horns obscure: but if the higher horn of the said crescent be more obscure and dark than the lower, it will rain about the last quarters: but if the lower be more dark and obscure than the higher, it will rain in the first quarters: and if it be blackish in the midst, it will rain at the full Moon: If the Crescent, or body of the Moon, hang sagging, and look toward the West, it is a sign of rain: or if the Moon, being in the full, b● compassed about with vapours, and have one or two black and thick circles about it: or if the Moon have a pale face and colour, he shall mark whether the fourth, or (as some will have it) the fifth day of the age of the Moon be rainy: for in th●se days lieth the manifestation of whatsoever shall follow in the whole course of the same, whether it be unto Winds, or unto Rain, or unto fair Wether. He shall also see before that it will be rain, if the Sun be red at his rising, and by and by afterward become black: if round about the beams of the Sun, at the rising thereof, there appear a little dark Cloud: if at the rising thereof it seem hollow, and (as it were sunk: or if it have some red Clouds about it, mixed with other black ones, or somewhat grayish: or if it have a circle about it like to that of the Moon: if 〈◊〉 his rising it cast forth certain Beams or Clouds toward the West or Southwest Wind: if at the rising or setting thereof it have his Beams maimed, shortened, faint, and weak: if, when it riseth, it have his Beams troubled and encumbered, and yet not through the occasion of any cold: so if when it riseth it cast forth his long and stretched-out Beams crookedly and overthwart the Clouds, notwithstanding that as concerning all the rest it be very clear and bright: if before it rise it cast and put forth certain Beams: if at the rising thereof the Clouds be red, as well in the East a● in the West: if when it setteth there appear near unto it, upon the left hand, a little small Cloud: or if in setting, it shut up itself in whitish Clouds, like unto fleeces or cardings of Wool, and that they do spread themselves broader and broader, it will rain within a few days: if the other Planets be also compassed about with a circle, it is a sign of rain: if the Stars do not twinkle, or give their accustomed glimpses, or show more great, or have about them some small circle, it is a sign of great store of water. It is also a sign of Rain, if it lighten in very fair goodly Wether, and when the Skies are clear and beautiful: if in Summer the Lightnings do exc●●d the Thunder in quantity: if it thunder at high Noon: if upon the tops and high●st parts of the Hills there fly scatteringly, and in wandering sort, thick and gross● ●louds: if after that rain is ceased, there rise a sharp and cold wind; for thereby the ●aine will begin again afresh: if little Birds, haunting the Fens, be continually ●ashing themselves in the water: if the Crow do wet her head at the brink of the ●ater, or wade into it, and cry very much toward evening: if the Raven sound out ●er song from the hollow of her throat, and boast herself of her wings: if the Geese cry and fly more than they have been accustomed: if the Bees will not sly far from their Hives: if the Heron wander and whirl about to and fro in the midst of 〈◊〉 fields all sad and lowering: if Oxen eat more than ordinary, lie down upon the ●ight side, look toward the South, lick their hooves all about: if the Kine look up ●nto the air, and draw in the same: if the Ass' bray: if cocks crow at all hours, ●nd chiefly at evening, when they are upon their perches; for the crowing of the Cock at an unusual hour, as at nine, ten, eleven a clock at night, signifieth indifferently change of weather, from dry to moist, or contrary: if the Salt become moist: ●f the common Issues or Privies do stink more than usually: if such creatures as are ●entle take not so good rest and continue not their peaceable courses as they did be●ore: if the Wolves yell and run near about Houses: if Spiders fall down, not ●eing blown down of the wind: if Dogs tumble and wallow on the earth: i● Pigeons come late home to their house: if Flies, Wasps, and Hornets, Fleas and Gnats, ●ite more keenly than ordinarily they are wont: if the sound of Bells be more loud ●nd shrill, and heard further off, than they were wont: if the Cranes forsake the valleys, and return at a very good hour: if in Summer it lighten when it thundereth ●ot: if Asses, old and young Mules, without present occasion, do rub their cares a ●reat while: if the Tezill, gathered and hanged up in some part of the house, do ●hut up and close his prickles, as taking a new shape, and cas●ing off all his roughness: if the Sparrow cry early: if the little Frogs croope more than ordinary: if the ●oot of the Chimney fall hastily and in great quantity: if the Ashes clutter together ●nto balls: if the Oil sparkle in burning Lamps: if the three-leaved Gras●e do ●lose up in self and gather together his leaves: if the Swine do play a long time, and run to and fro, shaking and ●earing what they have taken in running: if the worms come out of the Earth: if the Cat, after that she hath a long time licked the sole of her foot, and trimming ●he hair of her head, do reach the said sole of her foot oftentimes over her ●are.  
Likewise he shall foretell great abundance of Rain, 
Signs foretokening great store of Rain.  if the Clouds be dark, deep, and thick: if the drops of water falling from the Skies be somewhat whitish, and make great bubbles and great falls here below: if the Rain fall mildly, and begin to fall with small drops: if the Water fallen upon the Earth in great abundance without any wind, be incontinently drunk up of the Earth: if the Waters of the Fens and standing Pools grow warm without the heat of the Sun more than ordinary: if Hens with their Chickens by and by in the beginning of the Rain do fly unto their houses: or if in the morning they come forth late, and (as it were) not unconstrained to their feeding: if the heavenly Bow (called in Latin Iris) do stretch itself towards the South; or if it appear double, triple, or fourfold in the Heavens; and if it appear after it hath reigned, the fear of future Rain is not quite abandoned.  
He shall foresee times of Snow in Winter, 
Signs foretokening Snow.  if he perceive that the clouds of dark ones become as it were whitish, chiefly when the North wind bloweth: if round about the Sun or the Moon there come divers pale circles, or half red ones: if in the time of great Cold the air grow thick, and somewhat rebated of his sharpness: if it make a dry Cold, without any Frost: if together with many signe● of Rain there appear many also of Cold approaching.  
He shall judge in like sort of Hail, 
Hail.  if in the Spring or Autumn he see that the clouds of black and dark ones become whitish: or if about the month of April, together with many signs of Rain, there be mixed dark and whitish clouds.  
He shall give good heed to the tokens foreshowing future Winds, 
Signs ●or●●tkening Winds.  and they are these: if the Sun at his setting be red: if the Sun set amongst reddish clouds: if the Sun all the day long, or a great while before his setting, have carried a Purple colour, and setting, seemeth greater than ordinary: if the Moon have a red face: if the Clouds in a fair Season and beautiful Sky be carried on high: if the Clouds appear in the Heavens gathered together as they were flocks of Sheep: if Forest● and the high tops of Mountains do make a noise: if the stars of Heaven run every way: if they seem more gros●e, and of greater light than usual: if it thunder in the Morning, or in Winter: if in the Spring time it thunder more mightily and ofter than it lighteneth: if the sound of Bells be sometimes heard very easily, and by and by not to be heard: if the Sparrows do sing and chirp beyond measure: if the Dogs tumble themselves upon the ground: if the webs and small threads of the Spiders do fly in the Air: if the Ducks do spread and flicker with their wings often and a long time together: if the Heron cry toward night as he is flying: if the ●lame of the fire cast forth many small sparkles: if the Wood do crackle and breathe out wind more than ordinary.  
He shall foretell the happening of any Thunder, 
The signs foretokening T●●nder, Lightnings, and Tempests.  Brightness, Lightning, and Tempest, when he shall see, that in the morning and evening in Summer, or in the beginning of Autumn, the Sun yieldeth a greater heat than ordinary; and when there appeareth in the air a very thick and deep cloud: if the Wind called Typhon, causing Whirlwinds, do blow ragingly, and that the air be full of many thick and dark clouds: if the days in Summer or Autumn be more fervent and hot than the season of the year can naturally bear: and that sometimes at the Sunset there appear a Rainbow toward the West: if there fly in the air many ajri● impressions and burning flames.  
He shall be assured of fair Wether, 
The signs foretokening fair Wether.  when he shall perceive that the Sun showeth itself clean at his rising, or clear and shining at his setting, having about it many small clouds apart one from another, and withal somewhat red and pleasant: when the Sun in the time of rain setteth, ha●ing his face red and fiery: and when the day-break, which men call the Morning, shall appear of the natural colour of white; and indeed the Proverb (A red evening and a white morning setteth the Pilgrim a walking) teacheth as much: if when the Moon is three or four day●● old, it show itself pleasant and clean without spots or clouds: if when it is in the full, it be seen clear: and that that part of the Heavens, called S. james his way, appear clear and bright: if at evening there appear many Lightnings, not accompanied with Thunders, or Clouds: if at evening or morning (at what time of the year soever it be) the dew fall in great abundance: if the Northern wind blow strongly: if the Owl after Sunset do come forth and whoop all the night without ceasing: if the little F●ies before Sunset do swarm together, and sport themselves in the Sunbeams: i● the Crows flock together in great companies, and call with a ●ull voice: it the Crow call early in the morning: if the Bats do ●om● forth of their ●oles at 〈◊〉- set, and ●lye up & down in the open air: if the Crane●●lye high, and do not betake themselves very quickly to a lower pitch: if Wat●r-Fowles do haunt somewhat far off f●om the side of the Water.  
And although that the parts of the year ordinarily have their beginning and ending at a certain time: 
Sig●es foretokening the beginnings and end of times.  as the Spring beginneth about the seventeenth of February, and endeth about the seventeenth of May, and so consequently of the other: notwithstanding, for as much as these parts and seasons do square and fall out of order, sometimes sooner, sometimes later, the good Husbandman shall have, over and above the common, certain signs and tokens to foresee the beginnings and end of the times of the year as they may fall out extraordinarily. As if he know that Water-Fowles forsake the Water, or that the house-Nightingale, especially the Male, do● sing more than any of all the rest: if the Cranes flock together, and return unto the place from whence they are come: if the Geese fight together for their feeding place, being in great leanness: or if the Sparrow more than ordinary call betimes in the morning, he shall say that Winter is at hand. In like manner, if he see that the Western wind begin to blow, and that the cold rebateth: if the Swallows do return in flocks▪ 〈◊〉 the Ducks have their breastbone white at the end of Winter▪ he shall judge, that 〈◊〉 Spring will be very quickly: for such creatures do sensibly feel and obseru● 〈◊〉 bounds and approaches of Seasons, howsoever out of course and extraordinari●●hat they be.  
If in Winter, 
Signs foretokening Cold.  in the beginning of Frosts, he perceive, that the Birds haunting ●●●nding Waters, do betake themselves to Floods and Rivers, which are not so apt 〈◊〉 freeze: or that the Snow falling from the Skies is but in small and thin flakes: if at 〈◊〉 beginning of Frost there fall some small, round, and white Hail: if the littl●●irds do hide themselves in the Bushes, and seek for their l●uing near to Towns ●nd Villages: if the Fire give a more shining flame, and make a ●oter coal: if that woollen or Linen dipped in Water do by and by freeze: if the utmost parts of th●●●die become suddenly cold: if in Winter the things which were wont to be moist ●nd wet are espied to become dry: if the drops of Water coming from the roo●●● 〈◊〉 Houses do fall one a good while after another, he shall hold it for firm, that cold 〈◊〉 near at hand, or else that that which is already will be very violent and of long ●●●ntinuance.  
He shall prognosticate the length of Winter, 
A long Winter.  when he shall see that the Oaks will 〈◊〉 full of Acorns, or when the Duck at the end of Winter shall have a red breastbone: or that the Hornets do appear before the end of October: or that Ca●●●ll, ●hich go together in Herds, do trample the Earth to mire.  
He shall judge great Summer heat to ensue, 
The heat o● Summer.  if he see that the Rams and old ●eepe do couple together oftentimes in the Spring: for so indeed of the 〈◊〉 and temper of one part of the year, a man may easily judge what will be the 〈◊〉 of another: for ordinarily, if one part or quarter of the year be clear, fair-weather and dry, it must needs fall out that the other should be rainy. As for exam●●●, a rainy Winter doth commonly follow a dry Autumn: in like manner, a dry spring cometh after a rainy Winter: and so consequently, the other parts of the 〈◊〉 do carry themselves in Heat, Cold, Moisture, and Dryness. Generally, he ●●all be able to prognosticate of the state of the whole year, following the Prog●ostications of ancient Fathers, as concerning the day whereupon the first day of ●he Feast of the Nativity or New years day doth fall. For if it fall upon the Lord's ●ay, the Winter will be mild and clear, the Spring delightsome, windy, and moist: ●ere shall be peace; cattle shall be at a good price; all manner of good things shall ●bound; old things shall die. If it fall upon a Monday, the Winter shall be indifferent, the Spring in like manner, the Summer windy and thundering in divers pla●●s, the time of Harvest temperate▪ Wine shall abound, but not Honey; divers dis●●ses shall reign; some great Princes and Nobles shall die. If it fall upon a Tues●ay, Winter will be windy, dark, and snowy; the Spring cold, dry, and moist; the ●ummer windy and moist; Autumn very inconstant: Women shall die: there ●ill be great danger to such as are upon the Sea: uproars will happen between ●he people and their Superiors: some Fruits will be dear. If it fall upon a Wed●esday, Winter will be very sharp; the Spring very bad; a good Summer, and a ●old and moist Harvest: Wine, Corn, and Fruits will abound, if they be not spoiled 〈◊〉 men of War: young folk and children shall die, and cattle likewise. If it fall 〈◊〉 a Thursday, the Winter will be good, windy, and rainy; the Spring windy; ●ummer good and rainy; Autumn moist: Wine, Corn, and Fruits will abound: ●reat Princes will die: there shall be peace betwixt Cities and their Princes. If it ●all on Friday, Winter will be constant, the Spring good, Summer inconstant, and Harvest time indifferent: the good things of the Earth will abound: Sheep will di●●n some Countries: there will reign pains in the eyes: and there will some tumult●●nd uproars be made. If it fall upon a Saturday, the Winter will be dark, cloudy, ●nd sharp; the Spring somewhat windy▪ the Summer moderate, and Harvest time ●rie: the fruits of the Earth will not be plentiful: Fishes will be in great plenyie: ●here will fall out perils upon the Waters: great spoils by wilful 〈◊〉 will be committed: and Wars will reign.  
In like manner, according ●o the disposition of the Sun and the twelve day●● 〈◊〉 the Feast of the Nativity, he shall be able to foretell the inclinations of years: 〈◊〉 if the Sun be altogether beautiful and clear upon Christ's day, the year will 〈◊〉 good and peaceable: if upon the second day, Gold and Wheat will fall of their former value and price: if upon the third day, Churchmen will fall at varianc●● if upon the fourth day, young folk will have troubles: if upon the fifth day, all goods will increase: if upon the sixth day, Gardens will prove fruitful: if upon the seventh day▪ there will be great Dearth and Famine: if upon the eight, abundance of Fish: if upon the ninth, a good season for cattle: if upon the tenth, great heaviness of 〈◊〉 if upon the eleventh, great foggy Mists and Mortality: if upon the twelfth, Uproars and Warfare. Wherefore, if the Sun shine in those twelve days▪ and that continually, all these things will come to pas●e.  
He shall likewise prognosticate and foreknow the disposition of the whole 〈◊〉 by the disposition of S. Paul's day, which is the twenty fifth of januarie; for if thi● day be fair, clear, and smiling, it promiseth great abundance of the fruits of th● Earth: if upon this day there be any Mists, there will ensue great death of cattle: i● it Rain or Snow, we are to fear a great dearth: if it be windy, there will be Wars and Seditions among the people.  
He shall know how every month in the year will be inclined, 
The knowledge of the disposition of eueri●●oneth.  by observing the inclination of the day of the Nativity, and of the Festival days following: in such sort, as look what Wether it is upon the day of the Nativity, such Wether will follow in the month of januarie; and so consequently the other moneth● will carry themselves, and answer suitably to the other of the twelve Festiua●● days.  
He shall be careful to foresee whether the year will fall out forward or backward: 
〈…〉  if after Vintage there fall Rain, especially before the end of the month of October, the year will prove forward: if it rain about the end of October, it will prove indifferent: but if it begin to rain shortly a●ter in November, the year will prove backward; and than it will behove the good Farmer to sow in greater quantity, for that before the mid time much of the Corn doth rot and spoil in the Earth.  
He shall not be ignorant of the tokens foreshowing whether it will be a good or a bad year: 
A good or bad year.  and proportionably to this, he shall learn to understand how Harvest hath been gathered round about him, and in near adjoining Countries, whither their Country Corn hath been accustomed to be carried: as also in such Coun●ri●● as from whence they have been wont to have some brought; to the end, that by buying before hand, or ever that scarcity pinch, he may either, by keeping of his store, o● else by husbanding of it sparingly and thriftily, reserve such Corn as he shall know to be likely to prove dear, and that not only for the maintenance of his Famili● and his Seed, but also to the end he may take his best time and place to sell his own● for his most profit.  
He shall know a fruitful and fertile year, 
Signs foretokening fruitfulness.  if he see in the Oak apples, commonly called Galls, a Fly engendered and bred: if the Harvest time be beautiful and f●ire weather; the Spring reasonably hot: if there fall good store of Snow in his due tim● and season: if Trees bear but small store of Fruits: if Rivers and Floods do nourish but small store of Fish: if the Broom be fruitful and abundant in bringing forth of flowers: if the Walnut-tree▪ from his beginning to flourish, be more laden with flowers, for the bearing of fruits, than with leaves: if the Mastic tree do bring forth hi● fr●●t well liking and fed: if the wild Onion, or Sea-Onion, called Squilla, cast forth a fair and great flower, which withereth not so speedily.  
On the contrary, 
A barren ●●are.  he shall fear a barren year, when he shall see that the Nut of the Gall shall bring forth a Spider: if any Comet appear in the Firmament: if the Spring and Summer be too moist: if the Earth and air be full of Spiders, Worme●, Wood●eere, and other such like Vermin: if the Walnut tree have more leaves than Nuts: if the Dew and Frost come in unseasonable times: if Birds in great flock●● do leave and forsake the Islands and Woods, and betake themselves to the plain Fields, Towns, and Villages: if the Crow continue not to abide in the Woods: ●f there fall out great store of beans, and likewise of Fruits and Fishes: if there happen any great eclipse of the Sun at such time as the Corn is in flower; for the ears thereof will have no Corn in them: Which also falleth 〈◊〉 in like manner, when the Seed which is sown is either a lean, a light, or a half rot●n Corne.  
He shall know whether Corn will be dear or cheap for the present year, 
Tokens foreshowing Corn● to be good cheap or dear  and ●n which of the months thereof. Let him choose out at adventure twel●e grains of Corn the first day of januarie, let him make clean the fire-Harth, and kindle a fire ●hereupon: afterward let him call some boy or girl of his neighbours, or of his own house, let him command the party to put one of these grains of Corn vpo●●he Hearth, made very clean and hot: then he shall mark if the said Grain do ●eape or lie still: if it leap a little, than Corn shall be reasonably cheap; but if it ●eape very much, it shall be very cheap: if it leap toward the Fire more or less, Corn shall be more or less dear: if it lie still and leap not, than Corn shall stand at one price for this first month. He shall do in like manner with the second Grain for the month of February, and so in order with the rest of the Grains for ●he rest of the months as they follow. 
Signs foretokening a sickly or sound year.  Furthermore, for th● better preservation of himself and his family from diseases, as well contagious as others caused of distemperature and ill disposition of the Air, it will be good that he should have some fore●●ght to discern what diseases in likelihood may ensue. But the most certain and ●●re token is, if at the end of the Spring, or during the Summer, it rain ordinarily, ●nd that in great abundance, and accompanied with great and vehement heat, with●●t any Wind at all: or if the Southern Wind blow: or that as yet there have not ●●llen any Rain at all: if the Air be full of Fogs and Mists: if the Sun endure ●ny Eclipse: or if there be seen in the Air any Comets or fiery flames: if the Trees do seem to flame and burn: if that the time of Harvest and Winter be very foggy, and yet notwithstanding rainy: if Bread, set abroad in the open Air, do in the night time draw moisture unto it, and become mouldy: if Dogs run mad: if that it be found that Wolves run into some Towns, being mad: if Birds forsake their nest●, eggs, and young ones: if there be a great death of Sheep: if that Fens be full of Frogs▪ if Walls be full of Sows and such other like Vermine: if upon the way a man cannot but meet with Worms, Lisards, Serpents, and Moules, crept out of their holes and lurking places: if Birds fall dead out of the Air: if in the Nut of a Gall be found a Spider: if young and old folk be troubled with the Pocks and Measles▪ if Women with child be brought in bed before their time: if in Summer, after rain, there be to be seen in the Fens great store of Frogs, having pale or ash-coloured backs and yellow bellies: if Grounds, planted with Roses or with Violets, do bring forth and yield flowers in the beginning of Autumn.  
He shall prognosticate great death of cattle, if he see that the leaves of the Elm tree and Peach tree do fall before their time. And I would that all men understood that I have set down these things without any mind to derogate from the good and Almighty providence of God, who bindeth not himself to the Orders and Laws whereunto he hath bound and tied Nature, but altereth the same even according to his own good will and pleasure, as being Creator of all things, and as unto whom all honour appertaineth.   

CHAP. IX.  
That the Farmer must have the knowledge of the Motions, as well of the Moon as of the Sun, and of the power and operations of them both in matters of Husbandry.  
NOtwithstanding, that the consideration and observation of the Motions, Faculties, and Effects of the Stars, and chiefly of the two great and admirable Fires of the whole World (called of God, by the mouth o● Moses, 
Th● Sun and the Moon great Lights.  Lights) that is to say, the Sun and the Moon, doth appertains r●ther unto some excellent Astrologian, than to a simple Husbandman: notwithstanding, for as much as th● greatest part of matters of Husbandry, as Beasts, Plants, Trees, and Herbs do take their generation, nourishment, growth, and perfect consummation, by the lively inspiration, action, casting forth of Beams, and wonderful movings of these two Organs and principal Instruments of all the World; it is very expedient that the Farme● and Governor of a Husbandry should have that knowledge gotten by long experience, which teacheth their virtues and powers in matters of Husbandry, to the end he may handle, manage, and order the same according to the motions of those two great Governors. 
Of the Moon.  So then to speak of the Moon in the first place (which, by reason of being nearest unto us of all the rest of the Planets and celestial Bodies, doth work her effect in like manner upon us as concerning our bodies as well as upon the rest of earthly things) it is most certain, that in les●e than in one month it runneth all that course and way which the Sun is in running all the year long: and that it hath no light of itself, but that it taketh and receiveth it all from the Sun, giving his reverberations and reflections unto the Earth with more vehemency when it is further off from the Sun: as on the contrary, look how much it cometh the nearer unto her conjunction with it, 
T●e cause of the growth and wa●● of th● Moon.  so much the less light and force doth it impart unto the Earth. Hereupon it cometh, that we say, that the Moon increaseth or decreaseth: not that indeed it doth increase or decrease (save then when it is in his eclipse) being continually enlightened by the Sun; but this his brightness only which it casteth and spreadeth upon the whole face of the Earth, doth only increase and decrease. And this shining brightness, according as it is longer or lesser time, hath likewise more or less force to mo●e the humours of natural things to work their effects. For by how much the more that this light increaseth, by so much the more doth the moisture thereof spread and communicate itself abundantly throughout the outward parts: as on the contrary, by how much it waneth and groweth less, by so much the natural humidity and moisture doth withdraw, and betaketh itself unto the inward parts. This is th● cause why men call the Moon the Mother, Nurse, Regent, and Governess of all such humidities as are in earthly bodies.  
Wherefore, 
To slaughter Ca●●ell in the new of the Moon.  to speak first of Field-beasts, the well-aduised Farmer shall not kill at any time whatsoever his Porkes, Muttons, beeves, Kine, or other Beasts, of the flesh whereof he would make his household provision for the sustenance of his Family, in the wane of the Moon. For such flesh as is killed in the decrease of the Moon falleth away and impaireth every day, and also craveth much fire and time to make it ready withal: neither aught any man to marvel or sta●d astonished at this, if he consider well, that a Sausage, or other such like kind of meat, doth grow less by a quarter when they are boiled. Neither shall he make account of or buy any Horseflesh, or other, which was fole or brought forth in the decrease and old age of the Moon, for that they are more weak and faint than the rest: moreover, they come to no growth, neither is their flesh of sufficient weight when they be killed. He shall never ●●sh his Pools, Fishponds, Ditches, or Waters with salt Fish, in the decay of the Moon: for both Fish and other Beasts of the Water, especially they which ar● 〈◊〉 with shells or thi●ke s●ales, as Crayfish, Crabs, Oysters, Muscles, and such 〈◊〉 are found very much impaired in their substance and lean in the old age and 〈◊〉 of the Moon: and chose, gross, fat, and full, when she is in her force, 〈◊〉 full. The Faulkone● shall choose rather the full Moon to f●ye in than the wane, 〈◊〉 that Hawks, and all Birds of the prey, are a great deal more nimble, sharp, and 〈◊〉 abo●t the full Moon than in any other time. The Horse and Beast subject 〈◊〉 malady of the eyes, is better at ●ase in the decrease than in the increase or full 〈◊〉 the Moon. He shall make provision of Fa●s, or of the marrows of the bones of ●utton, Har●, Beef, and others, if he have need, in the full of the Moon, not in the 〈◊〉. He shall geld his Bore-Pigs, Rams, Bull-Calues, or Bulkins, and 〈◊〉, when the Moon decreaseth. He shall set Eggs under Hens or other Fowl●●●he new of the Moon, and principally in the first quarter.  
As for Trees and other Plants, 
Fruit-trees and others.  the wise and discreet Farmer will plant his Fruit-trees and others in the new of the Moon, and yet not before the first quarter. At 〈◊〉 same time he will have regard to cut down and lop Wood for his fuel: but 〈◊〉, such as he minds to keep for to build wi●hall, when the Moon decrease, being sure that all matter (be it to build House, Presses, Bridges, and other 〈◊〉) being cut down in the decrease of the Moon, lasteth a long time, and is ●nd marvellous good, and yet better when it is cut down rather at evening than in 〈◊〉 morning: which thing may also be applied to hewn stone and millstones, when 〈◊〉 be cut out of their Quarries and 〈◊〉. He shall plant his Vine in the increase of 〈◊〉 Moon, when it is four or five days old: He shall cut the lean Vines, and such 〈◊〉 planted in ● bad soil, in the increase likewise of the Moon: but those which ●ore fat, in the going away of the Moon, seeing that thus they will bring forth 〈◊〉 Grapes than if they were cut in the increase, in as much as then the Moon 〈◊〉 upon them to soften them and make them fat, cannot choose but cause aboun●●ce of Clusters and Leaves: but cutting them the Moon being old, the Wood comes bound, and applieth itself only to bring forth great store of fruit. He 〈◊〉 cleanse▪ prune, 
To cleanse tree  & cut at the foot Fruit-trees toward the later end of the Moon, 〈◊〉 they will become better laden with fruit. He shall make his Nurseries of 〈◊〉, the Moon being over the Earth.  
As for Fruits, 
To gather fruits. Grapes.  he shall gather Apples, Pears, and other Fruits, as also his Grapes, ●he decrease of the Moon, because thereby the Wines will be the better and 〈◊〉 kep●, which otherwise would be in danger to sour and rot in ●he month of 〈◊〉 following, being the time that men are wont to cut their Vines. And which 〈◊〉, he shall gather and carry into his house whatsoever he would have to endure 〈◊〉 last long, 
To sow Corn●. To winnow or fan, to searce and lay up Corn under lock.  at such time as the Moon shall decrease. He shall sow his Corn, as 〈◊〉 and other Grain; he shall weed, fan, searce, and gather together his Corn 〈◊〉 a lock; he shall grind his Corn, 
To grind Corne.  the better to keep it in flower, in the end 〈◊〉 old of the Moon: It is very true, that the bread increaseth & profiteth more, 〈◊〉 be ground, the Moon increasing and being new. He shall mow and cut down 〈◊〉 Corn with Sith, the Moon wasting. He shall pull Line and Pulse at the same 〈◊〉: and yet indeed all Pulse gathered or reaped in the growth of the Moon are of 〈◊〉 digestion.  
〈◊〉 concerning Herbs, he shall sow them the Moon being new, and gather them 〈◊〉 the Moon increaseth in her light, as being then of far greater force than in 〈◊〉 waist and wane. At the same time he shall gather Cucumbers, Gourds, Melons, 〈◊〉, Pompions, and all Roots which grow in the head, whether they be Leeks, 〈◊〉, 
Onion's so●n▪ in the wan●.  Radishes, Turnips, Lilies, Saffron, or such like; except Onions, which 〈◊〉 be dealt withal clean contrary: for they become a great deal more gross 〈◊〉 better fed in the declining than in the augmenting or full of the Moon, during 〈◊〉 time they have no such force of greatness of body: notwithstanding, if they 〈◊〉 sown or transplanted in the wane of the Moon, and towards the later end, they 〈◊〉 a great deal more strong, sharp, and biting, than if it were in the growth or full● the Moon.  
Furthermore, he shall cut down his Meadows, for the feeding of his cattle, when the Moon is new: 
T● mow Med●w●s.  he shall dung 
To dung them.  his grounds and make them fat in the increase of the same, in as much as the Moon giveth no less power unto the dung to soften the Earth, than it doth to Trees and Seeds, to bud, grow, and multiply every one in his place: he shall water his Meadows in the decrease of the Moon.  
And he shall not be content to know what force and efficacy every quarter of the Moon hath upon Beasts, Trees, Plants, Herbs, Fruits, and other things contained in this inferior World▪ but shall also be careful to observe what power every day of the Moon hath, not only upon Beasts and Plants, but also in the disposition and governing of Man, to make his use thereof in the time of necessity, and in time and place, as occasion offereth: following such infallible Observations as h●u● been long continued, and which our Fathers never attained unto; and they be such.  
In the first day of the Moon, Adam was created: if any man fall sick● upon this day, the sickness will be long, but he party shall recover: the dreams which he dreameth in the night shall be found joyful: the child that is borne this day shall live long.  
In the second day Eve was created: it is good to take any Voyage upon this day, either by Sea or Land, and the traveler shall have happy success in all the places where he shall lodge and sojourn. This day is good for the increase of posterity: It is likewise happy and favourable to such as shall have any Suits unto Princes, or other great Personages. Likewise it will be good to build and set up upon: as also to make Gardens, Orchards, and Parks; to till the Earth, and sow it. A Th●ft or Robbery committed this day will not long be unfound out, for it cannot be concealed. If any on● fall sick, he will be quickly healed. If he dream in the night time, he must not respect it, for it shall come to no effect. The child borne upon this day thriveth and groweth jollily.  
In the third day Cain was borne: Upon this day no man is to enterprise any work, either in Gardening or Planting, except that which he purposeth to lose: who so falleth sick, shall undergo and bear it with great pain and grief unto the end; but by little and little, keeping good order of diet, he shall recover his health. Any dream dreamt this day or night shall come to nought: likewise the child then borne shall be of long life.  
In the fourth day Abel was borne: This is a good day to begin a work in, to make Mills in, and to go upon the Water. A Fugitive or Runaway, as also a lost or strayed Beast, shall be quickly found: The party falling sick upon his bed, shall hardly escape it: if the dream he good, it shall come to pass: if on the contrary it be evil, it shall not come to pass: the child borne this day shall pro●e a Traitor.  
In the fifth day Lamech was borne: If upon this day any party have committed any thing by hap or accident, and ●lye for the same, he doth but lose his labour by such flight, for he shall by and by be punished alive or dead. Robbery committed this day, shall not be found out: who so shall fall sick upon this day, shall never rise again: the dreame●dreamed shall be doubtful: the child borne shall die very quickly.  
In the sixth day Ebron was borne: It is good upon this day to send children to School, and to go a Hunting: Theft or Robbery committed this day shall b● quickly found out: likewise the sicknesses which shall be taken, shall be soon healed: the dreams which a man shall dream on that day, are not to be disclosed: th● child that shall be borne, shall be of long life.  
In the seventh day Abel was slain by Cain: It is good on this day to let blood, foreseen that the Moon be in a fit sign: into what Coast or Quarter soever that ● Malefactor or Thief doth fly, both he and the theft committed shall be quickly found out; the sick soon healed; th● dreams certain and true; good to buy Swine, and to make food of all manuer of Beasts: the child borne shall be of long life.  
The eight day Methusalem was borne: It is good for travelers: the Patient taken with a disease, shall languish a long time: the dreams therefore shall prove true: the child shall not show any good ●ignes in the judgement of Physiognomy.  
In the ninth day Nabuchodonosor was borne: This said day is indifferent: th● dreams of the night come to pass incontinently: the party that shall fall sick will escape, if he die not within eight days, and therefore shall not languish or bear it mournfully: the child borne upon this day shall be of a long life.  
The tenth day Noah was borne: All good things done this day shall prosper: the dreams shall be of no effect: who so upon it shall fall into tribulation and adversity, shall not need to fear, for it shall not long endure: likewise, he that falleth sick shall die within ten days, if he be not well succoured: the child borne upon this day shall travail many far Coasts and Countries.  
The eleventh day Samuel was borne: It is good to change one's house in: a good and joyful dream shall fall out to be true, and come to pass within a few days: the party lying down sick upon his bed, shall there continue a long time, and yet notwithstanding h● shall escape: the child borne upon this day shall be of a good spirit, apt and forward to all good sciences, and of a long life.  
The twelfth day is very dangerous, and therefore we must not do any thing in it, for upon this day was Canaan borne: who so shall fall sick therein, shall be in great danger to die within twelve days: the dreams thereof shall be true, according to their signification: the child borne this day shall be altogether hypocritically inclined.  
In the thirteenth day it will be evil to begin any work: who so falleth sick upon that day, shall continue long languishing: the dreams thereof shall be accomplished within nine days: the child borne that day shall live long.  
In the four●teenth day God blessed Noah and his works: he that falleth sick that day, shall amend again quickly: the dreams thereof will be doubtful: the child borne that day will be perfect in all things.  
The fifteenth day shall be indifferent, that is to say, neither good nor bad: the sick shall not die upon his sickness whereinto he fell that day: the dreams thereof will be certain, and accomplished within ten days: the child borne thereon shall not be subject to women.  
In the sixteenth day jacob was borne: For this cause it maketh good to buy and ●ame Horses, Oxen, and other cattle: the sick shall be in great danger of death, if he change not his Air or House: dreams shall come to pass: the child shall not live long.  
In the seventeenth day Sodom and Gomorrha was destroyed: It is ill to attempt and do any thing: Physic taken will do no good unto the Patient: the dreams will be verified within th●ee days: the child will not be prosperous in all things.  
In the eighteenth day Isaac was borne: It is good to be at leisure, and to go about business: the sick shall be in danger of death: the dream shall be true: the child shall not travail far, but he shall get grea● goods.  
In the nineteenth day King Pharaoh was borne: This day is dangerous, wherefore it will be good to avoid company and drunkards, and to live peaceably without doing any thing: the diseased will soon● recover: the dream will prove tru●: the child will not be malicious, or a mocker.  
In the twentieth day the Prophet jonas was borne: This is a good day for the doing of all things: the disease will continue long: the dream true and apparent: the child which shall be borne will be malicious and a mocker.  
In the one and twentieth day was borne King Saul: It is good to rejoice and cheer up ones self in fair and honest Apparel: good to buy provision for sustenance: the theft committed will be found out: the taken sick in great danger of his disease: the dream vain and unprofitable: the child borne, subject to endure great travail.  
In the two and twentieth job was borne: It is not good to go about Merchandise, not to enterprise or undertake any charge: That sick shall be in danger to die of the sickness that he shall take this day: the dream shall be true: the child borne shall be good and honest.  
In the three and twentieth day was Benjamin borne: Whatsoever a man doth upon that day, it shall turn to his honour: the disease shall be long, but not mortal: the dreams false: the child borne, a dissembling wretch and ill favoured.  
In the four and twentieth day japhet was borne: It is an indifferent day, that is to say, neither good nor bad: the sickness will hold long, but the patient will recover: the dream will be of no effect: the child that is borne will be mild and courteous, and will love to make great cheer.  
In the five and twentieth Mortality entered into Egypt: The sick will be in danger of death the sixth day after the beginning of the sickness: the child that is borne therein shall be subject unto many dangers, perils, and adversities.  
In the six and twentieth Moses divided the Sea: the same day died Saul and jonathan: for which cause, the day is very dangerous, and not good to do any thing in. He that falleth sick upon that day, will never escape: the dreams will prove true: the child borne will not be any man of great prosperity or pleasure, that is to say, neither poor nor rich.  
In the seven and twentieth it is good to take pains in all manner of businesses: the sickness will be variable: the dreams will be doubtful: the child borne will be mild and lovely.  
In the eight and twentieth all good things will be good to be done: the sick shall be recovered of his sickness: the child borne shall be slothful and negligent.  
In the nine and twentieth day Herod caused the children to be slain: This is a dismal and unhappy day; wherefore there must nothing be done that day, nor yet undertaken: the dreams will be very certain: the sick will turn found: the child borne will live and keep society in peaceable manner among men.  
The thirtieth and last day is good to do all things in: The sick shall be in great danger even unto death, but if he be well and carefully looked unto, he will recover: the dreams will be turned into joy within the fifth day: the child borne will be subtle and deceitful.  
As concerning the Sun (which is the other Instrument of the whole World, performing the greatest part of his actions really and in deed during the day, whereof it is the author, as the Moon doth hers during the night, as being then when she is in her force and vigour) it by his natural heat, influence, actions, and casting forth of his celestial beams, giveth unto earthly bodies their form and vegetative life, accompanied with certain powers and virtues, so far forth as every natural body is capable, and deserveth or requireth it: Which operations of the Sun in these Earthly matters, are wrought and effected by certain his motions, accomplished in the four quarters of the year, which is that time wherein the Sun dispatcheth his whole course. Wherefore the wise and prudent Husbandman shall give heed to the four quarters of the year, which are the Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter, to the end, that according to the motion and power of the Sun in these four quarters, he handle, manage, and govern all his affairs of Husbandry. And this is the thing that we will more particularly handle at large in the Chapter following, by the works that the Husbandman must do in every several month of the year.   

CHAP. X.  
The particular Works that a Husbandman must be careful to do every month in the year.  
furthermore, to the end that his people may not live idle, and that they may not lose one small minute of time; which being employed about some one or other work, he shall dispose of his works so, as that they may every one have his certain time, and he shall know at his finger's ends what things is to be done every month and time of the year. Yet thus ever to govern his memory, that these labours following being more natural to the Kingdom of France than to any of her neighbours, they shall, for their satisfaction, because the Book is now intended general, return to the sixth Chapter, and there behold the convenient labours fit for colder Countries, as is the Island of great Britain, Ireland, and the Low Countries.  
In the month of januarie, 
januarie.  chiefly toward the end, he shall cut down his Wood which he appointeth for Building, or other Work, when the Moon is under the Earth: for the brightness of the Moon maketh the Wood more tender, and the Wood which shall be cut at such time will endure a long time without rotting. He shall dung the Fruit-trees, not letting the dung touch their roots. He shall graft all such great and little Trees which bud betimes, as Rosetrees, Damask, Plum-trees, Apricock-trees, Almond-trees, and Cherry-trees. He shall dig the Earth for the casting in of Nuts, Almonds, and the kernels of Apricockes, Peaches, and Plums, and such others, in grounds that are cold and moist, in the two first quarters of the Moon. He shall cut his Vine in fair and beautiful Wether. He shall plough the grounds that are dry, light, white, lean, sandy, full of roots and great herbs, and which were not eared in October. He shall give the second ear unto those his grounds that are most barren, and scatter upon them the chaff of beans, Wheat, or Barley. He shall cut down the boughs of the Willows for Rails for Vines and Stakes for Hedges. He shall prepare props and thick square Laths to underset his Vines. He shall cut and take away the superfluous boughs of the Trees, the Moon decreasing. He shall turn the uppermost of all the dung made since S. Martin's day undermost, and contrarily, to the end it may be well rotten when he shall carry it out to spread it upon his Field and Meadow. He shall furnish afresh or make new his Carts, Tumbrels, Ploughs, and other his Instruments necessary for his Husbandry. He shall make provisions of very sharp iron tools to cut and cleanse his Trees and Vines. Above all things, let them beware of Sowing, because the Earth as then is too open, heavy, full of vapours, and like unto Wool not well carded.  
In February 
February.  in the new Moon he shall transplant Vines of two or three year, which shall now already have taken good root, but he shall not touch them of one year, which will not be removed because of the small strength which they have as yet got. He shall carry dung out into his cornfields, Vineyards, Meadows, and Gardens. He shall cast trenches for the planting of new Vines. He shall cut the roots of the Vines, and set square Laths or Props for the defending of them. He shall prune and cleanse the Trees of whatsoever is superfluous: He shall cleanse them from worms, filthiness, and worme-eatings, canker, and rottenness, which are to be found in the dry leaves. He shall make ready his Garden-grounds to sow and set therein all manner of herbs. He shall give the Earth her second ear-ring for the receiving of Beans, Barley, Oates, Hemp, Millet, and such other Seed of small Pulse. He shall overlook his Vines, especially those which he knoweth to be weak and tender. He shall repair the Hedges of his Gardens. He shall plant woods for Timber-trees and Talwood. He shall also plant the slips of Olive trees, Pomegranate trees, Quince trees, Fig trees, Poplar trees, Willow trees, Elm trees, Osiers, and others, as well Fruit Trees as wild ones, which have roots. He shall cleanse the Dove-house, Henne-house, and place where the Peacocks and Geese make their haunt, because that these cattle in the end of this month begin to be hot, and to tread. He shall overlook his Warren, to stowage it anew, and to handsome up the Earth's. He shall buy Bees: he shall make clean their Hives very carefully, and kill their Kings. He shall buy Falcons, Sparrowhawkes, and other Birds of the prey, which he shall put into Move in the end of this month.  
In March, 
March.  even in the beginning of it, he shall sow Line, Woad (if it were not sown in February) Oates, Barley, Millet, Panic, Hemp, Peason, Lentils, Tear everlasting, Lupins, small kinds of Corn, as the Fetch, Fasels, and other such like bitter kinds of small Pulse. He shall g●ue a second carder unto new ploughed fallows, which are now by this 〈◊〉 well amended and dunged, so as that he may make them read●e to sow. He shall weed his Corn: he shall get Grifts to graft, when the sap beginneth to climb the Trees, and before that they put forth any buds. He shall plant these Fruits, great Nuts, Chestnuts, Almonds, small Nuts, filberts, and the stones of Olives and Apricocks, and divers other Fruits. He shall sow divers Nurseries with the kernels of Apples, Pears, Mulberries, and such other like Fruits. He shall plant such Herbs a● are set low and close by the ground, as the slips of Artichokes, Thistles necessary for use, Sage, Lavender, Rosemary, Strawberrie, Gooseberrie-bush, Roses, Lilies, Ci●ruls, Cucumbers, Melons and Pompions. He shall trim up his Gardens as well ●or the Kitchen or commodity, as that which is drawn into quarters, or for pleasure, and shall sow therein whatsoever necessary Seeds. He shall cut and uncover the roots of Vines and Fruit-trees, to the end they may bring forth more fruit. He shall put dung to the roots of the Trees: he shall gather up the loppings to make Fuel of.  
In April, 
April.  about S. George his day, you shall set abroad your Citron and Orange Trees, as also all such other Trees as you had kept within house from S. Martin's day, from which he shall remove the earth from foot to foot, taking from them such roots as are put forth towards the uppermost part of the earth, as also all superfluous boughs, not suffering any one branch to exceed another either in breadth or height. He shall plant, if he have not already done it, Olive trees, Pomegranate trees, Citron trees, and Mulberry trees, and shall prune them carefully. He shall graft the Fig tree, chestnut tree, Cherry tree, and Orange tree. He shall cut the new Vine, for at this time it endureth best to be cut. He shall be careful to feed his Pigeons, because at this time they find but little in the fields. He shall put Horse to his Mares, the hee-Asse to the shee-Asse, and Rams to the Ewes. He shall make clean the Hives of the Honey-flies, and shall kill the Butterflies, which abound when Mallows are in flower.  
In May 
May.  he shall water the Trees that are newly planted: he shall shear his Shrepe, fill up his Wines, gather great store of Butter, and make much Cheese, g●ld his Calves, and begin to look to his Bees and Silkworms, of which he shall gather together a great number. He shall weed his Corn, cast the earth off his Vines the second time, uncovering and freeing their roots from the earth about them, to the end that the heat may not hurt them: he shall take away all the green branches and tender boughs which bear no fruit: he shall crop the over-ranke boughs of Trees, he shall graft such Olive trees as must be grafted in the bud.  
In june 
june.  he shall make ready his Threshing floor, and cause it to be thoroughly cleansed of straw, dur●, and dust: he shall cut down his Meadows, mow his Barley, crop his Vines, thrash his Corn to sow in Seed time.  
In july 
july.  he shall mow his Wheat and other grain used to make pottage of: he shall graft in the bud: he shall gather from Appletrees and Peartrees the faulty Apples and Pears, and those which do over-charge the Trees: he shall dig his Vines again the second time, and pluck up from them the Grass called Dogs-tooth: he shall lay even and fill up the earth where it is any where cleft or broken, to the end that the Sun may not burn before hand the Vine: He shall cut down such Wood as shall serve for this Fuel all the year long.  
In August 
August.  he shall pull his Line and Hemp; gather such fruits from off the Trees as he meaneth to preserve. He shall take away the leaves from about such Grapes as are slow and backward, to the end they may receive and reap the more heat from the Sun. He shall make his Verivice. He shall dig the Earth to make Wells, or to find the heads of Fountains, if he have need. He shall think upon making ready his Wine vessels and other things necessary for his Vintage.  
In September 
September.  he shall give his land that cometh to be tilled again, after it hath been fallow, the last earder. He shall sow his Wheat, Mas●ing, Rye, and such like Corne. He shall gather his Vintage: beat down Nuts: cut down late Meadow grounds, to have the after-Crop. He shall gather stubble for the thatching of his house, and for fuel to the Oven all the year. He shall cut away the branches of Madder, and gather the Seed to sow in the beginning of the March following. He shall gather the leaves of Wo●d, and order them in such sort, as that they may be made up into balls, and he shall cause them to be dried in the Sun, or at a fire not very hot. He shall cut down Rice and Millet.  
In October 
October.  he shall make his Wines, and turn them into Vessels. He shall bestow his Orange, Citron, and Pomegranate Trees in some covered place, to avoid the danger of the eminent Cold. He shall make his Honey and Wax, and drive the old Bees.  
In November 
November.  he shall couch his Wines in his Cellar. He shall gather Acorns to feed Swine. He shall gather Chestnuts small and great, and such Garden-fruits as will keep. He shall take Radish out of the Earth, taking off their leaves, and putting them under the Sand, to keep them from the Frost. He shall lay bare the roots of Artichokes, and cover them again very well, that the Frost may not perish them. He shall make Oils. He shall make Hives for Bees, Panniers, Dung-pots, and Baskets of Osier. He shall cut Willows for to make Frames to bear up Vines, and shall bind the Vines, and draw the climbing Poles from the Vines.  
In December 
December.  he shall oftentimes visit his Fields, thereby to let out the water which may stand in them after great Rain. He shall cause water to run through the old Meadows, and dung them if need be. He shall make provision of Dung to manure his fallows that are broken up and tilled. He shall cover with dung the roots of the Trees and Herbs which he intendeth to keep unto the Spring. He shall cut off the boughs and heads of Willows, Poplars, Saplings, and other Trees, to the end that their boughs may more speedily put forth and grow so soon as Winter shall be passed. He shall cut down his Wood as well to build withal as to make his fire with. He shall make ready his Nets to catch Birds, and to beset the Hares, when as the Fields shall be yeie, or covered with Snow, or overflown with Waters in such sort, as that a man can do no work in them. He shall also occupy himself (as long as he pleaseth) in making a thousand pretty Instruments and necessary things of Wood, as are Platters, Trenchers, Spindle's, Bathing-Tubs, Dishes, and other things requisite for household store: as also Harrows, Rakes, and Handles for these tools. He shall repair his Teams, Yokes, Ploughs, and all other Instruments necessary for the fitting and garnishing of cattle going to Cart or Plough, to the end that all may be in good order when they are to go to labour. He shall also make provision of Spades, Shovels, Pickaxes, Peeles, Hatchets, Wedges, Saws, and other furniture fit for a Country house store.   

CHAP. XI.  
The condition and state of a housewife.  
I Do not find the state or place of a housewife or Dairie-woman to be of less care and diligence than the office of her Husband, understood always, that the woman is acquitted of Field matters, in as much as she is tied to matters within the House and base Court (the Horses excepted) as the husband is tied to do what concerneth him, even all the businesses of the Field. Likewise, according to our custom of France, Country women look unto the things necessary and requisite about Kine, Calves, Hogs, Pigs, Pigeons, Geese, Ducks, Peacocks, Hens, Pheasants, and other sorts of Beasts, as well for the feeding of them as for the milking of them: making of Butter and Cheese: and the keeping of Lard to dress the labouring men their victuals withal. Yea, furthermore they have the charge of the Oven and Cellar: and we leave the handling of Hemp unto them likewise; as also the care of making Webs, of looking to the clipping of Sheep, of keeping their Fleeces, of spinning and combing of Wool to make Cloth to clothe the family, of ordering of the Kitchen Garden, and keeping of the Fruits, Herbs, Roots, and Seeds: and moreover, of watching and attending the Bees. It is true, that the buying and selling of cattle belongeth unto the man, as also the disposing and laying out of money, together with the hiring and paying of servants wages: But the surplusage to be employed and laid out in petty matters, as in Linens, Clothes for the household, and all necessaries of household furniture, that of a certainty belongeth unto the woman. I mean also that she must be such a one as is obedient unto God and to her husband, given to store up, to lay up and keep things sure under lock and key, painful, peaceable, not loving to stir from home, mild unto such as are under her when there is need, and sharp and severe when occasion requireth: not contentious, full of words, toyish, tattling; nor drowsie-headed. Let her dispose of her stuff and implements under her hand in such sort, as that every thing may have his certain place, and that in good order, to the end that when they be to be used, they may be found and easily come by and delivered. Let her always have her eye upon her maids: and let her be always first at work, and last from it, the first up, and the last in bed. Let her not suffer to be lost or purloined, no not the least trifle that is. Let her not grumble at any time for any service done to the Lord of the Farm: for the value of the least crumb of Bread denied, or unwillingly granted or given unto him or his, may lose the quantity of a whole Loaf afterward. Let her not trouble her brain with the reports & speeches of others, but let her acquaint her husband with them in good sort and manne●. Let her gratify her neighbours willingly, never attempting to inveigle or draw away any of their men servants or maids from them: neither let her keep company with them, except when she may do them good, or help them, or when she maketh some marriage, or assemblies of great company. Let her not suffer her daughters to gad and wander abroad upon the Sabbath, except they be in such company as is faithful, or that she herself be present with them. Let her compel her sons to be foremost at work, and let her show them the example of their father, that this may be as a double spur unto the men servants. Let her not endure them to utter or speak any unchaste word, oath, or blasphemy in her house: and let her cause talebearers to be silent, and not to trouble themselves with other folks matters. Let her keep close up her Stubble and lopping of Trees for fuel for the Oven. Let her not suffer the stalks of her Beans, Peason, Fetches, Thistles, Danewort, the refuse of pressed things, and other unprofitable herbs, to be lost, for in winter they being burnt into ashes, will afford provision to lay Bucks withal, or else be sold by little and little unto the Town. Let her give good account unto the Mistress or Lord of the Eggs and young ones, as well of Birds as of other Beasts. Let her be skilful in natural Physic, for the benefit of her own folk and others when they shall fall out to be ill: and so in like manner in things good for Kine, Swine, and Fowls: for to have a Physician always, when there is not very urgent occasion and great necessity, is not for the profit of the house. Let her keep all them of her house in friendly good will one toward another, not suffering them to bear malice one against another. 
To ●se Bread temperately.  Let her govern her Bread so well, as that no one be suffered to use it otherwise than in temperate sort: and in the time of Dearth, let her cause to be ground amongst her Corn, beans, Pease, Fetches, or Sarrasins Corn, in some small quantity; for this mingling of these flowers raiseth the paste, maketh the Bread light, and to be of a greater bulk. 
Provision for Drink.  At the same time she shall reserve the dross of the Grapes she presseth, affording them some little corner, for the employing of them in the defraying of some part of charge for the servants Drink, that so the Wine may serve for her husband and extraordinary comers. But the natural remedies which she shall acquaint herself withal for the succour of her folk in their sicknesses, may be those, or such as those are, which I shall set down by writing, in manner of a Country dispensatory, leaving the other more exquisite Remedies to be used by the professed Physicians of the great Towns and Cities.   

CHAP. XII.  
The Remedies which a good housewife must be acquainted withal, for to help her people when they be sick.  
FIrst, for the Plague 
The Plague.  she shall make a distilled water of the herb called Regina prati, after that she hath caused the same to be steeped in white Wine: or else she shall cause to lie to steep in the juice of Citrons a piece of Gold, or the powder or leaves thereof, for the space of 24 hours, and afterward mix that juice with white Wine, and the powder or decoction of the root of Angelica, and so give it to drink to the infected. Or else let her take two old Walnuts, one Fig, ten leaves of Rue, one grain of Salt, powne and temper them altogether, and roast them under the ashes, and afterward being sprinkled with Wine, let her give them to be eaten. Or else let her take one head of Garlic, twenty leaves of Rue, as many of Clarey, and powne them altogether with white Wine and a little Aqua vitae, afterward let her strain them out, and give the party to drink thereof a good draft. The water of Naphe 
Naphe.  drunk to the quantity of six ounces, causeth the malignity of the Plague to break forth by Sweats: the juice of Marigolds, Scabious, and of the flowers of Betonie do the like. Apply upon the swelling a loaf very hot, or a Hen ●ut through the midst, or a white Onion, made hollow on the root side, and filled up again with good strong Treacle or Mithridate, softened with the juice of Citrons; it having all this within it, and being well stopped, must be roasted under the ashes till it be rotten; after that powne it well in a Mortar, and apply it: or else, if it be strained, the juice drunk, and the drossy part applied to the place, you shall perceive the like effect.  
For a continual Fever 
A continual Fever.  (which is otherwise called the hot Disease) she shall apply upon either wrist of both the arms, the juice of the stinging Nettle, mixed with the ointment of Poplar buds: or two springs of new-layed Eggs, Soot taken off from the Hub of the Chimney, and well beaten together, and mixed with salt and strong vinegar, let her bind the whole unto the parties wrists with a Linen Cloth: or else in place of this she shall take away the heart of an Onion, and fill it with Mithridate, and apply it fast bound upon the wrist of the right arm: or else she shall take the heart of a water-Frog, and apply it upon the heart or back bone of the sick party: or else she shall apply upon the region of the Liver, or unto the soles of the feet, quick Tenches. Many for this cause do stamp the small Sorrel, and make a drink for the great heat thereof, as also make a Cataplasm thereof to apply to the wrists of the sick party. Others do the like with the water which they strain out of a great citrul. Others cause to steep in water the whole seed of Flea-wort for the space of a night, and minister of this water, with a little Sugar, to the sick party to drink.  
For a Quartane Ague, 
A Quartane Agu●.  take of small Sage, or for want of it, the other Hyssop, Wormwood, Parsley, Mints, Mugwort, white spotted Trefoil, stamp them all together with the spring of an Egg, and the grossest Soot that you shall find clea●ing to the Chimney, and of the strongest vinegar that may be found; infuse them altogether, and make thereof Cataplasms fit to be applied to the wrists of the hands. To the same purpose steep the crumbs of two white Loaves, as they come from the Oven, in a quart of Vinegar, afterward distil the same by a L●●becke, and give thereof a small draft to the sick party to drink, about some two hours before the fit come. Some hold it also for a singular remedy to take the juice of the female white Mulleine, before it put forth his stalk, pressed or drawn forth with white Wine, and drunk a small space before the fit: The like effect hath the juice of Folefoot; the decoction of the leaves and roots of Vervain boiled in white Wine; the decoction of Calamin●, Peniryall, Organie, Borage, bugloss, Languede-boeuf; the rind of the root of Tamariske, Ash-tree, Beton●e, Time, agrimony, and the roots of Sperage, all boiled in white Wine; the juice of Wormwood and Rue powered from their feelings, and drunk before the fit; the juice of Plantain drunk with honeyed water. Some do make great account of the powder of the root of Asarum (otherwise called Cabaret) dried in the Sun, or in the Oven, and taken in the weight of a French crown, with white Wine, half a quarter of an hour before the fit. Furthermore, the Lineament made with Mithridate, or the oil of Scorpions, applied to the ridge of the backs, soles of the feet, palms of the hands, brow, and temples, some small time before the fit. The very same virtue hath the oils of B●yes mixed with Aqua vitae. Some townsmen do use this superstitious rite against such manner of agues: that is to say, they eat nine days together, being fasting, the leaves of Sage; the first day nine, the second eight, and so consequently, they diminish every day a leaf until the last of the said nine days: and the confident persuasion that they have of this medicine doth cure them. Some find it very singular in a Quartane Ague, after purging, to drink white wine, wherein there hath been Sage steeped all night: if you eat before the fit a head of Garlic peeled, you shall scape the fit of shivering cold: if you drink one or two ounces of the juices of the root of Elder stamped and strained some small time before the fit, and take the same again two or three times, you shall lose your ague. The distilled water of the roots of Sea-Holly: or else take a dram of Myrrh in powder, and drink it with Malmsey an hour before the fit. The distilled water or decoction of Cardu● Benedictus, and taken before the fit: Pills made of Myrrh and of Treacle as big as a ●ich pease taken an hour before the fit.  
For the Thirst 
Thirst.  of an Ague, let him roll to and fro upon his tongue the three-cornered stone found in the heads of Carp; or the leaves of round Sorrel, or a piece of Silver or Gold, or a Snail stone, or a piece of Crystal oftentimes dipped in water, or the leaves of Purslane or of Houseleek, or the husked seeds of Cucumbers.  
For a Tertian Ague, 
A Tertian Ague.  steep in white Wine the bruised root of herb Patience for the space of three or four hours, afterward strain it, and reserve about a pretty draft to give the sick to drink an hour or two before his fit: or else do the like with the roots of Plantain steeped in equal quantity of Wine and Water: or take a pretty draft of the juice of Plantain, or of Purslane, or of Pimpernell, and drink them a very little while before the fit: or else drink with Wine every day six leaves of Cinquefoil, that is to say, three in the morning, and three at the evening▪ or the juice of Smallage, of Sage, and good strong Vinegar, of every one an ounce, three hours before the fit. The most sovereign remedy that some men do find for it, is to drink fasting, five hours before the fit, two ounces of the juice of Pomegranates, and presently after to lay to the wrists, temples, and soles of the feet small pills, of the bigness of a Pease, made of an ounce of the ointment of Populeon, and two drams of Spider's webs, and there to leave them, until such time as that the hour and fear of the fit be passed: or else a Cataplasm made of Sage, Rue, Greek Nettle, gathered before Sunne-rise, of each a handful, Salt and Soot the quantity of a Walnut, it being all stamped with vinegar, and applied to the pulset an hour before the fit. Some do greatly approve of a Lineament of Earthwormes boiled with Goose grease, to rub the brow and temples of the sick party withal before the fit: or else to carry about his neck the horns of a swift Hart, which is a singular remedy.  
For a Quotidian, 
A Quotidian Ague.  it is good to drink, somewhat before the fit, the juice drawn out of betony and Plantain: or to drink every morning a reasonable draft of the decoction made of the root of Smallage, Parsley, Radishes, Sperage, leaves of betony, and Spleenwort, red cich Pease, and the middle ri●de of Elder: or to steep in white wine the roots of Danewort, and to drink a small draft thereof an hour before the fit; but after that he must take heed of sleeping: or let him drink every day with Wine two leaves of Cinquefoil, one in the morning, and another at evening: as also let him apply unto his pulses the Cataplasm that we have set down for the Quartane Ague.  
To take away the pain of the Head, 
Headache coming of Heat.  coming of great heat, namely such as befalleth Mowers during the Summer time, there must be applied upon the brows slices of Gourds, or Linen Clothes dipped in Rose water, or the juice of Plantain, Nightshade, Lettuce, Purcelane, and Vinegar of white Wine: or let her beat two whites of eggs with Rose water, and with Flax make a Frontlet: or stamp bitter Almonds with Vervain water, and apply them unto the brows: or to wash the head in warm water, in which hath been boiled the leaves of Vines and Willows, the flowers of Water-lilies and Roses, and with the same water to wash the feet and legs: and if in case the pain be so great, as that there is fear that he should lose his wits, let there be applied upon the crown of his head, brows, and temples, a Cataplasm made of the white of an egg, Bolearmoniacke, Crabs thoroughly boiled, and Poppy seed, with the water of betony and Vinegar.  
If the Head complain itself of too much Drink, 
Headache coming of drinking of Wine.  there may be made a Frontlet with wild Time, Maiden hair, and Roses: or receive and take the fume of the decoction of Coleworts: or by and by after the head beginneth to be ill, to eat one or two short-started Apples, or some bitter Almonds: or else to drink of the shavings of Hartshorn, with Fountain or River water: or if you see that your stomach be not sick, thou mayst take of the hair of the Beast that hath made thee ill, and drink off a good glass of Wine.  
If the Head become sick of some great Cold, 
Headache proceeding of Cold●.  apply and lay to the Head a bag full of Bran, Millet, and rubbed Salt: or of Sage, Marierome, Betonie, Time, Aniseed, Fennell-seed, bayberries, and juniper-berries, as hot as you can endure them: or else chafe the temples with the juice of Nightshade, oil of Roses, and Vinegar.  
To cure the Frenzy 
Frenzy.  that cometh of a hot cause, you must apply upon the head of the patient the lungs of a Sheep newly killed, or the whole Gather: or some Hen or Pigeon slit along the back and applied unto the same place: or rub his brows and all his head over with oil of Roses, Vinegar, and Populeon: or with the juice of Nightshade, oil of Roses, and Vinegar.  
To awake those which are given to sleep too sound, 
Drowsiness, or heaviness of Sleep.  it is good to make a Frontlet of Savoury boiled in Vinegar: or to make a perfume for the patient's nostrils with strong Vinegar, or seed of Rue, or Nigella, or feathers of a Partridge, or of old Shoe soles, or of the hooves of an Ass, or of man's hair: or else to apply upon the brows a Cataplasm of Mithridate, and upon the right arm the head of a Bat.  
To cause them to sleep which cannot well slumber, 
Too much watchfulness.  it is good to make a Frontlet with the seed of Poppy, Henbane, Lettuce, and the juice of Nightshade: or the milk of a woman giving a girl suck: or with the leaves of ground yu●e, stamped with the white of an egg: or put under the pillow a Mandrake apple, or the green leaves of Henbane, and rub the soles of the feet with the grea●e of a Dormouse.  
For the swimming in the Head, 
Swimming in the Head.  there is commonly used the conserve of the flowers of betony, or Aqua vitae, or the confection called Electuarium Anacardinum.  
To preserve such from the Apoplexy 
The Apoplexy.  as are subject unto it, let them drink in Winter a good spoonful of Aqua vitae well sugared, and let them eat a bit of White bread by and by after; or in stead of Aqua vitae, let them drink the Claret water which I will set down hereafter, or of the water of the root of the wild Vine, or of the powder of the root thereof continually for the space of a year.  
For the Palsy, 
The Palsy.  rub the place afflicted with the oil of Foxes, Bays, and Castoreum, mixing therewith a little Aqua vitae: use likewise oftentimes the water of Cinnamon, and of S. john's wort; or the conserves of Sage, Rosemary, Cowslips, Baul●●e, and Mithridate: make him dry Baths with the decoction of Lavender, Coastmarie, Danewort, Sage, and Marierome.  
To preserve one from the Falling sickness, 
The Epilepsy or falling sickness.  otherwise called S. john's disease, it is a sovereign thing to drink for the space of nine days a little draft of the juice of the herb Paralysis or Cowslips, or of the distilled water of the Linden tree, or of Coriander: or to use every morning, for the space of forty days, a powder made of the seed of Pionie, and Missletoe of the Oak, or of the skull of a Man, and more specially of that part of the skull which is nearest unto the seam of the crown, with neat Wine, or with the decoction of Pionie: as also to hang about his neck the Missletoe of the Oak, or some piece of a man's skull, or of the root or seed of male Pionie, or of the stone that is found in Swallows nests: or to wear about his neck, or upon one of his fingers, some ring, wherein shall be set the bone of the foot of the Ox called Elam or Alce, and that so, as that the bone may touch the flesh or bare skin: you shall deliver them that are in that fit, if you tickle them and pinch their great toe, or rub their lips with man's blood.  
To take away the redness of the Face, 
Redness of the face.  it is good to wash the face with the decoction of the chaff of Barley and Oates, and to foment it afterward with the juice of Citrons: or else take four ounces of Peach kernels, two ounces of the husked seeds of Gourds, bruise them and press them out strongly, to the end they may yield their oil: rub or touch with this liquor the pimples or red places.  
To take away the spots of the Face, 
Spots in the face.  make a composition of the flower of Lupins, Goat's gall, juice of Lemons, and very white Allome, touch the spotted places with this ointment or else make an ointment: with the oil of bitter Almonds, Honey, Ireos, and Wax: or else rub your face with the blood of a Cock, Hen, or Pigeon: or foment it with the water of the flowers of Beans, Oranges, or Mulberries.  
For the King's evil 
The King's evil.  take Leeks, with the leaves and roots of the herb Patience, press out about some pound of the juice thereof, in which you shall dissolve an ounce of Pellitory powdered, and a scruple of Viridis aeris, mix all very well together, and herewithal you shall daily foment the said disease: Hang about your neck the roots of water Betonie, and the lesser Plantain. If you cut the foot of a great Witwall or Toad, when the Moon is declining, and beginneth to join itself to the Sun, and that you apply it round about his neck which hath the King's evil, you shall find it very sovereign for the said disease. The dung of a Cow or Ox heated under the ashes betwixt Vine or Colewort leaves, and mingled with Vinegar, hath a property to bring the swelling to ripeness. Or else use this remedy, which is always ready, singular good, and well approved: Take a sufficient quantity of Nicotiana, stamp it in a very clean Mortar, and apply both the juice and drossy parts thereof unto the said tumour together: and do this nine or ten times.  
The Rheum falling down upon the eyes is stayed by a Cataplasm applied to the brows, 
Ill eyes.  made of the muscillage of shell-Snailes, and corporated with the flower of Frankincense and Aloes well stirred together, until that the whole become to the thickness of Honey.  
For a weak Sight, 
A weak sight.  take Fennell, Vervain, Clarey, Rue, Eye-bright, and Roses, of each a like, and distil them all in a Limbeck: of this water distilled put three or four drops in your eyes morning and evening. Also the water of young Pies distilled in a Furnace is very good: in like manner the water of rotten Apples, putting two or three drops thereof into them. It is good for the same disease to take the vapour of the decoction of Fennell, Eye-bright, and Rue: to drink every morning a small draft of Eye-bright wine, or to prepare a powder with dried Eye-bright and Sugar, to take thereof every morning the weight of a French crown, two or three hours before meat. There is a stone found within the gall of an Ox, which put into the nostrils, doth marvelously clear the sight: ●o doth the wine made of the root of Maiden hair, if it be oft used in the morning.  
For the pain of the Eyes, 
Pain in the eyes.  it is good to make the decoction of Camomile, Melilot, and the seed of Fennel in water and white Wine, and dipping a fourfold Linen Cloth therein, and after wring it well, to apply the same oftentimes to the eye: or else to lay upon it woman's milk and the white of an egg well beat together.  
The redness of the Eyes 
Redness in 〈◊〉 eye.  is amended by the applying of Linen Clothes or Plegets of Flax, moistened in the whites of eggs well beat together with Rose or Plantain water: or else boil a sour and sharp Apple, take the pulp thereof, and mix it with Nurse milk; afterward make a little Lineament to be applied to the red eyelids. In the mean time you may apply to the temples a frontlet made with Provence Roses, or conserve of Roses, and other astringent things, to the end that the ●he●me falling from the brain may be stayed, seeing it is the cause of such redness. Other cause small, thin, and dainty slices of Veal, or of the neck of an Ox newly killed, to be steeped in woman's milk, and lay them upon the eyes, laying again above them stupes of Flax. Some cause little children to make water in Copper, Brass, or Latin vessels, they swill the urine round about the Basin, and afterward upon the sudden do cast it out of the Basin, they cover the Basin with a clean Linen Cloth, and let it stand so covered four and twenty hours, they find rust in the bottom and round about it, they gather and dissolve the said rust with Rose water, which Rose water they keep within a Viol well stopped, and drop thereof into their eyes evening and morning, holding them wide open. Many likewise there be which content themselves with Tuthia prepared.  
To take away the filthiness or gumminess of the eyes, 
Filth in the eye.  touch them and rub them round about with a sapphire dipped in cold water.  
To prevent that the eye do not continue black or red after a blow, 
A black and blue eye.  there must by and by be dropped into the eye the blood of the wing of a Pigeon or Turtle dove.  
To take away red spots or blemishes of the eye, 
A blemish in the eye.  it is good to use the like remedy, or else to apply to the eye a Cataplasm made of young Wormwood, stamped with the milk of a woman and Rose water.  
For an old redness in the eye, 
Redness in the eyes.  take the bigness of a small Nut of white Copperas, and a scruple of Florence Ireos, as much of Roch Allome, make a powder, which you shall mix with half a pint of Fountain water after the measure of Paris; or else boil them all together until the water become clear, and drop into your eye three or four drops, either of the one water, or of the other: or make a Lineament to apply upon it with the dross of oil of Linseed, gum Arabic, Tragacanth, Mastic, and Camphire.  
For the inflammation of the Eye, 
The inflammation of the Eye.  it is a singular remedy to apply to the eye the lungs of a Sheep newly killed: or to make a Cataplasm of the pulp of a sweet apple roasted under the embers, mingled with Barley meal, the milk of a woman, Rose water, and the white of an egg: The water of Marigolds is also sovereign good in this case. A Wolves eye, or the stones that are found in the maws of Swallows, have the like virtue hanged about the neck. Or take with the point of a needle a piece of Frankincense, set it on fire with a wax Candle, after quench it in four ounces of Rose water, go over this course thirty times, and strain the Rose water through a white Linen Cloth, and keep it to drop in some drops of the same into the corners of your eyes at night when you go to bed: and in case you may feel great pain in your eyes, mix together with this water a little of woman's milk.  
To restrain tears and all other humours falling upon the eyes, 
The weeping Eye.  it is good to take a decoction of the leaves of betony, the roots of Fennell, and a little fine Frankincense, and to make an eye-●alue thereof: also to wash the weeping eyes oftentimes with the decoction of Che●uile, or to drop thereinto sometimes the juice of Rue mixed with purified Honey. Some hold it for a secret remedy to tie behind the head some drops of Amber, which also have the virtue to slay the rheum falling down into the throat: or else to drop into the eye water distilled of the gall of a man and Celandine: or else to anoint the edges of the eyelids with the soot of Butter burned in a Lamp, which is a secret for to dry up and stay all rheums of the eyes, and to shut up most speedily all ulcers made in the great corners of the eyes, and all rheums coming of the tenderness or blearedness of the eye.  
For the white spots of the Eyes, 
The white spots of the Eyes.  take one or many new eggs laid the same day by one or more black Hens, or for want of black Hens, by other, roast them hard upon hot embers, cut them afterward into equal quarters, and take away the yelke, and put in place thereof as much Sugar candy, made in powder, of the whitest you can get, strain all together through a Linen Cloth very clean and doubled, that so you may do it very strongly: the water or liquor that cometh forth is very good to drop one drop after another into the diseased eye, at night when they go to bed, or at any hour of the day. There is another water very good for the same disease, which is made of white Copperas, Sugar candy, Rose water, and the hard whites of eggs, they being all strained through a Linen Cloth, and of this there must be some put into the eye after dinner and at night going to bed. Some do use with very good success another Water, which is this: Take of Tuthia prepared and powdered an ounce, Mace half an ounce, infuse them together in Rose water and white Wine, of each half a pint of Paris measure, for the space of six weeks in a Glass well stopped: this Glass you shall set in the Sun when it shineth, and take it in when it shineth not, or is Night, or Rain; stir the Glass twice or thrice every day: These remedies are likewise good for red, running, and weak eyes.  
For ache in the Ear, 
Ache in the Eare.  coming of a hot cause, drop thereinto the oil of Henbane: take oil of Roses, and a little Vinegar, and make thereof an iniection into the ear, apply thereto afterward a bag of Camomile▪ Melilote, Linseed, and Holihocks, boiled in milk. If the cause be of cold, then put therein musked Cotton, or a grain of Musk. Seribonius doth commend greatly the foot of Pitch dropped warm into the ear which acheth by reason of an inflammation, together with a little of the oil of Roses.  
Against the noise and sounding of the Ear, 
A noise in the Eare.  it is good to drop into the ears of the oil of Rue, or Spike, oil of bitter Almonds, or Bays, together with a little Aqua vitae, or fat of an E●le: or Aqua vitae wherein hath been steeped the seed of Cummin or A●●ise: or else take the scrape of the wood of Cedar tree, made very small, and thereof fill a bag of crimson Taffeta very thin, of the greatness of an Almond, dip it in very good Aqua vitae, in such sort, as that the said bag be thoroughly drenched with the same, put the same bag well and forward and close into the hole of the ear which bloweth and soundeth, and afterward lie down upon the same ear.  
Against Deafness, 
Deafness.  you must drop into your ears the juice of an Onion, or of bryony, mixed with Honey or Oil, wherein have been boiled the roots of Daffodil: or of the juice of the ri●des of Radishes, mixed with oil of Roses: or the fat of an Eel, and the oil of bitter Almonds.  
For the loss of Smelling, 
The smelling lost.  or when it is corrupted, make a perfume with the seed of Nigella, the leaves of Aron, Rue, and other herbs which have a strong favour: also smell oft upon Mints.  
For tumours under the ear, 
Swelling under the ear.  you must make a Cataplasm of the flower of Barley boiled in honeyed water, and putting thereto the Mucilage of Fleawort seed and the oil of Lilies. A Cataplasm made of the dung of Goats, fresh Butter, and the residence of the oil of Nuts doth digest the swellings under the ear.  
Against the stinking of the Nostrils, 
Stinking nostrils.  it is good to snuff up into the nostrils of the decoction of Marierome, Calameth, Cloves, Ginger, and Nutmegs, made inwhite Wine, or else of the vinegar of Squils'.  
To stay bleeding at the Nose, 
Bleeding at the nose.  you must by and by lay your thumb upon that side of the nose that bleedeth, and you must put about your neck a necklace of jasper stone: you must tie the uttermost parts of the body so straight as you can, and put in the nose a tent of dead Nettles, and hold in your hands the leaves and roots of agrimony: or else hold in your mouth very cold Cistern water, and change it oftentimes. Some do much approve the use of Camphire, the flowers of Willow, the moss of Quinces, and other hoarse fruits put into the nose: and to apply unto the Brows Camph●re, with the seed of Nettles, or with the juice of Plantain or of Nightshade: or else to apply unto the Temples, and about the neck, especially overagainst the iugular veins, herbs of a cooling faculty, as Nightshade, Plantain, Lettuce, dead Nettles, or pricking Nettles, pouned with salt and vinegar, pervincle, & others. Peruincle also put under the Tongue hath the same virtue. Some do make in like manner Necklaces and Bracelets of the herb S. Innocent. Some hold in the hand, that is, on that side that the nose doth bleed of, a branch of hollyhock. divers Country folks, to stay any kind of bleeding in any part, do wrap of Hog's dung in Cotton, and apply it to the place from whence the blood cometh. Others snuff up into the nose the powder of a three-cornered stone found in the head of a carp, dried and made into powder.  
Against the ache of the Teeth, 
Toothache.  you must boil in Vinegar and Rose-water the root of Henbane, or of the Mulberry tree, and to hold this decoction in the mouth: otherwise, take a Clove of Garlic, and roast it a little under hot embers, afterward bray it, and lay it upon the pained tooth as hot as you can: in like manner put one in the ear of the same side that the pain is: Some do bray a Clove of Garlic with Salt, and lay it to the pulse of that arm that is upon the aching side. Otherwise, take two drams of the roots of Pellitory bruised, of the leaves of Sage, Rosemary, of every one half a handful: Three fat Figs, and you shall boil them all in ten ounces of Wine unto the consumption of all the Wine: afterward, you shall take a quantity of the said Figs, and apply it to the aching tooth as hot as possible may be: or else wash and gargoyle your teeth with the decoction of ground Yu●e made in Wine, and to the consumption of the third part of the said Wine. After the same manner you must apply upon the pulses of the Temples a plaster made of Pitch, the powder of Allome, and a Gall, very hot. It is good also for the ache of the teeth to put thereupon the juice of Garlic, Motherwort, Rue, or some hot oil, as that of Sage, which is singular in this behalf. Some hold it for a secret, to wear about the neck the tooth of a man knit within a piece of Taffeta: or a Bean found, in which there is enclosed a Louse, taketh away the most strong pain of the teeth that may be endured.  
It is good to foment the loose teeth with the decoction of Rosewater and Allome: 
Loose teeth.  or else of the roots of Cinquefoil and Allome: and in case you would cause them to fall out, put in their hole or hollow place of the ashes of earth-worms, or of the dung of Mice, or of the tooth of a Hart, for such ashes will cause them to fall out by and by, without any Iron or Instrument. Or else apply thereunto the stone of a Mulberry: or else steep the root of Mulberry tree, stamped and bruised the space of five days in good strong vinegar in the Sun, and there let it dry so as that you may make it into powder, and then apply the same powder Unto your tooth: or else you shall apply thereto the brains of a Partridge: or the juice of watercresses in the place: or else put into the hollow of the tooth the juice of great Celandine.  
To keep the Teeth clean and bright, 
Black Teeth.  and to preserve them from the falling down of all manner of Rheums, take a pint of Fountain water, a third part of Rosewater, put therein two drams of Allome, as much of Cinnamon, boil them softly together in a Vial or earthen Pot, well Leaded, unto the consumption of the third or fourth part, wash your mouth and teeth therewith evening and morning: or else wash your mouth and teeth in the warm decoction of small Sage, Rosemary, and great Marierome, boiled in white Wine to the consumption of the third part.  
To stay the Canker of the Teeth, 
Red Teeth.  hold in the morning a great grain of Salt under your tongue until it be there melted, then rub your teeth therewith.  
To take away the stinking of the Mouth, 
Stinking Mouths.  it is good to wash the mouth with Wine, wherein hath boiled Aniseed and Cloves: or to chaw the root of Acorns: or else to chew Mastic long enough.  
For the stinking of the Teeth, 
Stinking Teeth.  it is good to rub them with the leaves of Sage and the rind of a Ci●●on, or with the powder of Cloves and Nutmegs: in the mean time there must be avoided the use of Milke-meats, raw Fruits, sharp things, and such as are hard to chew, all victuals of ill digestion, and all vomiting.  
To white and take the wrinkles out of the Hands, 
Wrinkled Hands.  take the dross of oil of Linseed, steep it in rain water, and wash your hands therewith: or else wash your hands with the juice of Citrons alone, or some grains of Salt mixed therewithal.  
For the Cough, take Hyssop and Folefoot, 
The Cough.  of each one handful, Figs of Marseilles, damask Raisins, and liquorice, of each an ounce, boil them all in water until the third part be consumed; use this decoction twice a day, two hours before dinner in the morning, and at evening one hour before supper. It is good likewise to take red Coleworts, and to make them boil two or three boils, with an handful of Folefoot, and a slip or two of Hyssop, and to use this broth twice a day.  
For the Squinancy, 
Squinancy.  or soreness of the Throat, you must take a whole Swallows Nest boiled with white Wine, and with the oil of Camomile and sweet Almonds, therewith to make a Cataplasm, and to apply it unto the throat: or to drink by and by the weight of a French crown of the tooth of a wild Boar powdered, with the water of Carduus Benedictus: or to touch the diseased place with a Lineament made of Linseed, and the powder of the tooth of a wild Boar: or else to apply unto the place a Cataplasm made of the dung of a young boy of a good constitution, fed for the space of three days with Lupins and well baked Bread leavened and salted, and having Claret Wine to drink, and no other either meats or drinks, and adding to the foresaid child's dung an equal quantity of Honey.  
Against the Pleurisy, 
Pleurisy.  drink presently with the syrup of Violets, or some other appropriate to the Breast whatsoever, the weight of a scruple of Nettle seed, or of the Ash Trees: or take three ounces of the distilled water of Mary's thistle, or of Carduus Benedictus, or of Broome, a spoonful of white Wine, six springs or strains of Eggs that are very new, the weight of a French crown of the shells of French small Nuts made into powder, eighteen grains of red Coral powdered, all being mixed together, let it be given warm with as much speed as may be: mundified Barley, and the seeds of Melons, Gourds, Cucumbers, and Poppy, are in that case highly commended: roast a sweet apple under the embers, mix therewithal when it is roasted the juice of Licorice, Starch, and white Sugar; give thereof unto the diseased twice a day, two hours before meat: or else take the weight of a French crown of the powder of a wild Boar's tooth, and cause him to swallow it, either with the juice of sweet Almonds and Sugar Candie, or with the broth of red Coleworts, or decoction of the water of Barley, or some other such like, which is appropriate for the Breast: or else burn to ashes the pizzle of an Ox, and give a dram thereof with white Wine, if the ague be but small, or with the water of Carduus Benedictus, or Barley water, if the ague be strong and great: and assure yourself, that such remedies are singular if they be used within three days of the beginning of the sickness. The manner of making these ashes, is to cut the pizzle of the Ox in gobbets, and laying it upon the hearth that is close laid, to set a new pot over it, and afterward to lay hot burning coals or hot embers about the pot, which must be oft renewed, until one be assured that it is burnt into powder: and the better to judge of the time, he must think that this will not be done under a whole day. It is good to lay a plaster of black Pitch upon the grieved side: and where it cometh to pass that the pain of the side continueth, and that the sick party cannot spit, cause him to use the decoction of the flowers of red Poppy, or of the powder of them, the weight of a French crown, with the water of Scabious and Pimpernell, and syrup of Hyssop, if there be no great Fever; or Violets, if it be great. Furthermore, for a Pleurisy which is desperate and past hope, take a sweet Apple, even a very excellent one, and take the kernels forth of it, and fill up the hollow place with fine Olibanum, roast it covered over and rolled in stupes under the hot embers thoroughly, and then give it to the sick of the Pleurisy to eat.  
For the spitting of Blood, 
Spitting of Blood.  cause him to drink the distilled water of the first little buds of the leaves of the Oak, or the decoction of Comfrey, or of Plantain, Horse-tail, or Knotgrass, otherwise called the herb of S. Innocent: or to swallow down some small drops of Mastic, or Heart's horn, or Goat's horn burnt, or Bowl Armoniake, or Terra sigillata, or Coral, or Amber, or the powder of the innermost rind of Chestnut tree, or of the Cork tree: or fry the dung of an Hog with fresh Butter, and of that cluttered blood which the sick party shall have spit, and so give of these thus fried together to the sick party to eat.  
For the beating of the Heart, 
The beating of the Heart.  it is good to hang about the neck so much Camphire as the quantity of a Pease, or to drink two or three ounces of the water of bugloss and of Balm: some hold the distilled water following for a singular and sovereign remedy. Take two Hogs hearts, three Stags hearts, or the hearts of three Bulls, Nutmeg, Cloves, and Basill seed, of each three drams, flowers of Marigolds, Borage, bugloss, and Rosemary, of each half a handful; steep them all in Malmsey or Hippocras for the space of a night, after distil them with a Limbeck, and reserve the water for use, which shall be by taking three or four ounces when necessity doth require. The conserve of betony, and Rosemary flowers: Cinnamon water, Aqua vitae, and Imperial Waters, which we have set down in our work of the beautifying of man's body.  
For the faintness of the Heart, or Swooning, 
Swooning.  it is good to strain and wring the joint of the Ring or Physicians finger; as also to rub the same with some piece of Gold and with Saffron: for by the means of that finger his near communicating with the heart, there is from it conveyed and carried some virtue, restoring and comforting the heart.  
For the flagging and hanging breasts of Women, 
Flagging, withered, and hanging Breasts.  make a lineament with the dross of the oil of Linseed, a little gum Arabic, Tragacanth, Mastic, and Camphire: or with the juice of Succory: or apply thereunto ground ivy, or the eggs of Partridges, which you shall change oftentimes: or small Basins of the distilled water of young Pineapples, or the juice of wild Pineapples.  
To procure much Milk 
〈◊〉 of Milk.  unto Nurses, they must use the fresh and new-gathered juice of Fennell oftentimes, or the juice of Smallage, or of Beets, or the powder of the roots of Mary's thistle, adding thereto the seed of Fennell and a little Pepper: the fore-hoofes of a Cow burned, and drunk with Wine, or Broth, or other convenient liquor: or the powder of Crystal powdered very finely and drunk with Wine or some broth: or let them eat of boiled Coleworts seasoned with Pepper: or of the roots of Rapes boiled with Pepper.  
To cause Women to lose their Milk, 
Abundance of Milk.  you must apply upon the nipples of their Breasts the roots of great Celandine ●odden and powned: or use a fomentation of very sharp Oxicrate upon the Breasts: or else you shall apply a Cataplasm of the flower of beans: or an emplaster of Rue, Sage, Mints, Wormwood, Fennell, Bran boiled and mixed with Oil of Camomile: or the leaves of young and very green Gourds: or of Cray-fish, all to brayed and stamped in a Mortar.  
For the inflammation of the Breasts, 
The inflammation of the Breasts.  coming of the great abundant store of Milk, take the dirt found in the bottom of the troughs of Cutlers or Grinders, and therewith cover the Breast, and so you shall assuage the pain in one nigh●● you may add thereto a little of the Oil of Roses: or if the Milk be much curdled without any great inflammation in the Breast, you may apply unto it a Cataplasm of the flower of Rice, or of pure Wheat, boiled till it become like pap, with thick red Wine, and apply it unto the teats upon plageats as hot as may be endured.  
For belching 
Belching.  at the mouth, it is good to take fasting a Dredge made of anise, Fennell, Caraway, and Coriander seed: or else to drink Wine in the morning two or three times; and that such, as wherein hath been boiled bayberries, anise, Coriander, and Fennell seed; and apply upon the stomach a bag full of Rue, Wormwood, Marierome, and Mints.  
For the Hicket, 
Hicket.  it is good to keep one's breath oftentimes, and long, to stop both his ears, to hold his head awry, and his mouth covered and upward, to procure himself to neese, to labour much, to endure thirst, to cast cold water in his face which hath the Hicket, thereby to cause him to fear. Some are of opinion, that if he which hath the Hicket do count and reckon the first, saying one, or borrowing, he shall have no more but that one.  
Against Vomiting, 
Vomiting.  take a tossed of bread and steep it in the claret water hereafter described, or in the juice of Mints, spread it over with the powder of Mastic, apply it warm unto the stomach, renewing it every three hours. Otherwise, take two handfuls of Mints, and one of Roses, boil them in Wine, take afterward two ounces of toasted bread, and let it be well steeped in Wine, and afterward compounded with Mastic and the said Mints and Roses, make thereof a plaster to lay to the stomach before you go to meat. It is true, that if the vomiting be with an ague, it will be good to boil the Mints and Roses, and to steep the toasted bread in vinegar. In like manner, Mints brayed and mingled with oil of Roses, applied unto the stomach, is a singular help for any kind of vomiting: it is good likewise at the end of meat to swallow down one gulp of Water, or a morsel of Marmalade of Quinces, not drinking afterward: and in the morning, two hours before meat, to swallow five or six Pepper-cornes whole with Wine, or the syrup of Mints, or of Wormwood, or green Ginger preserved: It is also good to set cupping Glasses upon the bottom of the Stomach, or under the Navel, and then chiefly when the party eateth: to take rest after meat, and to talk or cough any thing at all.  
For the pain of the Stomach, 
Pain in the stomach.  fill a dish with hot ashes, sprinkle them with Wine, oue● them cast a Linen cloth, which may cover all the dish, apply this unto the pained place: or else put unto the stomach a hot bag full of fried Salt: or else take the crumbs of a good thick Loaf, and being dipped as it cometh hot out of the Oven in the Oil of Camomile, and wrapped in a Linen cloth, let it be applied unto the pain: or else fill a Swine's bladder with the decoction of the leaves of Bays, Organi●, Marierome, Mints, Time, Camomile, Calamint, Melilote, anise, and Fennell seed, apply it to the pain, warm it again when it shall be cold: or else make a cake with a handful of Wormwood, Mints, and Roses kneaded with Rye, Leaven, and Wine, and apply it unto the stomach.  
For the obstruction of the Liver, 
The Liver obstructed.  use a decoction made of Succory, the roots of Parsley, Smallage, Fennell, Dog's grass, Patience, Butcher's broom, Cich pease, Capillus Veneris, Hops, and fumitory: use-likewise oftentimes the shavings of ivory.  
For the heat of the Liver, 
Heat of the Liver.  there is nothing better than to use Lettuce, Sorrell, Purcelane, Hops in pottage, and sometimes to drink the water of the said herbs fasting, or the water of Endive.  
Against the jaundice, 
jaundice.  drink fasting of the dung of Ganders the weight of a French crown, well mingled with white wine, for the space of nine days: or else of the decoction of the leaves and roots of Strawberries: or else take Missletoe of the white Thorn, gathered before the Sun rise, about a handful, three or four roots of Parsley, bray them all together with white wine, let them run through a linen cloth or strainer, and drink of this evening and morning a reasonable draft: This is a more excellent remedy than many others; which notwithstanding women with child must not use, but in place of it you must apply to the wrists and soles of their feet the leaves of Missletoe of the Oak, of great Celandine, and Horehound, the whole being brayed with a little wine, and made in form of a Cataplasm. Some commend highly against the jaundice, to take of the worms of the earth, to wash them in white wine, and after to dry them, and making a powder of them, to give thereof a small spoonful in white Wine, or the decoction of Wormwood, or of Horehound: or to drink fasting ones own urine certain days: or to drink for the space of eight mornings with white wine fasting five trottles of ● Goat. Some say, that to carry in the left hand three leaves of wild Rocket, doth cure the jaundice. Some also hold, that to wear under the soles of the feet the leaves of shepherds purse, or of great Celandine, next unto their bare feet, doth the like.  
For the Dropsy, 
Dropsy.  it is good to make a drink with the seed of Broome, pouned and brayed in white wine: or to make a drink of the juice of the root of Gladiolus or Asarum with white wine: or to drink fasting his own urine for the space of certain days: to apply in like manner unto the moist places a Cataplasm of cows dung warm; with which, as Galen testifieth, a Physician of Misia did marvelously heal all manner of Dropsies: or to apply upon the swollen place shell-Snayles alive, not washed, but carefully bruised. A secret remedy against the Dropsy, is to drink with honeyed water the powder of Glass seven times burned and seven times quenched in the juice of Flower-de-luce, or white wine.  
For the pain or heaviness of the Spleen, 
Pain of the Spleen.  drink wine wherein hath boiled Scolopendrium, Sperage, and Hops: or else drink oftentimes fasting of the broth of red Coleworts half boiled, or of the decoction of Roman Wormwood, or of Paul's betony, or of small Centaurie, or Smith's Forge-water.  
For the pain of the Colic, 
Colic.  there is nothing more sovereign than to wear about him a Ring or Box of silver, in which is enclosed some part of the navel of an infant newly borne, and that the Ring do touch the flesh. There is also nothing more singular, than to drink, in a pretty draft of white wine, the red pill which is to be found in the space and cartilaginous gristles of Walnut kernels, dried in the month of August, and made into powder: or to drink four or five ounces of the oil of Nu●s, or of Linseed, or of the shells of ripe Nuts, or the water of Camomile, or the decoction of the seed of Hemp, or Wine wherein hath been steeped for the space of ten or twelve hours the root of Enula campana bruised: or the powder of a Stag● pizzle, drunk with water: or the dung of Hens, drunk with Hippocras made of honey and wine: or a Clyster made of Brine: or the heart of a Lark swallowed down while it is fresh and new: or the said heart of a Lark fastened to the thigh. As concerning outward remedies, some approve greatly to take the skin of a sheep all new, or the kell of the entrails of a sheep newly killed, & to apply it unto the belly: or to make a bag of Millet, Bran, Wheat, and Salt fried together, to lap upon the belly: A Cataplasm made of Wolves dung is also profitable against the Colic: the same dung drunk with a little wine doth very much good: the bones found in the dung of a Wolf, powned small, and drunk with wine, have the like quality. Some say, that if you take ashes coming very hot from under the coals of fire, and put the said ashes in a dish or pot, and afterward pour thereon a good glas●e of Claret wine, and afterward cover the said dish with ashes, with a linen cloth four double, and apply it unto the belly, you shall find release and mitigation of your pain.  
For the ●u●orall flux of the Belly, 
Flux of the Belly.  it is good to drink milk, wherein hath been quenched a gad of Steel, or of iron: or milk boiled with a half quantity of water, and that unto the consumption of the water: or he shall take of a Stag's pizzle with Ces●●rue water: to use Rice parched: to take a dram of Mastic powdered with the yolk of an egg: to make a Cataplasm with the flower of Wheat to apply all over the Navel, but it must be wrought with red Wine, and after baked in the Oven.  
For the bloody Flux, 
The bloody Flux.  give to drink with red wine the blood of a Hare dried and made in powder, or the powder of men's bones: or else gather the dung of a dog, which for three days hath fed upon nothing but bones, and this you must dry to make into powder▪ of 〈◊〉 powder give unto him that is troubled with such Flux twice a day in milk, wherein you shall have quenched many stones of the River, very thoroughly heated in a very hot fire; continue this two or three days: or else give to drink the distilled water of the great Burr: o● the decoction of shepherds Purse: or the distilled water of Woodbine: or else give to drink the seed of Plantain in powder: or the distilled water of the first buds of the Oak: or the powder of Snails burnt with the powder of Brier-berries, and a little white Pepper and Galls: or of the Hearts and Goat's horn burned: or rather of the pizzle of a Ha●t prepared, as we have taught here above, in setting down the remedies for the Pleurisy.  
For to stay the flux of Blood, 
Flux of Blood.  drink a reasonable draft of the juice or decoction of dead Nettle: make Clysters with the 〈◊〉 of Plantain and Horse-tail: use the broth of Coleworts ●odden very tender: the juice of Pomegrants, and the substance itself: Salads of Plantain and Sorrel: chaw oftentimes some Rhubarb.  
To loosen the Belly, 
〈◊〉  ●ou must eat sweet Cherries, or Peaches, Figs, or Mulberries fasting: to s●p the first broths of Coleworts, of Beets, of Mallows, or Lettuces, or of Cich-pease without salt: to apply unto the stomach a Cataplasm made with Honey, the gall of a Bull, and the roet of Showbread: or the leaves of Apples of coloquintida: to take a Suppository made of fat Bacon, or the stalk of a Mallow or Beet.  
To kill the worms 
Worms.  of little children, it is good to cause them to use preserved Rhubarb, or the conserve of Peach flowers: to drink the distilled water of Gentian or the ●●ce of Citrons, the juice of Mints or Basill, of Purcelane, Rue, or Wormwood, or else to cause them to swallow, with a very small draft of Wormwood wine, of the powder made of Worms, first dried and after burned on a fire-pan red hot▪ and make it into ver●e ●ine powder: or of the powder of blessed Thistle, or of Coralline, the weight of a French crown: also to apply unto the Navel a cataplasm made of Wormwood, tansy, and an Ox gall: and all this must be done toward the later end of the Moon.  
To stay the excessive pain of outward Hemorrhoids, 
Painet of the Hem●● 〈◊〉.  you must make a Lineament of oil of Roses, wa●●ed in the water of Violets, fresh Butter, oil of Linseed, the yolk of an egg, and a little wax: or else to make a little cataplasm with the crumbs of a white loaf steeped in cows milk, adding thereto two yolks of eggs, a little Saffron, and a little Populeon. There may also a little Lineament be made with fresh butter and the powder of Corke-tree burned. In the pain of the Hemorrhoids ther● is nothing more singular than the perfume made of shavings of ivory.  
To stay the excessive flux of the Hemorrhoids, 
The flux of the Hemorrhoids.  it is a most singular remedy to drink a dram of red Coral, or of the scum of iron, with the water of Plantain, and also to make a fomentation of the decoction of white Henbane: or in place of this, a Cataplasm made of the powder of burnt Paper, or of the shavings of Lead, or of Bole Armoniac, with the white of an egg, or of three Oyster shells finely powdered either raw or burnt, and mixed with a little fresh butter.  
For the stone in the Reins, 
The stone in the Reins.  you must drink often of the juice or water of the body of the Beech tree: which water must be gathered in the Spring time, in as much as then the body or the rind thereof being 〈◊〉 or cut to the q●●cke, doth yield a great quantity of water, very singular for this purpose: The fruit of the Eglantine preserved before it be ripe, after the manner of Marmalate with Sugar, having first taken the kernels from within, taken fasting to the end of the last quarter, and first days of the Moon following, in drinking somewhat more than a reasonable draft of white wine, or of the water of wild tansy, or such other, is very excellent therefore. He must also drink very oft with white wine the powder of the p●lling of Rest-harrow, or Buck-thorne: or of the gum which groweth round about the ri●des of Vines: or of the seed of Goose-gras●e finely powdered: or to drink the distilled water of Radish roots and Nettle roots, with a little Sugar: or the water of Broome▪ or of Dogs-grasse: or of wild tansy: the water or juice of Radish, wherein is dissolved the powder of egge-shels burnt: or of the stones of Medlars: or of the eye of a Partridge: or of the brain of a Pie: or of the inward skin of th●● stomach of a Hen or Capon. Every man praiseth this decoction, whereof, Aetius maketh mention in his chapter of Sea-Holly: Take the roots of Sea-Holly (the pith taken out) and make them very clean, steep them eight hours in Fountain water, after that to boil them till the half of the water be consumed; in the end of the boiling cast into the pot liquorice bruised: let this decoction cool at leisure. And as for outward means, it is good to apply a Cataplasm made of Pellitory of the wall unto the reins, or else a Cataplasm made of the root of Cypress and the leaves of Bell-flower boiled in wine. The best and most sovereign of all the rest is to prepare a Bath, wherein have boiled the leaves of water-Pa●sley, Mallows, Holihocks, March Violets, Pellitory, flowers of Broome and Camomile, and within the Bath, upon the reins, a bag full of Bran and water-Parsley.  
For the Colic, caused of Gravel, cause to boil the leaves and flowers of Camomile in an equal quantity of water and white wine, to the wasting of the third part, drink the decoction warm, suddenly the pain will be appeased.  
For the difficulty of Urine, 
Difficulty of Urine.  drink the juice of Winter Cherries, or the decoction of Radish roots in white wine, or the decoction of herb Patience, or of the Thistle, said to have an hundred heads, or of Bell-flower, or of the white prickly Thistle, or of Sperage, or of Dogs-grasse, or of Rest harrow: also apply upon the yard or secret parts a Cataplasm or Lineament of Fleawort. Some hold it for a great secret to drink white wine wherein hath been brayed Sows found in caves and hollow places: or to make powder of the said Sows dried, and so to give the same to drink in white wine. Others do greatly esteem the distilled water of the pillings of the root of Rest-harrow, first steeped in Malmsey.  
For the stone in the Bladder, 
The stone in the Bladder.  it is a singular thing to drink the juice of Lemons with white wine: or to make a powder of the stones of Medlars, first washed in white wine and after dried: of Broome-seed, Burnet-seed, and of the seed of Sperage, Holihockes, Saxifrage, Melons, Pompions, Citruls, and of the herb good against pearls, and to use these with white wine. There is an herb growing at the new Town LeGuyard, called in French Crespinette, by those that dwell thereabouts, and of this the young Lady of Villeneufue (sister to the late deceased Monsieur Cardinal of Bellay) caused to be distilled a Water, which is singular against the difficulty of Urine and the stone in the Bladder, as I myself have proved divers times. Some hold it also for a singular remedy to make a powder of the stones of Sponges, or of the stone which is found in the head of Cray-fish, or of the shells of small Nuts, or of the gum of Cherry trees, and to take it with white Wine or the juice of Radishes: Or else the distilled water of the stalks of Beans, red Cich-pease, and the seed of Holihock. The which followeth of Glass is a great secret, which being burned and quenched seven times in the water of Saxifrage, and afterward made into a very fine powder, and given with white wine unto the party troubled with gravel, doth break the stone in them in any part of the body. Another secret is that of the shells of eggs which have brought forth Chickens, being brayed, brewed, and drunk with white wine, which breaketh the stone as well of the Reins as of the Bladder.  
For all such persons as piss in their bed whiles they be asleep, 
Pissing in bed.  and cannot hold their urine, there is nothing better than to eat oftentimes the lungs of a young Kid roasted: or to drink with wine the powder of the brains or stones of a Hare; as also the powder of a cows bladder, or of a Hogs, Sheep, or Goat's bladder, or the powder made of the roots of Bistort, or of Tormentill, with the juice of Plantain, or with the milk of Sheep, or the ashes of the flesh of an Hedgehog.  
For the burning of the Urine, 
Hot urine.  let be taken of shell-Snayles and whites of eggs of each a pound, of the great and small cold feeds of each half an ounce, hal●e a pound of the water of Lettuce, four ounces of good Cassia, three ounces of Venice Turpentine, powne that which may be powned, and let it all stand to mix together for the space of a night, afterward distil them in a Limbeck in Mari●s bath: let this water settle some time before that you use it; give thereof half an ounce every morning, with a dram of Saccharum Rosatum, continue the use thereof as long as you are able.  
To make a woman fruitful which is barren, 
Barrenness in women.  let her drink four days after the purging of her natural course, the juice of Sage, with a very little salt, and let her continue and go over this course divers times.  
To stay the excessive flux of the flowers of Women, 
The menstruous flux.  they must drink, with the juice of Plantain, the powder of the Cuttle bone, or the bone of a sheeps foot burned, or the shells which Pilgrims bring home after their pilgrimage to S. james, or of Coral, or of Heart's horn, or of the shells of burnt eggs: or of twelve red grains of the seed of Pionie: or to swallow with the yolk of an egg the powder of Tezill: or the scum of iron, first dipped in vinegar, and after made into fine powder. And as for outward means, it is good to apply unto the Navel shell-Snayles well brayed, or the red in the void space of the Nut, burnt, and powdered, and mingled with wine: Make a Cataplasm of Soot, or of the scraping got from under the bottom of a Caul●rton, mingle it with the white of an egg, or the juice of dead Nettle, or white Mul●●●ne, and apply it unto the loins and bottom of the belly: Or to fill a bag sufficient full of gros●e salt, to dip in fresh water newly drawn out of the Well, and to apply it to the hollow of the Reins. Some make great account of Cherrytree gum infused in the juice of Plantain, and cast into the privy parts with small Sirings: 〈◊〉 to apply to the breasts the leaves of Celandine.  
For the white terms of Women, 
〈…〉  after that the body is purged, it is good to drink with the juice of Plantain, or the water of Purcelane, the powder of Amber, of Coral, or of Bole Armoniake, or of Terra sigillata, or of Steel prepared, or of Sponge burnt in a pot, or of the Sea-Snayle first burnt and afterward washed in wine. And as for outward means, there must be made a Lee with ashes of Oak wood, or of the Figtree, or of the Osier, in which there must be boiled the rind of Pomegranates, G●●●s, pieces of Cork, leaves and roots of Bistort and of pervincle, beyond-sea Roses, with a ver●e small quantity of Allome and Salt, and of this to make a fomentation or a half bath.  
For to cause women to have their terms, they must drink every morning two ounces of the water of Mugwort, or of the decoction of Dogs-grasse, Cich-pease, the seed of common or Roman Nigella, of the root of Smallage, Cinnamon, and Saffron, the roots of Radish, of the tassel, in which one may dissolve as much Myrrh as the quantity of a Bean. The juice of Sea-Holly, and of Tasell, mixed with white wine, is singular in this case: A Bath also is very good, and it may be prepared with water of the River, in which shall have boiled Mugwort, Mallows, Holihock, Camomile, Melilot, and other such like herbs, and within the Bath to rub the hips and thighs, drawing them downward, with a bag of Mugwort, Celandine, Cheruile, Smallage, Betonie, seeds of Nigella, and other such like▪ Some esteem it for a rare remedy for to take the weight of one or two French crowns of the marrow of a Hart, to tie it within a little knot of fine and clean linen, and to put the said knot into the woman her secret place deep enough, but this to be after the body hath been prepared and purged.  
For the suffocation of the Matrix, 
Suffocation of the Matrix.  the legs must be rubbed always drawing downward, and tying them hard, to put the party thereby to great pain: put cupping-glasses upon the thighs, rub the stomach, drawing downward from the pit thereof to the navel. Furthermore, she must be made to smell unto things that stink and small strong, as the feathers of Partridges or shoe soles burnt▪ and below, to apply things that are very sweet smelling, as Cloves, Marierome, Amber, Time, Lavender, Calaminth, Pennyryall, Mugwort, Civer; the leaves of white Mulleine, which hath his stalk rising very high: you must also give her to drink the quantity of a bean of Mithridate, dissolved in the water of Wormwood, or fifteen red or black seeds of Pioni●, bruised and dissolved in wine. The only remedy for this disease is, that if it fall out that the sick party be with child, that then her husband dwell with her: for the remedies before spoken of are dangerous for women with child. Sume do much esteem in this disease the course following, that is, that the woman every week, to keep herself free, should drink three spoonfuls of white wine, wherein hath been boiled and steeped an ounce of the root of bryony.  
For the falling down of the Mother, 
The falling down of the Mother.  the party must be caused to vomit, to have her arms rubbed and bound hard to move great pain, to set cupping-glasses upon her breasts, and to cause her to smell unto sweet and odoriferous things; and below, to apply things that are of a strong and stinking smell: There must be given her to drink the powder of Heart's horn, or of dry Bay leaves with red wine that is very sharp: In like manner, a Cataplasm made of Garlic stamped and dissolved in water: or Nettles newly brayed and applied unto the belly, causeth the Matrix to return into his place. Holihocks boiled with oil and the fat of Quails, made in form of an empla●ster, and applied to the belly, are very profitable. Ashes made of egg shells, wherein Chickens have been hatched, mixed with Pitch, and applied unto the belly, do put the Matrix again into the place. Some are of opinion, that one leaf of Clotburre, put under the sole of the woman's foot, drawech down the Mother, and being applied unto the top of the head, doth draw it up on high.  
For the inflammation of the Matrix, 
The Inflammation of the Matrix.  it is good to make an iniection with the juice of Plantain, or of Nightshade, or of Houseleek, or to apply a Cataplasm made of Barley flower, the rinds of Pomegranates, and the juice of Plantain, Houseleek, or Nightshade.  
For the inflammation of a man's yard, 
The Inflammation of the yard.  the same Cataplasm will be very sovereign, if there be added unto it some quantity of driered Roses: or else take the new dung of a Cow, fry it in a pan with the flowers of Camomile, Brier, and Melilot, lay it to the cod, you shall perceive the swelling to depart quickly.  
To take away the stinking smell of the feet, 
The Stinking of the feet.  put within your shoes the scu●●me of iron.  
For to make a woman fruitful that cannot conceive, take a Do great with fawn, kill 〈◊〉, and draw out of her belly the membrane wherein the fawn ly●●h, turn the fawn out of the said membrane, and without washing of it, dry it in the Oven, after the bread is drawn forth: being dried, make the inner part and place where the fawn lay into powder: give of this powder three mornings unto the woman, and that by and by after midnight, with three or four spoonfuls of wine: 〈◊〉 her not rise of four hours after, and advise her that her husband may lie with her.  
If a woman with child have accustomed to lie down before her time, 
To be brought in bed before due time.  it is good that whiles she is with child she use, with the yolk of a new egg, a powder made of the seed of Kermes, otherwise called Dyer's grain, and of fine Frankincense, of each an equal part: or else that she use oftentimes of the powder of an Ox pizzle, prepared in such sort as we have set down among the remedies for the Pleurisy: or els● that she wear continually upon some one or other of her fingers a Diamond, for ● Diamond hath the virtue to keep the infant in the mother's womb. Some say also, that the slough of an Adder, dried and made into powder, and given with the 〈◊〉 of bread, is singular good for the staying of untimely birth. The Eagles stone is commended for this above all other things, which being worn under the left ar●epit, or hanged at the arm of the left side, doth keep the infant, and hindereth untimely birth.  
To bring to bed the woman which is in travail of child, 
Hard and painful labour.  you must tie on the inside of her thigh not far from the place by which the excrement of ordure passeth, the Eagles stone, and so soon as the child is borne, and the woman delivered, to take it away: for the same purpose to give her the decoction of Mugwort, Rue, Ditta●e, and Pennyryall, or of the juice of Parsley drawn with a little vinegar, or of white Wine, or Hippocras, wherein hath been dissolved of the powder of the Canes of Cassia, of Cinnamon, of the stones of Dates, of the roots of Cypress, of the flowers of Camomile, of the root of round Aristolochie or Birthwort, or the juice of Tota bona with white wine, or else the leaves of Tota bona stamped, laid upon the secret pa●●● and round about. And when a woman is in travail of child, and looseth all her strength, it is good to give her bread steeped in Hippocras, or a spoonful of the water called Claret water, 
The claret water.  which must be prepared in this sort: Lay to steep in half a pint of good Aqua vitae, according to the measure of Paris, about three ounces of Cinnamon well shaved, by the space of three days, in the end whereof let the said water ruane through a clean linen cloth, and dissolve therein an ounce of fine Sugar, after put thereto about the third part of old red Rose water, and let all stand together in a bottle of glas●e to use when need requireth. This water is principally good for all the diseases of the Mother, as also for Fainting, Swooning, weakness of the Stomach, difficulty of Breathing, of making Water, and many others.  
To cause the afterbirth 
The afterbirth.  to come forth, the remedies next above delivered are very good and profitable: but above the rest, it is good to drink with white Wine, or Hippocras warm, the powder of beans, or the flowers of Saffron, or the flowers of Marigolds.  
For the Throws which come after childbirth unto women, 
Throws of wom●n after childbirth.  you must give to drink a spoonful of the foresaid Claret water, or of the water of Peach flowers, Nutmeg, Carabe, and Ambergrise: you must make a Cataplasm to apply unto the belly with the yolks of eggs hard roasted, or fried with oil of Nuts and jasmines, putting thereto of the seeds of A●●●se and Cummin powdered, the flower of beans, fresh Butter, and oil of Rue and Dill.  
If the Matrix after childbirth be out of frame, it is good to apply unto the belly a Cataplasm made of cows, sheeps, or Goat's dung, adding thereto the seeds of Cummin, Fennell, Anis, and Parsley, with a quantity of very good wine: and for want of this Cataplasm, the belly may be covered all over with the kawle of a newslaughtered Sheep or Goat: as also to have a dish of the Plane tree, or a test of earth, and after you have rubbed the edges of the said test or earthen drinking-pot with a head of Garlic, to apply it unto the Navel.  
For the Rupture, 
For the Rupture  otherwise called the falling of the guts down into the flank, it is good to apply unto the place a Cataplasm made of the flower of Beans and th● lees of white Wine, or a Cataplasm made of the root of the great and small Comfrey, and of stone-Pitch, with a little Mastic, or double linen clothes dipped in the juice or liquor which cometh out of the small fruit of the Elm, and upon this Cataplasm to wear a Truss. It is good also to drink, for the space of nine days, a drink prepared of the juice of the roots of Salomon's feal, and female Fe●●●, the ●eave● of Bugle and Sanicle, and this to the quantity of a small draft: Or else 〈◊〉 in the Oven, in a pot well luted, red Snails, make them into powder, and 〈◊〉 of this powder for the space of fifteen days, or longer if need be, with such 〈◊〉 is made for little infants, or with pottage, if they be passed the Teat. For them 〈◊〉 more dainty and delicate, you shall distil the said Snails in Mary's Bath, and 〈◊〉 of the distilled water to drink the same space of time: or else make a powder of 〈◊〉 moss of the black Thorn, drink of it with thick red wine the weight of a 〈◊〉 crown every morning; applying in the mean time a certain pap or thick 〈◊〉 substance, such as is to be had in the Paper-Mills, and tie upon it a Truss.  
For pain in 〈◊〉 feet and hands, 
Gout and ache in the hands.  boil a good handful of Mugwort in a sufficient quantity of 〈◊〉 Olive, unto the spending of the third part, make thereof an Ointment for the 〈◊〉 place: Give also to drink the weight of a French crown of the seeds of 〈◊〉, with the decoction of one of the herbs called Arthritica.  
For the Sciatica, 
Sciatica.  you 〈…〉 to the grieved place a Cataplasm made of the crumbs of Citizen's bread, 〈◊〉 or boiled in Cow or sheeps milk, putting thereto two yolks of eggs and a 〈◊〉 little Saffron: otherwise there must be provided a Cataplasm of the roots of 〈◊〉 and Holyhocks, the leaves of March Violets and of Mallows, the flowers of camomile and Melilote, all boiled in the water-broth of Tripes, after washed and wroug●●●ogether with yolks of eggs, flower of Linseed, Hogs grea●e, and oil of Camomile: 〈◊〉 else, and more easily, you must make a Cataplasm with cows dung, flower of Beaner, Bran, Wheat, & Cummin seed, all beat and made into a mash with honeyed vinegar: it is true, that if the grieved part do grow unto a whitish colour, and be much puffed up, it will be good to add unto the former Cataplasms stone-Pitch and a little Brimstone. It will be good also to draw the juice of Danewort, of Elder and ivy, and to boil them afterward with oil of Rue and Worms, and with a little Wax to make a Limment. A Cataplasm made of the dung of an Ox or a Cow, and wrapped in the leaves of the Vine or of Coleworts, and heated among the embers. And in case you would draw out of the uttermost part, under the skin, that which is settled in the inner places of the joints, then apply this Cataplasm made of the dung of Stock-doves or House-doves, an ounce, of Mustard and Cress' seed of each two drams, oil of old Tiles an ounce, mix all these very well together.  
For the shaking of the parts of the body, use a long time the decoction of one of the herbs Arthriticae, called 〈◊〉 and Sage: eat also oftentimes of Pine Apples.  
For Sinews oppressed, 
Sinews oppressed.  take the ripe seed of Danewort, put it in a viol half full, fill it up with oil Olive, stop it very close, and let it boil four and twenty hours in a Posnet full of hot water, and as oft as the hot water shall be boiled away, you must put other in place of it all the time of the four and twenty hours; which being expired, take away the said viol of water, and set it in a dunghill ten whole days. You may also make oil of Danewort for the same purpose: fill an earthen vessel, well leeded to the half, with the juice of the leaves of Danewort, and power thereupon so much of oil Olive; set this vessel, well stopped with paste, in an Oven, after the bread is drawn; there let it stand till the juice be wasted: keep this Oil for Sinews that are cold and benumbed: Or more easily apply unto the place the dung of an Ox or a Cow fried with strong vinegar or the oil of Acorns: or the gum of the wild Peartree softened with Capons grea●e, or the oil of Linden or jesamine tree.  
For the prickings of Sinews, 
For the pricking of the sinews.  take Snails with their shells, bruise them, and add thereto a little of the flying dust that is to be gathered upon the walls of the Mill-house, and apply it to the place pricked: or else rub it with the oil of Worms.  
For Sinews that are pained, 
For the pains of the sinews.  take raw Worms of the earth, bray them and lay them hastily and with speed unto the benumbed sinews. Or else infuse in the Sun the flowers of Elder in the oil of Nuts, and rub therewith the pained sinew, 〈…〉 and chafe the fame with the oil of Balsam.  
For all other sorts of pains in the joints, 
Pains of the joints.  it is good to make an emplaster 〈…〉 juice of red Coleworts and Danewort, the flower of beans, flowers of 〈◊〉 and Roses made in powder, and to apply them unto the pained place. Other 〈…〉 in thin shavings the root of the great Comfrey whiles it is yet green and 〈…〉 plucked up our of the earth, spread that which you have shaved or scrap 〈…〉 a linen cloth in manner of a Cataplasm, and apply it unto the pained. 〈◊〉 Otherwise, take the roots and leaves of Danewort, the leaves of Scabious▪ 〈◊〉 Co●●frey, and wild Sage, boil all together in wine, after let it pass 〈…〉 put thereto oil of Spike, Aqua vitae, and the oil of Neat's 〈…〉 take a very fat Goose pulled, and the garbage taken clean out, after 〈◊〉 her with 〈◊〉 that are well liking, and chopped very small with common 〈◊〉 and roasted at a small fire, and look what droppeth forth, let be reserved for 〈◊〉 for the grieved place. Some likewise apply for the pains of the joints 〈◊〉 whelps upon the pained places. Galen saith, That he was wont to softer 〈◊〉 such hardness as is wont to happen about the knees, by applying unto 〈…〉 Cheese all mouldy, stamped with the broth wherein a salt Gammon of 〈◊〉 hath been boiled.  
To take away the Swellings procured of Wind, 
Windy swellings.  you must take fried salt, and 〈◊〉 it betwixt two Linens upon the Swelling: or apply a Cataplasm made of the 〈◊〉 of white Wine, the bran of 〈◊〉, and new Ox dung.  
For such Swellings as are 〈◊〉, make a Cataplasm with the leaves and flowers of Violets, 
Red pimples or swellings.  flowers of He●●ane, leaves of Nightshade, flowers of Camomile and Melilo●e, all boiled in wine and water, strained through a Searce, and applied unto the aching place: Or else draw the juice of Houseleek, with a little red Wine, and the flower of Barley, make an emplaster for the place. The dung of Go●●● hath power to waste, spend, and consume the hard Swellings, how hardly soever resolved and wasted, especially the old hard Swellings about the Knees, mingling the same with Barley flower and water and vinegar in form of a Cataplasm.  
To ripen an Impostume, 
To suppurate an Impostume.  apply unto it the dung of Goslings, which have 〈◊〉 kept from meat three whole days together, and after fed with the gobbers of a fresh E●●e: It is good also to apply raw Wheat champed or chawed a long time: A Cataplasm made of the leaves and roots of Mallows, Holihocks, Onions, Lilies, crum● of white bread, all ●od together, and after strained through a Colander, adding thereto the volke of an Egg and a little Saffron: It is true, that if the A●ost●me be very cold, there may be added to the decoction of the Cataplasm abovesaid the roots of Elacampane, Danewort, Lilies, and bryony, flowers of Camomile and Melilot, O●ons, and Wheat Leavens. To ripen a Nail, otherwise called a Fello● or Cats-haire, 
A nail, otherwise called a furuncle or cats-tayle.  take raw Wheat a long time chawed, or the flower of Wheat, the yolk of an Egg, Honey, and Hogs grease, after heat them all together, and make a plaster to lay to the sore: or else lay upon it sheeps dung steeped in vinegar, if in 〈◊〉 you mind to soften and resolve it.  
For Tetters 
Tetters.  you must use the juice of Purcelane, Celandine, Plantain, Nightsha●●e● and Lemons: and if this medicine appear not to be strong enough, it will be good to mix some red Tartar amongst, and with this composition to rub the spotted places. Otherwise, infuse for the space of a whole day in strong white vinegar the roo● of herb Patience, cut into shivers, rub the place where the Tetter is with one of the shivers three or four times a day: Or else boil ten grains of Sublimate, and half a dram of Aloes, in equal quantity of Plantain and Nightshade water, unto the consumption of the one half: Or else steep the powder of a Sla●e in very good vinegar with salt▪ and rub the place. Otherwise, take the gum of Cherry tr●e, a very little Brimstone, with twice so much salt as Brimstone, steep all together in the strongest vinegar you can get, and with this composition rub the spotted places: Or else rub the place with your fasting spittle, or with the gu●●● that groweth about the Vine: but before this, you must rub them with Salt Nitre, or else with the herb Nicotiana, applying both dross and juice together unto the place.  
To take away the marks and pits of the small pocks, 
The pits of the small Pocks.  take an ounce of Oil, or of the flowers of S. john's wort, half an ounce of Venice Turpentine, as much of Sperma coeti, melt it all upon the fire in a dish of earth well glazed; when it beginneth to boil and to swell upward, take it from the fire, and let it cool, rub and chafe the places of black spots with this ointment, and continue it so long, as till the pits be filled up.  
For Ulcers and Apostemes which happen about the Nails, 
Ulcers about the nails.  lay upon the soar a little worm which is found in the head of the tassel when it is dry.  
For hard Swellings, 
For schirro●● tumours.  take Mallows, Holyhocks, the roots of Lilies, Pellitory, the leaves of white Mullein, seed of Line and Holyhocks, flowers of Camomile and Melilot, let all be boiled in equal portions of water, wine, and vinegar; after pass them through a Colander, adding thereto the flower of Barley and beans, the powder of Camomile and Roses, hens grease, and fresh and new Butter: make a plaster to lay to the soar. Likewise it shall be good to lay hot thereunto a Cataplasm made of the dross of Bee-hives dissolved in white wine and fried in a Frying pan.  
For such at are fallen from on high, 
Falls from on high.  give the weight of half a French crown of this powder with good wine, Mummia, Tormentill, Rhaponticke, Sperma coeti, of each a dram: or else give the weight of a French crown of the powder of the seed of Garden-Cresses, of Mummia, of the seed of Houseleek prepared, and Sugar Candie.  
For a green wound, 
A green wound.  you must take Garden Balm, the great and small Comfrey, and a little salt, poune them all together, and apply them upon the wound. It is good also to drop into the wound the juice of Nicotian, or for the more profitable use thereof to apply both the dross, as also the juice thereof stamped, and to bind up the wound by and by, and assure yourself, that within three days it will be recovered. Otherwise, take the Elm apples, the flowers of S. john's wort, and of Rosemary, the knops or buttons of Roses, put all together in a glasse-bottle full of oil Olive, stop the bottle diligently, and set it to the Sun so long as till all be so far consumed as that it may seem to be rotten; afterward let it run through a linen cloth divers times, and then keep it in a viol to drop into wounds. The readiest and most sovereign remedy is the juice of Nicotiana, and the dross or substance likewise, and also the ointment made thereof, which we will handle hereafter, viz. in the seventy six chapter of the second Book. This ointment is very singular: Take Vervain, Agrimoni●, Be●onie, and Pimpernell, of each a handful, wash them diligently; and being washed, swing them well, stamp them together in a mortar; being stamped, put them in an earthen vessel well glazed, with seven pints of white wine, to boil till half of it be consumed, the vessel in the mean time being close covered, and the fire burning clear and softly: after draw the vessel somewhat further from the fire, and let it cool unto the next morning, then strain it out a little, warm the grosser parts, that it may so be forced through some hairy strainer, and add thereto of white Pitch melted by itself, and also strained through a hairy strainer, a pound, half a pound of white Wax in grains, Mastic and Turpentine of each one ounce, make thereof an ointment of good consistence. Likewise there is nothing more singular than to take of Greek Pitch, Brimstone, and Olibanum equal parts, to bray them together with the whites of eggs, and after you have staunched and wiped away the blood in handsome sort, to join and bring together the edges of the wound, and to apply it thereto with a linen cloth and a Cataplasm, afterward to bind and roll it up with double linen clothes, and so to leave it for certain days: or else boil the leaves of Carduus Benedictus and flower of Wheat in Wine unto the form of an Ointment, wash the Ulcers twice a day with Wine, afterward lay thereunto this Ointment: Or else wash the wound with the decoction of Dent de lion: more easily thus; Take the dirt which you find under Buckets, troughs, or such like, and apply it unto the cut, it closeth it up incontinently.  
For all wounds, 
Old or new wounds.  as well old as new, ulcers, and whatsoever cuts in the flesh, take the leaves of Plantain, Spearewort, or small Plantain, Mallows, All-good, of each a handful, French Sage about four and twenty leaves; let all the foresaid herbs be well picked▪ washed, and after stamped very well all together: this done, take five quarts of old Swine's grea●e, put thereinto a hot pestle, and cause it to melt, then boil it with the said herbs, and when you see that the liquor of the herbs i● consumed, you shall strain it, and put thereunto as much Frankincense as a Nut, green Wax, and Perrosine, of each as much as two Nuts, melt them, that so they may all be brought unto the form of an ointment, of which you shall make use for all sorts of wounds. Otherwise, take Brimstone most ●inely powdered and seared, put it in a Glasse-vessell, and power thereupon so much oil Olive as will do more than cover it by four or five singers, set it out unto all the heat of the Sun you can for the space of ten days, and stirring it about many times with a Spatull of clean and fair wood, and keeping the said vessel close shut continually, to the end there may not any dirt fall thereinto. At the end of the ten days empty out all the oil, by leaning the glass softly to the one side (seeing it hath extracted all the substance or essence of the Brimstone) into another Glasse-bottell by the help of a funnel, and let not any of the dross or residence go in withal: after which, you shall stop the bottle very carefully, and at such times as you would use it, you shall dip Lint, white linen Cloth, Cotton, or black Wool in it, and apply it unto the parts that are hurt, whether by Ulcers or Cuts, as also unto Impostumes, and that so long, as until they be cured: You may power in oil again the second time upon the residence (left after the oil powered out, as beforesaid) and do as was done before. Make account of these two later Remedies as of those which will not fail you.  
For the Boil called Anthrax, Carbunculus, 
The Carbuncle Anthrax, etc.  and other such pestilent tumors, see that you apply unto them Rue brui●ed and mixed with very strong Leaven, Figs, Cantharideses, Onions of the Land and Sea, unquenched Lime, Soap, gum Ammoniacke, and a little Treacle; for this emplaster draweth forth such kind of tumors: Or else take a Toad, dry her either in the Sun or in the Oven, make her into powder, and put of this powder upon the Carbuncle, & it will draw forth all the venom: Or else apply unto the Carbuncle a Frog alive, and if she die, than another, and do● this so oft as until that one do live, and so you shall draw out all the venom.  
For ulcers coming of the Pocks, 
Ulcers of the Pocks.  and such other malign ones, take ten pints of water, quench therein hot irons so long as till the ten pints become but five, and in these five pints infuse for the space of four and twenty hours a pound of unquenched Lime, after that strain the water, when it is strained, dissolve therein fifteen grains of verdigris, and as much of Vitriol, and twenty grains of Camphire: this water is singular to mundify, cleanse, and dry up Ulcers. Otherwise, set to boil in a new earthen vessel very clear water, when it beginneth to boil, put into it by and by unsleckt Lime, and presently thereupon power it out into another vessel all new, let it rest there so long, as until (after it be scummed) it become clear, the Lime falling to the bottom of the vessel in manner of pap; in the end you shall gather the water swimming aloft, by leaning the vessel and letting the Lime abide unstirred in the bottom: and this water thus gathered shall be reserved in a clean viol or other vessel well stopped, that so it may serve for your use; in which, being warm, dip a linen cloth, and apply it in stead of an emplaster unto the Ulcer, and renew it oft.  
To draw out miraculously a Pellet, 
A wound with shot.  make a tent of a Quince, and for want of it, of Marmalate of Quinces only, without any addition of Spices, or other things, anoint it with the oil of eggs, and put it into the wound or hole made by the shot of the Pistol.  
For inward wounds, 
Inward wounds  in which there can no tents be put, there must be drunk oftentimes the decoction of Auens, and the outward wounds washed: or else take Mugwort, great and small Comfrey, whole betony, agrimony, the roots of Rubia, otherwise called the Dyer's herb, the roots of small Plantain, otherwise called Carpenter's herb, Sage, the leaves of Brambles, Parsley, pricking Nettle, Marigolds, Sanicle, Bugula, Mouse-eare, Burnet, Dendelion, Plantain, the crops of Hemp, female Ferne, bugloss, Gentian, Vervain, Birds ●oong, ground ivy, water Germander, Catmint, herb Robert, Cinquefoil, tansy, all the Capillar herbs, of each one half handful; Damask Rai●ins their stones taken out, liquorice, the seed and flowers of S. john's wort, the seed of blessed Thistle, of each an ounce, the three cordial flowers, of each four ounces; all these being thus carefully picked, and made clean, let be brayed very thoroughly, after strained through a hairen strainer, with one pint of white wine: you must cause him which i● thrust through to drink of this drink a little draft fasting, or one hour before he eat, and as much before his supper. If these juices displease thee, in stead of braying, bruising, or stamping of the things aforesaid, you may make a decoction in common water, adding in the end of the decoction, white Wine, honey of Roses, and syrup of dry Roses. In the mean time the wound must be cleansed with white Wine warm, and there must be laid upon it a leaf of red Coleworts warmed at the fire, and reasonably green: and there must care be had to keep the wound from salt and thick meat, from strong wine, great pain, and use of women.  
To cause knobs to waste and go away in any part of the body whatsoever, 
Knots or knobs.  take the oldest and most mouldre Cheese that you can find, knead it with broth wherein there hath boiled a piece of fat Bacon ●r Lard a long time, make thereof a plaster to lay upon the place: or else stamp in vinegar Conchula Indica with Myrrh, apply it to the place, and you shall find a marvelous effect. Otherwise take nine pints of urine, wherein boil for a good while two handfuls of Balm and Dent de lion in a pot of Earth very close covered, and that so long, as until all come to a pint, after strain out the herbs in the liquor strained out, put half a pound of Hogs grea●e very new and never salted, four ounces of Aqua vitae, boil them all together the space of half an hour, after put thereto the oil of Pike and Rosemary, of each an ounce, Quicksilver the weight of two French crowns, mix them all together, and stir them well with a Spatull, and by this means you shall make an ointment, with which you shall use to chafe the members troubled with knots before the fire.  
For hair that is fallen by the disease called Tinea, 
The falling of the ha●re.  or otherwise: Rub the bare and bald place with a piece of died Cloth until it bleed, afterward anoint it with an ointment made of Honey, oil of Linseed, and the powder of small Flies, burnt upon a tile red hot: or with Miso dung brayed with honey: or with shells of Nuts burnt, powned and mixed with wine and oil.  
For ulcers 
Ulcers.  that are hard to be cured, gather with linen clothes spread upon the grass before Sun rise in the month of May, the dew of the same month, afterward wring out the said linen for to have the dew, which you shall boil and scum, and in boiling dip therein divers bolsters or plegers of fine linen, which you shall apply unto these malign ulcers: afterward when you shall perceive that these ulcers do not continue any longer so foul and filthy, and that they begin somewhat to show to have fair flesh, boil in this due water a little Allome and Olibanum, and by this means you shall heal them thoroughly. Or else make a powder of the raw or burnt shells of Oysters, or of the dung of a dog, which hath gnawed and fed upon nothing but bones for the space of three days▪ after you have dried the same dung, and made it ready to apply unto the ulcers, there is not any thing to be found that will more dry up the same: Or else make a powder of a rotten post.  
For Kibes on the heels, 
Kibes on the heels.  make powder of old shoe soles burned, and of them with oil of Roses anoint the Kibes: or else lay unto the Kibes the r●nd of a Pomegranate boiled in wine.  
For the blewrieslse coming of strokes, or otherwise, 
Black and blue spots through blows.  steep in boiling water a cloth having salt tied within upon a knot, and with this foment the bru●●●● place.  
To take away Warts 
Wart.  or brawny tumors in the joints, rub them with the 〈◊〉 of Tithymal, or apply thereunto the powder of Savine, or of Hermodactilis mixed with Oxymel Squilliticum, or with the juice of Marigolds: The dung of Sheep wrought with vinegar and made soft and applied doth heal all hanging Warts.  
For the Nolime tangere, 
Nolime tangere.  it is killed if that Nicotiana be applied thereunto, as we will further declare in our second Book and 76 chapter.  
To kill Crab-lice, 
Crab-lice.  make a decoction or Lee of the leaves of Wormwood, Aron, and Nut-tree in very strong vinegar.  
For all Burning 
Burning.  or swinging with fir●●, take the decoction of Radish, with the lee of unquenched Lime: or an Onion roasted under the embers, or oil of Nuts with water: or the yolk of an egg dissolved in oil: or hens dung tempered with oil of Roses: or moss of the black Thorn, the finest that you can find, dried in the Oven, or in the Sun, made into fine powder, and with the milk of a woman which giveth suck unto a boy, to make a Lineament to anoint the places burned: or else take salt water or brine, dip therein a linen cloth, and apply it unto the burning: or common Soap, with honey and butter: or the juice of an Onion: or the oil of an Egg: or else dissolve Allome, Copperas, the ●at of Glass, and a little Camphire in Fountain water and good vinegar, power this water oftentimes from pot to pot, dip a linen cloth in the same water warmed upon ashes, and apply it to the place: or else take two whites of eggs, beat them together with oil of Nuts and Rose water, adding thereto the remainder of such water as Quick lime hath been quenched in, st●rre them all yet once again well together, and afterward let them stand and settle.  
For Ringwormes, 
Ringwormes.  Scabs, and all manner of sorts of Itchings, which happen in the hands, legs, and other parts of the body, take the water of a Smith's Forge, and put a handful of salt to melt therein: with this water, made warm, wash the place where the ringworm spreadeth; when the scab is dry, anoint it with the cream of cows milk. Or else take of Venice Turpentine two parts, wash it five or six times in fresh water, or in Rose water: after that it is thus well washed, add unto it on● part of new butter salted, the yolk of an egg, and the juice of a sour Orange▪ make hereof a Lineament, and anoint the scabby places therewith before the fire. Or else for little children take the juice of Nettles and Populeon, and make thereof a Lineament: Or else take Soot finely powdered, mix it with strong vinegar, therewith you shall anoint the place, having first rubbed it well, even to the raising of redness in the skin.  
For the Canker, 
The Canker.  take honey of Roses, Roch Allome, salt and white wine, boil all together till the ha●●e be consumed, and then strain it through a linen cloth, afterward keep the water for to wash the Canker. Some do greatly allow and like of the distilled water of cows dung newly made, to wash the places troubled with the Canker.  
For the falling of the hair, 
The Moth in the ha●re.  called the Moth, wash the head of the patient with Ox piss till the blood come, and afterward cast upon it the powder of the white of hens dung dried in the O●en; or of fine Soot, mixed with strong vinegar.  
To make any man's hair black: 
To make the ●a●●e black.  Take such quantity as you shall think good of Galls, powder them and put them over the fire in an iron chasingdish, and let them continue there till they become very black; then power upon them by little & little the oil of Olives, always turning them to & fro, in such sort, as that they may drink up all the oil, and after become dr●e again, insomuch, as that they being taken from the fire, may be pouned very well: whereunto add of Vitriol, Roscmarie, Sal gemm●, the dry earth whereof tiles are made, & Cloves, all these being likewise made in powder. On the other side, boil in wine the ●ind of the Walnut, & of the Pemgranat, and Allome, as much of the one as of the other, so long as till the Wine become black as ●inke, strain this Wine, and cast into it your powder: before you use it, scour your ●ead with some good lee, and then having dried it again, afterward wash it with this Wine wherein these drugs be, and then put on a coise, and so keep it for five or six hours after; in the end wash it very well with water and wine, and dry it: the hair will abide black for five or six months.  
Against the biting of a ma● dog, 
The biting of a mad dog.  give to eat the root of sweet Eglantine, ●oment the place with the urine of a young infant, or with the gross part● of the decoction of Rue, Figs, red Coleworts, and salt mixed with honey and butter.  
If the Husbandman, or any of his people, have been bitten with a Snake or other Serpent, 
The bitings of Serpents.  let him drink presently an indifferent draft of the juice of the Ash three pressed out with white wine, and let him apply unto the bitten place, in manner of a Cataplasm, the leaves out of which the juice was pressed: or let him drop into the hole, made by the Snakes bi●ing, three or four drops of the milk of the Figtree, or of Figs, or some Mustard seeds powned with vinegar: or else take the leaves of white Mullein, Auens, red Gooseberrie bush, of each a handful, boil them all in vinegar & urine of a man, a like much, unto the consumption of the half: drink an indifferent draft of this decoction, and foment the bitten place with the leaves.  
If it fall out that a Snake or any other Serpent be crept into the Farmer's body, 
A Snake crept into the body.  or into the body of any of his servants, lying asleep with their mouths open in the Meadows, Gardens, or other places, there is nothing more sovereign to force the fame again out of such a body, than to take at the mouth, with a Funnel, the smoke of a perfume made of some old shoe sole (for the Snake detesteth such stinking favours above all other things) and to drink the decoction of Vervain made in white wine: A thing tried and approved.  
If a man have swallowed down a Horseleech 
Horseleeches.  in drinking water, you must give him fleas with strong vinegar.  
If any Rat, 
The stinging of Spiders.  Spider, Fly, Wasp, Hornet, or other venomous Beast, by his sting or biting have caused your flesh to rise, rub very gently the offended place with the juice of Houseleek, and incontinently the pain● and swelling will cease: or else rub the place, with your own spittle: or else put upon the stung place the dung of a Cow or Ox very hot.  
To kill Lice, 
Lice.  rub the place with the juice of Broo●e, mix it with the oil of Radish, or of Iu●iper, or with the decoction of S●auesa●●: or else boil within an earthen pot, well leaded, equal parts of Olibanum, and lard of Bacon, make them in form of an Ointment, pass them through a S●arce, and keep it afterward to rub the head withal, or any other place where Lice are.  
〈◊〉 the danger ensuing of the eating of muhrooms, 
muhrooms eaten.  drink with honey and vinegar hens dung brayed, and you shall within an hour be healed of the heaviness and strangling fits of the stomach: or else drink the lee made of the Vine branches with a little salt.  
And for as much as in the most part of the diseases above named, and such others, it is needful that there should some purgation be taken to cast out the hurtful humours which gather in the body, the wise housewife may provide and make this purgative following: Take Virgin's honey one pound, Rhubarb, or Seine, or Agarick, even of any one of them, or all three made into powder, four ounces, mix this powder with the honey, and let it stand in the shadow sixty days in a potwell covered▪ stir it every day, and take away the froth which you shall find on the top of it: the honey will keep all the force of the medicine, and will cast up in a scum the substance thereof, in such sort, as that still it will abide without mixture. To make this composition the more pleasant, you may mix therewithal some one or other drug that is pleasant and of a good relish. If you further desire to be instructed in divers other remedies which are readily and easily to be gotten, look in our Latin work called Thesaurus 〈◊〉 paratu facilis.   

CHAP. XIII.  
Of Kine and Calves.  
FOr the better keeping of Kine, let the housewife procure and cause 〈◊〉 maids to overlook oftentimes and see that all things be well in the Cow-house; 
A clean cow-house.  for there is nothing that doth them so much good, and keep them so well in health and good liking, their meat and ●odder excepted, as the clean and neat keeping of their houses: let them rub them along the back, about the neck and head, and no more, with a wisp of Straw hard wrythen together, and made somewhat rough. At their coming from the Pasture, and in 〈◊〉 morning after they have been dressed, let them carefully fill up the holes that are in their house floor, wherein their piss might stand and stink, and let them cast Sand or Gravel upon the floor, that they may have the faster and surer setting of the●● feet. 
The putting of Ki●● to the Bull  Let them not be put to the Bull before they be upon their third year, nor any longer than unto their twelfth year: for if they be put too sooner than they be grown up to their full strength and growth, they will bring forth Calves half cast, small and little, weak and feeble. And again, if you go about to continue the●● bearing after twelve years, their Calves will not be so strong, not of so comely a shape. Yet in our neighbour Countries, as great Britain, and other places of 〈◊〉 temperature, their cattle will bear well till sixteen or eighteen years of age, and some till twenty, 
The time of the year● fittest for Ki●● to be put to the Bull.  but not generally. You shall lead them thereto throughout all the time of the month of May, june, and july, when the grass doth most flourish: and again, about this time they are chiefly set to go a bulling, seeking for the Bull of themselves, without being led unto him: And you shall know their inclination to the taking of the Bul● by their hooves, if they be puffed up, or swollen, as also by their continual lowing, and by their leaping upon the Bulls back. The profit which riseth by their taking of the Bull at this time is, for that they will happen about ten months after (which is the just time of their going with Calf) to calf, and that being at such time as new grass doth draw on, it will be an occasion of greatly increasing their milk, and upon this occasion also their Calves shall be a great deal the better fed. To the end they may hold bulling the better, you must see that at such time they be kept bare and lean, for so they will hold a great deal● better: 
Sienes of a good ●ull.  On the contrary, a good Bull for breed must be fat, well set together, and well meated, having for two months space before been fed with Barley and F●●ches. He must also be chosen more long than high, of a red hair, large betwixt the shoulders, strong legged, round trussed and bodied, broad breasted, short 〈◊〉, broad browed, fierce countenanced, terrible to fight, black eyes, short horns, long tail, 
Feeding of cattle.  and full of hair. But in England and other places they never use to feed their horned cattle with Corn, for they find it of small or no profit, Grass or Hay being ever sufficient: and though in France the red colour be ever most preferred, yet as Serres also affirmeth, the black is fully as excellent: for the red exceedeth but 〈◊〉 proving an extraordinary virtue in the milk, but the black is ever the hardest, best fleshed, best ●allowed, and hath the strongest hyde. And if it happen that the Cow refuse the Bull, or the Bull her, they must be brought to have a desire the one to the other, by holding near their nostrils the tail of a Hart burned, or else using som● other composition, 
A C●w with Calf●.  whereof we will speak in the Treatise of Horses. During the time of their going with Calf, they must be kept from leaping of Ditches, as 〈◊〉 from leaping of Hedges or Bushes: and a little before the time that they do calf, to feed them in the house, or yard adjoining to the house, and that with good Prou●●der, or Blossoms, not milking them at all; for the milk that they have then cannot be but nought, and becom●neth hard as a stone. When they have calued, they may not be milked to make any Butter or Cheese, until two months be passed: after which tim● you shall send them again to their pasture, not suffering their Calves to suck them any longer, except it be at night when they return from Pasture (so long as they feed upon fresh Provander, which you shall have in readiness for them) and in the mor●ing before you send them to Pasture. In what state soever they be, you shall not let them drink above twice a day in Summer, and once in Winter, and that not of River or Flood water, but of some water which is wa●me, as Rain water, Fen or Well water, having been drawn a long time before, for Well water by reason of the coldness might somewhat hurt them. 
The Cow would have a clear water, as the Horse a troubled.  It is true that the Cow will not refuse any water that is without fault, so that it be clear; for she loveth clear water especially, as the Horse, on the contrary, that which is puddly and troubled, being a sign of his goodness, if so he ●umble the water with his foot before he drink. And as for ● calves newly calued, you must leave them with good litter of fresh straw, until such ● time as she have licked, cleansed, and wiped them, and for some five or six days after: ● for the being of the Cow with the Calf doth heat and settle the Calf. After such ● time you shall put it by itself in some Shed, providing it good Litter, and renewing ● the same oftentimes, and thence you shall bring them forth when you would have them suck, and carry them thither back again so soon as they have sucked: And if you see, either that they will not suck, or that being willing to suck, they can do nothing but offer to take the paps, without sucking any thing; you shall look under the tongue 
The Barbs under calves 〈◊〉.  if they have not the barbs, which is a whitish fleshiness growing under the tongue, almost after the manner of the Pip: which (and if it be so) you shall take away gently, without slaying the tongue, with little nipping Pincers, washing the place afterward either with red Wine of itself, or with the infusion of Salt and Garlic stamped together; for this disease will cause them to languish unto death▪ by keeping them from sucking. Let the housewife also be diligent in taking away the Lice that may breed upon Calves, 
Lice and Scabs of Calves.  and make them languish and thrine nothing at all, as doth also the Scab when they have it: and this is to be known by their skins, if they become hard and stiff after the manner of little ridges, and that stroking your hand along, you feel the skin hacked and rough like a File, and the hair staring and standing upright. For the healing of such scabs, she shall rub them with Butter or with Oil of the settlings of the Lamp all over the body where the scab is seized. But as it is a great deal better to prevent diseases than to cure them, the housewife shall cut off all entrance from these two annoyances, if she cause to be rubbed with the wispes of straw unbound her Calves twice a day: if she suffer not their piss to stand in puddles under them: if she see that they be kept with fresh Litter and dry, causing their dung to be carefully cast out from among their Litter.  
But to return to the keeping and ordering of Kine, 
Kine.  the housewife shall appoint times for the milking of them, as that they be milked evening and morning at a convenient hour, and when they be at red: That the Milk be strained so soon as it is taken, and that Butte● be chernd with leisure, but not any loss: that the Cheese be well crasht, priest, and freed from their Whey; and especially, that her Pots, kneading Troughs, Strainers, Slices, and Che●se presses, and other implements serving for the Dairy, be kept neat and clean: and that none of her maids have any thing to do with either the Butter or Cheese when they have their terms. In the morning before going to field, she shall cause the Calves to be gelded, 
To g●ld the Calves.  and that before they be two years old, and not after: for Calves grow the more when they are gelded in the time of their growth, because thereby their bodies are made the more moist. When they are gelded, in respect of their pain and grief there shall be given them Hay small shredded and mingled with Bran, until they be come again to their former stomachs and appetites. They must not be gelded either when it is very hot or cold, or in the old of the Moon. Being more than three years old, they shall be put to the Neat-heard, to begin to prepare them for the draft: and likewise she shall deliver him her Ki●e with Calf, and those which after nine years do not bring forth any more Calves, for yet they may serve to draw in the yoke.  
Furthermore, she shall make much account evermore of the Cow 
The marks of a good Cow.  which is of a mean stature, of a long body, a large flank, four or five years old, of a party black colour, or spotted with white and black, her bag great and side, a great 〈◊〉, broad betwixt the brows, a black eye, and great horns, not turning in one 〈◊〉 another, nor yet short or small, but bright, black, and of a wide and well-spread shape, her ear very hairy, a narrow jaw, a thick and gross muzzle, wide 〈◊〉, and snivelly, little and black lips, her hair glistering and thick set, her legs 〈◊〉, her thighs gross and thick, and her neck long and gross, her back large and broad, her tail long even to the heel, her hoo●es short and even, a broad breast, a great and gross brisket, and her dugs great and long. As concerning the diseases of Calves and Kine, they shall be handled, as shall be said hereafter in the Chapter of the Neat-heard.  
The dung of a Cow made hot in the embers, being wrapped in certain 〈◊〉 leaves, or in the leaves of Colewort, and applied in form of a Cataplasm, 〈◊〉 appease the pain called Sciatica: being fried with vinegar, doth ripen the Fing evil: being fried in a Frying-pan with the flowers of Camomile, Melilote, and Brambles, it diminisheth the sw●lling of the Cod: applied very hot upon the places troubled with the Dropsy, it cureth them thoroughly: and applied unto any place stung by Bees, Wasps, and Horne●s, it taketh away all the pain.   

CHAP. XIIII.  
The way to make green Cheese, Butter, and other sorts of Cheese.  
SHe shall be careful, 
Milk:  as well for the feeding of her people, as also for the gaining of the penny, diligently to set on work her daughters and maid servants about the good ordering of the Milk of her Kine, in the making of the Butter and Cheese thereof. And first as concerning Milk, she must not make any account of that which cometh from the Cow after she hath new calued, to preserve and keep it; for besides that it is nought both to make Butter and Cheese, it is also very dangerous for to use: Like as we see, that mothers which nurse their children, make no account of their fi●st milk to give it 〈◊〉 them; the reasons whereof you may learn in our Book of the diseases of Women. After the Milk is milked, 
The keeping of Milk.  you shall set it in a place where it may be warm, to the end it may be kept the longer, and become the thicker in short time; in as much as Heat doth safeguard and thicken the Milk, as Cold doth sour it and make it to tur●● by and by: and therefore to avoid this danger, it is good to boil it, and thereupon to stir it much before you let it rest, if peradventure you be not disposed to keep it three days or somewhat more. She shall know good Milk by his whiteness, pleasant smell, 
Good Milk.  sweet taste, and reasonable thickness in substance, in such sort, as that being dropped upon one's nail, it runneth not off presently, but stayeth there, and abideth round a good while. She shall not let her Milk be kept long, as above a day in Summer, especially in Autumn and the Spring, in which seasons, Milk, because of the heat and temperature of the time, would be spoiled and presently turned: but as soon as she can, she shall gather her Cream, green Cheese, Butter, pressed Cheese, Whey, and other commodities, which a good housewife is wont to raise according to the time: although in Winter the Kine yielding small store of Milk, as being then with Calf, she may gather three or four meals together, which will not so soon be spoiled by reason of the coldness of the Winter, which maketh the Milk to thick●● presently. Likewise at this time she shall gather but small store of Butter, but shall turn all her Milk into Cheese. It is true, that seeing Cheese is not of so great price in Winter, neither yet so good and dainty as in Summer, Spring time, and Autumn, by reason of the grass, that therefore it shall be no great danger to gather the Butter cleaner from the Cheese in Winter than at any other time.  
She shall gather her Cream from the uppermost part of her milk presently after ●hat the milk is drawn from the Cow, and cooled a little: and with this Cream, 
Cream.  to ●ake Creame-chee●e, ordinarily accustomed to be sold in Summer, to be used at 〈◊〉 of smaller account, or in the end of dinner and supper. The Italians with ●uch Creame-cheese, or Pa●misan, do mix fine Sugar well powdered, together with Rose water.  
The milk curdled and thickened without rennet, will make little Cheeses, 
Fresh or green Cheese.  which the Parisiens' do call jonches.  
The Normans do boil milk with Garlic and Onions, and keep it in vessels for their use, calling it Sour milk or Serate. 
Sour milk; or Serate.   
The Whey 
Whey.  may serve for the feeding of the Hogs and Dogs, as also in the time of Dearth for sustenance for the Family, if she boil it but a little.  
For to make Butter, 
Butter.  she shall reserve the newest and fattest milk that she shall ●haue, whereof she shall gather no cream: and she shall make account, of ten pounds of milk to make two pounds and a half of Butter. To make this Butter, she shall beat or cherne it a great while in Vessels made for the purpose, especially whiles the times of greatest heat endure, seeing such heat is the cause that Butter cometh not, and is not made so soon as at other times. If she will make account to sell it, she shall salt it, and put it in pots of earth, such as we see brought to Paris from Britain, Normandy, and Fl●nders. The Butter of a yellow colour is the best; and that of a white colour is the worst: but that which is gathered in May, is better than either of the other.  
As concerning the making of Cheese, 
The making of Cheese.  she shall choose the most gross and fat milk, being pure and newly drawn, to make Cheese that shall keep a long time: and of such milk she shall gather neither Butter nor Cream; but such as it cometh from the Cow, such shall be put in Vessels for to coagulate and turn to curds. The way to curdle it, 
To cured the milk.  is to mingle therewith of the rennet, of a Lamb, Kid, or Hare, or the flowers of wild Thistle, or the seed of blessed Thistle, or the juice of the Figtree, which cometh out of the Tree when one cutteth the green bark thereof: or the leaves and hoariness which groweth at the small end of the Artichokes, or Ginger, or the inner skin of a house-Hennes stomach, or the spawn eggs of a Pike, and with these it is usual to make Cheese to be eaten in Lent: or the black mutable Thistle, therefore called Chameleon niger. Let her beware of casting in any the least quantity of vinegar, for one only drop of vinegar is sufficient to hinder the turning of the milk into curds. But above all, the best and most principallest rennet 
The best running  is the small Cheeslep bag or stomach of a young Calf, not above three weeks or a month old, well washed, salted, cleansed, and seasoned with Cloves, Mace, and a little Nutmeg, and so kept in a close pot with brine, and so used according as occasion serveth. The pot in which the milk is, must not be without some quantity of heat for to keep it warm; and yet notwithstanding it must not come near unto the fire, as it may not stand far off: And when it is curdled and gathered together, it must be put presently into slices, tormes, or fat's, for it is profitable that the Whey should run out, and separate itself from the Curd. But chiefly, and above all other things, it is required, that the maidens which shall meddle with the making of Cheese, should be cleanly, f●t for the purpose, their sleeves from about their hands and arms folded up, and above all, far from being troubled with their terms. In like sort, the people of the Country of Auergnac, which make great reckoning of their Cheese, do choose the young children that are but of fourteen years of age, and those proper, neat, and handsomely trimmed up, not having scabbed or scourge hands, neither yet of an untemperate heat: for they think and persuade themselves, that such filthiness of the hands doth hinder the full curding and joining together of the Cheese, and so doth make them full of eyes.  
If she determine to dry, 
Hard Cheese.  harden, and keep them long, she shall the more carefully look to the straining forth of the Whey and clear Milk, and after to set 〈◊〉 in rows upon 〈◊〉, Lattises, or Cheese-heigh●● fit for the same, and that withal it be in a cellar, or in some dark and cool place: or else to take them up into some high place, having store of air; provided always, that the Sun have 〈◊〉 power over the Cheese. She shall shift them every day until about the fourth or fifth day, at which time they will begin to cast a slowre, as though it were the flower of meal, and then she shall cast a little small salt upon them. The next morning she shall turn the other side, and do the like therewith: after she shall turn them every day; and, if need be, make them clean on both sides and about the edges with a rebated knife made of purpose, such a one as will not cut. After some time, when 〈◊〉 knoweth that they are somewhat dry, she shall put them in another place, as upon boards laid as it were upon ladders: she shall cleanse and scrape them oft, and keep her boards clean also: and if by striving to keep them long, they become hard and bitter, she shall cover them over in Gravel, or in Barley flower, or in Cich-pease, or else she shall cover them with the leaves of Dragons, which likewise do keep them from being eaten of Mites, and that they do not become mouldy. And in case that worms do eat them, she shall take away this vermin, and anoint them with oil of Linseed, or the drossy parts of the same, which will preserve them singularly 〈◊〉 or else she shall put them in a great heap of Millet corn or Linseed, which will keep them fresh and cool in the hottest times, and hot in the coldest times. And seeing the deepest point of skill about Cheese, is to bestow them so as that they may best mellow, she shall bring them together in the end, and put them in presses, the clothes taken out, and set near the walls of cellars under the ground upon small boord●, having moistened them before with oil Olive, or Linseed and vinegar mixed together.  
She shall judge that for good Cheese which is fat and heavy, 
The goodness of Cheese.  the meat of it close and well compact, of colour somewhat yellowish, sweet to ●ast, pleasant to smell, and nothing mouldy, neither yet full of mites or worms, and which is made of pure cows milk, without mixing any sheeps milk therewith, for it maketh the Chees● less savoury and more whitish: It is true indeed, that it may be made to look yellow, some Saffron mixed therewithal, as is usual amongst the inhabitants of Poictou. An old Cheese all mouldy, brayed and mixed with the decoction of a salt gammon of Bacon, and applied in form of a Cataplasm, doth soften all the hard swelling of the knees.   

CHAP. XV.  
Of Hens.  
AS concerning the ordering of Pullen, which is the chiefest thing that a good housewife is to regard, there must care be had that the Henne-house be every day made clean, 
The Hen-house kept clean.  even so soon as the Pullen be out, and the dung p●t aside for the fatting of the Meadows: 
Baskets for Hens to lay in.  The Baskets for them to lay in oftentimes shaken up, and refreshed with new straw and nests, and their perches and Ladders scraped every week: 
perches and ladders made clean and rubbed down. Their drinking ●●ought kept clean.  The roof or upper part of the house shut in every night at Sunset for fear of Fulmers', and opened every morning at Sunne-rise▪ Their Water-pots to let them drink at, must be kept clean, and filled with clea●● water every day, and that twice in Winter, and thrice in Summer: Let their water be clear always, lest otherwise it cause them to have the Pip; which thing happeneth as soon unto them of the filthiness of their water, as of the want of it: Let her 〈◊〉 to be cast out upon the dunghill oftentimes fresh straw right over-against the Bar●●, 
Fresh straw on the dung ill.  where the Pullen use to scrabble; 
The dustin, of Pullen.  and near unto the same place let her cause to be put sand, 
To take away the le●s of Hens ●aying.  dust, or ashes, to procure them the pleasure of dusting themselves in the Sun, and pruning of their feathers: Let her cause to be removed far from them the residence of wine or dross of the Press, of whatsoever fruits, and from the place of their haunt, for such things keep them from laying. And it further behoveth her to have this care, as to see that throughout all the Henne-house there be neither Lath broken, nor any place of the walls having any Loam fallen either without or within, or any shee● of Lead lifted up or raised, 
Beasts to be provided against as enemies to poultry.  thereby to prevent the danger of Ca●s, Foxes, Weasels, Polecats, Fulmers', and other beasts, given to ravine abroad in the night: as also the Kite, Hen-harrow, and Owl, which sometimes will not let to swap into the very Brood-house to catch and carry away the Chickens.  
And to the end you may not lose any of them, you must cut off the great feathers of one wing from such as use oftentimes to fly over walls, that so also by this means you may keep them out of your Gardens; for they would take it up for a custom, and it would keep them from laying. And for a surer prevention of the foresaid mischiefs, 
The wings of Cocks & Capons must not be cut.  over and above that which hath been said (for it is not good to clip the wings of Cocks or Capons) you must fasten and set rows of thorn faggots upon the tops of the walls of the said Gardens and all other places elsewhere.  
The Brood-house 
The Brood-house.  shall be built aside from the Farme-place, far off from the lodging of the chief Lord, because that such birds are loathsome, do foul every thing, and spoil whatsoever household furniture: turned toward the East, from the Winter and Northern quarter, near unto the Oven of the Kitchen, if it be possible, to the end that the heat thereof, which helpeth them to lay, and the smoke which is very wholesome for the Pullen, may reach even unto it.  
It shall have a little window right upon the East, by which the Pullen may come forth into the Court in the morning, and go in again at evening: it shall be shut at night, to the end they may nestle themselves more safely from the danger of such beasts as are apt to offer them wrong: without, and on the side next the Court, they shall have pretty ladders, by which the Pullen may fly up into the window, and into their house, to roost and rest themselves for the night time. This Henne-house must be well laid with Lome, and smoothed both within and without, to the end, that Cats, Fulmers', and Snakes, and other dangerous beasts, may not come near unto the Pultrie: and that near unto this Henne-house, in the midst of the Court▪ there be certain Trees or Arbours for sour Grapes, to the end that Pullen may have shadow under it in Summer, and that Chickens may have cover and defence against the Kite, the Owls, and other such ravenous birds. It is not good that they should sleep upon the plain floor, that so their ordure and dung may not hang unto their feet, for thus they would grow to have pain in their feet, and to become gowdie. For this cause, you must set all along the Henne-house, a foot higher than the floor, and two feet one from another, square perches, not round, because that if they should be round, the Pullen could not sit fast upon them. Right over-against the Henne-house, and a little way off from it, you shall prepare a dunghill for the benefit of the Pullen after this sort and manner: Cast a great deal of earth into a great hole of purpose made for such an end, which you shall besprinkle with the blood of Oxen and other beasts, killed only for the Hide; afterward you shall cast a reasonable quantity of Oats upon the same, and you shall turn the said earth the uppermost lowermost: in a small time there will be engendered such a great quantity of worms, as that the Pullen shall have picking work there for a long time; and the gras●e which shall stick there, will correct the fat which they shall get by the worms which they have picked: And when you shall see the provision of worms to fail, you may begin again your watering of the earth with blood, and sowing of Oats thereupon, as at the first. Some to have fa● Capons, and of a pleasant flesh, when the Mulberries are in season, do plant Mulberry trees in their Courts: for Capons, and all other manner of Fowls, which feed upon Mulberries, become marvelous fat, and of an excellent taste and verdure.  
To every dozen of Hens one good Cock is sufficient: howsoever those of former days do allow one to every five; and he must not be of colour white, nor yet grey, but red, tawny, or black; his body well compact, his crest or comb very upright, red, thick, not notched, toothed or gashed with cuts, a well raised neck and high, 〈◊〉 pinions and flight of his wings great, his ears great and very white, his bill 〈◊〉, thick, and crooked, his eye black, in a circle that is red, yellow, or azure; his 〈◊〉 of a rose colour, standing of a white and red mixture; the feathers of his neck long, golden, and changeable; his legs very scaly, thick, and short, his claws short and fast; his spurs stiff and sharp; his tail upright, gros●e, thick, and crooking backward over his head.  
The taw●e or reddish Hen in like manner is the best, 
The marks of a good Hen.  and that which hath the feathers of her wings black, though she herself be not altogether black: for the grey or black colour is but little worth, because they be hard to bring up, and sparingly given to lay eggs; and yet moreover, they be small, always lean, unhealthful, and their flesh of small relish. The stature of the Hen must be indifferent, her head great, her comb upright and very red, her body great and square, her neck thick, and breast large. The dwarf or little Hens do lay oftener than the other, but they are not so fit to be set on eggs to bring forth Chickens. The greater Hens are not so given to lay: wherefore Hens of middle size are to be preferred before the other, foreseen that they have large wings, and their bodies thick set with feathers: and if they have five claws as the Cocks, they are more wild, and not so tame as others. The Hen that hath spurs, 
The Hen with spurs.  spoileth her eggs, hatcheth not so ordinarily, and sometimes eateth the eggs she sitteth on. The Hen which is given daintily to affect and feed upon the grapes, 
The daint●e-mouthed Hen  being the thing that keepeth her from laying, will be kept from seeking after and eating of them, by giving her the 〈◊〉 of the wild Vine; for this doth cause such a roughness or edge in her as in those that have eaten sour fruits. The Hen that is too fat, or which hath the flux of the belly, layeth wind eggs. The young Hen is nothing skilful either to fit or to lead Chickens: wherefore you must fat the Hen with spurs, and the Chauntres●e or crowing Hen, and her that scratcheth and allureth the other Hens, by clocking, a● the Cock is wont to do; and that, by plucking first the greatest feathers of her wings, and giving for to eat great store of Mille●, Barley, and Paste, cut in gobbets, brui●ed Acorns, Bran mixed with pottage, the husks of Rice, Pannickle, and Oats, or the crumbs of Wheat bread steeped in the water of Barley flower, and to keep her in a close place where she cannot stir, and to pull the feathers of her head, thighs, and r●mpe. Such Hens thus fatted by the hands of a man, may be recovered at any time of the year, but the fle●h is not of ●o good relish as when they grow fat going abroad at their liberty: which thing happeneth and falleth out more commonly at one time of the year than at another, the very right and natural season of their chief fatting being in the months of januarie and February, for indeed in these months Hens are nothing inferior unto Capons. 
The over-fat Hen.  The Hen that is too fat, shall be made lean by mixing of Fuller's earth with her water, and of the powder of a softened Brick in her meat. And if she have a loose belly, you must give her for her first meat the white of an egg roasted and beaten in a Mortar with the double quantity of Bulleis. And for the mad Hen, 
The madbrained Hen.  which breaketh her eggs and eateth them, you must cast Alabaster upon the yolk of an egg, so long as till it be hard therewith, and so to make this to serve (being fashioned like a shell) for her nest: or else to make an egg of Alabaster or Fuller's earth, 
A young Hen clocking.  and to put it in her nest, 
A young Hen good only to lay eggs.  and to leave her no more but that only egg● after she hath laid. 
An old Hen is good to sit.  Unto a young Hen which falleth to clocking, 
To take away a Hens desire to sit.  you must take one of her small feathers, and thrust it through her nostrils: for it is not for a young Hen to do any thing but lay eggs, and for the old to sit. Our Huswives (in that point too severe and injurious) do pluck away all their feathers from under their wings, even all over their bellies, & do therewithal cast them into the water to cool● their hea● withal; or else they keep them fa●ting four days together in a Chick●● Cowpe. And if you be not disposed to keep a Hen to brood, you must by and by, or within two days after that she hath brought forth her young, let her forth again to have the company of Cocks, to the end she may forget them and begin again to lay● and therewithal to rub the pulled belly of a great and fat Capon, 
Capons to brood and lead Chickens.  and one that is young, with stinging Nettles, and after to deliver him the Chickens to brood and lead.  
The Hen is subject to the spots of the eyes when she is old: 
The diseases of old Hens.  to the rheum and distilling of watery humours at her nostrils, by having taken cold, or having drunk frozen water, or at least such as was too cold, or by reason of the Henne-house being left open in the night, or by having rousted upon the trees in the open air, or finally by not having found the house open, or some other covert to run under, in the time of rain: Unto the looseness of the belly, when their meat is too thin, or when they have eaten some herbs apt to work the same, or when the Henne-house hath been open all night: Unto the Pip 
The Hen Pip.  of the tongue, either for want of drink, or for drinking troubled and filthy water: To fleas and vermin 
Fleas and vermin● about Hens.  when they sit, or when they have not wherein to tumble and roll, or to make themselves clean, or when their dung is let to continue a long time together in the house: And to the bitings of venomous Beasts, which haunt the dunghill and old walls, as the Scorpion, Snake, Spider, Shrew, Lizards, and Newness of the wall.  
For the scab and inflammation of the eyes, 
Physic for Hens.  you must bathe them in the water of Purcelane, or in Woman's milk: and for the spots, you must rub the eye with Sal ammoniac, Cummin, and Honey, brayed together in a Mortar, and that as much of the one as of the other, except you have the skill to take them up, or to cause them to be taken and lifted up with a needle.  
For the rheum, 
For the rheum in Henn●s.  you must put a feather cross their nostrils, and wa●me their water, and sometimes chafe their feet, especially little and young Pulle●s, which are wont to be wrapped in cloth a certain time for the same, or else in feathers, and then put into a pot, and set in a warm Oven, or near unto some fire in some fit and convenient place: And if the rheum or matter of the stuffing of their nostrils be settled in some place, as under the eyes, or towards their bill, you must lance the imposthume gently, and give passage for that to come forth which is therein contained, and put in place a little brayed salt.  
For the looseness of the belly, 
For the looseness of the belly in Hens.  some make them me●t of the husks of Barley steeped in wine, and incorporated with wax; and some do mingle with their water the decoction of a Pomegranate or Quinces.  
And if that Pullein be costive, 
For costiue●esse in Hens.  especially the younger sort, they are provoked with a wild oat: and some use to pull off the feathers of their rump, and upon the inside of their thighs, to the end that their dung may not be long detained and kept within their bodies, because that so it might stop the passage: and as for Hens, it is sufficient to put honey into their water by themselves.  
For the Pip, 
To take the Pip from H●nes.  some use to wash their bill with oil wherein hath steeped a clove of Garlic: and some make them to eat stavesacre amongst their meat: and for to cure the younger sort, some put them in a sieve made to dress Fetches, or Darnell, & perfume them with Pennyryall, Organie, Hyssop, and Line: and some do hold the head of the Pullet over the fume, the bill gaping: and in case of extremity, to take it quite away from them, some do use to open their bill, draw out their tongue very gently and softly, and after with their nail raise the higher part, and draw down to the end, or lowest part thereof, the white which is seen to grow upon the top of the tongue; and after it is raised up and rooted out, without any breaking of skin, they rub the tongue with spittle, or with a little vinegar, or else they touch it with a bruised clove of Garlic.  
For fleas and vermin, 
Against Fleas and Vermin.  they must be washed in wine wherein hath been boiled Cummin and S●auesacre, or else in water wherein have boiled wild Lupins.  
Against the biting of venomous Beasts, 
Against the ●itings of venomous Beasts.  you must annoie the place with oil of Scorpion's, and apply upon it some Mithridate; and further, cast some small quantity of treacle into their waterpot, and cause them to drink.  
For the danger of Beasts, 
Against Beasts that eat Pullein.  especially of Cats and Fulmers', which come in the night time unto the Henne-house to eat the Hens and eggs, old Writers do give counsel to cast at the entry of the door, and to scatter thereabouts, bunches of Rue, as also to put some tender sprouts of the same under the wings of the fowl: or else to besmears about the walls of the Henne-house, and round about the window, the gall of a Ca● or of a Fox.  
Furthermore, to keep Pulleine from Foxes, 
Against Foxes.  that they do not eat them, it is good now and then to mingle amongst their meat the flesh of a Fox sodden and shret into very small pieces: for, as some say, their flesh doth keep and retain a certain smell thereof, which is the cause that Foxes dare not come near unto them.  
hens begin to lay in February and March, 
The laying of Hens.  and some of them in those months being part of their first year. They which begin to lay at a year and a half, or 〈◊〉 two years, are better to be liked: and then they must be very well fed, and that some times with Oats and Fenugreeke for to heat them. And if you be desirous that they should lay great eggs (for commonly the fattest Hens lay the smallest eggs) 〈◊〉 and temper Fuller's earth among their meat: or else put powned Brick among Brain, and temper th●m together with a little wine and water, and make them an ordinary meat thereof: or else make them all their meat of Barley, half boiled with Fetches and Mille●: or else perfume them in the night with Brimstone, for this will keep them sound also: if you give unto them young Nettles chopped and boiled with Bran, they will lay great store of eggs.  
They leave laying about the third of November, 
To have eggs all Winter time.  which is at such time as the cold beginneth: but if upon curiosity you would keep by themselves some of the fairest to lay eggs all Winter long, you must feed them with toasted bread steeped from evening to morning, and give them to their breakfast: and for their meat in the day time and at night to cast them some little quantity of Oats, Barley, or Wheas, which doth warm them: or some Mustard seed, which above all other things causeth Hens to lay eggs good store, that is to say, in the sharp cold times of Winter; which thing you shall prove very true by experience, if you make trial of it: or else to seed them with earth-worms, which will also cause them to lay eggs in great number. You must not let them sit presently after their first year of laying▪ and when they are passed three years old, you must eat them. You must also dispatch and make away with those that are barren and lay not at all: and as for those that do lay very much, you must change their Nests often, and mark their eggs, to set them in time, if it be possible. When they are casting off their feathers, otherwise called of the common people moulting, you must not suffer them to go out of the place whereinto you have shut them, except it be to refresh them when it is very fair, and then to keep them that the Eagle and Kite do not fall upon them.  
It is usual to set Hens the second year of their laying, 
The time to set Hens.  and so the third and fourth: and so let any set many Hens at one time, and under their straw some pieces of iron, for fear it should thunder, or else some Bay leaves, or the heads of Garlic, or else some green grass, for some say that this is good against the Pip and the monstrous fruit. They are put there in the growth of the Moon, after the twelfth day of the new Moon until the fourteenth, saith Florentine; and Columella saith, from the tenth unto the fifteenth, to the end that the Hens may hatch in the next new Moon, for to that end they stand not in need of any more days than one and twenty. And the Nests of these Hens must be made in the bottom of a Tun or Pipe, to the end that when they come off they cause not any thing to fall or roll. Some perfume the straw that they are to sit upon, before they lay the eggs therein, with Brimstone, to keep the Hen for hatching before her time. And you shall set under her the eggs that you have marked, and of those the fairest and newest, and if it be possible, those of her own: And look that they have been laid since the seventh of February, and before the two and twentieth of September: for such as are laid at any other time, are nothing worth, no more than those which were first laid, or yet those which were laid by the Hen without the help of the Cock: and there must alwaie●s care be had that they be odd, that is to say, in january fifteen, in March nineteen, and after April one and twenty. The greatest part of the inhabitants of Lions do admit of no other number than three and twenty. After the second of October they set not any more, neither indeed ought they, if it be not in Ovens, according to the use of the inhabitants of Maliha, 
Ovens to set eggs in.  and some of those of Beauceron: But Hens are too much punished and put to pain to breed and bring up Chickens in Winter. As also there is a common opinion received, That after mid-Iune Hens are small worth, and cannot increase so rightly; and well to the purpose.  
If curiosity draw you to set eggs under Hens which be not their own, 
To set eggs of other birds under Hens.  as those of the Goose, peacock, or Indian Hen, or else of Ducks, then let them be put under the Hen some seven or nine days before, and after add thereto of her own some such odd number, as hath been spoken of before: But and if they be Pheasants eggs, you need not to set the Hen any sooner upon them, then and if they were her own; for they require no more time to be hatched in: 
To have Henne-birds or Cock-birds.  And if you would have them all Henne-birds, than set such eggs as are more round and blunt, for the long and sharpe-pointed ones are commonly Cock-birds.  
Some are careful not to put one after another into the Nest, 
A Ceremony observed in setting of eggs.  but set them in rows in a Wooden Platter, and thence let themslide down into the Nest very softly. And care must be had, that neither Cocks, nor any other Hens, may go in to sit upon them: and to that end twice every day to set meat and drink so near unto the Hen, 
The hens meat & drinks must be set within the thing she siteth in.  as that she need not rise for to feed herself; for if but for her meat she once cast off her care of them, it will be much ado to get her to return unto them again, if she be not a free and very kind Hen. If the Hen have small care to return unto her eggs, to sit upon them equally, it will be good sometimes to turn them over softly when she shall be from her Nest.  
There are some women that cannot stay to the end of the Hatching: 
The impatiency of women.  but about the fourth day after the setting of the Hen, they will be heaving every one of them up one after one to look upon in the clear Sunshine, and if they see not bloody streams or threads within them, they cast them out, and put under others in their places. And in like manner, at the one and twentieth day, if they find that she stayeth from hatching, they take off the Hen. But good sitting Hens will not return any more to their Nests, after that the eggs have been touched. Likewise the good housewife saith, That as for the eggs which are under the Hen, they ought not to be touched till they be hatched. Likewise they must be well chosen and viewed in the Sun betwixt both her hands before that they be put under the Hen. 
To try the eggs that must be set.  Such as do any thing doubt that the eggs are not all good, and that the Chickens cannot come forth by reason of the hardness of the shell, must not fail to bathe them about the eighteenth day in a hollow dish and warm water, and to take away such as swim above the water, putting the rest under the Hen again. But you must not force the Hen to rise off the Nest in your thus doing.  
You shall greatly pleasure the Hen, if when the Chickens begin to chirp, and there be found some which will not let the Chicken come forth, by reason of the hardness of the shell, that then you help her to break the same: howsoever indeed this is the part of a good conditioned Hen, as also to fly at your face if you come near to her, after she hath once heard them cheap or chirp under her.  
The little Chickens, 
The Hen Pip.  newly hatched, must be put under a Sieve, and lightly perfumed with Rosemary, for to keep them from the Pip: and for the space of two days you must not give them any thing to eat, but put them under some Hen that hath not many, and which is not either of Partridge colour, or wild and untamed, that thereby they may be kept warm whiles the other are in hatching: or which is better, to put them to follow some Capon so soon as they be hatched, rather than any Hen; for by that means they will be better defended both from Cold and ravenous Birds, as also better fed: besides that, hereby the Hen will be the fitter to fall to laying of eggs again. It is true indeed, that there must choice be made of a ●ound and courageous Capon, to pluck away his feathers from under his belly, and to nettle him with the strongest and most stinging Nettles that you can get, and after to make him drunk with bread steeped in wine, and to put him under a basket made of Osiers, with his brood of Chickens, and so leave him these some time▪ to the end he may fall in love with them. So soon as he shall be at liberty, he will bear them up, keep them, lead them, and become a more foolish, doting, or true lover of them, than the Hen herself would have been: Howbeit, the natural dame is very careful, and given to keep them under her wings very wisely, without doing them any manner of harm or hurt. When as therefore they be two day●● old, you must crumble them some soft Bread and Cheese, or else some Barley meal, and Garden Cresses, softened and infused in wine and water, with a few of the leau●● of Leeks chopped very small, and a little sodden, and this will be good for them against Rheums and the Pip: And after this time, for the space of fifteen days, they must be kept under a Cowpe with the Hen or Capon: and then at the end of those days to let them run about both leader and followers, giving them still the same nourishment to feed upon. And if you have many sitting Hens that ha●e hatched at one time, give and put the Chickens of the one unto another of the eldest and most used to lead, or else to a Capon, as hath been said, and let the younger Hens return again to the Cock: but see that you put not above five and twenty or thirty unto any one Hen, because she will not be able to cover or brood above that number. Again, there must good care be had, that the Hen which le●deth them be not cursed and brutish, that so she may not hurt them as she is scratching, or set them in a heat by flying; neither yet that she be given to much climbing, or gadding into such places as her little ones cannot follow her into. Wherefore it shall be good not to suffer them to go so soon to the Court-yard, but rather, for the space of forty days, to keep them that they go not from the place where they were hatched. You must likewise beware that the Snake do not breath upon or hiss at them: for the smell of such breath is so pestilent unto them, as that it generally killeth them all. The remedy is, to burn oftentimes, near unto their Cowpe, Harts-horne, Galbanum, or women's hair, for the fume or smoke of these doth drive them away.  
It is a pain to go about to hatch Chickens without the heat of the Hen: 
To hatch Chickens without the heat of the Hen.  and although the thing may be done, yet it is not so certain nor so profitable. They are set on a row, the sharp pointed end upward, in an Oven very meanly warm, and upon warm hens dung, which must be renewed every six days; and over and under them thus set, some do put bags of Feathers, and they must be stirred now and then: after the eighteenth day, they must be bathed in warm water; and th● one and twentieth, they must be holpen to break the shell. Again, it may be done otherwise: The same day that you set a Hen (to the end that you may the better remember, because it is not so easy to number the days as to tell the eggs) you may take as many eggs as you have set, and put them upon bags full of hens dung (well dried, sifted, and compassed about with Down, or such soft Feathers as are on the inside of the thighs) and made after the manner of Nests. And again, others do make a bed of the said Down upon the bags, and upon this bed they rank● their eggs, as hath been said, and after covering them with other Down and bags above, in such sort, as that the Down and bags lie close round about, and every where touching the eggs: which done, after three or four days, they must be ●urned once every day, and that so softly and nimbly, as that they may not hit one upon another: And at the twentieth day (being such time as the Hens begin to pick the eggshells) you must help to make way for this your brood to come forth, and after put them to some Hen that hath but a few. But there is nothing beyond and beside natural inclination and disposition to be attempted in any thing.  
The Hen will sit all Winter as well as in Summer, if she have meat made of Bran, mixed with the leaves and seed of dry Nettles.  
You must make choice of such eggs as are of black Pullet's, 
Y● know a good egg.  as much as are more wholesome, dainty, full, and substantial than those of other Hens, by how much they want of being so old: let it not be above two days old, let it be white and long, according to the common verse, 
The egg is good, and for delight,  
That's long and new, and white in sight.   
To know if the egg be new, you must make such trial as we have set down to be used, to prove and know such as are good to be set.  
The housewife that maketh account to sell eggs, 
How eggs may be kept in Winter and Summer.  must in Winter keep them warm upon straw, and well covered; and in Summer cool in Bran, according to the advise of old Writers: but (be it spoken under correction) I am quite of a contrary mind; for the Straw is cool, and the Bran hot: Add further, that eggs kept in Bran in Summer do corrupt the sooner. They which do cover and powder them with salt, or lay them in brine, do impair them, and leave them not whole and full, which will be a hindrance in the sale of them: and there is no doubt but that the egg doth take some bad relish also by that means. The Cellar is a good place to keep them in both Winter and Summer.  
I do not intend here to make any discourse, which of the two was first made, the Egg or the Hen: Look for the deciding of this curious question in the end of Macrobius, and in Plutarch his Opuscula: And you shall learn a great deal better of Aristotle and Pliny, than of Hypocrates, how the Chicken is made within the egg of the white, and nourished by the yolk, seeing that the yolk is of more easy digestion than the white.  
As concerning the cutting of Cock-Chickens, 
To g●ld Cockreld.  it must be done shortly after that their dam hath forsaken them, and that they run not chirping after her, but begin to crow and to fall in love with Pullet's; for if they scape the first year and half, then there is no order to be taken with them: and you must take the best bodied, and those which are best thriven and set with feathers, and yet not grown to that full perfection and natural growth of feathers which Cocks are garnished withal: for after you have made choice of such as shall serve for the benefit and leading of your Hens, to keep them, as those which are the best made, and most bold, you must cut the other, for to feed and fat either in the Cowpe or in the Chaffe-house.  
Some men (as for example at Man's and in Bretaigne) do put out their eyes, 
To fat Capons.  as they do unto Gossing, and give meat of corn half boiled, 
capons of Means and Bretaigne.  and of paste well crushed and braked, and made into gobbets, and thus they become fat within forty days at the most: but they must be well looked to, and have all their feathers pulled from about their heads, to the end to keep them from vermin.  
As concerning other particulars, of the Hen, of the Egg and of the Medicines which the Husbandman may draw from them for the good of his health:  
The Hen will hatch Chickens of divers colours, 
Chickens of divers colours.  if ●hee sit upon eggs drawn with variable and divers or painted colours: as also she will hatch Pullet's of very pleasant colour to behold, if you make her tread by male Pigeons, or Partridges, or Feasants. To be brief, you shall have Pullet's, Pigeons, Feasants, and such other kinds of Fowls of divers colours, if you provide above, beneath, and on every side of their Cowpes, or other place where they make their abode, places of receipt and covertures, of such colour as you shall wish them to be of.  
hens will lay great eggs, 
Great eggs.  if you pound Bricks, and mix them with Bran and wine, bray them all very well, and give them to the Hens to eat: or else make a fine powder of Brick, mix it with Barley Bran, & give it them to eat. Some for the very same purpose do mollify the Fuller's earth that is red, and mix it among the hens meat.  
If by the space of four days, 
To make eggs soft.  or seven at the most, you steep an egg in very strong vinegar, you shall so soften the shell, as that the egg may easily be so handled as that you may draw it through any sort of ring that you shall wear upon your singer, and thrust it into such a Viol as you yourself would wish to have it put in: likewise you shall bring it to his former shape, if you steep it in cool water. In like manner, an egg steeped in Aqua vitae for some space of time, doth quite waste and spend itself.  
If you would keep eggs long, 
How to keep eggs.  that they should not break, set them so orderly in baskets, as that they may stand right up, and that the end which is sharpe-pointed may be upward, and by this means a man may carry such a burden of them as shall be laid upon him, without breaking any of them. Likewise this is a thing very true and well approved, that an egg hath so firm and strong a frame, as that no man, be he never so strong, is able to break it betwixt the palms of his hands, being taken and holden longways.  
It hath been observed of a long time, 
What eggs will keep best.  that the eggs laid after the new of the Moon in the month of August, or in the wane of the Moon in the month of November, as those likewise which are laid on the day of the Nativity, or on the day of the Ascension, are lasting and durable, and not easily corrupted. Whereof there cannot be devised any other reason, than that in some of them the shell is made hard, and not to be pierced through of the air by the coldness of the time: and in the other there is a most quick exhaling and expending of that which might be corrupted within the egg, by the heat of the tune and season then being.  
Some find within the stomach of a Capon a stone, 
The stone in a Capon's stomach.  of the bigness of a Bean, which maketh a man strong and lusty unto the act of carnal copulation; and withal, maketh him loving, favourable, and gracious amongst women.  
Some hold it for an undoubted truth, 
To roast an egg without any fire.  that for want of fire an egg may be roasted, being turned and whirled about a long time in a sling.  
An egg will take any form of character that you will, 
An egg written upon.  on the inside thereof, if you write upon the shell with ink made of Galls, Allome, and Vinegar, and after that such writing is dried in the Sun, put the egg in brine that is very strong, and after boil it and take away the shell, and there you shall find the writing.  
The shell of the egg emptied all out, 
An egg lifted up into the air.  and filled with May dew, and laid forth afterward in the Sunne-thine at noon day, is easily lifted up into the air without the aid or assistance of any other thing.  
An egg armed with thread, and put into the midst of a hot burning fire, keepeth the thread from burning at all.  
A Hen slit in two, 
The applying of a Hen to draw forth venom.  and applied all hot unto the bitings of venomous beasts, draweth out the venom thereof: or otherwise, if you take and pluck the fundament of any living fowl very bare, and apply it to the parts offended by the stinging of a Snake, or to the Carbuncles and Buboes rising of the infection, doth the like. And this showeth, that a Hen hath a natural contrariety against poison. And this may further be known, because that Hens do eat venomous things, as Toads, Vipers, Snakes, Asps, and other Serpents, without their taking of any harm thereby.  
The inward membrane of the hens stomach or maw, 
The innermost skin of the Hen's stomach, against the flux of the be●●y & gravel.  as also of a Capons, dried and powdered, is a sovereign thing against the flux of the belly, gravel in the reins, and difficulty to make water.  
The broth which is made of a Hen, or old Cock, is good to loosen the belly: and yet more effectually, if one stuff a Hen with Mercury, Germander, wild Saffron, 
The broth of a Hen good to loosen the belly.  and such other herbs. Also the broth of a Hen or Cock is singular against every disease, if she be stuffed with herbs appropriate and fit for the cure of the said diseases.  
The stones of a Capon, 
The stones of a Capon.  nourished and fed with meat steeped in milk, are sovereign for the speedy restoring of them which are worn away and consumed by continuance of long sickness.  
The fat of a Hen washed in Rose water, 
The fat of a Hen.  is good for the chaps and cliffs in the lips, as also for those which happen in the hands by reason of Winter cold.  
The gall of a Hen or Capon dropped into the eye, 
The gall of a Hen.  doth take away the spots of the eyes, if you mix it with the water of Eye-bright.  
The dung of a Hen dried and finely powdered, 
Henne-dung.  and applied to the eyes which have lost their hair, causeth the same to come again, if you mix it with honey, or oil of Linseed: If it be tempered with oil of Roses, and applied, it is good against burnings: being brayed with vinegar and honey, it cureth within an hour such as are near strangled by eating of muhrooms, for it maketh them to vomit a thick and phlegmatic humour. A Physician in Galens' time did cure all manner of old Colics, giving the sick to drink of this dung with Hippocras made of honey and wine.  
A hard roasted egg eaten with vinegar stayeth the flux of the belly, 
A hard roasted egg.  if you mix with it the powder of Heart's horn.  
A Cataplasm made of the yolk and white of an egg well beaten with the juice or water of Plantain and Nightshade, 
The yolk and white of an egg.  applied unto burnings, doth quench and extinguish them.  
The white of an egg beaten, 
The white of an egg.  and with the powder of Frankincense, Mastic, and Galls applied unto the brows, doth stay the bleeding at the nose.  
The yolk of an egg swallowed alone, 
The yolk of an egg.  stayeth the Cough, and such other distillations as fall down upon the lungs and other parts of the breast. The yolk of an egg, which is laid in the full of the Moon, doth cleanse and take away all manner of spots appearing in the face. The thin membrane or skin which is on the inside of the eggshell dried, finely powdered and mixed with the white of the egg, doth heal the cliffs of the lips. The eggshell made into ashes, and drunk with wine, doth stay the spitting of blood, and is good to whiten and cleanse the teeth, to comfort and incarnate the gums. The egge-shels, out of which there have come Chickens, being powdered and mixed with white wine, do break as well the stone of the reins as of the bladder. The white of the egg mixed with unquenched Lime, the shell of an egg burnt to ashes, old tile well powdered, and Bitumen, maketh a Cement very excellent to glue and join together again the broken parts and pieces of Glasses. An egg spread upon wood, or any kind of garment, doth keep the same from the burning of the fire.   

CHAP. XVI.  
Of Geese.  
THe Country Farm being for the most part unprovided of the benefits and easements of water, especially running streams, is not so fit to breed and nourish Geese: except for private commodities sake it fall out, that the Farmer do make him some Fishponds or standing Lakes of his own, 
Geese love to bathe and tumble themselves in the water.  and at his own proper costs and charges: For the Goose, as well as the Duck, doth love to swim, and to cool, plunge, and tumble herself every day; neither do they tread almost any where else but in the water. There is great profit, and there is great loss also thereof: profit, because the charge of keeping or feeding them is not so costly, 
The Goose is a bird of great profit and disprofit.  as their watch and ward is good and gainful; being indeed better than that of the dog, as hath been showed long ago by the Geese of the Capitol in Rome, who awaking the soldiers and standing Watch, were the cause that the enemy was repulsed and driven back: Again, she declareth when Winter draweth nigh, by her continual squeaking and crying: she layeth eggs, hatcheth Goslings, affordeth feathers twice a year, for the Bed, for Writing, and for Shafts, which are gathered at the Spring and Autumn. The loss or discommodity is, because they crave a keeper; for otherwise they will bruise and knap off the young sciences of Trees, the herbs of the Garden, and the shoots of Vines, as also injure and hurt the Corn when it is shooting and putting forth his stalk, as well by breaking it, 
Wild Geese.  as by dunging upon it: in such sort, as that in the Countries where wild Geese (which are fowls keeping together in flocks as well as Cranes) do make their greatest and principal haunt, as in Holland, Heynault, Artoys, and other where, there is found sometimes a great piece of Corn all wasted and destroyed in less than half a day. And the house or tame Geese do no less harm, if they be let alone and suffered to do it; for they pull up the corn by the root: besides that, where as they dung, there will nothing grow for a long time after.  
The best Goose and Gander is of colour either white or grey; and she that is of a mixed or two colours, is also of an indifferent goodness: notwithstanding the white doth abound more in laying of eggs than the others, and hath also a better flesh; and it is good to make choice of such a one as hath the knee, joints, and space between the legs great and large. The Goose goeth over her laying time thrice a year, if she be kept from sitting and hatching: but indeed it is a great deal better when she is set upon eggs, because the young ones thereby brought forth do nourish better than the eggs, as also do increase the flock: And at every laying time, some lay twelve eggs and more sometimes, others but five at the first, four at the second, and three at the last; and these three several times come betwixt the first of March and the last of june. 
The memory of a Goose.  And they do never forget the place which you shall have brought them to at the first to lay in: so that look where they lay their first eggs, they will lay all the rest; and in the same place also set them, if you will. Likewise you must not let them lay out of their walk or fold, and for that cause you must keep them shut in at such time as when you think they will begin to lay: and if you take not up their eggs, they will begin to sit so soon as they have their full number: but and if you take them away as they be laid, they will not cease laying till they come to an hundred, yea two hundred eggs; yea, so long, and so many, as some say, as until their fundament stand gaping and open, they not being able to shut it, because of the effect wrought by their much laying.  
Geese love not almost to sit any but their own eggs; 
To set Geese.  and at the least you must se● that the greater part that you set her on be her own: And she is not commonly to be set upon fewer than seven or nine at the least, nor upon more than thirteen or fifteen at the most, and you must look she be set upon an odd number. And who so putteth under the straw whereupon she sitteth some Nettle roots, doth prevent that the Goslings, when they be hatched, are not so soon hurt. Some Geese in a good and favourable weather do hatch in five and twenty days at the most. And near unto the place where the sitteth you shall place steeped Barley in such quantity, as that she may take it out of much water: for she loveth not to leave her young ones, for sometimes she will rather die for hunger; and to the end also that she may not stand in need to stir or raise herself, except a very little for to feed, seeing that thus her eggs might take cold. And furthermore, call again to mind that which hath been said of the Hen: you may also set Hens upon Geese eggs, and that with better success than if they had been set under the Goose herself, but then not above seven or eight.  
The young Goslings must abide ten days shut up with the Goose, 
The ordering of Goslings.  and be fed within with Barley meal tempered with Honey, Bran, and Water, and now and then with Let●●ces and tender and new Sow-thistles; after that, with Millet and Wheat steeped and softened: and at the term of these days to acquaint and accustom th●● to the Meadows with their dame; but let them be fed before they go thither: for this bird is so ravenously given, as that through sharpness in their hunger they pull the gras●e and young sprouts of Trees with such force and violence, as that sometimes therewith they break their own necks. They must be kept from Nettles & Pricks, from the Bay tree and Mugguet, for they be bane unto them: in the house, from Wolves and Foxes, Cats and Weasels.  
Goslings intended to be fatted, 
How to 〈◊〉 Goslings.  must be chosen when they be four months old, and then the fairest and greatest must be chosen. They must be put in a Cowpe in some Cellar under ground, or in some dark and warm place, where the younger sort is to be kept thirty days, and the elder sort two months. They must have given them thrice a day Barley and Wheat meal tempered with Water and Honey, for the Barley maketh the flesh white, and the Wheat maketh them fat, and maketh a great liver. Some do make them meat with new or dry figs and leaven, and give them drink abundantly, using to roll their meat all over in Br●n. Others pull the feathers of their head and belly, and also the fat feathers of their wings, and do also put out their eyes for to fat them: Above all things, you must not pinch them in their meat and drink, because they are great eaters, and given much to drink. Thus you shall have them fat at the most within two months.  
The common meat of Geese, 
Meat for Geese.  is all manner of Pulse tempered with Bran and warm water. Many do give them nothing but Bran somewhat grossly bolted, and Lettuces, Succory, and Garden Cress', for to get them an appetite: and they set them this meat morning, evening, and at noon: and for the rest of the day they send them to the Meadows, and to the Water-Pooles, under the custody of some little small jack, who may keep them from going or flying into any forbidden places, as also out of the Nettles and briars, as also from feeding of Henbane, which some call the Goose-bane, and from Hemlockes, which set them on such a deep sleep as that they die therewithal.  
Ancient Writers have not permitted more than three Geese to one Gander, but we do freely allow six, and cause to be taken from them the Down or soft feathers on the inside of their thighs, 
The quills of dead Geese are not so good as those of the live.  and the great feathers of their wings to write withal in March and September: for the quills of the dead Goose are not so sit for all uses, no more than is the wool of slaughtered sheep, or those which die of themselves. And seldom do we see much fewer than thirty Goslings in one room, howsoever our predecessors would not put any more than twenty together, for the greater do beat the les●er, and hurt them: and for this cause they must be put into the Goose-house, and kept asunder with hurdles, in such sort as sheep are kept asunder: and they must have new straw oftentimes, and that such as is clean and very small, for their house must be always dry, and oftentimes made clean for fear of vermin.  
And moreover, 
The diseases of Geese.  they are subject unto the same diseases and casualties that Hens be, and therefore they must be tendered after the same manner: Which that I may not repeat, I would have you to search it out in the places concerning the same.  
The Gosling, though she be of hard digestion, in as much as she is a waterfowl, and also abounding with superfluities; yet indeed the Goslings, which exceed not two months old, are very much commended in the Spring time by reason of their daintiness, as the old are in Winter stuffed with great Chestnuts: her liver also is of very pleasant taste and eating.  
The grease of Geese is profitable in this point; 
Goose grease.  if it be mixed with the juice of an Onion, and dropped into the ear, it assuageth pain, and draweth out water. The Goose tongue dried and made into powder, is good against the retention of ones urine. The stones of Geese eaten by an incontinent woman after her natural courses, do not only provoke carnal copulation, but also make apt to conceive. The dung of Geese dried, powdered, and taken in a morning the weight of one dram with white Wine, doth thoroughly cure the jaundice, if it be continually used for the space of nine days.   

CHAP. XVII.  
Of Ducks, Drakes, Teals, brant Ducks, water-Hennes, small Ducks of the Lakes, Swans, Cranes, Storks, and other water-fowles.  
THe Ditch or Fish-poole, 
A place for Ducks to set in.  which we have appointed to be in the midst of our Court and Straw room, may serve for the Ducks and other birds living in the water: And near unto the said Pond there must be provided for them a low roof, lightly covered, for them to sit under in the night, as also in the day, as they please: for as for any great diligence & industry to be used about these fowl, indeed there in no such need, except it be for the keeping of them from Cats and Weasels, Kites, Eagles, Vultures, and Serpents, which are ve●e noisome unto them. In the place of their haunt they must have some Corn cast, Pulse, 
The ordinary food of Ducks.  and the dross of the Riddle or S●arce must be cast about the edges of the Pond: and also within the same, to cause them to be pudling in the mire, you 〈◊〉 also let them have the liberty of such Ponds as you put your fish into which you mean to salt, as also of the next River, as you do your Geese: notwithstanding, it were good that some should see that they haunt or frequent not your Ponds with fish, because indeed they will eat up the small therein. But in other points they need not so much attendance, seeing for the most part they are nothing in love with Gardens. And as for their Nests to lay in and to sit, they make themselves: and there is no care greater than this, namely, 
The eggs of Ducks see upon by a Hen, are better than if they were hatched by the Duck herself.  to know their haunt, especially that of the wild ones, in or about what place of the Ponds they use, that so you may take their eggs to put under some Hen to sit them, thereby to make them tame: for the fowl that is thus or dere will be better than that of the yard, and which stirreth not out of the Court, or from about the sides of the streets to tread.  
To take such wild Ducks as are about your Ponds, to make them tame, you must cast the lees of wine or red wine in that very place of the Pond side, 
Wild Ducks may be will taken when they are drunk.  where you 〈◊〉 accustomed to cast them meat of wine and corn with leaven and flower tempered together, and you shall take them when you see them drunk: or else to take of the root and seed of Henbane a good quantity, and lay it to steep in a basin full of water a whole day and a night, afterward put thereinto Wheat, and boil all together until the said Corn be well steeped and swelled, afterward you shall put of the same Corn in the said place, for the wild Ducks will run unto it, and as soon as they shall have eaten it, they will fall down all astonished and giddy. This kind of fowl is made fat in such manner as the young Geese, that is to say, with the same food; only it remaineth, that you should give unto them, besides that, the small of the fish, and so you need not to cowpe them up: and as for your common ones, the more you suffer them to run, the better it is for them.  
You may make your profit of this bird, in as much as the flesh thereof is very pleasant to eat, especially about the neck and breasts, the feathers thereof are smaller, better, and more wholesome to sleep upon than those of Geese. She layeth eggs is great quantity, but not so good or delicate as those of the Hens; but yet of use 〈◊〉 make Cakes, fried Meats, and other dainty devices: add hereunto, that you may set them under Hens.  
When this bird trimmeth her feathers with her bill, it betokeneth Wind. 
The blood of Ducks.  Also some hold the blood thereof, hardened and drunk with wine, is good against all manner of poison. 
The Drake cureth the Colic.  The Drake applied alive unto the belly, is a sovereign remedy for the 〈◊〉 of the Guts and Colic: insomuch, that some say, that this disease thus cured, returneth unto the Drake, and that in such sort, as that he dieth of it.  
Teals, 
Teals.  young Ducks, 
Young Ducks.  water-Hennes, 
Water Hens.  and small Ducks 
Small Ducks.  of the Pond, will never be made tame, but otherwise you may more easily take them than you can the wild Gee●e. We may say as much of the Woodcock 
Woodcocks.  and Curlew, 
Curlewes.  and other birds h●●●ting the Water and Rivers, 
Birts of a double life.  and live notwithstanding upon the Land: for which cause they were called by men of old time birds of a twofold or double kind of living and feeding.  
swans haunt and love to resort to some particular places only, as in watery, wandering, 
Swans.  and solitary places. There are great store to be seen in such places towards To●●s, Angoulesme, Coignac, the River of Sharant (which is reported to be floored with Swans and paved with Trout) Sameure in France, as also in Flanders, and towards Valentia, 
Valentia the vale of Swans.  which some say to have been, in that respect, called the Valley of Swans, and may be made tame, and may be put either in Ponds or i● Fens, but indeed they destroy and spoil very much fish. Sometimes they feed upon the green Corn, as the Gosling or wild Goose, and do make great spoil● and waist therein. It is sufficient for two pair to take their pleasure in your Pools, 
How many Swans are enough to be together.  or four, if they be very great, and one pair only is enough in your Fishpond: and they must have a house apart in the Orchard or Garden covered over a little, and free from disturbance, often made clean and refreshed, for they defile very much. If they have not enough whereon to feed in the place of their abode, you must cast them some softened bread, or some of the smallest fishes. This is a great eating fowl, and chargeable to be kept: he maketh his Nest himself, and hatcheth but once a year, and three eggs at the most at a time, but he is a very beautiful and pleasant bird. There is a certain kind of Swan which hath his right foot divided into fingers, and fashioned with nails and claws or talons, as birds of the prey have, whereupon in striking into the water, he catcheth and footeth his prey, but his left foot is fashioned after the common manner of others, and with it he roweth upon the water. Such a one was seen and killed at the Abbey of juilly near Dampmartin, in the year 1554. This kind of Swan feedeth no where but in the water, and upon his prey, and is altogether wild, and cannot handsomely be tamed: but the common Swan is not such a one.  
Socrates in Plato saith, that this bird is dedicated to Apollo, because of the gift of divination which he hath, by which he forseeth his death, and singeth very sweetly and melodiously when he perceiveth the same at hand, as seeming thereby to foresee what good Death doth bring with it. I have observed, that he doth not only foresee his own death, but also the death of men, especially when he appeareth in such places as he was not wont to haunt: Witness hereof is S. Bartholomew his day in the year 1572, two or three days before which were seen many Swans, flying, swimming, and diving in the River of Seyne, betwixt S. Clou and the Port of nullie.  
Cranes are not much unlike to Swans, 
Cran●●.  and are not birds of continual haunt, but yearly removing from the Countries that are more hot unto those Countries that are more cold. Their departure is about September, and their return shortly after the Spring seed time: and although they do addict themselves unto watery places, yet they feed, for the most part, of that which the dry land yieldeth, and not of things afforded by the water, for they live and feed upon Corn as do the wild Geese. There is no cause why you should make any great account of the Crane: for although he stay a certain time with you, yet he layeth not any more than two eggs all the year long. Wherefore if you be willing to keep of them, you may do it rather to please your sight withal, than for any hope of increase, for they neither lay nor sit any more than two eggs. And further, their flesh is of a very hard digestion, especially if it be new killed: but if you will eat it, stay some time after the taking of them, and hang them upon the arm of some Figtree, that they may grow tenderer: Also eat them rather a long time after they have been dressed, than whiles they are yet warm. When you see them fly aloft in the Air, without making any noise, then look for fair weather: but and if you see them rest themselves upon the ground, be ye assured that it will be rain.  
If your Farm be near unto marshes and places, where Snakes, Lizards, Adders, and other such like Beasts abound; you may set up some small Spire or Turret about your house, or plant upon some piece of high mounted ground some well-spread Tree, 
Storks.  of a great height, for the alluring of Storks to the same, that they may help to free your house of those said venomous beasts, for they will kill them to feed their young ones therewith. But yet persuade not yourself, that you can easily draw and allure them, nor yet retain and keep them, Summer being once passed; for upon Winter's return they will be packing into another Country. Notwithstanding, there are some, which not having been disturbed in the time of their airing and bringing up of their young ones, do every year repair to their wont airs, and that by a long ●light out of a far Country, and do air and nest themselves willingly also in the tops of high Towers, not frequented, as judging the place to be such as will not suffer any man to do them annoyance. And in the mean time you need not take any care of their Nest, laying, sitting, or feeding, for they be birds careful enough of themselves, and not needing the help● of any other, and which do come and go in such sort as one cannot perceive them; in such sort, as that we may rather see them when they be comen, than foresee their coming, for as much as their coming and going is in the night. Some do think that they have no tongue; make no account of them for to eat them, seeing they are of a very evil juice and venomous feeding: and yet this good is in them, that he which shall have eaten of a Stork, shall not have his eyes bleared or running all that year. It is observed in this bird, that the young do feed the old that breed them, when they cannot fly any more, nor get their prey.   

CHAP. XVIII.  
Of Feasants.  
IT is a point of great curiosity to keep Feasants, 
Hens of Numidia.  which Columella calleth Hens of Numidia: but he that can do it, hath both pleasure and profit; and he must be such a one as almost doth nothing else: for this bird is chargeable to maintain; she will have her house by herself, raised high, and leaning to the enclosure or wall of the Court, and long also, that her troughs may be in the air, and where the Sun giveth. And every several bird must have her own room: and yet there must be but one door unto their Henne-house for the cleansing thereof and giving of them meat. The rest of their house shall be all open upon the forepart, and yet in such sort, as that it shall be sure and fast, by being thick latted, and of cloven boards, about the height of a fathom below, and very well covered above.  
pheasant Cocks and Hens are hard to tame, 
pheasant Cocks and Hens not so ●asie to make tame.  if they be not so hatched, or else taken within the year: for the elder sort grow sullen and malcontented, and do accord and buckle themselves either to lay or sit. And as for the young, they must be gently handled, until they be well trained, and can easily be content with and apply themselves to the enduring of a constrained air, and that such a one as is not like to that where they were taken. There must be one Cock to every two Hens. The Hen hath but one season wherein she useth to lay, and that is March, at which time she beginneth and so continueth until she have orderly laid twenty, and after she fitteth them all together, or else fifteen of her own, and some others of another kind, if you put them under her: and she sitteth thirty days; and in the time of her sitting, you must use her with the like diligence that you do the Hen: but this must be all within her own house. The young ones being hatched, shall be fed with flower of Barley boiled and cooled, and afterward with the flower of Wheat: and sometimes you shall mix herewith, or else give them by themselves, some Grasshoppers and eggs of Ants: and you must oftentimes give them fresh water, and clean, for they are subject to the same diseases that the Hen is.  
Men of old time were wont to fat their pheasant Cocks and Hens for Festival days, 
To fat pheasant Cocks and Hens.  or Banquets and Feasts only, and not for brood, and gave unto them the first day honeyed water and strong wine, to cause them to forget their natural place: after that, of the flower of Barley tempered with water, of ground beans, and of clean Barley, of whole Millet, of Turnip seed, and Linseed boiled and dried, mixed with the flower of Barley: and for to heat and cleanse their stomachs, they gave them Mustard seed for five days, and so fatted them up in their Cowpes for threescore days.  
This is the thing that divers Cooks of Paris, with certain other rich Victuallers, do know very well to do: and they must (as saith Columella) give them their ●eat to eat, to the end they may be fat when they are used in Banquets: for but few of these wild pheasant Hens do give themselves to lay and bear the yoke of servitude both together.   

CHAP. XIX.  
Of Peacocks.  
THe Peacock is a bird of more beautiful feathers than any other that is: he is quickly angry, but he is as far off from taking good hold with his feet: he is goodly to behold, very good to eat, and serveth as a watch in the inner court; for that he spying strangers to come into the lodging, he faileth not to cry out and to advertise them of the house. It is true that he is not kept with a little cost and meat, being a great eater, and quickly digesting his meat: noisome to the house, for that he spoileth the Gardens, if there be not some little Meadow ground for him to frequent: he breaketh the roof and high place of the house: And the Cock being over-ranke by nature, doth break the hens eggs, thereby to keep her from sitting, that so he may the more freely enjoy and use her. The Cock liveth a long time, as from twenty to five and twenty years, but the Hen somewhat less, both the one and the other somewhat troublesome to rear and bring up whiles they be young, but they need not to have any great care taken of them after they have once left the dam, except it be in keeping them from hurting the Corne. They love a hot and temperate air, and that is the cause that they are not brought up in many Countries of France, but with much ado. The place where they most abound in all the Country, is toward Lisieux in Normandy, for from thence there come great numbers to Paris, for great and sumptuous Banquets and Marriages: There they make them fat with the dross of Cider and Perrie.  
People of old and ancient time did cast Islets on the backside of their Gardens, 
The Peacock's walk.  only for Peacocks, and there set up some little shed for them at their pleasure to repair unto, and another for the party that should feed them. And in Italy unto this day they use, in places near unto the Sea shore, to bring up Peacocks in Islets somewhat near unto the Sea, that so they may prevent such harm as the Fox might otherwise do them; which was also the drift why our ancient predecessors took the same course: but we▪ which make not so great account of them, are content to keep them in some room over the Hens, even in the highest part of the Henne-house, for they love to rowst on high, and in an open air, sitting very often for that cause upon trees, but we provide them some place below whither to repair in the day time. This place must be kept very clean, and looked diligently unto, even as the Henne-house, 
The diseases of Peacocks.  for this bird is subject unto the same inconveniences and diseases that Hens be, and must have the same remedies administered unto them. The place of their abode and haunt must be strewed with Straw, or green Grass, 
The nature of Pea-hennes.  for the Hens do lay but seldom, sitting down low, as is manifest, in that her eggs are found oftentimes dropped down from her under the Perch: and this happeneth by their falling from her as she is asleep. These birds bring forth very well after they be three years old; but before nothing, or very little.  
The Pea-henne hath three several times or seasons of laying in the year: 
The sitting of the Pea-henne.  but she that is set, hath but one, and passeth over her other times in hatching and leading of her young ones. She beginneth her first laying time at mid February, and layeth five eggs one after another: at the second, she layeth four or three: and at the third, three or two. If the Cock and the Hen tread not, you must bring them to it by such food and meat as will set them in heat, as with Beans roasted in hot ashes. And to know when the Cock is in the pride or heat, you need no other sign than his viewing of himself, and covering of his whole body with the feathers of his tail, and then we say he wheeleth.  
When the Pea-henne sitteth, 
A Peacock of a white colour.  she withdraweth and hideth herself from the Cock in the most secret place she possibly can; for he ceaseth not to seek her, by reason of his excessive rankness and lustiness of nature: and if he find her, he beateth her, to cause her to rise from off her eggs, and then breaketh them. If while she fits, she be covered with a white Linen cloth, she will bring forth Chickens all white, and not of the colour of the Vine bud. And to that end you may shut her up in Cowpes or Houses overlaid or garnished with some white Cloth or Paintrie, to the end that whatsoever she looketh upon while she sitteth, may be of a white colour. At the end of thirty days, when the young ones are hatched, and the Hen diligently fed in the place where she did sit them (as we have said of the Hen) she must be put under a Cowpe in some place where the Cock cannot come; for he hateth and hurteth his young ones, until they be grown to have a coppell upon their heads: and at such time as this is growing out of them, they must be kept very warm, for than they be very sick, and for the most part die.  
You must feed the young ones the first day with Barley meal tempered with wine in manner of thick pottage: 
The feeding of young Peacocks.  and for the thickening of it, some put thereto soft Cheese, well kneaded, pressed, and purged from Whey, for Whey will hurt them greatly. Sometimes they must have Grasshoppers given them, their feet plucked away, Weasels, Spiders, and Flies for their Physic; for they drive away vermin na●rally, so that there is scarce any found where they haunt. After six months they eat boiled Barley as the dam doth, and are suffered to run abroad: but even then they must be kept from cold and rain, for they chirp and hang the wing by and by, especially in this Country, where they are hard to bring up, if they be not hatched by mid june: for when Autumn doth find them very young, they do never hold out Winter.  
They which will have the Pea-hennes to hold their three several times of laying, 
The laying of Pea-hennes.  must set their first eggs under Hens that are great, well governed, and old, and that in the beginning of the growth of the Moon, that so the Pea-hennes may hold on their several courses of laying. And as we have already said in the feeding of Hens, there must be put under the Hens some five of the Pea-hennes, and nine of her own: after the tenth day, the nine Hen eggs shall be taken away, and other nine put in their place; by this means you shall find, by the end of thirty days, that all will be hatched together: And thus you shall use many Hens at one and the same time. And seeing the Pea-hennes egg, for the greatness of it, cannot be well turned by the Hen, you shall turn it yourself very softly at such time as the Hen is a feeding, and mark with ink the place you leave uppermost, that so you may know thereby whether the Hen do turn them, or no, for else you might possibly lose your time and labour: and when all are hatched, give all the Chickens to one only Hen, and the young Pea-chickens to a Pea-henne, and see that the Hen leading her brood, do not haunt where the Pea-henne and her Chickens do come, for so she would leave her own, for the disdain and jealousy she conceiveth in seeing the fairness and greatness of the others.  
Peacock's are very sick when they moult, 
The diseases of Peacocks.  and then they must be heartened with Honey, Wheat, Oates, and Horse-beanes: They are very hot in the dogdays, so that then you must not let them want fresh and cool water: and every Cock would have five or six Hens for change, for he is grieved at them that are ready to lay, and faileth not, if he can, to break their eggs.  
The flesh of Peacocks is melancholic, 
The flesh of Peacocks is hard.  and of hard digestion: but to make it tender, you must kill your Peacock in Summer a day before you eat him, and in Winter four days, and hang some heavy thing to his legs, or else tie him upon some figtree staff, because the wood of the figtree hath virtue to make flesh tender that is tough and hard: The roasted flesh of a Peacock is well kept a whole month, and looseth nothing either of his smell or good relish: The dung of Peacocks is very sovereign against the diseases of the eyes, if it may be found: but the Peacock so much envieth the good of man, that he eateth his own dung, for fear that any man should find it.   

CHAP. XX.  
Of Indian Hens.  
Whosoever he was that brought us these birds from the Island of India, 
Indian Hens good coffers to bury Oats in.  lately discovered by the Spaniards and portugals, whether we call them Cocks or Peacocks of India; hath more fitted and provided for the tooth than for any profit: For they may rightly be termed Coffers to cast Oats into, a devouring gulf of meat, and wherein there is no other pleasure to be taken, but only in their cry and furiousness, when they are come to be great ones; or continually chirping while they be little: besides that, both the one and the other are ill-favoured and ugly to behold, for the deformity of their heads; for the male hath no comb, as our Cocks, but in stead thereof a red fleshiness, and under his chin a great wide and long throat, which swelleth and changeth into many colours when he beginneth to be angry. 
That a Peacock is better meat than a Turkeys.  It is very true, that his flesh is fine and delicate, but without taste, and of hard digestion: And this is the cause why men use to powder them, lard them much, and season them with Spices. There is much more pleasure and goodness in the flesh of a Peacock.  
The meat fit for this kind of Bird, 
What meat is fit for Turkeys.  is the same that is good for Hens, and so made, and with like diligence: and because his property is to be abroad, to feed upon Grass, Worms, and Herbs, therefore it remaineth that we set down what is required over and above: And the Farmer may well say, That look how many Turkeys he hath in his yard, even so many Mule Colts hath he in respect of their feeding. Their ordering is less troublesome that of the Peacocks, save that they do not so well endure and abide the cold, neither do they require to be parched so high in the open air: but they eat up and make great waist in Gardens, and are filthy as Goslings, and therefore some must be ready to make them clean every day. In Winter they must be set in a warm place, and dry: their perch must not be above eight or ten foot from the earth, because they do not fly high.  
As concerning their laying and sitting, 
The times wherein Turkeys do lay.  it is altogether like to that of the Peacocks, and their eggs may as well be set under Hens, and led afterward by the same, whiles the Turkey Hens do accomplish their several times of laying.  
Their diseases and remedies are also all alike, 
The diseases of Turkeys.  so that it were in vain to speak of them here again.  
The housewife shall not make any great account of Turkey eggs; 
Turkey eggs.  at least, he that loveth his health, shall not esteem of them for to use them: for Physicians hold, that eggs of Turkeys engender gravel, and minister cause to breed the Lepro●ie.   

CHAP. XXI.  
Of Turtle doves, Partridges, Quails, Stock-doves, and Thrushes.  
THe place to put these kinds of Birds in (serving rather for food and pleasure than for breeding) shall be ordered after the manner of the Feasant-house, that is, after the manner of a great Cowpe, so leaning against the wall of the back-yard, and open toward the light, woven and wrought with the strings of a small Bow, put through wood, after the manner of Bird-cages, with a door of the same: And within, especially toward the corners, there shall be great store of Perches, and branches of boughs of juniper, Bayes, and other trees, within which there shall be tied against the said wall small baskets to allure them to lay and sit in, if so be they have any inclination thereunto. It shall be of the height of a man: and overthwart, and every way, you shall hang Perches, stayed up at both ends, for seats for them to sit upon; and under their Perches much fresh straw, which you must often renew when you make them clean. On that side towards the light, all along their house, you shall weave and work in two boards of a good length, and a third underneath them, and there shall you make places for the● to eat their meat, and to set their water-pots for them to drink, which you shall refresh and make clean very often. These birds are all of them such as use to got together in flocks, and delight in hot air, and in cold weather fly over the Sea out of one Country into another. And therefore to tame them in such manner, as to make them like our house-birds, would be a very hard and difficult thing: And again, we make no further account of them than for their daintiness and delicateness; which is the cause why they are of such request in Feasts and Banquets.  
Of all these forenamed kinds of Birds, there is none more apt to tame than the Turtle doves, 
Turtle doves.  neither yet sooner fatted: for to take them after they be somewhat great, and sly well, you must give them wine, for by the means of it they do quickly fall to forget their liberty and freedom; for this bird is of a great stomach, and beareth it therefore very mournfully, when she perceiveth herself taken: for which cause also they almost never lay when they be restrained and kept in, neither yet seed fat in Winter; quite contrary to Thrushes: They feed upon Barley, F●●ches, and almost all other kind of grain: they desire fair and clear water, and often renewed, 
What meat Turtles feed upon.  and a large waterpot, that they may bathe themselves therein sometime Especially they love Millet and Pannickle, and make no less account of Wheat, of which sorts of Corn a bushel will satisfy six score Birds: And you must not forget Gravel, which must be laid by their water-pots for to be their physic, and some also in some of the corners of the house, for them to scratch in. If they hang the wing, 
The diseases of Turtle doves.  and st●rre not out of their Basket, you must take them and look to the● bills, whether they have the Pip, or no; and, if need be, to take it from them: and ●o their feet, to s●e if their own dung make them not that they cannot stir: or under their wings for vermin; and in all other places to cure them, as hath been said of Hens. The blood of the right wing of a Turtle dropped into the eye, is excellent good against the stripes and ulcers of the eye: And their dung is good against spo●● in the eyes.  
Stock-doves 
Stock-doves.  may be fatted and fed after the very same manner, but they are greater eaters, and more hard to tame: in Winter they love a sup of wine, and do grow very fat, so also do the Turtles. Again you must take heed not to forget your Gravel.  
The brown or Woodcocke-coloured Partridge is more easily tamed than the spotted, 
Partridges of brown colour, and spotted.  or any other sort; likewise they have not so delicate and fine a flesh: being notwithstanding well fed, they are little inferior unto Feasants: and you must handle them after the same manner, and give them all one meat, but that Partridges love ●ow and then to eat Corn, and feed upon green Grass. The male Partridges are ●erie hot, and the Hen doth lay a great sort of eggs: The Cocks also do beat one ●nother for the Hens, until the one hath overcome the other; and he that ouer●ommeth, over-croweth the other which is overcome, and maketh him follow and ●ome behind him, after the manner of the Hens.  
The Hen Partridge is so fruitful, that she conceiveth at the only voice or ●light, or breathing of the Cock. The meat that they most delight in, is Millet ●nd Panic.  
The eggs of Partridges often eaten do bring fruitfulness unto barren women, 
The eggs of Partridges. The gall of a Partridge.  ●nd great store of milk unto Nurses. The gall of a Partridge doth clear the sight, ●nd mixed in equal quantity with honey, doth heal the bruises of the eyes: the blood ●f Partridges hath the like virtue.  
Quails 
Fierce Quails.  (being birds living altogether upon the earth rather than in the air) do ●ot make or build themselves any Nests, any more than all other birds which are ●eauie, and cannot so well fly: They be very fierce, and in that respect they are not accustomed to have either so much scope or light as other birds. Likewise we see ●hat they are wont to have their Coupe covered with nets or skins, lest in flying up ●n high, and rising with some boisterousness, they should beat themselves to death. Some provide them Meat-pots and Water-pots apart, that is, to every bird his own provision and diet: They love green Corn and Wheat, and Mustard seed is their ●hiefe and principal feeding. They eat in those Countries whereinto they go (being elsewhere than in this our Country) great quantity of Hellebore. And this is the 'cause why Didimus saith, that their flesh is laxative, and that it doth procure the turning sickness and headache, that it causeth the falling sickness, convulsion, and distension of the Muscles, and for that cause that they ought to be stuffed with Millet, or boiled therein: or else if any should find themselves ill after them, for to drink the decoction of Millet, or of Mittle tree berries: and it will be good also to give the same to Quails to eat. The Cocks are nothing less hot than the Partridge: The Hen so soon as she hath laid her eggs, sitteth them, and by and by after the hath hatched her young ones, she draweth them into some other place, to the end that such as go about to take them, may not find their place: They be birds using to flock together, and they go away at Spring time, and return in Winter, and in the beginning of Autumn.  
Thrushes are not naturally breeding in this Country, 
Thrushes.  as being an excessive cold place: and hardly at any time do they endure this air, and therefore it were but foolishness to go about to fat them here. This bird is addicted to hot Countries, as also to such places as where there are great store of Olive trees: for they do greatly delight in Olives, and grow fat at such season as they grow ripe. It is a bird also given to make great havoc and spoil: for the Thrushes do pour down themselves upon the Olive trees in great flights, and having eaten their full, they also carry away at their departure one in their bill, and one in their claws, after the manner of men of War. They are found also and made fat in the mountain and hilly Countries, but it is in Winter time: for they gather fat, and fill themselves in cold weather, if it be any whit moderate. The men of old and ancient time did much esteem them, 
Sous.  and sold them in the time of the Romans for ten Sous a piece. 
The value of this bird in times past, and yet also.  Thus also to this day do the Italians and Spaniards; and in this our own Country, those of Lions, Provence, and Awergnac: but they are not so great on this side the mountains, as they are beyond. This bird is more sullen than any of the afore named, and dieth shortly after she is taken, if she be carried out of her ordinary air, or if she be not put presently amongst other old tame ones: They must have their meat cast them upon a very clean floor, 
The ordinary meat for Thrushes.  and far from their Perches: and some cast them dried figs stamped with the flower of meal, and that so much, as that there may something remain more than they can eat: And sometimes, for change of diet, they may have cast them the fruit of Mastic or Mulberry tree, or the berries of ivy and wild Olive trees: and yet notwithstanding their meat-pots must always be full of Millet, for this is their chief meat. Again, you must see them provided of clear water as well as other bird● afore named.   

CHAP. XXII.  
Of the Dove-house.  
THe profit that cometh of the keeping of a Dove-house, 
The profit of a Dove-house.  is nothing less than that of the keeping of a Hen-house; especially in respect of the selling of young ones, and others, which every year increase in●●merably: for there are some Farmers which sell, at every flight, two hundred and three hundred pair unto the Victuallers. The care to be had abo●● them is not so great as that about other birds, neither the cost so great, in as much as they get their own livings the most part of the year, and in that they lay six or seven times a year two eggs a piece: yea, and oftener and greater, if you change the young House-doves Pigeons with those of the Coat, after that they be once eight days old, to the end they may accompany the Cock Pigeons which go by themselves without any Matches: but this must be done so cunningly, as that the dams do not perceive it. It is true, that this bird is of great charges, and wastes much in respect of grounds: and for this cause there is no ground Pigeon-house allowed, but to such as be Lords in see simple; neither yet very oft any Dofeu-houses in upper rooms, except it be to such as have a competent quantity of arable ground.  
Let us then prepare to our good liking, 
Where a ground Dove-house is permitted and lawful to be had.  and for the ease of the housewife, a ground Dove-house, out of the noise of folks, the dashing of Trees one against another, and the roaring of Waters, and let it be set in a place somewhat raised: or else let us build it right in the midst of the base Court, which is the place of our Country house, before in this Book appointed, and that after the fashion of a stone Tower made for a Windmill, or somewhat nearly resembling it: but let it be distant: flight or two from any water, to the end that the old Pigeon may warm that which she bringeth for to give to her young ones: For it is certain, that as the Pies and Sparrows, the male and the female 
Pies and Sparrows, male and female, do sit.  do sit by courses, and as while the one of them is seeking her food abroad, the other is sitting upon the eggs; so do these for the safety of their young ones, until such time as they be out of their holes abroad. And I would not have you to understand, that the Dove-house should only lie open vn●● the East quarter in this Country, but that it take part also of the South, because this bird doth greatly delight in the Sun, beating and casting his beams upon their house, and entering in at their windows and loopholes, or higher lights, especially in the Winter time: and further, that upon the South there be provided a sh●●ting and opening window in Winter, to give some heat unto the Pigeons. There must not any window be made upon the North side: 
A door window.  or if there be any, for to let in the cool air in Summer, yet it must be very close stopped up while the cold endureth. Let the South window be turned toward the Barn door: and by the side of the said dote let there be a Waterpot set upon a pillar of stone for the Pigeons to drink at, and let that Waterpot be made in manner of a basin, divided into many partitions to drink at, to the end, that when the Pigeons have picked up the Corn scattered from the Fan, or striked abroad by the Flail, they may have their water near and easy for many to come by together, either to drink or bathe themselves in. And you must procure and see that this Dove-house be built and laid with a good and broad foundation, well covered, and the floor close beaten and loamed over, to prevent the danger of the dung, which doth undermine and corrupt the foundation. It must also be well and close laid and drawn over with Morta● within, 
Beasts to be kept out of Dove-houses.  and the ehinkers or clefts which may grow must oftentimes be searched out and stopped, for fear of Rats or Mice, which is a mischief often happening where there is not any plaster to come by: and it must also be drawn over in like manner on the outside, for the cracks that happen in Lime and Sand are in stead of ladders for Fulmers', Weasels, Cats, and other beasts to climb up by. And for the very same cause you shall make round about the Dove-house, on the outside, two outcasts of hewed stone, or round rings of plaster, as broad as three or four chess of stones: the one of these rings or out-laies shall be about the midst of the Dove-house; and the other close under the window, at which the Pigeons use to go in, & upon which the Pigeon also may sport and turn herself round. As concerning the falling window and chief entrance into it, it must be made higher than the dor-window, and larger also: And yet I mean, that this window without be round compassed with white plates well nailed to the walls, 
A draw lattice window.  and that is shut with a falling lattice thick wrought, made to rise and fall by an engine evening and morning, thereby to prevent the danger of Owls and jennie whuppers. The holes made of earth trodden with straw, are more kind for the Pigeon than those of Board, or square Tiles, or of Plaster, howsoever they be subject to grow full of chinkers and vermin, which enfeeble the Pigeons when at any time they seize upon them: And therefore, if you will have them good, you must draw them over with a strong crust of Lime within and without. Again, howsoever you make them for matter, yet they must be made so large, as that the Pigeon may turn herself in them, keeping her feathers unruffled; and so high, as that the Pigeon may stand upright in it, and not touch the top with her back. If either of these two points be missing, than she leaveth her hole desolate and forsaken, and oftentimes the house to.  
It will be good also, in respect of some beasts which are enemies unto Pigeons, to hang in the Dove-house the head of a Wolf, which partly by the smell, and partly by the shape, driveth away such beasts: or else to stick some branches of Rue in the windows or doors of the Dove-house. Upon the pinnacle of the ●oofe make the picture of a Pigeon, either of Potter's clay, or of Plaster, to draw such as fly by, thither. Provide in some place about your Dove-house good store of Pots for Sparrows, with sticks of thorn to hang the Pots on, and others to rest the Sparrows upon: and withal, beware that this mournful birds do not take up his habitation in your Dout-house, for he would make wild and estrange your young Pigeons.  
To store a Dove-house, 
To store a Dove-house.  you must first consider the contents of it, as whether it be made to contain many, or but a mean sort, or but a few, and so to put therein an answerable number of Pigeons: Twenty pair of Pigeons are enough for three hundred holes: Likewise if the Dove-house be of a thousand holes, or more, than so small a company would not be enough; neither indeed would they love it, they being of so small a number, but would go away or die in the end.  
The Pigeons wherewith you mind to store your Dove-house must be young ones, taken when they are half down and half feathered, together with the old ones their dams, and so put at liberty in your Dove-house, or rather in great Cowpes, and cause them to be fed with Fetches and water with some skilful handler of Pigeons twice a day, so long as till they become to eat and drink by themselves: for by this means they will soon have forgotten both their old house, as also the old ones, and so will yield themselves willingly to tarry in such Dove-house, as wherein you will first lodge and put them; which the old ones would not do: for being translated from another place, they would find out the way to take their flight directly to their former and first home, so soon as you had made them way to get forth, how far soever they had been brought. The Pigeons good to increase store, are the ash, brown, and black coloured; the rough-footed or coppild ones are too mournful, and keeping too much at home: so in like manner are they which are of colour like to a Snails belly; the pie-coloured ones and the hooded ones, those which glister like gold about their necks, and have their eyes and feet red, are the freest of all other. The white are strong to bring up, but most subject to the Kite and other ravenous birds, because they are very easily perceived as they fly by a far off. You must make your choice of the May flight, because there is no such fear of them for the cold: They grow more easily, and thrive better, and are sooner able to get their own meat. Above all things, let them not be pinched of their meat in the months of April and May, because the old are very many of them sitting, or else have already hatched.  
For to make them familiar and tame, 
To tame Pigeons.  give them some Honey, or some little pieces of Bread, afterward some Fetches, than Cummin (for these seeds allure them very much) and sometimes Wheat among the ridled scraps, and let them not go out till after fifteen days of your putting of them in, during which time you shall cut their wings: you shall keep a net spread over the windows, to the end that they may have the light of the day, and yet not be able to get forth: About the end of fifteen days you shall permit them the fields, taking away the said nets, and yet not before night approach, the time being cloudy, dark, and inclined to rain: for they will not go far from the place of their late enlargement, neither will or can they possibly but return unto the Dove-house, if it were but to hide their heads that night: In doing whereof, they will learn to mark the place of their receipt, and not forsake or leave the same, having never had the ●ast of any former choice in any far removed place, to return thither again. Further, if you lay upon the window, made for them to light upon at the coming to the Coat, a loaf made of red earth, Cummin seed well bruised, Honey, and Brine, all being well boiled together, and dried in the Oven; for having picked upon this lump, they will never fail to return thither again, they are so much given to the pleasing of their taste: And further, by the very sent and smell of this remaining about their bills, they will be the means to allure others along with them even to their Coat, which for the foresaid commodity sake they will learn never to leave or forego.  
You shall also keep them from flying away, if you give them Lentils steeped in honeyed water, or boiled in some cuted wine: or else dry Figs, mixed with the meal of Malt and Honey. Some say also, that Pigeons will never go away, if there be set upon the Turret of the Dove-house the head of a Bat, or the branch of a wild Vine: or if the doors and windows of the Coat be rubbed or anointed with the oil of Balm: as also that Pigeons when they fly into the fields will bring home others with them, if you rub their wings with the said oil of Balm: or if you give them, before their going thither, Fetches, besprinkled with wine: or shall have steeped in such liquor for them the seed of Agnus castus; for other Pigeons, after they have smelled the savour of your Pigeons mouths, will not fail to come with them to their Pigeon-house. Perfume oftentimes your Dove-house 
Perfumes for the Dove-house.  with juniper, Rosemary, and sometimes with a little fine Frankincense; for that doth mightily retain and keep them, and causeth them to love their own house more than any other. When you shall perceive that they begin to lay, give them th●n what liberty you can: and you shall see, that by casting of them morning and evening a little clean Corn under the Barn wall, and far from the dung, and in causing the Waterpot, wherein they bath and refresh themselves, to be oftentimes made clean, 
To draw Pigeons to a place.  that they will draw divers others from other places, insomuch, as that your twenty pair in forty days will have stored your house with twice, yea thrice so many; for they bring forth young thrice, and those which are good, four times a year: and you shall not need to care for any thing, but to keep the Dove-house clean. And for this cause it behoveth him that hath the charge of the Dove-house to go into it once a week at the least, and that in the morning, or at the times of relief, when as the Pigeons are in seeking their meat, and abroad in the Country thereabout: for seeing that they do ordinarily keep their noontide in the Dove-house, if he should enter in at that hour, he should make wild and estrange the young ones, yea the old ones themselves. In going in, he shall whistl● ●hem, and cast them something to eat, to the end they may be accustomed with him, ●nd acknowledge him? He shall empty and fill up again their Waterpot with ●leare water, he shall pair the floor, he shall cast out such as he shall find dead: he ●hall make clean the holes, to the end that they may not gather any Fleas, Lice, Punies, or Moths: especially in Summer he shall not put up again into their holes ●uch as may be fallen out: he shall cull out the barren, that he may put them in some ●lace by themselves, that so he may fat them, and afterward either eat or sell them: And if he perceive the train of any Snake or Adder, he shall set a long earthen pot upon the tail or bottom, and shall put within it a Pigeon, and plaeing it right in ●he trade and walk of the Adder, he shall set by it some kind of little footpace, or ●uch other thing, whereby she may creep up unto the top of the pot, and cast her ●elfe in afterward; for the Adder cannot come forth again: and so you shall cleanse ●nd rid the Dove-house. It is true, that Pigeons do require some cost in Winter, ●hen either through Frost or Snow, or when the Corn is shot, they cannot find any ●hing in the field: but this pain is not passing two months continuance, or thereabouts, that you need to feed them with Corn, with the dross of the Winepress, or the stones of Grapes; of which things there may be store and provision enough ●athered, during the Vintage time, upon a great heap in the house Court. Likewise 〈◊〉 this time they afford you a flight, which is called the March flight, and they are ●he most fat, tender, and dainty of all the year.  
You shall keep well the dung which you take from the Pigeons, 
Pigeons dung.  not mixing it with that which the Kine make, or the Calves, or Sheep, for it is very hot, and ser●●eth to fat and amend the fenny and wet places of your part of Corn ground, or of your Meadows, or the young Plants and tender Herbs, and to refresh and relieve all Trees subject to coldness and moisture. You may also make your use thereof for ●he Sciatica, in making a Cataplasm thereof with the seed of Cresses and Mustard, and putting thereto a little of the Philosopher's oil: as also against Headache, if wrought in a Mortar with the oil of the kernels of Peachstones, you apply it to the place that paineth you.   

CHAP. XXII.  
Of the Neat-heard.  
NOtwithstanding that we have yielded and given the ordering of the Kine unto the housewife, and that Oxen are to be kept and ordered in their meat after the same manner: notwithstanding, in Countries, and about such Farms, as where they are kept for the Plough and sale, there ●s provided a man, which hath no other charge but to think upon and order them, observed and noted that he hath almost as much pains and labour to take about these as about a Horse. It is true, that a Cow is not of so great charge to maintain and keep, neither in respect of her meat, neither yet of her handling and managing, neither yet in furniture: but the force and strength whereby the Ox doth cleave the ground, and draw the Cart, requireth one that should do nothing but attend them: notwithstanding that, he must feed two for one; and that three of the best Oxen in Bourbon, or in the Forest, do not so much as one good Horse of France, or of Beaux. In like manner it is out of doubt, that the labour of Oxen is not admitted of but where mere necessity forceth, because there is no convenient and commodious keeping of Herds of Horse, or where Horse is not to be come by, but out of some far Country. For though the feeding be good and singular for Oxen, as in Flanders, and elsewhere; yet it falleth out so, that if they can have Horse to do their work, they do like better thereof than of the Ox: Even as in Provence, Languedoe, and Awergnac, men do use the labour of their Mules and their young Colts rather than of Oxen and Kine, because they effect not, or dispatch their work 〈◊〉 well, or yet so speedily: howsoever, yet the labour of the Ox is marvelous good▪ available, and profitable in strong grounds; for they draw the Ploughs deep into the earth, and turn over great furrows: as may be seen in Italy, where there are great Oxen, long and broad breasted, in Gascoigne, Bourbon, Poitou, Anjou, and maine. Again, men of ancient time used no other beast but Oxen, because that Oxen are more sparing for the profit of the Farmer; for they are contented to feed upon pasture, without any other food or provender, besides the great profit and good provision coming of them: for being either shoulder-shot or bruised in ani● part, or grown impotent and unable to work by reason of old age, they are 〈◊〉, either for to sell, or to kill and salt for his use; profits and commodities which the other kind of cattle (I mean the Horse) do not afford.  
The Oxe-house must be built of stone, 
The Oxe-house.  paved with gravel, or sandy ground, somewhat descending and sloping, that so the moisture may not stand. It must also stand upon the South, that so it may be the more dry, and less subject unto cold and frosty winds: it shall be nine foot wide, and only of such height, as that the Ox may stand upright, and the Oxe-keeper may have space enough to go round about them, to see and serve them with fodder: as also to the end that seeing Oxen will be striking one another with their horns, the weaker may have space to withdraw himself. The Racks must be so high, as that the Oxen cannot easily reach them.  
The charge of him that is to keep the Oxen, 
The Oxe-keepers charge.  is to be gentle and loving unto the Oxen, dressing and giving them their meat, providing them good litter, either of straw, or some other thing, to rub them every evening before they lie down, and in the morning to eurrie them and wipe them clean gently, washing their tails oft with warm water: To keep their house clean, and not to let Hens or Swine come therein; for feathers will kill Oxen, and the dung of a diseased Swine engendereth the Murrain or Plague: To give fresh straw unto these cattle, and to cast to them in Summer the green sprouts and tender shoots of the arbours of Vines, or others; and in Winter, of Beane stalks and grass evening and morning. Let him be skilful to discern when Plough Oxen have laboured much or little, that he may accordingly give them a proportionable quantity of meat, and also such as shall be necessary: he may not let them take pain or labour in very hot or very cold weather, neither yet when it is very moist: he may not let them drink quickly after their travel: but if they 〈◊〉 heated, so soon as they be come home, he shall cast a little wine into their throat, and shall not tie them to their Manger, until such time as their weariness be overpast. When there cometh together any company of Festival days and rest, 〈◊〉 shall grease their horns, and under the pastern, together with the hoof: or else ●e shall put under an Onion, roasted very soft betwixt two coals, tying it thereto with a cloth. Let him oftentimes make clean and refresh their pasterns, and not suffer them to cleave or rend: and to that end let him every year cause to be repaired the pavement of his Oxe-house, which will serve also to keep away beasts and 〈◊〉 which are wont to annoy Oxen. Let him remove them one far enough from another, lest they should strike one another. When they labour not, let him water then twice a day in Summer, and once in Winter, and that in clear, clean, and cool water: For as hath been said heretofore, the Ox seeketh after the water that is clear and most bright, as the Horse after that which is troubled. Let him carefully look upon their coming from field, whether any of them have got any thorn in his foot, if they be sweaty, if the Collar or the Yoke have caused them any hurt abou● their head, or if they be chafed about the neck, if they have been much pricked with the Goad, or with the Gadfly, or Horne●, and let him accordingly apply something for the healing of them.  
The gelded Ox is better meat, 
The gelded Ox more profitable for work than the Bull.  better merchandise, and better for labour than th● Bull, whose flesh is more hard and tough, like a Hide, and more troublesome to drive: wherefore, of a hundred Calves that the Oxe-keeper may have, he shall not ●eepe above two to bull the Kine; the rest he shall geld, all of them about when they ●re two years old, 
The time to geld Oxen.  for after this time he cannot do it commodiously. It would be ●one in Autumn, and in the later end of the Moon; and the ashes of Vine branches mixed with Lytharge must be applied to the wound, and three days after pitch ●elted and mixed with the said ashes: you must not let him drink the day wherein ●e is gelded, 
The manner of gelding the Ox  and he must for the same day also eat but a little meat. The manner to geld him is to take with two straight rules of wood as it were with quitches or pincers the strings of his stones, than afterward to open the purse and cut out his stones, ●n such sort as that he leave the upper end thereof whereto the said strings are fastened: for by this means the calf is not so much subject to effusion of blood, neither yet will it be altogether spoiled of courage, not having all his pride taken away, but some little left behind and reserved which may still express his first and natural form. Having gelded him, you must feed him well that he may be fit for labour, and feed him according to the seasons and times, cheering and cherishing him by sometimes giving him a little salt, sometime robbing his head with your whole hand, streaking his back, and rubbing the rest with loving and gentle speeches: notwithstanding so long as he is in the house, let his horns be tied, and he close made fast to the cratch. Couple him with another of the same greatness, grossness, age, and strength, tie them the one by the other, lead them into the fields tied together, to the end they may one of them love another: let them oftentimes see the Oxen that draw the plough, or which till the ground, or do any other manner of work: and to the end they may lose their natural wildness, lead them to hear the noise of mills, of men, of forges, and other things which make great rumbling: near unto the time when you would have them to draw, which is from two years and a half to three, give them the yoke and beele fit for beasts of their age, and sixty days after you shall fasten them to the wain with the team, to draw it through the fields, or four days after you shall fasten unto the team a piece of wood or other load. In the end, accustom them to be put to draw before Oxen, which are in the plough encouraging and cherishing them and that without any strokes, until such time as they be made cunning: trouble and weary them not too much with labour the first year.  
If you buy Oxen for labour, 
To buy Oxen.  take them of the same coast and quarter that your Farm is: for they cannot acquaint themselves so easily with a strange air, as horses do: and if upon occasion you buy them in a strange Country, then buy them such as were bred in a barren and plain Country, and those will thrive and take well with every place, whether the air be hot or tender, or subtle and thin. Furthermore, it remaineth that you choose them of three years old or thereabouts, for sooner you cannot train them to labour, though you have bought them: do not labour them much for the first year, and especially in the time of great heat, feeding them rather with good hay than with grass; so they will grow able by little and little to endure all pain, and will fear the heat the less, and will continue sound and cheerful a longer time, yea and they will spend you less: for your cartel not feeding upon grass, you shall gather the greater store of hay in your meadows, and better then and if your beasts had broused the grass, being but young and peeping out of the ground. You shall know how old they are by looking in their mouths, 
To know the age of an Ox.  for within ten months of the first year they change their foreteeth: and six months after the next, and at the end of three years they change them all, and when they be in their middle and best age their teeth are white, long, and even: but when they grow old, shey become short, uneven and black.  
Labouring Oxen must not be too fat nor too lean, 
Labouring Oxen.  and those which eat softly and with leisure do abide and continue better in their strength. The good Ox must be of a mean size or stature, 
The description of an Ox.  gentle to handle, ready, and quick when he is spoken to, not craving the goad: and yet notwithstanding quick also when he is pricked, and going forward readily: in regard of his nature well limmed, short and broad, of a square body, stout & stiff, having a round muzzle, great ears very hairy and matches, a wide and curled brow, a great and black eye, hair curled, and 〈◊〉 it were waved, horns strong, quick, of a reasonable greatness, and black, his br●●ke: hanging down even to his knees, his head short and well compacted, 〈◊〉 shoulders and breast, a great dewlap and belly, a round rump, firm and sound legs▪ a long tail unto the ground, small and thick tufted toward the end, strait and plain back, stretcht-out ribs, large reins, strong thighs and sinewy, a short and broad hoof, short hair, shining thick, and thick set, colour black and red: this is the best: The second and next thereto is the Bay, the Pie-coloured, and the spotted: The white is the worst of all: The grey and yellowish are indifferent, his hide and skin thick and well fed, betwixt four and eight years old; for at this age he is in his full strength and lustiness.  
The Ox thus made, 
The living age of an Ox.  will serve you to labour and work till he be ten years old, and after that, you may fat him and ●ell him, for he liveth till fourteen or sixteen year old: You may also fit for the Gears, and unto work, such Kine as ar● barren or gelded. But and if you buy Oxen already trained to the Yoke, and fitted for the Cart or Plough, your Oxe-keeper must deal very advisedly with them at the first, whether it be at the Plough, or any other labour, and find out his manners, and how he hath been handled, and what qualities the bringer of them up hath used and accustomed them unto, to the end they may be nourished and continued i● the same, to make their work the better: but and it you will acquaint and fit any of your own heard unto labour, your Oxe-keeper must take the pains, and must, for the more his and their ease, know their nature, and (if I durst so say) the complexion of such as he would handle and break: if he be a slow and sluggish beast, 
To know the complexion of an Ox.  if ●e lie down often, if he be quick, furious, and heady, swift to lift and lay about his heels, or to use his horns: if he be dull of the prick, trembling, going backward rather than forward, fearful to go into the water: than you must first beat him from these faults, before you go about to headstall him, if so there be not any other thing that might rather hinder and forbid him. And know, 
To take away f●ults is a young Ox.  that for to do these things is somewhat too soon before he be three years old, and somewhat too late when he is past five. Meat and fair words do accustom an Ox to the yoke sooner than fear. And there is no course more expedient, than that which unn●●men do use about a young dog not yet made ready to range, coupling him with another dog, which is already fitted, old, and stayed: for it your Oxe-keeper do couple a young ox as yet a novice, with a well experimented and sure old one, and yet so as that they be of one pitch & strength: (for this is a principal thing to match them in greatness, strength, and nature) than he which hath been already accustomed to work, will guide and direct the unpractised unto all the turnings of the yoke, 
To match Oxen.  to all the fashions of the cart and plough. And if the ox be hard to be nurtured, and yet a comely beast, and in your judgement fit for the draft, than put him in a great yokes, betwixt other two of his own starure, which are gentle and well reclaimed to their work, and in three days you shall see him to buckle himself handsomely unto it also.  
And if you will only tame them, acquaint him by little and little to endure a rope, 
To tame Oxen.  and the fastening of it to his horns: and after a few days tie him fast to a stake, 
Fasting for Oxen.  and there let him stand fasting some certain time: if he be stomachful, when his heat is somewhat overpassed, cause him to smell your hand oftentimes, that so he may be acquainted with ●ou, and claw him betwixt the legs, and every where else, speaking him fair. Afterward▪ let him draw a Bri●e or two made fast in the yoke: and now and then set him to the empty tumbril, 
A Brife is a kind of ground that ●ath 〈◊〉 long● va●●●●ed.  and cause him to draw a little pretty way, after put into the tumbril some load, to try his strength, and in like sort acquaint him with your cries, words, and goads.  
If you have bought an Ox ready used and accustomed to draw, 
The way to correct Oxen.  and that you do not know his complexion, you must try and find it out when he is yoked, as if he be resty, trembling, furious, or if he will lay himself down in the heat of the day, and not to correct him for his faults, neither with whip, neither with blows with the Goad; for the one maketh him furious and raging, and the other hardeneth ●im: but rather to bind his legs, and so let him stand and fast a certain time; for ●his fault cometh seldom to a●e but such as are overfed. Likewise there is a certain manner and way to be followed in feeding of them: and the lack of skill ●herein is not a little fault, neither in respect of the soundness and safety of the beast, ●either yet in respect of the easiness of the work, which is attained when the Ox 〈◊〉 rather somewhat fat than too lean: for the beast that is high ●ed, if he be outrageously heated by too much labour, is in manifest danger of death, by reason of the ●oulting and running of his grea●e throughout his body: and though he escape and ●die not, yet will he never do any good.  
Oxen are not to be fed so frankly and full in Winter, when they labour not: They love the straw of Pulse, 
Ordinary mea●●or to g●●e Oxen.  as of Fetches, Pease, and Beans: they are fattened with Barley ●oyled, and beans bruised and broken: And as for Hay, it is not grudged them; ●nd though he hath it not so largely as Horses have, yet it is his only meat when he laboureth. In the Country of Limosin, and elsewhere, where there is great store of great Turnips, men use to fat them therewith: but such a beast is not so strong, neither his flesh so fast and bolide. The young sprouts and buds of Vines do refresh them in Summer: and some do willingly give them faggots to browse upon at night. They leave above all other things the young buds of the Vine, and of the Elme-tree: and such like account they make of the dross of the Winepress. The sheaves of Wheat and Rye are good for them: and sometimes Bran mixed with sift▪ both these puff them up, and make them nothing strong. The Acorns do make them scabbed, if they do not loathe them, and if they eat not all their fodder. Coleworts boiled with Bran make them to have a good belly, and do nourish somewhat: so likewise doth Barley straw mixed with Bran. There may be mingled amongst their provender the dross of the wine made for the servants, but not before it be washed and dried: but without doubt it is better to give them such dross before it be washed, even such as it is, and so it will serve them for their wine and meat, and will make them fair, deliberate, and powerful. Nothing is better to fat them, than to feed them with the grass which groweth in the meadows in Autumn after that they have been cut.  
But though this for necessity sake be the manner of feeding of Oxen in France, 
The English manner of ●eeding cattle.  yet to feed them after the English manner is the soundest and best way, and maketh them ever more ready either for labour or the market; which is to say, if you keep your Ox for labour only, then in the time of rest to give h●m either Pease straw, Barley straw, or Oat straw, is a food that will hold well enough, it the beast be lusty and in strength, but if he be poor and weak, then to take two parts straw, and one part hay, and mix it together, which is called blend fodder, is meat that will increase strength; and when you work him sore, then to give him clean hay, or full bit of grass, is all that he naturally desireth.  
The Ox is subject to fewer diseases than the horse. And for to keep him from the most ordinary, 
To keep Oxen from diseases.  old and ancient men did purge them in the end of every one of the four quarters of the year, and three days following. Some with Lupins and Cypres-berries brayed together, as much of the one as of the other, and set forth to infuse in the open air one night, in a pint or three half pints of common water: others with other simples, 
The sickly Ox.  according to the custom and diversity of the place and country. He is known to be sick and sickly if he eat not when he hath good store of fodder or provender before him.  
To help the Ox to a stomach, 
To get an Ox a stomach.  when he hath no ●ast in his meat, by reason of being overwearied, or overheated: it is used to rub his tongue and roof of his mouth with salt and vinegar.  
If he become faint and unable to do any thing, there must be given to him every month beaten Fetches, 
For faintness and disabiliti● to do any thing.  steeped in the water which is to be given him for his drink.  
To keep him from tiring and weariness, 
Wear●somn●sse●  rub his horns with turpentine made thin and liquid with Oil: but beware and take good heed that you do not touch his muzzle or nostrils therewith, for Oil causeth them to lose their sight.  
Against the rising of the heart▪ 
The rising of the heart Colic.  or desire to vomit, his muzzle must be rubbed with Garlic or Leeks bruised, as also given him to swallow; or thus, that is, or with a pint of Wine, especially when he is troubled with the colic, and with the rumbling of the belly: the colic is known by his complaining and stretching of himself in his neck, in his legs, and in his belly: as also, by his often lying down and rising up again, by his not abiding in a place, as also by sweeting in such ●ort as if he had been in a Bath of water. Some add thereto the Oil of Nuts, and others give him boiled Onions in red Wine, and others, Myrtles, with bayberries steep● in Wine, and they also cause his flesh to be pricked about his hooves, or his ●aile until it bleed. The colic cometh to him of weariness, and more in the Spring than at any other time, because as then he aboundeth most with blood. In this disease he must be walked, and covered with a covering of Wool.  
Oxen become swollen and blown up by having eaten over rank grass, 
Swelling.  especially if therewithal it were overladen with dew: you must take a horn bored through at both ends, anoint it with common Oil, and put the fore part of it three or four fingers into the fundament, and to walk and coarse them thereupon until they break wound, and letting still the horn alone in such manner as is above said, you shall rub their bellies with a bar.  
The stithy happening to the Ox, 
The Stithie, Ma●let, or Hammer.  being otherwise called a Mallet or Hammer, is known when the beast hath his hair standing upright all over his body, not being so light and lively as he was wo●t, having his eyes dead and dull, his neck hanging down, his mouth drivelling, his pace slow, his ridge bone and all along his back sti●●e, without all desire of meat, and scarce any thing chewing the cud. This disease may be cured at the beginning, but having once taken deep root, refuseth all manner of cure. Whereunto take of Squilla or Sea-Onion, small shred, three ounces, the root● of Melons beaten as much, mix all together with three handful of gross Salt, and steep them all in a pine and a half of strong wine, and every day you shall give of this unto the beast the quantity of a quarter of a pint.  
Unto the flux of the belly, 
The flux of the belly.  which sometimes continueth till blood come, and weakeneth the beast much, there must be given to drink in red Wine the stones of Raisins, or Galls and Myrtle-berries with old Cheese delayed with gross and thick Wine, or the leaves of the wild Olive-tree, or of the wild Rose-tree; keeping the beast therewithal from eating or drinking any thing for the space of four or five days. And for the last refuge or extremest remedy, it is used to burn him is the forehead with a hot burning yrox.  
For to loosen the belly of an Ox, 
To loosen an Ox's belly.  you must cause him to drink in warm wa●●● two ounces of Olives made into powder.  
Admit that you would feed and fat him for labour, 
To keep him sound●●●  than you must wash his mouth every eighth day with his own urine, and thus you shall draw from him much phlegm, which taketh from him his appetite, 
The Ox 〈◊〉 rheum●.  and doth injury him in his meat. And if this phlegm have caused him to have the rheum (which you shall know, when you see him to have a weeping eye, and therewithal also without any appetite, and hanging down of his ●are) then wash his mouth with Thyme stamped in whi●● Wine, or else rub it with Garleeke and small Salt, and after wash it with Wine. Some cleanse away this phlegm with Bayleaves stamped with the rinds of Pomegranates: others inject into his nostrils Wine and Myrtle-berries.  
The Ox pisseth blood either by being overheated, 
Piss●●● of blood  or too much cooled, by having eaten ●uill herbs in the Summer time, and especially at such time as the dew lieth upon the grass: the remedy is, not to suffer him to drink any water or other thing: to cause him to take down a drink made of three ounces of Mustard-feed, three ounces of Sea mille●, both stamped together, an ounce of treacle, all boiled, i● two pints of white Wine, afterward dissolve therein two ounces of Saffron, and make● the beast to drink it.  
Against the rheum and eyes that are swollen and puffed up, 
The rheum in Oxen.  it is usual to let the ●east blood under the tongue: or to make him take the juice of Leeks, Rue, Smallage, and Savine well purified.  
For the spots in the eyes, there is commonly made an eye-salve of Salarmoniacke, 
S●ot● in the Eyes.  moistened and soaked in Honey: some again use to anoint the eye all round about with pitch well rempered with Oil, because there is danger in the Honey, as which ●ight draw Bees and Wasps about the beasts continually.  
If he have the barbs (which is a fleshy substance growing under the tongue) ●hey must be cut, 
The barbs.  and afterward rubbed with Salt and bruised Garleeke together: ●fter this his mouth must be washed with wine, and with a pair of pincers you must ●inch away the Worms which breed under the same tongue.  
To cleanse the inward parts of the sick beast thoroughly, 
To purge Oxen.  there is nothing more sovereign than to take the dross of Olives after the Oil is pressed out, and to use it ●oft about the beast.  
Unto an ague which may befall him by overgreat travel in hot weather, 
A Fever.  with ●heauinesse in the head, swollen eyes and extraordinary heat, which is felt by touch●ing the skin: the remedy used is to let him blood upon the vein of the forehead, or of the ●are vein, giving him therewithal cooling meat, as Lettuces and others, ●nd washing his body with white Wine, and then giving him cold water to drink.  
If the palate of the beasts mouth being heaved and swollen, 
The palate of the ●outh swollen.  do cause him to ●forsake his meat, and often times to groan: it will be good to let him blood upon the vein of the said his palate: and then after his bleeding, you shall give him nothing to eat but Garleeke well soaked, bruised, and ●usked, with the leaves of the same or other green thing, or very soft Hay, until such time as he find himself well.  
The disease of the Lungs is so desperate and unrecoverable both in Oxen and Kine, 
The disease of the Lungs.  as that there is no other remedy, but to wash the stall wherein they have stood with warm water and sweet smelling Herbs, before you fasten any other therein, which also in the mean time whiles this is in doing must be bestowed in some other house. This disease happeneth unto them by reason of evil herbs, or naughty Hay which they eat, or of the overgreat abundance of blood, but most of all through horse piss, and yet more especially by keeping the beasts houses too close and over much shut. And this is the cause why Mares not Horses (yet very well Asses) can or aught to be left in Oxe-houses, because that the breath of Asses doth preserve cattle from this disease.  
For the Cough there is ordinarily given to drink the decoction of Hyssop, 
The Cough.  and to eat the roots of Le●kes, stamped with pure Wheat: others give to be drunken seven days together the decoction of Mugwort.  
If in drinking he swallow a Horseleech, 
Blood suckers swallowed by Oxen.  and that the same do fasten herself by the way in his throat, than he must be cast down upon his back, and warm Oil poured into his mouth; but and if she be got into his stomach, there must Vinegar be poured in.  
If he happen to to have his horn broken or shivered, 
His horn broken and shivered.  take six ounces of Turpentine, and one of Gum Arabecke, boil it all together, and with that ointment rub the horn all about every day, for the space of ten or twelve days: which being expired, beat Bolearmoniacke with eight whites of Eggs, spread this composition upon plegets, which you shall lay upon the horn, leaving them there three whole days: afterward when these plegets shall begin to be dry, take them away, and in place thereof spread round about the said horn, Sage made into powder; the horn will heal.  
To fasten a horn which is very loose and ready to fall off: first you shall se● close and fast the horn in his place, 
A loose horn.  afterward you shall anoint all the uppermost part of the head, for the space of five or six days with an ointment prepared of bruised cumin-seed, Turpentine, Honey, and Bolearmoniacke, all of it being boiled and incorporated together, afterward you shall foment the horn with a decoction of Wine, wherein have been boiled the leaves of Sage and Lavender in sufficient quantity.  
If the neck be swollen that it causeth some suspicion of an Abscess or Apostume: 
The neck swollen  than you must open the Apostume with a hot iron, and put in the hole where it was opened, the root of Showbread, or of Nettle, and this you shall renew often: it will not be amiss to give him to drink a great pot full of the decoction of medicke fodder, and in like manner to let him blood.  
If the neck be chased, 
The neck stead or chased.  put upon the same an emplaster made of the marrow of the thigh bones of an Ox, the seam and grease of a Malegoat, and Swines-grease, all being mix in like quantity, and molten altogether.  
It the hinder part of the neck be peeled and grown bald and bare without hair, 
The chine piled and bald.  anoint the place with a lineament prepared of six ounces of Honey, and four ounces of Mastic, all boiled together.  
For the hardness of the hinder parts of the neck, 
The chine grown brawny and hard.  let him take his rest certain days, during the which time rub the place with Butter, Honey, lard of Pork, and new Wax in equal quantity, all being molten and mixed together.  
For the swollen Chine, 
The chine swollen or puffed up.  make an ointment of the root of Elecampane well boiled, and stamped with Hogs-grease, the fat of a Wether or Malegoat, raw Honey, Frankincense, and new Wax; with which you shall rub the said Chine or hinder part of the neck thrice a day, Evening, Morning, and at Noon tide.  
If he be so lean as that his skin seem to cleave to his ribs, 
Hidebound.  foment his skin against the hair with Wine and Honey, being in some warm place, or in the Sun: after anoint him with the Lees of Wine and Hogs-grease, all mixed together, and made in form of a lineament.  
For the pain of the belly, 
Pain in the belly.  give him to drink Treacle, or Mithridate mixed with Wine, afterward let him blood the next Morning under the tongue, and in the nostrils, or else cause him to drink the decoction of Rue and Cammomile finely powdered, and let him rest at the least seven or eight days, giving him but small to eat, and keeping him well covered in a warm house; four ounces of Turpentine incorporated with a little Salt finely powdered, is a singular remedy for the disease, if you make him take it in manner of a bowl, pill, or drink.  
For the falling out of the Draught-gut, 
For the falling out of the draught-gut.  take three ounces of Turpentine, cause it to be put up into the draft by some little boy which hath a long arm and lean withal, to anoint it diligently, and this to be continued for the space of four or five days: in stead of the Turpentine, the grease of a Hog will serve for an ointment.  
For the looseness of the belly, 
Looseness of the belly.  which cometh of having eaten Herbs, or such other like things of hard digestion: first keep him from eating of any Grass or Herbs for the space of two or three days, in the which time you shall give unto him the leaves of the wild Olive-tree, Plantain, Horse-tail, and sometimes of Nightshade-berries; and again, during this said time, you shall give him but little to drink, this is to say, just nothing for the most part. Otherwise, see that he eat no other things for certain days, than the Leaves of Organ, and garden Southernwod, and every day you must allow him only the quantity of two eawers of water to drink.  
To loosen his belly, 
The belly bound.  take two ounces of Hiera, one ounce of Aloes Hepatica, mix them both well in warm water, and cause him to drink them in the Morning.  
If he have a broken Leg, 
A broken leg  for to set it, draw it yourself, or cause your servants cunningly to stretch the Leg with a rope, right aught, not more to the one side than to the other, that so the broken bones may be joined and placed again in even sort: Afterward, let lose the two parts, that so they may join close together; apply above the place pleage●s dipped in a composition made of the whites of eggs, bol●armenack, and dragon's blood, then tie up the member so strong and straight, as that the two ends of the bones broken may join and grow together again: above these ●ands apply yet other more pleagets wet in Wine, for the comforting of the sinews. And to the end that the upper and lower broken bone may not grow hard or get any other ill disposition or quality either by reason of the binding, or else by reason of the fracture itself, you shall rub both the one and the other part, with a lineament made of an ounce of Turpentine, with as much Butter, and the like quantity of Oil.  
For a Leg that is out of joint, 
For a l●gge out of joint.  or by some means displaced, restore again the bone into his former place, and bind it up after that you have anointed it with Hogs-grease.  
For a swelled Foot, 
A swelled Foot.  make an emplaster of the leaves of Elder-tree and Hogs-grease well boiled and mixed together.  
For a foundered Foot, 
For a straitened or hardened foot, founder.  take the roots of meadows, and Hollihocks, boil them in a sufficient quantity of water, stamp them and strain them through a strainer, to that which is strained out put half a pound of Hogs-grease, three small pots of very strong Wine, boil them altogether, until the grease be melted, then put thereto of Linseed well bruised and beaten in a mortar, and so boil them altogether to the consumption of the Wine. Apply some part of this cataplasm unto the foot, and let it remain there three whole days; and then taking away the same, apply the rest for other three days.  
For Surb●tting, or Lameness, 
Lameness, or Surbutting.  you may boil Honey and Hogs-grease in white Wine; apply unto the Foot this emplaster, and there let it remain three whole days.  
For the Foot pricked with a Nail, 
Pricking of the Foot.  Glass, thorn, or any such other thing that is sharp, cut the horn of the hoof as near unto the pricked place as possibly you can, afterward drop into the hole of Turpentine and Oil, both hot; and lay a plaster of Honey and sweet Seam melted together all over the Foot.  
For the Claw that is cloven or shivered, 
The Claw cloven.  take Honey, new Wax, and Turpentine, of each an ounce, and make an ointment, which you shall apply round about the Claw for the space of fifteen whole days, which being passed, add unto this ointment Aloes Heparica, Mel rosatum, and Roche-Allome, of each half an ounce, cover therewith the whole Foot, after you have bathed it in warm Wine mixed with Honey.  
For the Claw hurt with iron or stone, 
The Claw hurt.  dig and pair away the Claw even to the bottom of the hurt, with a Smith's paring knife: drop into the sore hot ointment made of old Swine's grease, and suet of the Malegoat melted together, and put into therefore, tents of tow dipped in the said ointment.  
When the hoof is like to go off, 
The going off of the Hoof.  you must first salve it with the ointment spoken of before for the shivered Foot or Claw, and that so long as until the horn of the hoof be somewhat fastened to again: afterward, you must foment it for the space of five or six days, thrice every day the whole Foot with Wine or Vinegar, wherein have boiled unquenched Lime and Honey, of each seven ounces.  
For the pissing of blood, cause him to drink the juice of Plantain, 
Pissing of blood  with very good Oil: and afterward, take the powder of Tartar, and of wild Gourds, mingle them with red Wine, and the whites of Eggs, and make him to drink them with a horn: And if this do not stay his pissing of blood within four and twenty hours, he will die.  
If he stolen not but with pain, 
Not to be able to piss.  let him blood of the blad●●er vein, and cause him to take a drink made of Honey, Oil, and white wine all boiled together, for three Mornings one after another: afterward, let him rest for eight days.  
It he have a stone in his yard, 
The stone in the yard.  first cast the Ox down upon the ground; after let him take hold upon his 〈◊〉 with pincers; somewhat higher than the stone lieth; the● let him make incision in the side of the O●e his pis●e to draw out the stone, and then lastly consolidate and heal up the wound with Turpentine washed four times in the water of Horse-tail.  
If he have the stone in his bladder, 
The stone in the bladder.  take two ounces of Sea Fennell stamped, two drams of Cloves, and a dram and a half of Pepper: poune them altogether, and make him drink them in red Wine warm. If after you have continued the 〈◊〉 some certain days the stone come not forth, then in the end you must cut the bladder, and so draw it out.  
If his pis●e be hardened, 
For the hardness of the pisle.  anoint it with the ointment made of the stamped 〈◊〉 of Hollihocks and fresh Butter twice a day.  
For his shoulder out of joint, 
The shoulder out of joint.  you must first set it in again, and afterward bind and roll it up again with splenters, very close and fast.  
For the strangles or glandules which happen under the Ox his throat, 
Strangles.  and spring from the brain over-cooled, pluck away their glandules, and after cover his head with some covering, and chafe and anoint with Butter his throat oftentimes.  
If his palate be swollen, 
The palate of his mouth swollen.  open the swelling quickly with an incision knife, or hot iron, that so the corrupted blood may run forth: after give him for his meat som● Grass or soft Hay.  
If he have the Ranula under the tongue much swollen, 
The swelling under the tongue called Ranula.  then open it with a hot iron, or a very sharp incision knife, afterward rub it with Salt and Oil so lo●● as till all the corrupt matter be run out; then in the end give him some tender hear●●● or grass to eat.  
When the tongue is cloven or chopped under neath, 
The tongue cloven.  anoint those clefts with a● ointment made of Aloes, Roche-Allome, and Honey of Roses, all being mixed together, then wash them in Wine wherein Sage hath boiled, or some such other d●ying herb.  
If he have lost his appetite, 
Lost of appetite.  cause him to swallow raw Eggs well beat together with Honey, and mingle Salt among his meat, or give him in drink some whorehound fively powdered with Wine and Oil: or stamp the leaves of Rue, Leeks, S●●llage, and Sage, and give him them to drink with Wine.  
For the eye that is troubled and dark, 
The troubled eye.  blow within it of the powder of Cu●●lebone, Sugar candy, and Cinnamon very finely powdered.  
For the swollen Eye, 
The eye swollen or puffed up.  apply thereto a Cataplasm made of the the flower of Wheat mixed with Honey or the water of Honey, after the manner of pap for children.  
For a white upon the eye, 
A white growing upon the eye.  apply thereto a cataplasm made of Sal gemma, and Mastic finely powdered and mixed with Honey, continue and use this oftentimes.  
For the Leek of the Eye, 
The tumour called porrum.  or tumour called Porrum, growing upon the Eyelid, foment the place with the Gall of any beast whatsoever it be: or which is better, snip away the tumour with a pair of Cysers: or make it fall away with ● thread tied very straight, afterward anoint the place with Salt, Vinegar, and Alo●● boiled together.  
For the Weeping Eye, 
The Weeping eye.  you may blow into it Tutia and Vitriol, made into fine powder.  
For the Cataract, 
The Cataract.  which is nothing else but an abundance of waterishness● engendered either by overmuch cold, or by too long stay and respite within the Eye of the Ox, in that place where the watery humour is placed, upon which the glassy humour swimmeth, as the Crystalline again upon it: For the cure thereof take ground ivy, and stamp it long in a Mortar of wood, of the juice 〈◊〉 out of it make a medicine for the eye: instead of this herb, if you cannot recover it, take the berries of ivy or the leaves, and draw the juice of them in manner aforesaid. Continue and use the one medicine or the other for many days both ●●●ning and evening, the Cataract will consume and waste away. It is certain that who so instead of Water shall use Wine, shall seem to deal more fitly and better to 〈◊〉 purpose.  
Epiphora, 
Epiphora.  a disease of the eye, called a dry inflammation of choler, is when the beast ●eeth not but by halves, whether it be of the one eye, or of both: blood taken away from under the eye, doth correct and amend the sight: And further, you must continually drop honey into it until it be perfectly cured.  
For bleered eyes, 
The bleered eye.  which come with continual falling down of excrements out of the brain, take Myrrh, fine Frankincense, & Saffron, of each two ounces, mix them all together, & dissolve them in cistern water, make thereof a Collirie to drop into the eyes.  
For the agues of Oxen, 
An ague.  you shall know it by their being exceeding restless, and trembling all over their body, by their great heat in the midst of their forehead, and towards the roots of their horns, and in their ears; their mouth is very hot, and sweat abundantly, and withal, eat almost nothing at all; the hanging o●t and drawing in of his tongue very dry; heavy in his head; his eyes distilling, and half sh●●; his muzzle filled and all to be driveled with phlegmatic water; and his taking of his breath long: and yet notwithstanding he doth not, without great pain and much distance of time, complain himself, or turn often. The first day that you shall perceive him thus sick, let him fast all the day long: the next day let him blood in the morning whiles he is fasting, and that under the tail in small quantity. Five days after you shall feed him with the decoction of Clotburre with honey and brine; at the least you shall offer him this before all other meat, either green or moist, as shall be the crops of Lentils, and other young sprours and buds which you shall think meet and convenient for the beast: wash his mouth thrice a day with a sponge dipped in vinegar, and after that, you shall make him drink very cold water 〈◊〉 like manner three times, and so you shall let him go into some pasture ground, until his Ague have clean left him.  
The Cough 
The Cough.  of an Ox must likewise be as carefully looked unto as that of the Horse; for it must not be suffered to grow old and endure long upon him, seeing 〈◊〉 is not curable but at the beginning: you shall make him take fasting half a quarter of a peck of Barley meal, wherein you shall put a whole egg, the shell excepted, and with a quarter of a pint of cured wine, you shall make him drink it with a hor●●, or otherwise: Or else take of Dogges-grasse and stamp it, after mix and steep it in warm water with Beane meal, cold Gruel, and the meal of Lentils, all this being well mixed, you shall give it to the beast early in the morning. For an old Cough it is sufficient to take two handfuls of Hyssop, old or new, and make a decoction in common water: after, when you have strained it, you shall mix therewith of the flower of Starch two parts, and cause the beast to take them thus. The distilled water of Hyssop may be put amongst, or else the decoction of Mints and Hyssop together. The juice of Leeks is good for the same, being pressed out well and strongly, and given with oil Olive: for there hath not been known so old and long grown a Cough which the roots of Leeks, washed, made clean, and given in decoction with the flower of Wheat, hath not put down and rebated the strength of. Of the same effect is the flower of the everlasting Tare, commonly given and used, or offered with honeyed water, at such time as the Ox driveleth most at his mouth.  
For all manner of pains, 
Pain.  in what parts of the body soever they be, causing the Ox that he can neither go nor do any other thing well, make somentations, and apply cataplasms, with the decoction of Camomile, Melilot, and Linseed.  
For the ache of the head, 
Headache.  bray Garlic in wine, and make him let it down through his nostrils: after bathe all his head with the decoction of the leaves of Sage, Marierome, Lavender, Rue, Bay leaves, and Walnut-tree leaves in wine.  
Scabs 
Scabs.  are healed with Ducks grease mingled with oil Olive: or else take the gall of an Ox, and powder it, with Sulphur viwm, adding thereto Myrrh, Oil, and Vinegar, and a little plume Allome well brayed and small powned.  
Exulcerated places, 
V●eer.  caused either without manifest occasion, or else by some accident, are very much holpen with the powder of Galls well brayed in a Mortar: So are they likewise by the juice of Horehound, wherein hath been steeped the soot of a Smiths Forge.  
In the diseases of the flanks, 
The diseases of the flanks.  wherewith Oxen are oftentimes tormented, you must make a Cataplasm of three handfuls of the seed of Coleworts, with a quarter of a peck of Starch well powned together and mingled with cold water, applying it afterward unto the pained places. But the most sovereign that may be found, is, to take of the leaves of Cypress, without the boughs, three handfuls, and to do as is abovesaid, adding thereto strong vinegar, to knead and dissolve the same in: but if this will not, then take three ounces of Perrosin, or Colophoni, which is more hard, and dissolve and make them liquid at the heat of the fire, and whiles it is yet good and hot, mix therewith the flower of Barley, and make it all boil together, and so you shall apply this cataplasm very hot upon the flanks, and so up to the reins.  
It is to be known that the Ox hath pains in his reins 
The pain of the reins.  when he seemeth to draw his hinder parts after him, and cannot lift his legs behind for his best ease; he staggereth and soltreth behind; he breaketh not up his tail, but suffereth it to draw all along after him; his stale hath an ill sent, and all his hinder loins show heavy, move not but constrained, and that in mincing manner. If there be any inflammation about them, he pisseth red as blood: If this continue, and that he cast forth much such, there is then no more remedy: but and if it be but a little coloured with blood, there is some hope of recovery. For this disease you shall cause him be let blood upon the tail veins behind, or else of the vein called the Mother-veine, which is found alongst the flank, to draw near unto the reins. For his drink make him to take the juice of Leeks with warm water, or else his own urine.  
For the inflammation 
Inflammation.  of the muscles as well outward as inward of the reins and flanks, which cometh of some fall that the beast hath taken in some hard and stony place, and which happeneth not without the company of a contusion, appoint that the Ox which hath fallen, so soon as he cometh into his house, do not remove from one place, bathe the hurt part with cold water: after that, use and apply unto it comfortable lineaments and cerecloths which may not be too hot. The marks of this disease are, the outward parts over against the reins are hard, the cod hung short, being gathered into the body, and that in such sort as that there is not much of them left out to be seen; he stirreth not his hinder legs with any ease: and when he is laid, he riseth not but with very great pain.  
Of very great cold gotten by having traveled in snowy and frozen places; 
Pain in the heel.  or else after some thaw: the fault also may be committed in not having his pasterns so well bathed with urine, and covered over with dung as they should at evening after his labour: for upon these causes the heel groweth exuleerated, and maketh show as though it would fall off and loose his place; there beginneth a bearing out, which afterward turneth to an ulcer, and troubleth the gate of the Ox: the place must be very deeply scarified, and a sleight fire applied afterward to the places searified, and again upon the places so scorched the sweet ointment, otherwise called ointment of Roses, with a defensative of vinegar and water, and so bound up and rolled. The core once fallen out, the place must be washed with urine and vinegar made hot: after this, there must be an emplaster or cataplasm of Melilot made, either of the fore appointed, or of old Swines-grease, wrought and plied betwixt your two hands.  
If the cod be swollen upon any occasion whatsoever, 
The cod swollen  you shall anoint them evening and morning with sweet seam, or else bathe them with strong vinegar, wherein shall be tempered sine fullers earth, and the dung of Oxen. Some hold it for a natural remedy to have the dung of a dog to cure the swellings of an Ox's genitories, if so that they be often rubbed therewithal.  
The Ox is enchanted as well as the horse, 
The enchanted or bewitched Ox.  either by having eaten, or by having passed under the cross of a charmed straw, or over a marked log: the signs are, he becometh sad and not cheerful and quick as he was wont at his work, yea he consumeth and pineth away, if there be not provided for him a very good remedy: cause him to take down through his nostrils; Bitumen judaicum, Brimstone, bayberries, or jumper-berries, all mingled with warm water.  
So soon as you know that the Ox is sick of any disease whatsoever it be, 
For all the diseases of the Ox  cause him to take this purgation, the root of the Sea-onion, or Harts-thorne, and of common Salt, all being boiled in water, and taken in the same water warm, and give him nothing to drink or eat until it have done purging. And to the end that you may keep him from being sick all the year, at the beginning of the Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter, cause him to take down a drink made of the leaves of Capers, Mercury, and Cypress pouned and mixed in water, and let rest in the vessel one whole night, and so continuing this for three mornings.  
If he have been bitten of any Adder, 
The biting of Adders, Scorpions, and Shrews.  Scorpion, or Shrew, or Mad-dogge, it 〈◊〉 ordinary to anoint the wound with Oil of Scorpions, or with Soap tempered and softened in Vinegar: also some use to wash them with the decoction of B●●●●burre.  
And against the stinging of Hornets, 
The stinging of Hornets.  it is accustomed to rub the place with Ceruse tempered in Water: and some do sprinkle the place of the Ox his fee●ding with the decoction of bayberries, thereby to cause the Ox flies to avoid and keep away; or else they rub the Oxen themselves with the said decoction: and if he be already stung, some do moisten the place with the Ox his own drivel.  
The small beast abiding in the grass, 
Against the eating of Buprestis, and the Snail.  called of the Latins Buprestis, and resembling in so●●e sort the beast which the French men call Fovillemerde, if it be eaten of Oxen, Kine, or Horse, as they feed in the meadows, it so swelleth them as that they burst and die, as we have observed in many, in the year past 1572. Now if the Nea●heard do perceive that any of his Oxen or Kine have eaten any of these beasts, he must make them presently to drink some Cow's milk, or the decoction of dry figs, or Dates in Wine, and withal give them very strong Clysters.  
For the scab, 
Scabs and ulcers, Corns, and Apostumes.  some rub them with bruised Garlic, Savoury, Brimstone, and Vinegar of Galls stamped in the juice of Carmint, or horehound and ivy. And as for ulcers, they are rubbed with meadows stamped in white Wine: and as for 〈◊〉 and apostumes, they must be killed with strong leavens, onions, lilies, or squils and vinegar, and afterward to dig them out, and wash them with the beasts own 〈◊〉 hot, and also put into the hollow places tents of Tar; and finally, lint dipped in Goata or Ox suet.  
For the pain of the Eyes, 
Pain of the eyes.  if they beswolne and puffed up, there must be made an eye-salve of the flower of Wheat kneaded with Honey and Water.  
If there be in them ever a spot or nail, 
Spots.  you must take Salarmoniacke, and make an ointment thereof with Honey.  
When the Ox hath his eye continually trickling down tears, 
The Weeping Eye.  and berayeth all his cheeks with the humour dropping down from it, take of the pap that is made with Wheat flower, and make a cataplasm to be applied unto the eye. The will Poppy, stalk and root, stamped with Honey, serveth to make a medicine for this purpose.  
In the pains of the flanks, 
Pains of the Flanks.  which oftentimes torment Oxen, you must make a cataplasm of three handfuls of Colewort seed, with a quarter of a peck of Starch well stamped together, and tempered with cold water, and after apply it unto the parts pained. The best remedy that can be found for them, is to take of the leaves of Cypress without the boughs three handfuls, and to do as before, adding to them strong vinegar to work and dissolve them in.  
In the pains of the reins, 
Pains in the reins.  you must let him blood in the veins under the tail behind, or else the vein called the Mother-veine, which is found along the flanks drawing near unto the reins: for his drink give him of the juice of Leeks with warm water, or else with his own urine.  
For the scab, 
Scabs and lcie.  you must rub it with his own stale, and with old salt Butter, or anoint it with Perrosin melted in white Wine. Unto Lice, you must use the decoction of the wild Olive tree with Salt, and you must take away the bladders which he hath under his tongue. For the pain of the Lungs, some make him drink the juice of Leeks with sweet white Wine: and some put into his ear the root of Hazle tree.  
For the difficulty of breathing, 
Difficult and hard fetching of his breath.  some do pierce his ear, or the great skin of his throat, with the root of Beare-foot, or Lyons-paw, or Hellebor.  
If he have his should pitched and shrunk, you must let him blood upon the foot behind, 
Shoulder pitched.  and on the contrary side: and if both his shoulders should be shrunk, than you must let him blood on both his hinder legs.  
If he have his neck broken, 
The neck bruised.  and the chine bagging and swollen, you must let him blood upon one of his Ears: and if it be in the midst of the neck, then of both, and lay unto the disease an emplaster made with an Ox marrow and suet of a male Goat, molten in equal portions in Oil and Tar, or melted Pitch: as also to rub the swollen part with a collop of Bacon, without any fat, and which is of a Hog, and a little heated, and this to be continued morning and evening the space of five or six days.  
If his feet swell, 
Swollen feet.  you must apply unto him a Cataplasm made of the leaves of the Elder tree, stamped with seam made of Hogs grease.  
If his hide cleave to his bones, 
The skin cleaning to the bone  you must bathe him with wine, either alone, or mingled with honey.  
If he halt by taking cold on his feet, 
The halting Ox  you must wash them with his own stale, old and warm: If it come through abundance of blood falling upon his pastern and foot, it must be dissolved by rubbing it hard and scarifying it. If yet it will not away, and be notwithstanding but newly fallen down, you must cleave the horn of the hoof at the tip thereof even to the quick, and so cause it come forth, and wrap his pastern in a Leather pouch, in such sort, as that the water may not hurt him till he be whole. If he halt by reason of some sinew, having taken a blow by some other beasts heel, than you must bathe his legs with oil and salt. If it come with any swelling in the knee, you must bathe it with vinegar made hot, or with the decoction of Millet and Linseed. In all such haps, you must burn with a hot iron the part diseased, and then put upon it fresh butter washed in water and vinegar, and after in the end to make an ointment with salt butter and the grease of a male Goat. If it grow upon any splint, or dash against any stone or stock, you must bathe the place with hot stale, and lay upon it old Hogs grease melted in Oil and Tar. And there is nothing that will more keep them from halting, than to wash their feet with cold water so soon as they be unyoaked, and after to cha●e them with old Hogs grease.  
If the horn cleave or shiver, 
The horn 〈◊〉.  you must first foment it with vinegar, salt, and oil mingled together: after put upon it old Swine's grease melted with new Pitch, or else to grease it there with Spech-grease for five or six days, for this will stay the cleaving of the horn, and make it close and fast where it was shivered or any way sundered.  
If an Ox do put forth new and young claws, 
The horns of his hooves fallen off.  his hoof being fallen off, then make an ointment with an ounce of Turpentine, an ounce of Honey, and as much of new Wax, and therewith you shall anoint the claw for the space of fifteen days: after that wash it with warm wine boiled with honey: or else apply thereto a Cataplasm made of Aloes, honey of Roses, and half an ounce of Allome made in powder.  
Buffles, 
Buffles, or wild Bulls.  or wild Oxen, called Buffs, are better for drawing of a Load, than in the turning of the Ground; for they are never so free, not yet so 〈◊〉 standing to their work: clean contrary to the Oxen of France, which are fitter for the tilling of the Ground, than for the Cart, as being more strong, more nimble, and fitter to toil so great diversity of Grounds as we have in France, whether they be Mountains, tops of Hills, Valleys, void Fields, or Plains: to be brief, where Ground is soft, rough, light, hard, white, black, and of divers natures. In Italy, about Pisa and along the Marenne (as it is there called) their Buffles, of which they have great store, are employed in draft, being fastened by couples one after another to the number of twenty or thirty together in one Team. The Cheese which is made of the milk of the females, and turned round, is of an unsavoury ●ast: but when it is cut in slices, and fried in a pan, it is savoury. 
Oxen called Brans.  Wild Oxen, which are called in Provence & Languedoc Brans or Branes, are not fit for any thing, by reason of their great furiousness & wildness, except only for the shambles. Such Oxen are brought up in the fenny places of Lamargues, and upon the Sea-coast, far from the haunt of other beasts, or walk of man.  
As also the Bull which is brought up in the Pastures of Villages, 
The labour of the Bull is not good.  and keeping among the herds of other beasts, and acquainted with men, is not good or profitable for the plough, for that he is too sturdy, & will not match himself with gelded Oxen. Neither yet is there any great good reaped of the labour of a gelded Cow: 
The time for the Kine to take the Bull.  but you must keep and fat the Bull by himself for the Kine, which shall be put to take him about the months of May, june, and july: and one Bull is enough for threescore Kine. 
One Bull for threescore Kine.   
The Oxen intended to be kept to be fatted and sold, 
To fat Oxen to sell.  shall not draw but som● once or twice a week, and that when it is fair weather, and a good season, and that the earth is easy and gentle: and they shall meddle but with little burdens, only to exercise them: and they shall eat nothing but Barley, Hay, and Sheanes, and sometimes the young buds of Vines, and others, such as they love: and that Ox which hath wrought in the morning, shall rest at afternoon. The ancient Romans did fasten some small quantity of Hay to the horns of such Oxen as would strike with the horn, to the end that all that met him should take heed. And hence riseth the French Proverb, He weareth Hay on his horn; pointing out a hot and wrathful man: in as much as Oxen, Horse, Asses, and Men themselves become fierce and outrageous, by being overfed, and eating their full according to their hearts desire.  
When as once the Farmer doth perceive that his draft Ox is unfit for labour, 
An old Ox.  he shall feed him sometime, not letting him do any thing: after which, he shall kill him and salt him in pieces, for the yearly nourishment of his family, and by the same means shall reserve the marrow and the gall of the Ox for his service and use when he shall have need: for the marrow of the Ox doth very much good in resolving and softening hard tumours. The gall of the Ox is yet better than that of the Bull: it doth thoroughly heal the ulcers of the fundament, mixed with the juice of Leeks: being dropped into the ear, it doth take away the buzzing of the ear: being rubbed about children's navels, it killeth the worms: being mixed with honey, it is good for the inflammation of the throat: mixed with the juice of Beets, and drawn into the nose, it putteth away the fit of the falling sickness: it is more profitable than any other thing to give a yellow die and colour unto Skins and Brasle: being scattered & sprinkled upon seeds, it maketh that the reaped corn will not be devoured or eaten with Mice.  
There is sometimes sound in an Ox's gall a stone of the bigness of an egg, 
The stone of the Ox gall.  and of a yellow colour, which given in drink, is very good against the Stone and jaundice▪ applied unto the nostrils, it maketh the sight more clear, and hindereth the falling down of rheum upon the eyes. In like manner, Husbandmen may do themselves much good by the use of Neat's dung: 
The dung of Oxen.  for it cureth the stingings of Bees, resolveth swellings, and all manner of tumours, mitigateth the pain of the Sciatica, and maketh a great deal less the swelling called the King's evil: mixed with vinegar, it wasteth tumours coming of a Dropsy: being fried in a pan with the flowers of Camomile, Melilot, and Brambles, and applied unto the swollen Testicles, it restoreth them unto their natural proportion and bigness.   

CHAP. XXIIII.  
Of the Hogheard.  
AMongst all cattle serving for food, 
The Hog a greater feeder than any beast which is for man's food.  the most ravenous, the most filthy, and the most harmful (that is to say the Swine) is had in great estimation, and much commended amongst us for the sweetness of the flesh, whiles yet it sucketh and is young, both for the Souse and salted parts thereof, as also for the Lard, the Skin, and the Bristles thereof. The ravenousness and greedy feeding of this Beast, is witnessed by the Sow which the French King killed in hunting, 
Six pails of Grapes found in the belly of 〈◊〉 Sow.  within whose belly were found six pails full of Grapes. Their filthiness and stench, their wallowing of themselves, their eating of stinking and filthy things, as also the harm that they do, may be answered and proved by their rooting up and undermining of Walls by the foot and bottom, the trampling which they keep about Trees, Meadows, and unsowne places. For this cause, in a Farm of great revenues (such a one as we describe in this place) there needeth a special man only for that purpose, to govern and guide them in the fields▪ 〈◊〉 such a one as knoweth to dress and order his Herd in good time, and in clean and cleanly sort to put the Pigs that are waned, in one place, wi●h the Boars and Hogs; and the Sows, with their young ones, into a second place by themselves: and yet further, the sick and diseased into a third particular place by themselves. 
The commodity of fresh straw.  Fresh straw oftentimes giving them, and renewed, doth fat them as much as their meat: And you must take care, that their troughs be always clean: And against variable weather, the Hogheard must have in store much Acorns, 
Swine's meat.  Beans, Crabs, or wild Pears, or some other rotten Fruit, or some manner of Pulse, or some Washings of Vessel: and for want hereof, some steeped Barley, together with Bran and Coleworts, or boiled Turnips, or great Navers, to offer unto them. And every day when they come from the field, let the housewife procure in readiness for them some dainty hot meat; as Whey, the droppings of the Cheese mingled with Bran and Water, having first had three or four boiles together: for besides that, this good attendance will cause them to make haste home, and not to forsake their company to run straggling abroad, when the Hogheard would have them to come home: These hot drinks and meats do also heat the cold meats which they shall have fed upon in the field all the day long: and thirdly, they will rest better in the night: and lastly, not become so subject to diseases. And let there be special care had that their meat be not cold, not too thin, lest is cause them the flux of the belly.  
There is also two other Foods, which are very natural and excellent for Hogs: the first whereof is Ale or Beer Grains, that is to say, after your Malt hath been ground and mashed, and that you have drawn both your best and your smaller drink from it; then with the remains, mixed either with Whey, Buttermilk, Washings of Vessels, or such like, you shall feed your Swine twice a day, and be sure to fill their bellies. This food will preserve and keep them in good plight and liking: and though it will not fatten, or make them ready for slaughter, yet it will hold them in good flesh, and prepare them so well for feeding, that with less cost you may make them serviceable. The second is Chandler's Grains, which is the dregs, skins, and other substances, which at the melting of his Tallow will by no means be dissouled; these you shall mix with the Swine's Wash, being a little warmed, and give him a good meal thereof three times a day, and it will fatten him exceedingly, and in very short space.  
Also if you take raw Malt when it is almost ready to go to the Kilne, 
To feed Swine speedily.  and as the Husbandman saith, is only well comed, and with it feed your Swine, there is nothing in the world that will sooner fatten them: for besides that it is a great feeder, it feedeth and maketh both the flesh and fat exceeding white, and pleasant both to the eye and taste: Only this observation you must ever hold, that when you have fed your Swine to his full proof, with what food soever it be that you feed them, that then you harden that fatness, by giving the Swine good store of dry Pease or beans four or five days before he come to slaughter: for without it, the fat will consume in the pot, and the flesh will much lessen. Now during the time that you feed your Swine, it shall be good that once or twice you give them good store of Verivice and Radle or red Oaker mixed together: for this will not only stay the flux of the belly, but also cleanse and prevent the Meazle, which is very incident, and generally happeneth to all Swine in their feeding. Also you shall note, that the Husbandman is of opinion, that you cannot outer-feed or make your Swine too fat: for (saith he) the fatter your Bacon is, the more is your profit, and three bits of such Lard shall sooner cloy and fill the belly of a hind, than a whole Gommon of such Bacon as it half fed, and hath the lean thereof equally mixed with the fat together. Whence it cometh, that the thrifty Husbandman will seek all means, both by Mast, Corn, Hips, Haws, or any other moat, to raise his Swine to as great proof as he can any way compass.  
Let the floor or pavement of their cote be laid with thick paving stone, 
The swine cote.  and every month renewed with gravel or sand to dry up their pis●e, for this beast though he be sluttish and dirty, doth notwithstanding prosper best in a clean house that is well kept and maintained. And to the end that the corruption of the air which this kind of beast maketh in close places may not cause him to have either any ill sent or other diseases to grow upon them in their coats, especially when they are in any number together: it behoveth that the door thereof be made with thorough lights of great bars, or cloven boards, to the end that their evil air may pass● away, and that which is good may come in place continually, and it is meet that the door should give down very near unto the causey, to the end that they may not lift it up with their snouts, and cast it off the hinges: for this cattle can hardly endure to be shut up, but gnaw and bite with their teeth, whatsoever it be that hindereth the● from coming forth where they are enclosed.  
The Hogs which you intent to keep in and to fat, 
The feeding of Hogs.  shall not come forth of their sty, being alone and free from others, neither shall they have any light but at the door which is made to go in at for to dress them. The care about them is not so great as of other cattle, excepted only the keeping of them clean, and knowing how to make them good meat, so long as until they be fat, for after that they will every day leave some of their meat, not stirring out of their place, as though they were without feeling and power for to move, in such manner as that though the great height of fatness, that they are grown unto, and the thickness therewithal, Miso may sometimes make their nests upon their backs, and yet they feel them, for they are sometimes seen to heap such quantity of fat upon the live flesh, as that there are some Hogs found a foot and a hal●e thick of Lard.  
Keep not above ten Boars for a hundred Sows, 
Ten bores, for a hundred Sows.  and so forth proportionably: the rest as well Males as Females let them be waned, and gelded after a year old, or six months at the least, howbeit the most infallible time and opportunity i●, when they begin to grow hot, and go a brimming. 
Eight●ene pigs to one Sow.  Suffer not above eighteen Pigs ordinarily to suck one Sow, but sell the rest at eight or ten days old: and a year after, 
Signs of a good Hog.  wain and geld the rest, and so put them into the field: keep those especially which have a short and broad head, the snout set high, and long without, the breast fat and broad, the chine of the neck large, his feet short, his thighs great, and in the rest, very short, gross, square, and well packed together, of colour black or white, and full of bristles upon his back, for to make Boars: and those which are very long, side bellied, great headed, large buttockt, and sides giving out, likewise all of white colour, a small head, and short legs, for your Sows: of the rest mak● provision for the house.  
Let not your Guilt go to boar, 
The time for the Sow to take Boar.  till she be passed a year old, and let the Boor b● betwixt three and four: for after he be passed five, he must be gelded to be fa●●ed. The time to put your Sow to the Boar, whether it be to breed, or to put up to feed, is best in the ●i●st quarter of the Moon, and unto the full, for before it is not good, no more than it is in the old of the Moon: and it shall be from the beginning of February unto mid March▪ or a little after, to the end that in june, julie, and August, your Pigs may grow to have some strength, and may be well grown and thick of 〈◊〉 by September: for Winter Pigs are hard to rear, and not so kind as the other: because this kind of cattle is more i'll than the others, which is the cause that in many places they have their cote and sty provided and dressed with li●●e and straw, although they have sufficient store of stone, lime, sand, and plaster: you must also beware that the Boor keep not company with the Sows that are with Pig, for he would but bite them and cause them to cast their Pigs.  
This beast is a great eater, 
The hog cannot abide ●unger. sows eating th●●r own pigs and children.  and cannot endure hunger, especially the Sows, which in this necessity have been seen sometimes to eat their own Pigs, and those of others, as also children in their cradles, which is no small inconvenience: and therefore you must have care that their troughs be never empty.  
For to make Hogs very fat, 
The time to g●ld Hogs.  you must geld them. It is best to geld them in the old of the Moon, in the new, or in the wane, and in the Spring, or September, the time being temperate. If you geld them young, the flesh will be the better, but then they grow not so much: If you geld them, grown somewhat big, they grow a deal more, but then the flesh is not so good: And therefore it will be good to do it when they are betwixt four and six months old, and at the most not to go above a year. They are subject unto many diseases: And the Hog is known to be ficke, 
How to know t●e diseases of Hogs.  when he hangeth the ear very much, and doth become more slow and heavy than he hath been accustomed; or that he is found to be without appetite: For your better certainty, when there do not appear any of these signs, pull from him, against the hair, a handful of the bristles of his back; if they be clean and white at the root, he is ●ound and healthful: but and if that they be bloody, or otherwise spotted, he is sick.  
But he is subject especially to be meazled, 
The meazle in Hogs.  because of his much and filthy feeding: and this is the cause why some do search the roots of his tongue, and others behind the ears, when he is carried to the Markets to be sold in Fairs or in good Towns. And I think that this was the cause why our forefathers made it not an ordinary thing to eat, and that the jews do abhor to eat it at all. This disease is not cured but with great difficulty: 
The way to cure the meazle hog.  notwithstanding it will in some sort be cured, if his Sty be every day made clean: if he be suffered to walk and go into the fields in the fresh air: if he be caused to bathe or wallow himself oftentimes in Sea water, or salt water: if he have bayberries beaten and mingled amongst his meat: if there be given him the dross of the Winepress, mingled with Bran and Leaven. 
Signs of the meazled Hog.  Now there are three infallible signs to know the Swine to be meazled: as if there be found under his tongue blackish pustules: if he cannot carry himself upright of his hinder legs: and thirdly, if his bristles, pulled off his back, show bloody at the roots. Likewise, for that the Hog, by reason of his filthiness, for the most part hath one fault or other betwixt his skin and flesh, how sound soever he be; it is good, after he be killed, to have his hair swinged off with straw, rather than to scald them off with hot water: 
It is better to burn than to scald hogs.  for the fire doth draw out a great deal more easily than warm water that, whatsoever it is, that may be betwixt the skin and the flesh. Yet the scalding of Hogs keepeth the flesh whitest, plumpest, and fullest, neither is the Bacon so apt to rest as the other; beside, it will make it somewhat apt to take salt: howsoever, if it be for Pork, than you must necessarily scald them, because the fire will else harden the skin too much, and make the flesh unkindly: beside, the swingeing of Hogs leaveth the roots of the hairs in the skin, and the scalding bringeth them forth, which makes the flesh the better.  
He is also subject unto the pain and swelling of the Spleen, 
Subject to the Murrain and swelling of the Spleen.  and to the Murrain, which in contagious times doth a great deal the more easily seize upon foul and filthy bodies, and such as are of a bad feeding.  
Against his want of stomach to his meat, 
Lack of appetite.  it is used to cause him to fast a day and a night close shut up in some dark place, that so he may waste his superfluous humours, and fall to eat his meat again.  
For the Ague, 
Physic for Swine.  he is to be let blood in the tail: and for the Rheum and swelling of the kernels of the neck, or yet when he is but suspected to be meazled, he is to be let blood under the tongue. 
Ag●e, Rheum.   
For pain and swelling happening unto him in the time of Fruits, 
Swelling.  when there is great store, and that he feedeth his full upon the rotten, he must be caused to eat old Capers well scoured from salt through bran and water; as also much Coleworts, as well red as others: and some do make him a special meat of Tamariske.  
For the scabs and kernels of the neck, 
Scabs.  some use to rub him with beaten salt with the flower of pure wheat.  
If he have eaten of Henbane, 
The eating of Henbane or Hemlock.  which ancient men have called the Hogs be●ne, or else of Hemlock, he must be made to drink the decoction of wild Cucume well warmed, for to cause him to vomit.  
He must above all other things be well kept with drink in the time of the Dog days, and other such hot times, and to suffer him to moil and tumble in the dy●● at his pleasure; for thirst 
Thirst.  causeth him to become poor and lean and in weak estate.  
The Egyptians do greatly honour the Swine, 
Swine honoured of the Egyptians.  and give him manifold thanks fo● having first showed them the manner of tilling the ground, by clea●ing and cutting of it with the forepart of his snout, and as one that by little and little hath taught them to make the Ploughs coulter. In like manner, they which dwell in low and so●● places along by the River Nilus, have no increase of the earth but what they toil and labour out of the same with the Plough: but the Peasants do nothing 〈◊〉 put their Swine into their Fields, and go after them with Seed; and because that Swine have the gift to dig up the earth with their snouts, and to tread in the Corn with their feet, they use them to overturn all their Ground 〈◊〉 of hand, and so to cover the Seed which the Country people have cast vpo● the same.  
Furthermore, 
Hogs grease.  the good Householder (besides the good provision that he shall make for himself and his family of the Pork cut in pieces, and well salted in 〈◊〉 Larder) shall further gather his grease for the axletrees of his Wanes and 〈◊〉▪ Again, the good housewife shall make her profit of it in like manner for the d●ease● of her family, in as much as it is very good to draw to a head all sorts of apostemes, being mixed with leaven, as also to heal the moles of the heels, if the powder of 〈◊〉 be mixed therewithal, and the ashes of the flower of Barley.  
It is used in a common proverb, 
Swine's dung.  That the Swine hath nothing in him but it is good, his ordure and dung excepted; but experience showeth the contrary: for the dung of a Swine fried with fresh butter and equal quantity of lumps of cluttered● blood, spit out by him that bleedeth abundantly, being given to the party so bleeding to eat, doth stay and stop presently his spitting of blood.  
It remaineth that we declare how we ought to salt Swine's flesh. 
To powder Swine's flesh.  All manner of cattle (but especially the Swine) which we intent to use for meat, must be killed 〈◊〉 the new of the Moon, or in the first quarter: For if you should kill it in the 〈◊〉 of the Moon, look how much the longer you defer to salt it, so much the 〈◊〉 time and fire must it have to boil it when you should use it: and for this reason, 〈◊〉 Sawsidge, or such other like meat, doth become less by a quarter when they are boiled. For this cause also it is, that the skilful Husbandman will not buy these kin●● of beasts to make his provision of, if he be not sure that they were borne in the ●●crease of the Moon: for otherwise also they do grow but little, and their fl●sh 〈◊〉 not of sufficient weight when as one hath killed them. 
To kill Swine in the increase of the Moon.  Kill therefore your Swine 〈◊〉 the increase of the Moon, and let them not drink the day before you intent to 〈◊〉 them, that so their flesh may be the more dry: for and if they drink, the salting time will have the greater quantity of superflows moisture to drink up: Also the flesh will be the better, if they be kept fasting but one half day before they be killed▪ Now when you have thus killed them in their thirst, and half famished, it shall b● for the best to take out as many of the bones as you can, for this will cause the sal●ing to be of better effect, preserving the flesh the longer from corruption. After cut the flesh in pieces, and put it into the salting Tub, making as many beds of salt grossley brayed as there is of flesh, the one above the other: And when the salting Tub shal● be in a manner full, you shall fill up the head with salt, and press all down 〈◊〉 with very heavy weights. Some put these pieces and the salt within a tablecloth▪ 〈◊〉 within a sack that hath two mouths, and shake it up and down therein, that so 〈…〉 take salt in every place, and afterward lay it orderly in the salting Tub, strawing 〈◊〉 upon every bed. In some Countries they use not in such sort to cut it in piece● to cause it to take salt; neither do other some put it in salt brine in a close powdering 〈◊〉 but after that they have made it into pieces, they divide all the Lard in two, and salt these two halves all of them, making the salt to pierce and enter into them with a rowling-pinne: and this thing is not done at one time, or in one day, but at two or three times, and in two or three days space: after they hang them to the joice of some boarded floor, or to the crooks set up in some vaulted roof, if so be there be any vault; and the Lard thus salted, is more fast, and of a better taste: And if it fall out to be long kept, and to pass a year, it groweth to be of a golden colour: So it is better to salt and keep it thus for them which desire to have that which is excellent good, rather than after any other fashion that hath been spoken of heretofore.   

CHAP. XXV.  
Of the Shepherd.  
IF the greater part of the profit of a Farm depend upon and consist in the keeping of cattle; which is performed by that part of increase which the Farmer spareth in his Fodder, Sift, Ridling, and such other things, which cost him nothing but the pain to gather and lay them up: then I dare be bold to avouch it, that the most profitable and fruitful provision for the Country House is of such beasts as bring forth Wool. 
The care of providing Sheep, and the profit thereof.  It is true, that there must all diligence be used to keep them from Cold, from the Purples, from the Scab, from two much rankness of blood, from the Rot, and other such inconveniences as sometimes spread and proceed from one to another, and that he hath likewise care, and do his whole endeavour, in keeping them both in the Fields and at the Cratch: but it is as true that there riseth as great profit and commodity to the Farmer. For besides the dung which they make, and which exceedeth all other kinds of dung in goodness, for the great substance, strength, and heartening which it giveth unto the ground, they bring yet infinite other commodities: as by Wool, whereof are made Cloth, Hats, Caps, and many other stuffs: by their Fells, which serve for Fur or for Leather: by their Milk, whereof are made Cheeses very excellent, as may be seen by those which the Town of Betune doth afford: and finally, by their flesh, which is so good and excellent of itself, that no continual use of it doth ever make it the less pleasant in the eating: so that for certain it may be said of it, that if the flesh of this Beast were as scarce as that of the Fawn, Hind, and other Venison, it would be the only Venison of request before all other in the world. And this further is to be seen and observed for a rare and singular commodity in all the foresaid things proceeding from these cattle that bring forth Wool, 
The profit of Sheep and Muttons.  and not lightly to be passed over of the Husbandman; namely, that there is not any one of them which is not always ready, and of present employment, and whereof there are not more buyers than sellers, so that the Husbandman need not doubt of any long staying for the sale thereof. For first of all, the Dung is in employment the very first hour; the Wool no sooner shorn, but it is greedily catched up; and so soon as the Mutton is flayed, you have a chapman for the flesh, and another for the Fell: The Cheese will either serve you at your Table, or else the Merchant. But and if you be not disposed thus to retail the several commodities of this beast, you shall find chapmen to buy them in gross▪ Which is yet more, if you be not able to abide until they be full grown, and in their ripest season, to be made money of, yet then may you find to content yourself, and procure pence by selling away such of the Lambs as may be culled out of the whole flock. Let it not then seem strange, if we teach the good Husbandman, that he attend and have a special care over his Sheepfold, and that in a higher measure than over any other of his cattle. 
The seating of the Sheepe-house.  Wherefore he shall set his Sheepe-house in the highest part of his Court, right in the face of the South Sun, to the end it may be the less annoyed with moisture, and more open to a wholesome air: which shall be of such length, as that his flock may have room therein without treading one upon another, setting it round about with Mangers or Sheep-racks of a low pitch for to fodder them in. There shall be a floor of sawed boards betwixt the Sheep room and the Roof, to the end that they may be the warmer in the Winter, and that the Snow, which may beat in at the tile, do not fall down upon their fleeces, and so melting with their heat, pierce down unto the skin, and make them cold. He shall have a Shepherd for to guide them, which shall be gentle, loving his flock, nimble, of a loud voice, and able to whoop well, given to take pains, able to reckon, and by nature inclined to good and honest things: for there are but few of this profession now adays (especially near to Towns and Cities) but that by their slothfulness and great leisure do give themselves to some evil devices, practices, and malice, rather than to the good and profit of their masters: so that of them ill disposed, we daily see to ensue and grow many thefts, filching and pilfering pranks, 
Shepherds the inventors of Astrology, etc.  out-rodes, witchcrafts, and infinite other mischiefs. On the contrary, the first Shepherds of Egypt and other places were the bringers to light of Astrology, Physic, Music, and many other liberal Sciences: and I know not whether I may father the worthy art of Warfare upon them, or no; as also Policy, Principality, and the Government and welding of Kingdoms: for sure I am, that they did entrench themselves in the Field, and there lived under Cottages and Cabins made of bough● many years, observing at leisure the courses of the Stars, the dispositions of the Seasons, and by long use and observation marking the goodness and prosperousnesse, as also the inconveniences and hard successes, of Times: in such sort, as that of the Shepherds of those times came and sprung the men of deep knowledge and understanding: The Hieroglyphics may witness the same. To conclude therefore, there is great care to be had in the choosing of a good Shepherd.  
But I understand and set down with myself, 
Signs of good Sheep.  that a good Farmer, to the end he may have a fair flock of Sheep, doth buy them unshorn, not having a grey or spotted Wool particoloured, because of the uncertainty of the colour. He shall reject as barren all such as have teeth of more than three years, and he shall make choice of them of two years, having great bodies, long necks, long deep Wool, silken, small, and bright shining: great bellies, and covered with Wool: great pap●, great eyes, long legs, and a long tail. He shall much esteem the Ram which is tall of body and long, which hath a great belly, and covered with Wool, a long tail, 
The signs of a good Ram.  and a thick fleece, a broad forehead, and thick set with hair, black eyes, and beset with strong Wool, gross stones, large loins, great cares, and covered with Wool of one colour, not diversly coloured in any part of his body, well horned, and notwithstanding but small horns, writhen and turned back rather than straight and open, his tongue and palate white, to the end that the Lambs which he shall beget may have their fleeces all white: for if he should have it all black, or else bespotted with black under the tongue, howsoever he may be of a white Wool, notwithstanding, the Lambs which he shall engender will have mingled and spotted coats, either with black or grey, and so by this means will become of less account and profit▪ Although the horned Ram hath this discommodity, 
A horned Ram.  that finding himself armed by nature, he seeketh to do nothing more than to fight, and is so much the more earnest with the Sheep, urging them mightily thereunto: notwithstanding, he is much better than one without horns: for he knowing himself without horns, is not so ready to fight, 
The Ram without horns.  and is also less hot by nature, according to the traditions of France: but according to the experience of other Countries, the Ram without horns is the best for breed, 
The best Ram  being best shaped, best wooled, and best mettalled, having been often seen to have slain with his bare head him that hath been more than extraordinarily armed, with great, spacious, and round twined horns. Besides, the Ram without horns begetteth his young without any danger to the Ewe in her yeaning, whereas the Ram which hath horns, begetteth his Lambs with such horns, that the dam dieth oft before she be able to yeane it. Now the Shepherds are wont to bridle and correct the heat and furi● o● a Ram that is too heady and disposed to fight, 
The rage of a Ram.  by binding to his head a good strong board, stricken full of nail points on the side toward his forehead: for such a one will keep them from pushing one at another, seeing they cannot iurre but that they must hurt themselves: or else they bore their horns through, near unto the ears; for so are some shepherds accustomed to do.  
The Sheepe-cote, as well as the Swine-cote, shall be paved with paving stones, and made to hang over the Court towards the dunghill pit, where must be set some Rosemary of Beaux, in respect of the smell of the sink conveying their piss. It must be situated (as hath been said before) upon the South: for these cattle, howsoever they be well covered by Nature's work, are notwithstanding such as cannot endure or away with Cold, and as badly can they abide the heat of Summer: and therefore they must have made for them a long house, very low, and sufficient wide. The situation of the Mangers shall be about a foot and a half from the floor: and there shall be high strait poles, and set thick, made fast unto the said Mangers, that so the Sheep may be kept from going on the other side of their racks. 
The office of a Shepherd.  The Shepherd shall keep his racks and hurdles for void rooms, and making of separation between room and room, very clean: and he shall also make them so fast, as that they may not in any case fall, and that so the Rams may not go unto the Ewes, nor the Lambs unto the diseased Sheep. He shall be careful to make his Ewes take Ram after the first two years, for the space of the next five after ensuing; for when the seventh year is once past, they begin to fail and wither away: and again, the female taking Ram before she be two year old, bringeth forth a feeble and a weak brood, without any strength; but and if she bring forth before that age, you must sell her Lambs: The Ram that is to blesome Ewes, must not be under three, nor above eight: One Ram will serve to blesome fifty Ewes: The time most fit to couple and put them together, is about the Winter Solstice, which is in the month of November, to the end that the Ewe which goeth with Lamb five months, may Lamb in the Spring, in which time she shall find the grass beginning to spring, and so shall return home with her udder well filled, to suffice for the feeding o● her young: which will be grown to good perfection by Easter; at which time the Butchers will be ready to buy them. Furthermore, for some days before that the Ram and the Ewe be coupled together, you must give them to drink salt water; so the Ewe will hold better▪ and the Ram will be the more lusty: but after that the Ewe is with Lamb, you must not let her drink any such water, because it would cause her to Lamb before her time. If the Farmer desire to have many Wether Lambs, 
To have many Lambs.  it will be good, according to the counsel of Aristotle. to observe and spy out a dry time when the Northern wind bloweth, and then to cause the flock to feed, drawing directly upon the same wind; and in that very time, and after that sort, to make the Ewes take Ram: but and if he would have many Ewe Lambs, he ●ust draw them to feed upon a Southern wind, and so let the Rams cover them.  
When the Ewe is in Lambing, 
The Lambing of Ewes.  care shall be had to help her if need require, drawing the whole Lamb out of her body, if it lie overthwart, and cannot come forth: For this poor Beast is pained in Lambing, as Women be in bearing of their children; and oftentimes (being void of reason) she travaileth with much greater pains. The Lamb being come forth, it must be lifted up and holden right, and afterward put to the teats of the Ewe, thereby to use it to suck the dam: and yet not so forthwith, but that there be some of her foremost milk drawn out first, which otherwise might hurt the Lamb. 
The ordering of young Lambs.  Afterward it shall be shut up with the dam for the two first days after that it is lambed, to the end she may keep it the warmer, and it may the better learn to know her. In the mean time, care must be had to feed the Ewe with the best Hay that may be found, and with a little ●●anne and Salt amongst: to keep her in a house very fast and sure, and not to suffer her to go forth of three or four days: to carry her water to drink, a little warm; and wherein is mixed a little of the flower of Millet and of Salt: to draw from her her first milk, because it is not good. And so soon as her Lamb shall begin to know her, she may be let loose to go feed in the fields; and to keep the Lamb fast in a warm and dark house, until such time as it begin to play the wanton: out of which house it shall be let loose morning and evening to suck the dam at her coming home and going to the fields. And after that it shall be grown a little stronger, you shall give it, within house, some Bran, or very small Hay, and that the best that is to be gotten, to keep it occupied with all the time that the dam is in field.  
The wise Shepherd will not keep, 
What Lambs are to be kept for the furnishing of the flock.  for to store his flock, any other Lambs than such as are the grossest, most corpulent, & strong, and which will well be able to hold out Winter: and as for the rest, he will learn them the way to the Town to seeks new Master. He will be always sure to keep a good round number to uphold and renew the losses that may fall by death or by sickness.  
The wise Shepherd will not geld his Lambs till they be betwixt five and six months old: and for to geld them, 
To geld Lambs.  he shall use the means set down in the gelding of Calves. In Winter he shall fodder them with the best sheaves of Corn in the Barn: and he shall rake together the scatter which they make from time to time, which after will serve for L●tter for the Kine and Horse.  
For want of Corne-sheaves, 
Fodder for Sheep.  he may fodder them with the green boughs or leaves of Elms, or else of the Ash tree, gathered in their season, or with Autumn Hay, or the after-crop. The tree called Cytisus is good for them, if it may be found in this cold Country, and being a thing so much desired and sought after of the Goats, as they who by the use thereof are made fruitful in milk; so likewise is the Fetch: notwithstanding, the straw of Pulse will be necessary for them when they cannot have any other thing, but that all other manner of Fodder is gone, and not to be come by.  
As concerning the time when they are to be led forth to feeding, 
What time Sheep should be carried to pasture.  in Winter, Autumn, and Spring time, you shall keep them close in the morning, and you shall not carry them to the fields, until the day have taken the frost away from off the ground: for at these times the frozen grass doth beget in them a rheum and heaviness of the head, and looseneth their bellies. In Summer he shall carry his flock to the fresh pasture by the point of day, when as the tender grass is covered with the dew: and toward noon he shall look out either vaults and hollow places of the earth, or else the covert and shadow of some thicket, to keep his cattle from the heat of the Sun: or else some old Oak, stretching forth his boughs: or the Forests and place● of tall Timber trees, which give a shadow. And in as much as this Beast is very tender above the head, and is greatly offended by the Sun, he shall be careful in Summer, during the great heat, to observe when the Canicular days begin, that so before noontide he may draw his flock to feed upon the West, and after noon upon the East. For this is a thing of great moment, that the head of the Sheep which are feeding, be turned contrary to the Sun, which oftentimes hutteth that kind of cattle, at such time as the Canicular days come in.  
In cold and moist weather, 
To water Sheep.  as in Winter and Spring time, he shall water them only once a day, but in Summer twice, that is to say, four hours after Sun rise, and at night, after the heat is rebated and well overpast.  
The Shepherd shall order and govern them with great gentleness, 
A gentle Shepherd.  as it is most requisite for all Herds of whatsoever cattle that it be, who must rather be and show themselves leaders and guides of their beasts, than lords. Guiding them to the field, he must always go before them, to hinder and keep them back from running into fields where they might feed upon evil and hurtful grass: and especially such grounds as wherein the water useth to stand, or where the ground hath been over-washt with some Flood, and breaking forth of some River, because th● by pasturing in such places, they could not choose but in less than● forty days be teinted, and die, except they were relieved and succoured by some good means. He shall rather keep a white dog than one of any other colour to follow his Sheep, and he himself also must be appareled in white, because that Sheep re naturally so inclined to fear, as that and if they see but a beast of any other co●our, they doubt presently that it is the Wolf which cometh to devour them. This dog must have a collar of iron about his neck, beset with good sharp points ●f nails, to the end that he may the more cheerfully fight with the Wolf, percei●●ing himself thereby to have the advantage, as also that the Wolf may not take occasion to hang him in his own collar: If it happen that his Sheep be scattered, to ●all them in and bring them together again, whether it be for keeping them out of ●arme, or to cause them to know his call, he must whoop and whistle●after them, threatening them with his Sheepe-crooke, or else setting his dog after them, which ●he shall have trained to do them that service: but he may not cast any thing at them, ●either may he go far from them, neither yet take himself leave to lie or sit ●owne: he must accustom them to two sorts of cries, the one pleasant and shrill, to ●ake them go forward: but to call them back, to another and divers cry, to the ●nd, that the Sheep hearing these two different cries, may learn and apply themselves to do that, which is thereby commanded them. If he walk not, yet he must stand, to the end he may be as a vigilant watch unto his cattle: and he must not suffer the Slower, or those which are with Lamb to straggle from the rest, or come far behind them, by hanging back, when the light-footed, and such as have already Lambed, do run before, least by that means some th●efe or devouring beast deceive them, and come upon them busy at their meat. He must sometime make them ●errie, cheering them up with songs, or else by his whistle and Pipe: for the Sheep ●t the hearing thereof will feed the more hungerly, they will not straggle so far abroad, but they will love him the better.  
He shall not draw them into any grounds, but such as are tilled and turned, or to the grassy tops of Hills, to the high Woods, or else such Meadow grounds as are not moist & wet; but never into Marish grounds, nor into Forests, or other places, whereas there are Thorns, Burrs, and Thistles: for such doth nothing but make them itchy and scurvy, and to lose their Wool. Also it is not so good fodder, nor so good feeding, which for long time hath been in continual use: for so the cattle will grow weary of it, and offended therewith, except the prudent Shepherd use some remedy against it, by mingling some salt amongst it, or sprinkle it with brine or dregs of oil upon some flower, and so with their meat he should give them both sauce and appetite.  
In the high time of Summer, 
The shepherds life in Summer.  the Shepherd shall come with his flock to their lodging, and shall fold them amongst the fallows, and there make his fold with hurdles, after the manner of the Sheepe-cote, the covering excepted: And at the four corners of his fold he shall tie his dog for a sentinel and standing watch, lodging himself in the said fold, within his Cabin of Wood, which he shall drive upon wheels to and fro, as he shall have occasion to change his field and fold. He shall cleanse his Sheepe-cote but once a year, 
The clea●●ng of the Sheepe-cote.  and that shall be presently after August, or else in july, being the time when his Herd is folded: but never in Autumn, nor in Winter, for then their dung will serve to keep them warm. And then forthwith the Farmer shall cause the same dung to be carried unto the leanest parts of his land, and shall leave it there on hillocks to dry in the heat of the Summer until October, and then to cause it to be spread upon the ground▪ or else to mingle it with Marle, to dung and manure the earth: howbeit, Marle must not be reiterated so oft as dung, for which cause he must use such discretion, as that he must not lay any Marl but from five years to five years in any place. It will be good after that the Sheepe-cote is made clean, to perfume it with women's hair, or Heart's horn, or the horns of Goats claws, thereby to drive away Adders and Snakes, and other beasts, which oftentimes annoy this kind of cattle.  
He shall procure his Sheep to be shorn the first hot season falling out in the Spring, 
Shearing time.  if it be in a hot and Southerly Country; but in the Country that is cold, and not so warm, about the end of july: but never in Summer, or in Winter, and but from eight a clock in the morning until noon, and that in fair weather, without wind, and the Moon growing old. Afterward you shall strake the shorn Sheep all over their skins with your dry hand, moistened in oil and wine mingled together, to comfort them withal: and if there be any snips in their skins, you shall apply unto them melted Wax or Tar with sweet Seam, for this doth heal them and keep them from the scab, and causeth also a finer and longer Wool to grow up an● come in place. To keep your Sheep in good plight, you shall give them Bay berries dry with salt, beginning presently after they have Lambed, and continuing until they go again to Ram: by this means they will be fat, sound, & full of milk▪ After they be once with Lamb, you must give over that course, lest you cause then to cast their Lambs: they must not at any time drink soon after this meat.  
Sheep are subject to the Scab, 
The diseases of Sheep.  Cough, and Blood, which is an extreme pains 〈◊〉 the head, and to the Murrain. The three last diseases are incurable, & also infecting for one of them having any one of these diseases, killeth the other of the same. And at such times you must change their Air and Coat, and withal, look to them the●●, and refresh them with straw, giving them that which is long & small, and perfuming their Coat with Time, Rosemary, juniper, Pennyryall, Marierome, Balm, 〈◊〉 Basill, and other sweet herbs, many days together: and presently you must 〈◊〉 unto the other Salt, with a quarter of a pound of Brimstone mingled together, which will purge them and heal them of the infection. These diseases happen them through eating of evil herbs, or drinking of standing water, or for that the place where they feed, hath been over-washed with some flood or great streams of water, in which case they never fail to fall sick in less than forty days: wherefore to meet with such inconveniences, the good Shepherd must go every day before his flock, and ●eepe them from going into the fields, where he knoweth that there is any occasion for them to incur any such inconvenience.  
For the Scab in Sheep, 
The scabs of Sheep.  you must make an ointment: of the powder of Brimstone, of the root of Cypress as much of the one as of the other, mix them with Rhasis 〈◊〉 white Ointment, Camphire and Wax to make an Ointment of: after you have 〈◊〉 three evenings rubbed the said Sheep, 
Scabs in Sheep  you must wash them with Lee, with Sea water, or Brine, and lastly, with common water. The very same remedy serveth forth 〈◊〉 rott●● Sheep.  
For the Cough, 
The rotten Sheep.  if it continue, you must make them drink in the morning with● horn the oil of sweet Almonds, and a little white Wine, being warned together, and give them fresh straw, and cause them to feed upon Folefoot; for it is commonly in the Spring time that they are troubled with this disease: but and if it should happen at any other time, there may a little Fenigreeke be given them, beaten with C●min, and of the powder for Horses. The hear be called Knotgrass is very bad for Sheep: for and if they eat any of it, all their belly is swollen and blown up, frothing out a thin and very stinking humour. You must presently let such blood under the tail, in that place which is near unto the buttocks: In like manner, it will be 〈◊〉 less good to let them blood upon the vein which is in the neither and upper lip▪ But to make sure to prevent the dangerous and common disease of the rot, 
To preserve Sheep from the rot.  which being once caught, is after impossible to be cured; you shall in the morning, as soon as you drive them from the Fold, or bring them from your Sheepe-house to the plac● where you would have them feed, with a little dog chase them up and down the space of an hour and more, till you have (as it were) almost tired them, and then 〈◊〉 them rest and fall to their food at their own pleasure: And thus you shall do in the evening also; the reason whereof is this: In the morning your Sheep coming hungry from the Fold, and finding the thick Dew, Cobwebs, Meldewes, and suc● like filthiness upon the grass, they will with all greediness devour and eat it, that which, nothing in the world sooner procureth rotting: Now being thus chased weary, they will not only with their feet beat that corruption from the ground, but also, through their weariness, forbear to eat, till such time as the strength of the Sunn● beams have exhaled and drawn away those fogs, and made the grass both pure and wholesome: by which experiment it hath been approved, that where ten thousand have died for want of this exercise, not one hath quelled which hath been used in this manner.  
For a short breath, 
Shorinesse of breath.  you must slit their nostrils, as is usually to be done unto horses; or else cut their ears one after another.  
Unto the sheep which have the ague, 
The sheeps ague.  it is good to be let blood in the heel, or betwixt the two claws of his feet, or upon his ears, afterward keeping him from drinking, were it never so little. The most sovereign remedy to cure them of the ague, as also of many other diseases, is to cause to be boiled in Water and Wine a Rams stomach, and give it them to drink with broth.  
The snivel, of sheep, 
The snivel or shot.  as that also of horses, doth keep itself so close within the lungs, as that neither by blood letting, nor by drinks it can be expelled. The best remedy is to strangle the beast if the disease continue but two days: for the other, as well males as females, do greatly desire and delight in that which these drivelers do leave upon the edges of the racks, and lick it away, thereby themselves shortly after falling into the same disease. Certain marrers of Mules rather than ke●pers of Mules, say, that there must be hung about their neck a Toad of the vine whiles she is living, made up in a bag of new cloth, and so leave her there for the space of nine days: others, that he must be put to grass, if it be a horse; and one sheep by itself in a several pasture: others say, that Garleeke and fresh Sage must be stamped together, and a drink made thereof with strong Vinegar, whether it be for Horse, or Sheep, or any other beast: others give them to drink a spoonful of Aqua vitae, with Mithridate. There will no other success come thereof, but the corrupting of the Lungs, and the Cough, which such have as are rotten. And as for help for this disease, there is not any other, but even the avoiding of them out of the way.  
The Corns which use to vex and torment sheep, 
Corns troubling Sheep.  are healed with Allome, Brimstone, and Vinegar mingled together, or with a Pomegranet whiles it is young and tender, and no kernels grown in it, being stamped with Allome, and a very little Vinegar: or with galls burnt, and the same shaved and put in gross, or red wine, and so laid upon the corns.  
S. Anthony's fire, 
S. Anthony's fire in Sheep!  which the Shepherds call the flying fire, is hard to cure, because that neither salve nor burning, not yet any other medicine can help the same. There is nothing else to be done unto them but to foment them with the milk of Goats, and it is good to shed and remove out of the flock the first sheep that shall be taken with this disease.  
The blood is a turning about, 
For the blood in Sheep.  called the sturdy, and it taketh them in the times of the greatest heat; so as that thereupon they turn about, stumble, and leap without any cause, and if you touch their head or feet, you shall find them in a very great heat. For this you must speedily take a sharp horn and make incision in the vein which is above the nostrils, and that just in the midst thereof, and as high as possibly you can: hereupon, the beast will presently faint, but come unto himself again within a short time after, and that sometime to his good, but sometimes (and that doth oftener fall out) unto his evil. Some Shepherds have tried the letting of them blood in some small quantity in the Temples, and have found it to ease them sometimes; as otherwise, for such as have had the cough or cold, they have given a spoonful of Aqua vitae with Mithridate.  
For the Plague, 
For the murrain or plague amongst Sheep  there is the like remedies for beasts, as there is for men: and I think, that this sort of cattle is the more subject unto it than any other, as is also the Swine in respect of the filthiness thereof, and stinking of the dung. But for the better preventing thereof, it hath been devised and thought good oftentimes to perfume their cratches with such sweet herbs as hath been spoken of before, as Penniroyall, wild Balm, Rue, and juniper-berries, and oftentimes to make them eat amongst their meat, common Melilot in steed of free and mountain Melilot, commonly called Cytisus, and of wild Penniroyall: moreover, Organie, as also wild Balm is good as well for this disease as for the cough.  
If the sheep become lame through tenderness of his claws too much softened, 
〈◊〉 in sheep.  by having stood over long upon his own dung, and that in such sort as that heca● not go, your must cut off the tip of his so decayed claw or claws, and put thereupon quick lime, tying it on with some linen cloth, and this is to be continued only 〈◊〉 the space of a day: and then upon the day following, to apply unto it some ve●●igrease, and thus to use these two things in the like courses, so long as until the hoo●e be whole and sound.  
If the sheep have swallowed a Horseleech, 
Horseleeches swallowed.  than you must put down into his throat strong Vinegar which is warm, or else Oil.  
If the sheep have any Impostume in the upper part of her flesh, 
An Impostume.  than it must be opened, and Salt pouned small and burned, and mixed with melted pitch, must be put into the wound.  
When the Ewe is with Lamb, 
Ewes with Lambs.  if she have a black tongue, it is a sign that she will have a black Lamb, and chose; and so a Lamb party coloured, if her tongue have spots of divers colours.  
The Wolf will do no hurt unto the sheep, 
The Wolf.  if you tie wild Garleeke unto the neck of him that goeth foremost.  
It is good also to succour Lambs if they need, 
The diseases of Lambs.  as whether they have an ague, or some other disease: if they be sick, they must be taken from their dams, but give them notwithstanding their milk to drink, mixed with as much rain water, if they have an ague. Oftentimes they have the scab and itch upon their chin after they have eaten grass covered over with dew. 
The itch of the chin.  The remedy is to take Hyssop, and as much bruised Salt together, and therewith to rub the palate of the mouth, the tongue, and all the muzzle, and afterward to wash the ulcers with Vinegar, and so to anoint them with tar and swines-grease.  
Beware of eating any sheeps feet, 
Sheepes-feets.  whereout you have not taken a worm that lieth betwixt their claws, for this worm swallowed down, doth provoke vomit, loathing, 
The ●unning of Lambs.  and great pain of the stomach. As for the rest, the rennet of a Lamb drunken is good against all sorts of poisons. The bowels or lungs of a Wether newly killed, applied unto the head, is sovereign against frenzies, & for such as are deadly grieved with headache. 
The bowls of a weathes. His langs. His skin.  The lungs of a sheep dried and made into powder, doth heal the kibes of the heels. The fell of a sheep newly killed, applied to the broken, beaten, or blue parts of the body so made by rods of twigs, by treading upon, or such like, is a speedy and singular remedy for the same; provided, that they have not been caused by the biting of a Wolf. 
The wool of a Wether.  The wool of a sheep doth appeal the aches and swellings of such places as it is applied unto, so that they have not been caused of the touch of any Wolves tooth, for so in steed of taking away the pain, it would aggravate and increase it. 
The biting of the Wife.  And which is more, as Plutarch maketh mention in his small works, the wool of a Wether or Ewe touched with the teeth of a Wolf, doth make it apt to engender rottenness, but chose in the flesh, as making it more tender and delicate by the biting of it, for as much as the breath of the Wolf is so hot and burning, as that it melteth and digesteth the very bones in his stomach: Candles made of the suet of a Wether or Ram of itself and without any thing mixed with it, 
candles of weathe suet.  put in a chest among clothes or linen, doth keep them from the Mice. The dung of Ewes with vinegar doth cure all hanging warts, as hard swellings, whether they be called cat-haires or corns.  
Now having spoken thus generally of Sheep, their profits, natures, qualities, keep, and preservations, we will a little (according to the opinion of Serres) made further into their use and properties, you shall then understand that sheep are two ways two fold, first they are either pasture sheep, 
〈◊〉 of Sheep.  or field sheep; sheep bred either of a fruitful ground, and rich lere, or upon barren ground, and poor lere, your pasture Sheep are those which are kept in several and enclosed grounds, being either fertile or hard, and have their preservation either for breed or the shambles, and the field sheep are those which are kept on the tilth or sallow fields, or else upon open and waste commons, and are preserved either for breed or the manuring of arable ground, and those sheep which are to walk upon the fallow fields, you shall put to the Ram rather before than after Michaelmas, that their Lambs may have strength before May day to follow their dams over the clots and rough grounds, and your pasture sheep you shall put to the Rams not before S. Luke's day that the dams may have full bit and strength of grass to feed up and fatten their Lambs quickly, for the choice of your sheep for any of these soils, you shall take such as agree with the lere and colour of your earth, rather bringing them from a worse soil to a better, than from a good soil to a bad; knowing withal that your fat earth though it bear a great sheep, and much burden of wool, yet it is but course, and your barren earths, though it bear but a small sheep, and smaller burden of wool, yet if the lere be right, the wool will be finest and dearest, except the soil be very much cold, or very much moist, and then the staple will be but hairy, as may be seen in the Northern and less fruitful Countries. Now for the leers of sheep, you shall understand that the brown hazel lere is of all other the best, the red lere next to it, the yellow lere next to the red, and the done dyrtie leer of all other the worst, and least profitable, all manner of sand grounds yield good leers, so do most of your mixed earths, your clays, if not too wet, are reasonable, but your flyntie, gravelly, peeble soils, yield never any goodness at all, your doded white fast sheep that is rough and well wooled about the eyes, is ever profitable both to the shears and the shambles, being commonly of good bone, are good burden, but the bare or black fast sheep, though he may have a good coat, yet it is so light that he cannot be held much commodious to either.   

CHAP. XXVI.  
Of the Goatheard.  
sundry countries in Europe, and particularly some places of France are to be found, where they have not the commodity and benefit of any greater cattle than the Goat, and of this they can make milk meats, much Butter, and more wholesome than that of the sheep, as other things also accompanying the same, the wool and skin only excepted, of which notwithstanding they make Chamlet in Turkey, 
Chamlet made of Goat's hair.  and as for their young ones, they are sold in their season, and make as good meat as any that can be found. And this time is when as birds do couple and match together, and other beasts go to rut, for the young ones of this kind being indeed very young, 
Young Kids well esteemed. The loosening trick of cooks.  are apt to be compared with the Lambs of the same age. Witness to the Cooks and Vittailers, which craftily set the tail of a Kid upon the quarter of a lamb, which is found to have but a skinnie and unsavoury flesh, without any daintiness or taste at all save of the milk.  
The Goat is fed as it were with nothing: he brouseth and feedeth of all manner of grass, of pricking things be they never so sharp: upon the hedges, bushes, 
The goats usual meat and fodder.  brambles, yea upon venomous and infectious things, he loveth to browse the wood of fruit trees: he delighteth to lick the moist walls, and rocks tasting of Saltpetur, in such sort as that you shall never see a Goat die of hunger: he feedeth for the most part of a more solid meat than the Wether, and climbeth into higher places, and where the Sun hath greater power: beside, he is of greater stirring, and more given to exercise, and therewithal framed of a more strong and lusty body. These have been the causes why men in times past have esteemed them, 
Goats are of great request in hilly countries.  as they do yet also in hilly countries: and we for the few that we have, do provide Herds and Houses for them amongst the Sheep, and we separate the male Goats in such sort as we do the Rams. Their house must be paved with stone, either by workmen or naturally: for these cattle are not allowed any kind of litter at all, and that because they like it better to lie upon the bare and hard ground, than to lie upon litter: yea and oftentimes they will lie asleep upon the ●●rie points of rocks, or upon the steep corners of high hills toward the heat o● 〈◊〉 Sun, rather than under any shadow; or else upon the fresh and soft grass: but 〈◊〉 be of variable complexions; and therefore it is no shame for a man to call another goatie, if he be found mutable and full of changes in his manners and carriage. An● for as much as we are far off from Languedoc, Awergne, and the hilly places 〈◊〉 Savoy, in which this kind of provision being a special commodity of those country's, is had in great estimation, we will make a shorter description and discourse both of the manner of ordering them, than we do in the like case of such as bear woall as also for that these two sorts of cattle are placed together under one roof, and 〈◊〉 one cratch, feeding upon the like fodder, and are as it were handled after the 〈◊〉 manner, and kept in the same flock.  
The painful Goatheard shall make clean their house every day, 
The office of the Goatheard.  and shall not suffer any dung or moisture therein, or that with trampling they make any dirt, for all these are very contrary unto goats. He himself must be of the nature of goa●▪ that is to say, nimble, courageous, rough, hard, diligent, patient, cheerful, and bold, and adventuring to go amongst the rocks, through deserts and bushes, no● that he should follow his flock into every place as other herds do their cattle, b●● that he be every day before them. He must not be charged with more than fifty, because this cattle is foolish and dissolute, easy to stray abroad hither and thither, contrary unto sheep, which keep together, and trouble not their herd with gathering of them together. He shall beware and not suffer them to feed in cold places, far cold is more hurtful unto them than any other thing. He shall draw them forth to the fields by break of day so long as the dew falleth; that so having filled themselves of the grass thus bedewed, they may return home about nine of the clock their udders of milk: and then again, about three, they are to be sent to the fields, that they may feed and continue there until the evening. In Winter time he may lead them to fields from nine a clock until night, without any hurt done unto them, either by the open air, or cold, be it never so sharp, they are of so strong 〈◊〉 It is true, that if the weather be tedious, or rainy, or full of Snow, as in Winter, he shall keep them in their cote, and give them to eat the tender sprouts and stalks of herbs gathered in September, and dried in the Sun, and afterward kept in the hay fit, or some such other place out of the rain. He shall use the means to cause them to engender in Autumn before the month of December, 
The goats bucking time.  as he doth the sheep, to the end, that in the Spring, when the trees bud, and the woods begin to put forth new leaves, they may bring forth their young ones. When he would have his goats to have good store of milk, 
To make t●e goats to have much milk.  he shall give them to eat enough five-leaved grass, or shall tie about their bellies the herb Dittanie, or else carry them to feed in some place where there groweth great store of it.  
The goodness of a goat must be esteemed and gathered by these signs. If she be one year old, 
The 〈…〉 a good goat.  and not past five; if she have a great body, firm and swift, thick hair, great and gross teats, large beneath the tail, and about her thighs, rather of a reddish or black colour than of a white; for although that some say, that the white do yield more milk, yet the reddish coloured and black are more pleasant, frolic, and merrily disposed: without horns, rather than horned; for those which have no horns, do not cast their young so soon, and they do keep more conveniently amongst sheep, than those which have horns.  
The male goat is much to be esteemed if he be not above five year old (for in respect of his heat, 
The male goat.  which is exceeding great, he doth easily grow old:) which hath a great body, gross legs, a thick and short neck, hanging and great ears, a small head, black hair, thick, neat, and long, without horns; for such as have horns, by reason of their pushing and eagerness, are dangerous: which hath likewise under his chaps two bearded knobs or kernels.  
The profit that the farmer may make of his goats, 
〈…〉  is their dung, whether it be by folding them upon their fallows in the Summer time, or that it be such as is made 〈◊〉 gathered in their coats: the Kids, the flesh whereof is held so dainty: the Goat-●word, whereof gloves are made; as also counterfeit Chamois, dry leather, or Spanish ●●ather, and all the gabs wherein Oils are wont to be carried in to and fro: the 〈◊〉 of the male goat, whereof are made the best dry and Spanish leather, so much 〈◊〉 request for pumps and pantofles: the suet of the male Buck, whereof the physicians do make such use, and find so singular in the curing of bloody fluxes: the ●kins of Kids, whereof are made handsome, dainty, and soft gloves, good girdles, ●●urses, and needle-cases: and Cheese which shall be made after the fashion of Cow-milke-cheese. It is most true that some do make them after the fashion of little thin Angelot's, and those are the excellent cheeses, which have been wont to be made at Nismes heretofore, as Pliny recordeth, howsoever now at this present, Baus doth carry away the name.  
And now somewhat as concerning the gabs made of Goats-skins for to carry Oil in, 
gabs made of goats-skins.  as we have daily experience out of the countries of Provence and Langue●oc: you must first cut from the dead Goat the head only close by the neck, and ●he feet at the second joint of the legs: afterward, flaying the rest of the legs unto the privy parts of the beast, to turn the rest over all the body, and keeping the hairy side outward to salt it three or four times, and to rub over all the skin every where with salt very well; afterward, to sew it and make it into a bag for Oil, as it may best serve: you must notwithstanding keep it always full, blown up, and tied somewhere up on high, that it may not touch the earth, for otherwise it would be gnawed in pieces of vermin. 
Butter of goat's milk.  She shall not make account to make Butter of their milk in any great quantity, for the milk of goats hath no such store of fat or oily substance in it, seeing there is always much ado to get forth even some small portion; and yet, which is more, when it is out, it looketh whitish, hard, and tasteth like tallow: and thirdly, because in Languedoe and Provence, they gather not any Butter at all, being given to make Cheese, namely those Cheeses which are called small Cheeses.  
As concerning the diseases of a Goat, 
The goat is never without an ague.  she is never without an ague in this Country, and that in such sort, as that if they be free from it but a little, they die: besides the diseases of sheep, whereunto Goats are subject, there are three other, whereunto the Goat is subject, that is to say, the dropsy, swelling after she hath brought forth her young, 
The diseases of goats.  and the dry disease. The dropsy happeneth unto her by drinking too much water, and then you must make incision under the shoulder, and draw forth all the gathered superfluous moisture, and after heal the wound with tar. 
The matrix swollen.  After she hath brought forth her young, if her matrix be swollen, or if she be not well purged of her afterbirth, you must cause her to drink a great glass full of very good wine. 
The dry disease  The dry disease cometh upon her in the time of hot seasons, as wherein her teats are so dried up, as that they are like unto wood for dryness, and in such case you must rub her teats with cream: and as for other her diseases, you must cure them with those remedies which are set down for the diseases of ewes.  
The good housewife that setteth by the health of her folk, 
The flesh of goats.  shall not give any goat's flesh unto her people to eat, except it be in time of great dearth and scarcity, because the eating of this flesh doth breed the falling sickness. Likewise our predecessors had the flesh in such a loathed detestation, as that they would not deign to touch it, no not name it: notwithstanding if necessity do force us to feed upon it, as many poor peasants dwelling in villages do (having good store of goats, and which only are the store of their powdering tubs, as also being persuaded thereto through covetousness) than they must boil them in a pot not covered, and in great quantity of water, with good store of spices and cloves, and yet after all this, not to eat it before it be cold, she may gather some profitable thing both of the male and female goat for the health of her family: 
Goat's milk.  For the milk of the female is very singular for the hardness of the spleen, if so be that she have been fed any space of time with ivy. The reddish and bloudlike liquor which distilleth from her liver when it is roasted, 
Goat's blood.  is good for the weak eyes. The blood of the male or 〈◊〉 Goat fried, 
The blood of the malegoat.  stayeth the flux of the belly. The blood of the male hardeneth 〈◊〉 dried up in lumps, is ●ingular against the stone. The powder of the Goat's 〈◊〉 burned, 
The goat's horn  cleanseth and maketh white the teeth: drunk with Rose or 〈◊〉 water, it stayeth the bloody flux: The fume or smoke coming of the burning of Goat's horn doth drive away Serpents in what place soever that they be. The dung of Goats applied in form of a cataplasm doth resolve swellings under the ears, 
Goat's dung.  in the flanks, the Sciatica, and other Apostumes, especially if it be 〈◊〉 with the flower of Barley, and water and vinegar, or with fresh Butter or the 〈◊〉 of the Oil of Nuts; which is more, if you give but five trottles of Goats dung wit● a small draft of white Wine, the space of eight days every morning, it 〈◊〉 heal the jaundice.   

CHAP. XXVII.  
Of the Dogs kenel.  
Unto the Shepherd, serving also in steed of the Goatheard, doth belong the charge of the Dog-house, in the ordering of this our Country government, as well because necessity commandeth that he should 〈◊〉 Bloodhounds to fight and chase away the Wolves; Hounds and water Spaniels for the purpose of such things as now and then he may meet, withal i● the fields, or which escapeth unawares out of the rivers or standing waters: as also▪ Mastiffs, which are given him in charge by the farmer, as being for the guard and keeping of his house, and of these there shall be one or two which shall be kept fa●● all the day, chained to some post reared in the Court on the left hand as you go i●, for to give advertisement of the coming in or going out of strangers, and to make such afraid as might come to do mischief: but on the night such dogs shall be let loose, and put amongst the rest which come from the field, to bolden them 〈◊〉 their charge, as in ranging and keeping the Court, as well to defend it from thieves, as to free it from the raven of wild beasts, which give themselves wholly to the purchase in the night time. This then is his charge, to feed them, to make the● clean, to brush them and wipe off the dust from them, to correct them, reclaims them, teach and fit them for that which it is needful that they should do, and to this end the farmer must not withhold from him the great of the sift, which may be prepared for them at every baking, besides what may come unto them for their fees upon every purchase either of tame or wild thing. He shall likewise have 〈◊〉 to see to the collars that are requisite about the said dogs, 
To meet with the madness of dogs.  he shall see them washed in the heat of the weather for fear they should go mad: as also that they may lie upon fresh and ●oft straw after that they have traveled: they must also be sparingly fed, thereby to make them the more fierce upon the prey, and the readier to course, and he shall watch with his Crossbow or Pistol, to meet with some wild flesh, if any co●e in those quarters, which his business doth draw him unto.  
I mean therefore that the Husbandman should have care to provide three sorts of dogs in his house. 
Three sorts of dogs needful about a country 〈◊〉.  The one called the watch dog, to discover the secret and covert conveyances of things stolen by men: the second, called the shepherds dog, to resist the injuries and outrages offered by men or wild beasts, and to drive them away: the third, called Hounds, or Hunting-dogges, and these do● not bring any profit to the Husbandman, but rather may be said to hinder hi● work, and keep him from his business. But I will only speak of those which are for the keeping of the house and cattle, and reserve the hunting dog for to entreat of in our seventh Book, where I intent to speak a word or two of hunting.  
The dog appointed for the keeping of the Farm, 
The qualities of a watch-dogge.  must be of gross and great corpulency, having his body well and square compact, and rather short than long. Let his head be so great and thick, as that it may show to be the greatest part of his body, his countenance somewhat resembling a man's, his throat great and wide, thick and great lips hollowed after the manner of valleys, his neck thick and short, his ears great and hanging, his eyes black or Azure, fiery, and sparkling, his breast broad, and full of hair, his tail short and thick, which is a mark of strength, for the long and small tail is only a sign of swiftness, his foot and nails great, his bark base, loud, and fearful, he must be reasonably fierce, for the gentle dogs do faun upon thieves, and the over-fierce would not let to leap in the bosom of your familiar friends, and servants: especially let him be watchful, & keeping good guard, not a rover, running hither and thither, but soon satisfied and stayed, rather than active and busily gadding, 
The best colours of Mastiffs.  he must also be black, to the end he may be more terrible unto the thief by day, and not so well perceived of him by night; or if he be blue, brinded, or a dark fallow, not any of these colours are amiss, but show much strength, valour, and fierceness, and are commonly the best breeds of all others, as is to be seen in England, from whence France hath been only enriched with all her chiefest Mastiffs.  
The shepherds dog needs not, 
The quality of the shepherds dog.  nor must not, be so great and heavy as that of the Farm, and yet notwithstanding he must be strong and lusty, and somewhat ready and light: for he is used both for fight and running; intended, that he must watch and hunt away the Wolves, and if they should carry any thing away, then to pursue them, and take it from them: Wherefore in this respect it were better that he should be long made rather than short and square, seeing every beast of a long body is more fit for the race, than that which hath a short and square body. He must be of a white colour, that so the Shepherd may more easily discern him from amongst the Wolves, and know him as well in the twilight, as also in the very darkest time of the same. If he be in the rest of his limbs like unto the house dog, he cannot choose but be a good one. 
The meat fit for dogs.  Both these sorts of dogs are fed with like meat, as with Wheaten bread, the flower of Barley with Whey, warm broth, and sodden Beans. 
The time for dogs and bitches to engender.  The Shepherd which hath this charge, shall not let either Dog or Bitch engender before they be a year old, and not after that they be ten years old. He shall take from the Bitch her first litter, for being young and newly acquainted with such matters, she should not feed and nourish them well; and again, such her feeding of them would hinder her in her growth every manner of way: as also, the dog of the first litter is of a feeble and weak condition, and for the most part subject to run mad. Six months after the Bitch hath whelped, he shall not suffer the Whelps to go forth, until such time as they become strong, except it be only to play and sport themselves with their dam, for fear that in attempting to leap hedge or ditch, 
The ordering of Whelps.  they do not burst and beat out their guts. He shall not let them suck any other milk but that of their own Bitch, and if it happen that she want and have not enough, they shall have Goat's milk given them until they be four months old: he shall not call them by very long name, 
The names of dogs.  that so assoon as they be called they may know that they are called. And again, it is not good that their name should be of less than two syllables. 
A sinew in the tails of dogs.  When these Whelps are forty days old, he shall break the tip of their tail, and shall draw out a sinew that runneth along the joints of the back, even unto the end of the tail, this will keep them from growing too much in length, 
To make himself followed of dogs.  and will also be a means to keep them from running mad. He shall make his dogs come after him, and the means to do it (as some say) is to give them now and then some boiled frogs to eat; or to make it more sure to give them bruised Salt, 
The way to keep dogs from running at you.  or else to cast them a piece of bread, which he hath kept a good while under his armpits, in such sort as that it be a little moistened with the sweat of them, or else to let them smell the afterbirth of another Bitch, which he shall have wrapped up in a cloth. Likewise he shall learn some piece of cunning to make that he may not be barked at, nor set upon by other dogs how raging soever they be.  
And to effect this, he shall hold in his hand the eye of a black dog pulled from him alive, or for the more certainty, the eye or the heart of a Wolf, or the tongue of a she Wolf. 
To make dogs fight.  He shall incense them to fight the one with the other, by clapping his hands, and yet he shall beware that neither of them be overcome▪ for making of him timorous and dastardly. 
Dog's may not 〈◊〉 sheeps flesh.  He shall not in any case suffer them to eat the flesh 〈◊〉 dead Sheep, lest thereby they fall to set upon and snatch up such as are alive: for very hardly and with much ado will they be made to forsake this fault, if once they have begun to eat raw flesh. He shall frame them in their youth to bring, and the better to teach them so to do, he shall first cast a pretty way from him a piece of bread. He shall be careful to heal them when they be sick. They are subject 〈◊〉 specially unto three diseases, 
dogs diseases.  madness, the squinancy, and the pain of the thigh●▪ Madness taketh them in the extreme Summer heat, and in the excessive cold of Winter: and for the better keeping of them from this disease, it will be good 〈◊〉 during the time of excessive heat and cold, they have often given them cold water 〈◊〉 cool them withal, and to temper the heat of their blood: or for the more certainty, whiles they be yet young, you may pluck from them at their tails end, a sinew, which goeth along through the joints of the back bone: Or else to take from under their tongue a little sinew which is like unto a small broad and round worm. To 〈◊〉 them of this disease, so soon as the matter is perceived, he shall cause him to drink the juice of Beets, with the pith of Elder tree: or else burn him in the brow with 〈◊〉 hot iron: or else to souse him every day for the space of fifteen or twenty days together in Sea-water, three or four times a day: or else in warm water made 〈◊〉 for salted or Sea-water hath a singular virtue against the madness of a dog. And these are the signs of a mad dog: he is more dry and lean than ordinarily he was wont to be, he eateth nothing, neither drinketh, although he seem to be muc● altered and starved with want of them; he hateth water more than any thing else, 〈◊〉 the sight whereof he falleth into trembling and staring of his hair all over his body▪ his eyes are red and fiery, his look is aside, stern, and fixed upon him whom he beholdeth: he doth nothing but run hither and thither without reason, his head and ears cast down, his mouth very much gaping, hanging out a great black and wa● tongue; foaming and drivelling at his mouth, and snivel at his nose; his tail hanging betwixt his legs; barking with a hoarse voice, and hanging his head upon the 〈◊〉 side or the other: he setteth upon without barking, and biteth whatsoever a he 〈◊〉 with, whether it be his master, men known unto him, or unknown, beast, 〈◊〉, stone, yea his own shadow: sometimes he standeth still, sometimes he runneth, no● on the right hand, now on the left hand: other dogs run from him, which no● withstanding he fawneth upon if he meet them, and maketh them afraid.  
The Squinancy, 
The squinancy.  and pain of the thighs, is healed and cured after the fame 〈◊〉 that it is in Sheep: 
The pain of the thighs.  notwithstanding the common remedy is to cause them to take● great glass full of warm Oil, and after to open the vein of the thigh. For their ●●ulcetate ears coming through fleas, 
Ulcers of the ears.  he must rub them with bitter Almonds bruised: For to kill the fleas of dogs, you must rub them with Sea-water, or with 〈◊〉 with water, or with the old lees of oil of Olives.  
The other diseases may be cured by the same remedies, which we have already set down for Sheep.  
Shut up a dog close in some place for three days, in such sort as that he ●ay gnaw nothing but bones, then gather his dung, and dry it: the powder of this 〈◊〉 is good against all bloody fluxes, if it be taken twice a day with milk, and so 〈◊〉 for the space of three days, remembering moreover before you mix the 〈◊〉 milk, to quench divers small pebble stones made red hot in the fire in it. This powder likewise is very singular in malign ulcers, and those that are given to be rebellious: likewise such an emplaster of dog's dung is excellent for the squinancy.   

CHAP. XXVIII.  
Of the Carter, on Horsekeeper.  
WE have heretofore spoken of such living creatures as are for the profit and use of men inhabiting Country villages: in that which followeth we will speak of those which serve not only for men inhabiting the said villages, but also for them which inhabit and dwell in Cities and great Towns, as are the Horse, the Mule, and the Ass. I set the Horse before the rest, as being serviceable for the Peasant and Countrie-drudge, and also affording great services to Nobles, Princes, Prelates, and to be short, to all sorts of men, as being the beast which is peerless, for his comeliness, beauty, courage, furniture, profit, and commodity.  
Therefore (I say) let the Carter or Horsekeeper, to whom appertaineth the charge of Country horse, be a sober and patient man, loving his beasts well, and never beating them: but well may he acquaint them with the lash, the whisking noise of his rod, with his speech, and with his call: let them not at any time labour more than they well may, either in draft or travel, let him curry them cheerfully and merrily every morning, and in Summer sometimes after noon: he must not give them to drink but at ordinary hours, and after their rest, let him oftentimes use to wash their feet in Summer with cold water, and sometime with wine, or the lees of wine for to strengthen them withal, and with urine if they be dulled or blunted, in the night time putting of their own dung in the hollow or sole of their hoof: and if they be chafed or heated, or put out of the love and desire of their meat, he must wash their throat with Vinegar and Salt: let him not give them Hay, Provender, Chaff, Oats, 
A farmer must know the work and trade of a fadler and farrier.  or Litter, before they be very well dusted: he must not let them go without shoes or nails: and let him be careful that their traise, cart-saddles, collars, bridles, or other parts of their gears, and harness, be not torn, or rend, or rotten. He must also know to sow with small thread, packthreed, and shoothreed, to stuff and make fast his saddles: to be short, he must be acquainted with the Saddler's trade, as also with the Farriers, and therefore he must never be unprovided of his budget and pouch furnished with tools and necessaries about harness and saddles, nor yet of his iron stuff for his beasts feet: as namely needle thread and silk, ●●eame to let blood with, knife to lance and cut with, corner, buttries, pincers, hammer, paring-yron, and rape, he must also have barnacles, pasterns, traverses, and colling-sheares, with whatsoever else is needful to be used in any time of occasion or necessity. He must be very careful to find out the cause when he seeth any one of his Horses halt, of what foot it is, and in what place of the foot being handled or tried, he most complaineth himself, and to put about his pasterns sometimes Spech-grase, and sometimes dung.  
He must also take great heed when his beast do cast the old hoof, 
The casting of hooves.  and have a new growing, and cause some thing to be given him for the help of the growth of the new hoof, and when he hath his throat heated to cause him to be covered, if therewith he have the cough: and if in travail he have taken cold by rain or tedious weather, to give him then to eat some Fenugreeke or Anise-seed amongst his provender: to change him when he is past age: and also to take acknowledgement of the love that one Horse beareth towards another, and accordingly to set them one by another in the Stable appointed for them, 
To make clean●ehis horse stable.  which he must every morning may clean in Summer, carrying out the dung and filth, and letting none remain, and at night give them fresh Litter. He must also cast an eye about, and see whether his horses do grow lean or no, and then to fat them with Fetches boiled in water, and mixed amongst their Oats, as also with millet, panic, rice, sodden and mingled with meal of beans, and a little Salt; or where these are missing, to take good sweet Barley chaff, or Pease pulse well mixed with some dry Beans, and to give him thereof good store after every watering, or when he newly cometh from his labour; as for sodden Barley, or other boiled corn, they are only good to loosen the skin, but the fat which they gather is never of any endurance. He must be content to take up his lodging in the stable, for fear of their falling sick, entangling themselves in their halters, and growing of his beasts, and let him be careful and wise in ordering and placing his light in such sort, as that it may be out of danger, and to lock up and keep his harness well, and made ready over night 〈◊〉 morning, that so when he is to return to his labour into the field, he be 〈…〉 of any thing. If he have any Mules or young Colts, he must put them by 〈…〉, and reserve them for some other labour: and if any of his Horses fall sick, if it be not of weariness, dullness, or chafing, he must put him out from among the rest. If he have any Horse that hath ill property or fault, 
The faults of Horses.  he shall be careful how to amend it, as if he be fearful or timorous, or if he will not abide while one getteth upon his back, or if he will not go by or into any place, he shall hang within his 〈◊〉 some pretty little stone: and if this do him no good, he shall hoodwink him, or 〈◊〉 behind him at his tail some flame of fire, or some sharp pricking thing; if he winnie much, he shall tie to his head a stone with a hole through it: if when a man is upon his back, he rise and come aloft, he shall hit him with his rod upon the forelegges: if he lie down, he must be raised up again with rough words and strokes: if he go backward, you shall tie a cord to his cods, which shall be so long, as th●● reaching betwixt his forelegges, he which rideth him may hold it in his hand, and when as the Horse shall go backward, 
A Horse going backward.  he shall pull it hard with his hand to make him go forward, for so without all doubt he will go forthright, and amend his fault: if the Horse be gelded, he must beat his thighs with a long staff taken out of the fire very hot, and burnt at the end: or he shall give him feel of his whisking rod betwixt his ears: if the Horse be hard to shoe, and troublesome to handle and dress in the stable, he shall put in one or both of his ears a little round pebble, and there make it sure with one or both his hands, and keep them in his ears, and thus he shall make him as gentle and meek as a Lamb.  
It is also the Carters part to govern his herd of Mares and Colts carefully, th●● no inconvenience may befall them: he shall put them to feed, and shall send the● to grass when it shall be due time, and that in large and marish grounds. Notwithstanding marish ground doth soften their hoof very much, and maketh them tender sighted, and begetteth water in their feet: and for this cause I could like the high and hilly grounds better, being such as from time to time have rain or 〈◊〉 dropping down upon them, and not dry at any time, and such as are rather voi● and free, than encumbered with wood or other bodies of trees or legs: and yet further, having a soft and sweet grass, rather than a high, great, and strong grass. And notwithstanding that Mares be not so frolic nor courageous as Horses be, yet they go beyond them far in the race, and stand it out a great deal longer; and again, they are not so chargeable to keep as Horses are, for they are not fed with the best hay, they content themselves to run in pastures all the year long: true it is, that in Winter, and when the ground is all covered with snow, as also in the time of continual rain, they must be put in some one house or other, and give them such Hay as is good to eat, and in Summer to keep them in some good cool shadow●● place, and well grown with good Grass, and serveth with clear waters: but n●uer upon the rough and ragged mountains, as well for that they do hardly feed there, as also because that such as are with foal can hardly climb without great pain, not come down without endangering themselves to cast their Colts. 
The co●●ring of Mares.  You shall not suffer the Mare to take Horse ofter than every two year, according to the opinion of the curious Horsemen; but yet the better experienced allow the conveying of Mar●s every year, for it keepeth the womb open, and giveth the Foal a large bed to lie in, to keep and breed of the best kind, and race, and not to bring in a base and degenerate kind: again, to see that it be d●ne about mid March▪ to the end, that at the same time that the Mares were covered and horsed, they may easily feed their Colts, having tender and soft grass after Harvest: for about the end of the eleventh or twelfth month they foal, and so their milk is the faster, better conditioned, begetteth also and nourisheth fairer Colts, and such as thrive even as we ourselves would wish. The Stallions also thus attended are the stronger, and do more abound with a well concocted and slimy nature, and not with a thin and watery, and withal, they cover them with more courage, and beget greater Colts, and such as are more hardy and strong. 
The signs of the Mares being ready to take Horse.  He shall know that the Mares are ready to take Horse, when they yield a whitish humour at the place of generation, and that their privy parts are more swollen than they were wont to be, as also more hot than ordinary, and eat not so much as they were wont. He shall let her take Horse twice a day, evening and morning, before he let her drink; and this shall be continued but ten days: which passed, if she refuse him, he shall put her aside as with foal, and shall take away the Horse, least with his furious rage he make her that she do not conceive.  
The Horse that is less than three years old, 
A Horse to cover Mares.  is not fit to cover Mares, but he may continue good till he be twenty year old. The Mare is fit to take Horse when she is two years old, that so being three by her foaling time, she may be able to feed it well: but she is nothing worth for this purpose after she is once ten years old: for Horses begotten of an old Mare are loose and heavy. One good Horse is enough for twenty Mares: which, at such time as he is to cover them, must be well fed, and when the time approacheth, must be fatted with Barley, Fetches, and Ciches, to the end he may the better serve for the purpose: for the stronger and more disposed he shall be to cover them, the stronger will the Colts be which he begetteth. If he have no courage, but be feeble and out of heart, you must rub the secret parts of the Mare with a new and clean sponge, and after rub the muzzle of the stallion with the same: If the Mare will not admit the Horse, you must bruise a Sea-Onion, and rub her secret part therewith, for this will warm her: And to have a Horse of the colour that you would desire, cover the Mare with a covering of the same colour, at such time as the Horse shall cover her.  
The Mare whereof we desire to have a good race, 
A Mare for breed.  must not be under two years old, as hath been said, nor above ten or twelve; and understand withal, that being of a colder complexion than Horses, so she faileth before them in that work: she must be well made of body, broad spread toward one, having a comely and pleasant look, her flank and rump large, well fed, but a little lean, to the end that she may hold her horsing the better: that she have not traveled of a long time: that she bear not but every two years, to the end she may the better feed her Colt. When she is with Colt, you must feed her well, you must not travel or run her, nor leave her to the extremity of the Cold, but keep her in house when it raineth and snoweth, and as long as any great cold weather is, that so she may the better bring forth a perfect Colt. 
The Marereadie to foal  If the Mare be in foaling, or that she hath cast her Colt, you must bruise Polipodie, and mingling it with warm water, cause her to drink it with a horn. 
The Mare that doth foal.  If she have foaled well, you may not touch her Colt with your hand, for and if you touch it never so little, you hurt it. So soon as she hath foaled in the house, you must succour her with drinks of warm water, mingling salt therewith and meal also both evening and morning, for the space of three days at the least: after this, you must give her good Hay and sufficient Corn, keep her clean with good Litter, that so she may rest at ease; for this her good feeding doth cause her Colt to prosper, and strengtheneth it.  
After that the Colt is foaled, 
To order a 〈◊〉 new 〈◊〉.  it must be left with the Mare in a warm and wide place, to the end that cold may not hurt it, neither yet the Mare, by reason of the straightness of the place: and when it shall be stronger, it shall be accustomed to eat Hay, to the end that the dams milk failing, it may have learned to feed upon a firmer nourishment: but it shall be let run with the Mare in the pasture, that so she may not mourn for lack of the sight of her Colt: for commonly Mares are sick for the love of their colts, if they cannot see them. When it shall be eighteen months old, you shall begin to wain it, and put it in the house built for col●s, afterward you shall ●ame it, putting a halter about the neck, and that rather of wool than of chord, that so it may not feel any hard thing to annoy it: and if it will not abide to be tied, you must make it fast with two thongs of leather or of hemp, or with a bridle 〈◊〉 the manger, that so it may be acquainted with touching and handling, and that so also it may learn not to be afraid of any noise that shall be made: it will be good also to set it amongst others that are already tamed, for seeing them so haltred, it will at length accustom itself to subjection: as yet you must speak it fair, and touch it with your hand, sometimes rubbing the back, head, or belly, and sometimes the numpe, legs, and feet, sometimes raising it up, making it clean, and rubbing it very mildly and gently; to be short, making so much of it, as until it become so tame that it know the boy or horseman that currieth it, and the rider that must back it, and withal understand their words and voices, and smelling him, to know him before he get upon him: sometimes you shall set a child upon the back, to the end he may learn to endure to bear one; give it good hay and good grass: lead it to water with one already managed and fitted to the hand: after it hath drunk, give it Oats, at evening straw it with litter up to the knees, and in the morning rub the legs and the whole body with the same litter, and after lead it to drink. When it is three years old, you must break and acquaint and fit it for such work as you shall think meet. As for example, if you would appoint it and make it serve you sometimes to take a journey upon, I could wish you to give it a burning with fire upon the legs: 
To burn the colt with a hot iron.  and this you shall commit to the doing of some skilful Farrier, especially in the Spring, Autumn, and decrease of the Moon, and at such time as these young horse are full two years old: and this must be done as well in the legs before as behind: such course of burning doth harden and strengthen their loose flesh, being soft and not close set together, it doth bring down that which is puffed up: it drieth that which hath much moisture in it: it dissolveth that which is gathered together, it burneth away and wasteth rottenness if there be any, and healeth old aches, curing and restoring the declined parts of the body, lessening that which is grown too great, and not suffering it to grow any further. Add hereunto, that the scab, farcie, and other malanders accustomed to seize upon their legs, cannot have the power to breed upon them. After you have thus burnt them with a knobd hot iron, carry them to pasture, and that at such an hour, as when the dew is upon the grass: for so it will do them a great deal more good than any thing that a man can give unto them in the stable, for so also you shall cause that 〈◊〉 of the burnings shall appear less, and that if they show at all, that yet it shall be with good setting out of the leg.  
As for that retained opinion amongst our Frenchmen, that the slitting of a horses nostrils when they are full grown, will make them fit for the course or race, as being an occasion of more liberty to his wind, or that it will help a broken wound horse, it is a me●re fallacy and deception, and hath no such virtue at all, but rather worketh the contrary, and by dismembering the organ or instrument whereby he draweth up the air, doth breed in him a greater difficulty of breathing, the painfulness whereof may be perceived when he standeth still without any trouble or molestation, therefore I would have all horse-groomes to forbear the practice, and to hold it rather a disgrace than any benefit, for it is to be understood, that nature hath made every thing perfect without want or superfluity, and to alter any thing in her main workmanship, is rather to overthrow than help the building.  
If you will geld them and make them Geldings, that so they may live the more quietly amongst Mares and other Horses, as also for the ●itting of them which desire peaceable Horses, you may do it, but not before they be a full year old, because that then their secret parts do openly show themselves, and for the better performance thereof, it were better to writh about and mortify their cods altogether with pincers, than to geld them all at once, notwithstanding they be of full and sufficient age▪ 〈◊〉 in gelding of them, main do die of extreme pain, because you take all away 〈◊〉 them; but if they die not, yet they remain weakened and 〈◊〉 both in 〈◊〉 and strength: whereas if you pinch them only with Pincers, they are not one●● free from all peril of losing their life, but also continue the more bold, there re●ining unto them some small parts of the cords and sinews of the generative 〈◊〉 Yet other of the best French horsemen do affirm, That to geld a Colt clean, 〈◊〉 way of incision and calterizing, is the best course that can be taken, and maketh them tendder sinest shaped and best mettalled Gelding: for (say they) when any of the cords 〈◊〉 strings of generation are left behind, than the Gelding proves rammish, Mare●●●od, foul headed, thick necked, and grossly crested. And of this opinion are all 〈◊〉 English Horsemen: to whom we must yield, because they are known to be Ma●●●s of the only Geldings of the world; and those of whom we most boast, we have 〈◊〉 from them, either by gift or purchase. Therefore I leave to the skilful Groom 〈◊〉 consideration of this action, to choose that to which he stands most affected.  
Furthermore, cause him to be curried by a servant pertaining and belonging to 〈◊〉 businesses: and being wise, gentle, and loving, that so by such his gentleness it 〈◊〉 be prevented and fore●eene, that the young Colt do not learn ill manners, 〈◊〉 it is so difficult a thing to take from them but one ill quality, after that they be 〈◊〉 therein. And in this respect it behoveth all the servants about the Stable handle them kindly, and speak gently unto their Horses, thereby to make them 〈◊〉 and love them the better. And by such means and carriage it is wrought, 〈◊〉 they suffer themselves to be governed: that they suffer meat to be given them, 〈◊〉 any man to lead them to drink: that they suffer themselves to be handled, touched, curried: to have their clothes put upon their backs, either the Linen one to 〈◊〉 the Flies away, or else the Woollen one to keep them warm: and that they 〈◊〉 him to make the same fast with a Sur●ingle, for the better keeping of them on 〈◊〉 the morning, when they are to be new curried again. There must all Litter be 〈◊〉 from under them, the clean and whole thrust under the Manger, the foul and 〈◊〉, together with the dung, being carried out to the appointed dunghill, never ●●●getting to keep the Stable very clean, nor yet to have it furnished with all man●●● of necessaries, and every thing in his place. Yet this ever by the way is to be understood, that as soon as you have cleansed your Stable clean; dressed your Horse, 〈◊〉 him, and given him such provender as you think meet for him, that then, 〈◊〉 you leave him to his rest, you forget not to put down his Litter about him, 〈◊〉 at his pleasure he may lie down and take his ease, which is to any Horse as ●●olesome a relief as any whatsoever; giving much comfort to his limbs and ●ewes, making swi●t digestion, and adding such strength and courage to his heart 〈◊〉 vital spirits, that he is thereby a great deal the better enabled to endure his la●●ur, and less apt to take surfeits, and other mischiefs, much incident to Horses: ●here on the contrary, when Horses are compelled to stand all day on the bare 〈◊〉 anchers, out of a foolish received opinion, to make them hard and of more endurance, the Horse taking no delight to lie down, humours descends into his legs, 〈◊〉 swellings do breed, Spavens, Curbs, Ringbones, and gourding of Sinews, ●●crease abundantly: and main a good beast, for lucre to save one or two bottles of ●●ggage Straw, is spoiled and made utterly unfit for any service. And as I would 〈◊〉 you careful thus to keep Litter under your Horse; so also I would have you 〈◊〉 observant, to see that your planchers lie even and level, and not higher be●●re than behind, as is the common custom of most men, especially Horse-coursers, 〈◊〉 such as keep Horses more for the sale than use: for albeit the uneven laying of 〈◊〉 planchers g●ueth to the Horse some more beauty than otherwise he would have, secting up his foreparts higher than his hinder, and so making him show with a ●●●odly and well-raised forehead, yet it brings lameness, and is therefore evermore 〈◊〉 be eschewed. When as the Horses are in currying, it is meet that they should be ●●ed and made fast unto some high bar set upright, that so they might have their ●●ads holden on high, and then after that to curry all their body, to rub them with a cloth, to bathe with sponges well, in very cool water, their head, eyes, lips, 〈◊〉, jaws, nostrils, m●●e, and tail, and afterward to comb them very diligently: 〈◊〉 when this is done, to rub all their bodies over, but especially their legs and 〈◊〉, with wispes of straw, well bound and trussed together: for otherwise 〈◊〉 will grow full of the Farcie through the slothfulness of the servants and the 〈◊〉 himself. Above all things, they must be looked unto whether they lack any 〈◊〉 about their feet, or no: seeing that oftentimes the want but of one nail is the 〈◊〉 that a Horse casteth his shoe in the mid way, to the great prejudice of the 〈◊〉 beast, which sometimes thereby is in danger of losing his whole foot, especially 〈◊〉 he traveleth in any rough and stony ground: for a Horse that hath lost his 〈◊〉 and goeth unshod, hurteth himself in a minute of an hour, and so spoileth his 〈◊〉 as that it is oftentimes seen to be quite lost, or at least to become unfit for 〈◊〉▪ And when your Horse is thus curried, sponged, rubbed, and well smoothed, 〈◊〉 ●uerie offence about him picked, trimmed, and taken away, you shall then clothe 〈◊〉 with such clothes as are necessary for his health, and answerable to the time and 〈…〉 of the year, as either with double Clothes, single Clothes, lined Clothes, 〈◊〉, Linen, or both together; using most in the Winter, fewer in the Spring, 〈◊〉 fewest of all in the Summer. Yet for a better satisfaction, and that you may 〈◊〉 know what number or quantity of clothes you shall use, you shall view well 〈◊〉 of your Horse's body, and look carefully how his hair lieth, especially upon 〈◊〉 neck, and other outward parts which are unclothed, and if you perceive that 〈◊〉 of those places the hair standeth upright, spares, or looks rugged, than you 〈◊〉 be assured that the Horse wanteth clothes, and is inwardly cold at the heart: the 〈◊〉 you shall then increase his clothes, and not cease so to do, till you have 〈◊〉 his hair to lie strait and smooth; which once perceived, than you may be 〈…〉 that he is sufficiently clad: and you shall by no means exceed any 〈◊〉▪ Now when you begin thus to increase your Clothes, if you shall find when 〈◊〉 come to your Horse early in the morning, that he ●weateth much, especially in 〈◊〉 flanks, at his ●are-roots, and in such like usual places, yet notwithstanding his 〈◊〉 still stareth; you shall then know, that such sweeting is but a faint naughty 〈◊〉 gendered by corruption of food, or else want of moderate and wholesome 〈◊〉 and therefore by no means shall you abate any of his clothes, but rather 〈◊〉 them, till that naughty faint sweat leave him. But if you perceive that his hair 〈…〉 smooth and clean, and yet notwithstanding he sweateth, than you shall know 〈◊〉 his clothes are somewhat too many, and you shall abate them till such sweeting 〈◊〉 him. This is a most infallible rule, and such a secret as is worthy to be 〈◊〉 in the mind of every good Horseman and Groom that intends to keep their 〈◊〉 sound and well prepared for all manner of labour. The Horses dressed and 〈◊〉 as they should be, and having eaten a little Hay, must be led to water, other ridden forth a mile or more to their water; which would ever be some 〈◊〉 Spring or running River: where, after your Horse hath taken one good draugh● two, 
exercise after water.  you shall bring him forth into some plain ground, and there gallop him 〈◊〉 up and down (to warm the water in his belly) a little space, and then bring 〈◊〉 to the water again, and let him take another draft, then gallop him again, 〈◊〉 thus do till he will drink no more, and then with all gentleness walk him 〈◊〉 and softly home to the Stable, and there clothe him up. This manner of 〈…〉 your Horse is of all other the most wholesome, giving unto him by this 〈…〉 great strength both of wind and body, and also dissolving all those 〈◊〉 cold, and tough humours, which are engendered by the corruption of water when taken without exercise, and lieth cold and troublesome in his body, making 〈◊〉 Horse to quake and tremble; as any man may perceive, when at any time he 〈◊〉 to approve the same, and having given his Horse water, will but lay his hand 〈◊〉 on his body or buttock: But this I have already spoken is at full sufficient 〈◊〉 a Horses watering. From whence when they are returned, they shall 〈◊〉 Oats given them well sifted and fanned, and they shall be marked whether 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or not, that, if need be, they may be looked in the month, to see whether there be 〈◊〉 thing to keep them from eating, or no, and accordingly to take them in cure, or 〈◊〉: for the common proverb is, 
A Proverb.  That Horses go upon their feet, but it is their meat 〈◊〉 doth uphold them, and cause them to endure travel. It is meet also to give them sometimes some rare and dainty thing which may please them, and may be more than ordinary; for it is all one as when one doth make them so gentle, tractable, and ●ame, 〈◊〉 that afterward they will suffer themselves to be governed easily: to use them kindly 〈◊〉, and not to beat them, to torment them, or cast them into fear with high speeches 〈◊〉 threatening words, or else by any other means, so long as they be in the Stable: 〈◊〉 rather to handle them with all meekness, as well in word as in touching or handing, in what manner soever it be.  
To fit the Colt for the Saddle, 
To break, or first back the Colt.  the good Rider must first put upon his head a 〈◊〉, with a Rouler of Wood, not attempting to do any other thing at that time, and 〈◊〉 to leave him for two or three hours upon the reins, being of cords, and after such 〈◊〉 to take all away for that day: the next day, somewhat late, to put it on again, 〈…〉 so to leave it for some certain time: afterward taking him by his reins, he must 〈◊〉 him a little out of his place, drawing him along some twenty or thirty paces 〈◊〉 thence, sometime walking him, and othersome time staying him, still upon the ●●ddaine, according as he shall see it good, that is, according to the stubbornness 〈◊〉 frowardness, or the easiness and gentleness of the Colt. So soon as he is come 〈◊〉 the Stable, he shall have this halter taken from off him, putting him in his accu●omed Headstall, and give him his rather some Hay to eat, than to lead him to water, 〈◊〉 after that to give him his ordinary of Oats. The third day he shall not only 〈◊〉 on his foresaid halter at the accustomed hour, but also a saddle, without stirrups, 〈◊〉, or crupper, girding him gently, and in all kind manner fastening and buckling the same very lightly: he shall yet do nothing but lead him out of the Stable by 〈◊〉 halter, handling him always lovingly, and leading him with all gentleness whi●●er he will willingly go: and after that he is come into the fallows and ploughed ●●rounds, he shall get into them: where having taken with him some long small whisking wand, he shall first make him to stand still: then afterward he shall make 〈◊〉 Colt go a little pace, and from that little, somewhat faster and faster, now and 〈◊〉 giving him a gentle touch or remembrance with his said small rod, which he 〈◊〉 then show unto him: after making him stand still again, he shall hold him up ●ith courteous and friendly words, and rubbing him with his hand, shall carry him ●acke again unto his Stable, and there presently take off his said furniture, and put ●im in his ordinary Tiall or Headstall. The fourth day he shall make him ready 〈◊〉 he did the day before, and having spoken him fair, he shall set a little boy upon ●im: and if he 〈◊〉 that he begin not to smite and short, and to take on any whit at 〈◊〉, he shall lead him by the reins out of the Stable, and lead him a pretty way off, ●aking much of him with his hand, and touching his head, neck, and breast: and ●hall lead him to some block made to get up by (and this so long as he is ridden without stirrups:) and there causing the boy to come off, he himself shall get upon him very lightly, and holding the reins even in his hand, shall cause one to give him some small whisking rod, and with it he shall touch or stroke his neck, and ●lacking the reins a little, shall cause him to go forward softly: if he play any lea●ing tricks, he shall stay him with the bridle, still speaking lovingly unto him: and 〈◊〉 that he groweth quiet, he shall make him go softly, and set him on by a little ●aster and faster, until he make him pace and 〈◊〉. Having done this in good sort for 〈◊〉 pre●●e while, he shall bring him again to his Stable: where, having fastened 〈◊〉 to the Manger, he shall cover him that he take no cold▪ and about an hour after 〈◊〉 shall take off his saddle and bridle at once, rubbing him with fresh straw, but es●●ecially the places wet with sweat: and then covering him with his Cloth, and after 〈◊〉 rubbed his legs and feet, he shall let him drink, and give him to eat, and shake up his litter about him. This is the accustomable use of some of our French Riders for the first breaking of Colts: but it is by others, more expert and induistrious in the Art, held to be a little too tedious; and they find a nearer way to the end of their purpose, 
The best handling of Colts.  as thus: Having made the Colt gentle and loving in the Stable and abroad, obedient and willing to be handled, led forth, and ordered as a 〈◊〉 pleaseth, without affright, dislike, or rebellion; they then at first set a good sufficient Saddle on his back, with stirrup and styrrop-leathers, which after they 〈◊〉 up and down his sides, a strong crupper, and a good breast-place, which being well girt on, they in the morning cause him to be led forth in the grooms hand, that he may be acquainted and familiar with those ornaments that are about him▪ then, in the afternoon of the same day, they put into his mouth, with strong headstall and reins, either a good watering trench, or a watering snaffle, 〈◊〉 then over it a strong soft chasse halter, and so lead him forth with all gentleness into some new-plowed field, or else some other ground of the like 〈◊〉, and there make the Colt troth a ring of both hands four or five times about the Rider: then the Rider goes to the Colt and cherishes him, and the Groom holding him fast by the chasse halter, near to the Colt's head, with one hand, and staying the stirrup with the other, the Rider offers to put his foot in the stirrup, and with many leisurable heaves and lifts to take the Saddle, at any of which if the Colt 〈◊〉, or seem to be displeased, the Rider shall descend again, and make the Colt, as before, to troth a ring four or five times about him, and then offer to mount his back● again, not ceasing thus to do, till the Colt with all gentleness dot receive him: 〈◊〉 shall the Rider and the Groom both cherish him very much, and then the Groom shall offer to lead the Colt forward; at which if he find fault either in action or countenance, or but in the gathering together of his rump, legs, and body, as though he would leap and plunge, immediately the Groom shall stay him, the Rider shall alight, and, as before, shall compel him to troth his rings about him, and then take his back again, not ceasing thus to do, till the Colt with all willingness press forw●●● and be content to be led with the Rider on his back whither and which way soever the Groom pleaseth: in all which motion, the Rider shall with his voice, and the thrusting forward of his feet hard upon the styrrop-leathers, encourage and as it 〈◊〉 enforce the Colt to go forward, now and then shaking his rod over the Colt's head, to make him hear the noise thereof, and ever and anon as the Colt is thus led up and down, the Rider shall with his bridle hand stop him, make him stand still, and cherish him, then cause him to be led forward again, and as the Colt grows more and more willing to go forward, so the Groom shall withdraw his hand more and more from the Colt's head, and loosen the chasse halter, insomuch, that the Colt may 〈◊〉 no feeling of the Grooms leading him, but may go forward by the help and ●●couragement of the Rider only: then shall the Groom give the rain of the 〈◊〉 halter into the Rider's hands, and he shall make the Colt go forward, ever and 〈◊〉 cherishing him when he doth according to his desire, and giving him threatening words when he doth the contrary. Thus shall he labour and apply the Colt, till 〈◊〉 will go forward willingly, gently, and with courage, according to his desire, the Rider ever observing, as near as he can, to make the Colt go strait forthright, and by no means to turn or twynd him about any way, contrary to his own will, but for this first day to give him leave to go which way he will, not expecting 〈◊〉 him any other obedience, than to go forward in either pace or troth when the 〈◊〉 pleaseth, and also to stand still and firm when at any time he shall be restrain●●. This work being brought to pass the first day, the Rider shall in the field 〈◊〉 from the Colt's back, and having cherished him much, and given him a little Gr●●● or Bread to eat, he shall deliver him to the Groom, who with all gentleness sha●● lead him home, and there dress him, cloth him, and feed him well. The next day the Colt being ladled and bridled as aforesaid, the Groom shall lead him forth 〈◊〉 the former place, and there the Rider shall take his back as he did the day before, and in all points shall make the Colt perfectly repeat over his first days lesson: which when he hath done very willingly and obediently, without compulsion or resistance, than the Groom shall mount the back of some old staunch Horse or Gelding, and leading the way before the Colt, shall troth fair and softly round about the field, stopping his Gelding as oft as the Rider stoppeth the Colt, then go forward again, sometimes leading the way before the Colt, and sometimes riding cheek by jowl by the Colt, till he be brought to such perfectness, that he will take his way forward how or which way the Rider pleaseth: then they shall ride gently home, and there light near unto the Stable door, and so set up the Colt, clothe him, dress, and feed him. Then the third day the Rider shall take the Colts back at the Stable door, and the Groom his Gelding's back, and so ride forth into some plain High way▪ the smother the better, the Gelding leading the way to the Colt, and let them so ride strait forthright at least two miles or more, stopping sundry times, and cherishing the Colt, and then gently return home, the Colt sometimes leading the way, and sometimes the Gelding, and alighting at the Stable door as before, set up the Colt, dress him, and feed him: And thus if you do twice or thrice in this third day, it shall be so much the better. The fourth day the Rider shall take out the Colt, and the Groom the Gelding, but the Colt shall then lead the way, and the Gelding shall follow, only now and then, to give the Colt encouragement, the Gelding shall come and ride up to the face of the Colt, and then eftsoons fall back behind him again. This day you shall, in a large spacious compass, troth the Colt round, first on the one hand, then on the other, making him bend and come about, according to the bowing of your body, or the turning in of your hand, and in every motion make yourself master of whatsoever he doth, giving him a true understanding, that what he doth, is your will, and not his pleasure: and withal, by no means forgetting to cherish him when he doth well; not after, but even in the instant and presentness of time, when he performeth your pleasure, that he may thereby know why he is rewarded with kindness: and in like manner, when he doth any thing contrary to your will, you shall chastise him with the threatening of your voice, and sometimes with the noise and shake of your rod, or when extremity urgeth, with a good lash or two with your rod under his belly, in the very selfsame instant that he offendeth. And when the Colt hath performed all things answerable to your liking, you shall return home, not the same way that you came forth, but, if conveniently you can, some other way, thereby to breed in the Colt an ignorance of his own ease: which is the only means to preserve and keep him from restyvenesse, and other wicked qualities. And being come to the Stable door, you shall there alight, and cherish him, and then set him up, dress him, and feed him. And this you shall do at least thrice in this fourth day. The fifth day having saddled, bridled, and girded him as he had been accustomed, he shall lead him to the place of getting up▪ and there shall get upon him, lead him through all manner of Ways, sometimes trotting, sometimes softly, until he begin to wax hot: And this order shall be observed every day, yet still increasing his exercise, making him go and troth so long as until he be weary; this being the best way to make him lift his legs, and to carry himself handsomely in the rest of his parts: not failing thereupon to bring him back very softly unto the Stable, where he shall walk him until such time as he leave sweeting, and then he shall set him up in his place. Yet of the later and more experiencest Horsemen it is thought good not to walk him at all, but presently to set him up, 
Walking Horses not good.  clothe him well, and give him litter enough, with found and dry rubbing: for it is an infallible experiment, that the walking of Horses in the hand is the readiest way to give Colds, and breed Fevers, because then the humours cool too suddenly; and the vital parts leaving (as it were) their motions in an instant, the heart and other inward parts receive the cold air so unprovided and unarmed, that wanting the assistance of their other servants, which is action and spirit, they are overcome, and yield to the arrest of dullness and numbness: Therefore it is held best not to walk at all, but rather to house the Horse, and with rubbing, fretting, clawing, & picking, to keep the overheated parts warm, till they may cool by a moderate temper: and this questionless is the safest course for a Horse that is extremely heated, as the English hunting and running Horses are. But our French Horses, which are heated by a more deliberate & slower way, as it were only but warming the blood, not melting the grease; I hold it the 〈◊〉 and safest way, when you come from riding, and have made your Horse 〈◊〉 sound, then presently to carry him into the Stable, and taking the Saddle 〈◊〉, whilst one Groom is rubbing and cha●ing his legs (which is action enough 〈◊〉 keep him from cold; for it is a perfect rule, That whilst the Groom rubs well, the Horse never takes cold) another Groom shall take a piece of a Sword 〈◊〉, two foot and more in length, and with the same he shall with the edge stripe 〈◊〉 wipe down the Horse, even from the tip of his ears to the pitch of his should●● and cambrel, leaving, so near as he can, not any moisture amongst his hairs: 〈◊〉 clapping on his Clothes, he shall upon them set the Saddle, and then girding it 〈◊〉 gently, take the Horse forth again, and in his hand walk him up and down in the air till he be thoroughly cooled and dry: then he shall take him into the Stable, set him up, after a little pause feed him, and at a convenient watering hour 〈◊〉 and dress him, as hath been before spoken. But to return to our former discourse: He shall hold on this course with the Horse, until he see him thoroughly won, and then he shall cause him to be shooed on his hindermost feet only, 〈◊〉 the end he may carry him through rough and stony ways, without hurting of 〈◊〉 hoof: and he shall not use any thing else to ride him with, save only his whip and trench, for to make him go, trot, gallop, run, fly, turn, leap, to rise 〈◊〉 and before: also he shall train him to scour over small Hills, the tops of Hills, 〈◊〉 great high Hills, and again, to come down the same very softly: and 〈◊〉 riding him to the places where Mills, Forges, and such other Hammer-workes 〈◊〉, as also where there is beating of Linens, to the end that afterward he may 〈…〉 afraid at any such noise. He shall bring him also to the place where are 〈◊〉, Wanes, Tumbrels, Cars, Coaches, Charets, Wagons, flocks of Sheep, 〈◊〉 of Swine, Kine, and Goats; making him likewise to see Lambs and Calves, or other Beasts and cattle, having their throats cut. He shall mark all these things day by day, till he perceive him ready, and see him certainly with his own eyes, that 〈◊〉 doth not use to snuff and take on at the smells of the foresaid things, and then 〈◊〉 shall furnish him with all manner of things, and getting upon him, shall guide 〈◊〉 into many places, making him to go by steps, to troth, to leap Ditches, to 〈◊〉 Rivers, and other Waters. And notwithstanding this, he shall not fail to give 〈◊〉 such a kind of pace and going as shall seem most agreeable unto him: for a 〈◊〉 would be trained unto one manner of pace, and a Courser to another; and so a 〈◊〉 for the War, a Curtal, or any other such Horse, most near unto his natural disposition. 
To make a Horse troth well.  Of which paces to give you a little taste and experience, you shall understand, that to bring a Horse to a comely, clean, and a lofty trot, you shall use to 〈◊〉 him upon new-plowed Lands, or in Ways that are deep and heavy, for that 〈◊〉 make him twitch up his legs, and strike them clean and high: but if you find 〈◊〉 toilsome to your Colt, and that by reason of his young years you are afraid to 〈◊〉 him to so extreme labour, because many sorances grow thereby, than you 〈◊〉 ride him forth into some plain piece of ground that is much overgrown 〈◊〉 long Thistles, short Gorsse, Whynnes, or such like sharp Weeds, among the which you shall ride your Horse a good space twice or thrice a day, and the Thistles 〈◊〉 Gorsse pricking his shins, will make him take up his legs roundly and 〈◊〉, and in very short space bring him to a clean, easy, and brave trot, although 〈◊〉 Horse had never trotted before in all his life: But if you find that the 〈◊〉 and uncomeliness of his trot cometh out of a natural carelessness, or in 〈◊〉 of his way, and that by reason of a dull and heavy disposition wherewith he is ●●fected, he is not by any of the former ways to be reclaimed, than you shall 〈◊〉 when the nights are most dark and clouded, even so thick, that you can 〈◊〉 see your hand (for ever the darker the better:) than you shall take out your 〈◊〉 and ride him into some new-plowed field, where the lands lie most high and ●●●euen, or into the like uncertain and much worn ways, and there troth him 〈◊〉 roundly and swiftly, rushing him now overthwart, then end-wise, sometimes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, sometimes another, not suffering him to take leisure, or regard to his way, ●ow dangerous or false of foothold soever it be: And although at first (as it is most likely) he will stumble, or be ready to fall, yet do not you make any care thereof, but bearing a good stiff hand upon him, strike your spurs hard into his ●●des, and the more he stumbles, the more increase you the swiftness of his pace, ●●nely by no means whatsoever suffer him to gallop. And thus exercising him sundry nights together, you shall not only bring him to a brave and most gallant trot, but also breed in him a great height of spirit and metal, as also it will make him very hardy and valiant. 
To help stumbling.  And if he were subject to that intolerable ●●ice of stumbling, yet this manner of riding and correction would amend and ●●ure the same: for you shall understand, that a Horse is, as a man, fearful and vigilant of his way, and when the sight thereof is taken from him, all his pores and vital spirits are awakened and stirred up to prevent the dangers that may happen unto him: so that when all courses else shall fail, yet this is most assured. But if you would have your Horse, 
To make a Horse 〈◊〉.  by reason of your many occasions to journey, ●or because your body is unapt and unable to endure the hard pace of trotting, 〈◊〉 amble, which is of all paces whatsoever the easiest, you shall understand, that to bring him thereunto, there are but only two ways, that is to say, either the Tra●ell, or the Hand; the betterhood of which▪ I leave to your consideration, when your experience hath made trial of them both, and done to neither injury, but used them carefully, artificially, and according to the truth of the rules prescribed. To give you then a little light what the Tramell is, you shall understand, that it is called a Tramell when a Horses near fore-legge and his near hinder-legge, two handful above the pastern joints, are so fastened together with leathers and cords, that he cannot put forward his fore-legge, but he must perforce hale his hinder-legge after it, and so likewise his far fore-legge to his far hinder-legge, and then another flat and soft leather going over the fillets of the Horses back, and fastened to both the lines on both sides the Horse; which piece of leather shall hold up the lines, that they fall not nor tangle under the Horse's feet as he goeth. This is called the tramelling of a Horse: and with these you shall first in your hand make him go softly or swiftly at your pleasure; and when you find that he will take his way perfectly in them, without danger of falling, than you shall take his back, and ride him thus in the trammels the space of a week in some fair, plain, and smooth Way or Roade: then the next week following you shall ride him in uneven ways, over lays, up hill and down hill, and in such like uncertain places: then the next week you shall take off the trammels of one side, and fasten the back band to the saddle, and to ride him for a day or two: then put on that tramel again, and take off the other which was on before▪ and so ride him another day or two: then take both clean away, and so ride him and keep him to his pace; which he will hardly or never forsake, if you have any care at all. Now for the special respects which are to be observed in the tramelling of Horses, you shall first observe, that the leathers which go about the Horse's legs be soft, smooth, and well lined, neither so straight, that they may offend the main sinews of the legs, nor so slack, that they may fall off: the buckles with which you make them longer or shorter, must be very strong also, that they may abide the twitches and strains of the Horse, when at any time he striketh a false stroke: the lines which pass between these leathers, must be a good round rope made of strong Hemp● well twound, with a loop at either end whereto to fix the leathers; and these lines must be both of a just and even length, not one exceeding another a straws breadth, they must be so fixed to the Horses legs, that they must by no means either draw them inward, or give them liberty to straddle outward, but so, as they may keep the Horse in his true, just, and natural proportion. Now if your Horse strike too short, than you shall straighten your lines half an inch at least, for that will make him overstrike half a foot, and a whole inch a whole foot: and so of the contrary part if he overstrike, you shall let forth your tramel in the same manner that you ●ooke it in. There be some that will put on these trammels, and make the Horse run an 〈◊〉 with them a month or two, and when they take them up, they will amble as 〈◊〉 and perfectly, as if they had been natural bred amblers: and sure there is 〈◊〉 likelihood thereof; for a pace that is so given without compulsion, is ever the ●●●rest and most unchangeable. Now for the making of a Horse to amble with 〈◊〉 hand, it may be done either in some fair descending ground, or upon the 〈◊〉 lands, and either out of his trot or gallop, as thus: Having taken your 〈◊〉 back, and put him either into a swift trot or a swift gallop, you shall on the 〈◊〉 chocke him in the weeks of the mouth, and iert his head up aloft, 〈◊〉 him to shuffle his feet together, and to strike them confusedly; and thus you 〈◊〉 do so oft, till you make him strike an amble: than you shall cherish him, 〈◊〉 bring him to the smooth ground, and there with the help of your hand, 〈◊〉 firmly aloft, make him continue his amble: which when at any time he 〈◊〉 to forsake, you shall forthwith toil him as you did before, and then bring him 〈◊〉 the plain ground chiefly up the hill, and there hold him to his pace: which 〈◊〉 he hath gotten in any reasonable sort, he will naturally, and for his own 〈◊〉, seek to increase it, and then you shall apply him at least three or four times 〈◊〉 day, and in one month there is no doubt but you shall bring him to that perfection your own heart can wish. There is also a third pace, which is neither 〈◊〉 nor amble, 
To make a Horse rack.  but is called a racking pace, that is to say, between an amble and 〈◊〉 troth: and though it and the amble have both one manner of motion, that is to 〈◊〉, taking up of both legs of one side together, yet this racking moveth much 〈◊〉 and shorter, striking thick, yet seldom beyond the step of the forefoot. This pace is of some reputed the easiest of all paces: but I leave that to every 〈◊〉 man's feeling. Certain it is, that many men take much delight therein, 〈◊〉 there is no racking Horse but can troth, and so in deep and filthy ways are able to make much better riddance of the way: whereas divers ambling Horses can by no means troth, and so less able to drive through the mire: or if they do, it 〈◊〉 with much toil, and foul dashing and myring of their Masters. To bring 〈◊〉 Horse then to this racking pace, the only best way is held to be sore and 〈◊〉 travel, as much Hunting, Running, and such like, and then when you feel yo●● Horse begin to be a little weary, to hold up your bridle hand, and chocking 〈◊〉 Horse in the weeks of the mouth, to make him break his pace, and to strike a 〈◊〉, which his weariness, and the ease that the pace bringeth him, will quickly 〈◊〉 him do, then to cherish and nourish him in the same, and by no means to 〈◊〉 him past his strength, or to make him go faster than of his own inclination 〈◊〉 is willing to do, for too much haste in this work is the only spoil thereof▪ And thus in less than a months hunting or riding of your Horse, you shall bring him to a very swift and most ready rack; in which the Horse will 〈◊〉 so much delight, that you shall not at any time need to fear his forsaking 〈◊〉 the same. 
To make a Horse gallop.  Lastly, for the bringing of your Horse to a clean and good gallop▪ you shall understand, that there be two sorts of galloping: the first, stately 〈◊〉 aloft, the Horse winding up his legs high, and gathering them round and close together in lofty manner: and this is fit for great Horses which are 〈◊〉 up for service in the Wars, or for the pleasure of Princes and other 〈◊〉 Personages, which take delight in stirring Horses, which can leap, bound, 〈◊〉 behind, curvet, and other salts of like nature. The other is a swift, smooth, 〈◊〉, and long gallop, wherein the Horse stretcheth out his body to the uttermost length, and carrying his feet near unto the ground, swoopeth away swiftly, nimbly, and easily: and this kind of gallop is meet for hunting Horses, running Horses, or Horses preferred only for labour and travel. Now to bring a Horse to gallop aloft, which is the first kind of galloping spoken of, you shall daily use to gallop him as his first riding on new-plowed lands, which are deep, yet lie flat: and withal, you shall ever observe to keep a straight hand upon his head, 〈◊〉 the comeliness of his rain, and by no means suffering him to gallop 〈◊〉, but the flower the better; ever and anon with your hand, rod▪ and spur raising up his body, and making him gather his feet up roundly together: for it is the pride of his rain, and the slowness of the gallop, which brings him to the gallantry and loftiness of the motion. Now, for the other kind of galloping you shall use a clean contrary course, that is to say, you shall train your Horse upon the plainest and smoothest ground you can find, you shall give him liberty of rain, that he may stretch forth his body and legs, and lay himself close to the ground like a Har● or a Greyhound: and this exercise you shall give your Horse morning and evening after his water, for than it is most wholesome, and he the aptest to learn and do as you would have him. Also it shall be good for you now and then to put him to the height of his speed: for the more you strain him, the more he coucheth his body, and the less distance ever he taketh his feet from the ground: to follow the Hounds all the day twice or thrice a week: or to give him a course once a week of four or five miles end-ways, are both very good ways of training a Horse to this swift gallop: because that length of exercise taketh the fire edge from a Horse, and maketh him more temperate and sober in his doings; whereas the heat and excess of his courage maketh him prance and do things rashly and loftily. Many other observations there be, but these few before rehearsed are fully sufficient to bring a Horse to any pace the Rider pleaseth.  
That Colt, 
Signs of a good Colt, as also of a good Horse.  Horse, or Stallion may be judged to be good, that is great, thick boned, of a good shape, having a small head, and so dry, as that there is nothing of it but skin and bones: small ears, sharp and strait: but great eyes, standing out, black and clean: very wide nostrils, puffscompassed up and great: small jaws, thin and dry: his throat equally divided on both sides: a neck somewhat long, and made compasse-wi●e, being thin near unto the head: a short back, broad and somewhat shrinking down like a valley: his mane curled, thick, and long, and hanging down upon the right side: a broad breast, open, bosled out, and very fleshy: his shoulders great and strait, his ribs round, his chine double, his belly round trusted, his cod alike great and small, his reins large, and somewhat giving down: his taile-long, and tufted with hair, thick and curled: his legs matches, thick of bone, but thin, dry, and bare of flesh, high and strait: his knee round and small, and not wrested inward: a round buttock: thick thighs, long, fleshy, finewie, and strong: a black hoof, hard, high, hollowed, round, good, and open, and rising up as it should toward the pasterns, and the crown or top of it very small above: which is cheerful, quick, gentle, having no ill quality nor diseases: for they which are of such a nature, a●e very easy and tractable, and patiently endure any labour: also he must not be mad or frantic, fearful, running backward: having the Sciatica, a slack eater, not scouring much, not used to lie down in Waters or Rivers: And yet though he have lost an eye, or have been hurt in any part of his body in any combat or fight, he is not to be accounted the worse for that, provided that in the rest of his body he be found. Again, the Horse is to be esteemed for a good Stallion which hath followed the Wars, because he will beget noble and courageous Colts, and such as shall be fierce in all adventures and difficult and long enterprises: beside, that he be of colour bay, brown, red, dapple grey, watchet, or Mouse colour, which is a certain note of an active and courageous Horse. And to speak in a word of the goodness and fairness of a Horse: ●ee must have the eyes and joints of an Ox, the strength of a Mule, the foot of the same, the hooves and thighs of an Ass, the throat and neck of a Wolf, the ●are and tail of a Fox, the breast and hair of a Woman, the boldness of a Lion, the sharp and quick fight of a Serpent, the pace of a Cat, lightness and nimbleness of a Hare; a high Pace, a deliberate Trot, a pleasant Gallop, a swift Running, and bounding Leap and present, and be quick in 〈◊〉.  
Again, you shall take it for the best and principallest note of a good Horse, 〈◊〉 he have an Ostrich feather on each side his crest: 
The best mark in a Horse.  for they are of excellent en●●rance, and will seldom or never tire: Again, to have the near foot white behind, the far foot white before, to have both feet white behind, or both 〈◊〉 whi●e on either side, are all approved marks of a very good Horse, provided that all such whites be under the pastern: for to have them higher, is a sign of an errand lad. Also to have a white star in the forehead, a whi●e rache down the face, or a white snip on the nose, are marks of a good Horse; provided, 〈◊〉 the star be not artificial, the rache too broad, inclining to baldness, nor the 〈◊〉 raw: all which are evil signs. Also a little foot is a sign of swiftness, a 〈◊〉 hair a sign of metal, a loose throppell a sign of much wind, and a short, well-knit, and upright pastern a sign of strength and great endurance. There be 〈◊〉 other signs of a good Horse, but none more material than these, nor none 〈◊〉 common or easy to be perceived.  
The Carter likewise must have knowledge of the age of his Horses, 
To know the age of Horses.  to the end he may so set them on work, as their strength will best bear. The age of Horses is known by their feet, hooves, and specially by their teeth. The Horse for the most part hath eight and twenty teeth. It is true that Aristotle would have the Horse to have forty. He beginneth to have teeth the first three months, and by the end of the first year he hath six above and as many below: At thirty months 〈◊〉 changeth two above and two below: and at forty two months he hath 〈◊〉 new ones on both sides, which touch those which he had last coming. Wh●● he is four years old, than the teeth called Dogges-teeths do fall out, and others come in their place. Before the sixth year, the great iaw-bone-teeths that are on the upper side do fall out: and in the sixth year, those that were first fallen do grow again. In the seventh year all the whole number is fulfilled, and they 〈◊〉 all hollow: and after this time, no man can certainly know how old a Horse 〈◊〉 but that about the twelfth year there is to be seen in them an extraordinar●● blackness: Add further, that by how much the Horse groweth older, so his teeth grow longer, except some certain ones, which are shorter by reason of 〈◊〉 eating of his meat; and these show themselves the more, as they draw nearer and nearer the forepart of the jaw. The tenth year the temples begin to fall and grow hollow, and sometimes the eyebrows do wax grey haired; the 〈◊〉 doth make show of sadness and a mine of melancholy in his forehead; he stoopeth in his neck; he is heavy of body; he hath eyes of a deadly colour; his 〈◊〉 grey, that especially of Bay, Black, and Roan coloured; as that also of the Chest●nut colour, and other colours standing upon dark: the grey flea-bitten groweth white, and the white flea-bitten becometh dapple-gray and somewhat dark●●▪ There are many wrinkles and plaits in the upper part of his broom or brushing tail, and they are commonly counted to be as many years old as there is wrinkles found in that place. Furthermore, an old Horse skin drawn ●p with our fingers abideth so a long time, but a young Horses falleth down against by and by▪ Also the uppermost joint, at the setting on of a Horse's tail close to his body, 〈◊〉 the age of a Horse: for if when you shall handle it, you find the 〈◊〉 standeth out and is easy to be felt, than you shall be assured that the Horse is young: but if the bone be not to be felt, but that the stern seemeth plain and smooth, than you shall be assured that the Horse is old; as above ten at the least. Again, 〈◊〉 you put your finger into the Horse's mouth, and feel his upper ●ush, if you 〈…〉 the inside a little hole sharp and shellie, than you shall be assured, 〈…〉 young, but if it be worn out and smooth, not to be felt, the Horse than is old; 〈◊〉 labove eleven at the least: If the neither ●ush have a ring (as it were) of new flesh ●bout it, which may be discerned from the other flesh, then is the Horse young▪ but if the flesh be all smooth and plain without difference, and the ●ush a 〈◊〉 blunted, then is the Horse inclining to old age; as above nine at the 〈◊〉 many other observations are held, but ●●one truly certain but these already rehearsed.  
It is likewise the charge of a Carter, 
To order sick● Horses.  to have especial care of the health of his Horses; whose continuance and term of life (as saith Aristotle) must be betwixt sixteen and twenty at the least: wherefore, when he seeth them in health, and yet notwithstanding lean, he shall give them parched Wheat, or of powned Barley the double measure. He shall rub them very well every day all over their bodies: assuring himself, that it doth more profit them, being often handed and rubbed, than to give them a great deal of meat. 
Difficulty of urine.  Likewise some say, that the hand feedeth a Horse more than his meat. If they cannot stolen, which is known by the swelling of the bladder, and about the yard, he shall make them drink pottage made of a pint of Wine, stamped Garlic, and ten whites of eggs: or else the juice of red Coleworts, mixed with white Wine. In the mean time he must take away from them their Oats and Barley altogether, and to feed them with nothing but their own and accustomed Fodder and Grass meat, to see and if they will recover through the time of the year. It will be good also to put within the sheath of their yard a colliery of Honey boiled with Salt, or else a Gnat or line Fly, or quick Fleas, or a pretty little piece of Frankincense: as also to lay unto the Reins and Flanks Oil mixed with Wine: or else to anoint his yard with Wormwood stamped and boiled with Vinegar; and moreover, to squirt a Syringe full of cool water against his cod. 
The scalding of the urine.  These Medicines are good when the Urine hath scalded the privy parts, or when they have great heat in their Urine.  
The cruel pain of the Head, 
Pain of the head.  and rage of the Horse, is cured by the often use of Smallage and much Bran, in which you shall have chopped the leaves of Lettuce and Barley straw newly gathered: let him blood upon the place where the brain lieth, or upon the temples, or upon both places, and let him stand in a very dark Stabl●, and such a one as standeth low. You shall know if he have pain in his head, by the distilling and dropping down of water from it, in that his eares-will be withered and hanging, his neck and head heavy and hanging down.  
The over-cooled Horse is cured by giving him to drink Swine's blood all hot with Wine, 
The Horse 〈◊〉 with cold.  or Mastic and Rue boiled with Honey, or a little common Oil with Pepper. This disease cometh unto him, when as sweeting and being hot, he is set in a cold place, and thereupon it draweth up his sinews, and hardeneth his hide: you must set him in a very hot place, covering him very warm with coverings down to the ground, and putting under his belly seven or eight great thick stones red hot, you shall quench them there, by casting warm water upon them by a little and little, and oft, that so by this means the heat may make him sweat.  
The nail in the eye shall be lifted up with a little small needle of ivory, 
The nail in the eye.  and then cut quite away with Scissors: or else make a powder of a green Lizard, and Arsenic, put it into the eye, for to fret away the nail.  
Against the suffusion there is a singular remedy: 
Against the blood- 〈…〉, pearl●, and spots in the 〈◊〉.  an eye-salve made of the juice of ground ivy stamped in a Wooden Mortar: or else the juice of the berries of Iu●e running along upon the ground: or the leaves of great clary beaten and stamped in a Mortar in Wine, after that you have let the Horse blood upon the vein of the eye that hath the suffusion, and to continue this remedy many days evening and morning: Or else blow into the eye through some Pipe or Quill the bone of Cuttle powned small, or the seed of Rocket whole: or else the seed of the herb called Tota bona, and there let it alone, till by his virtue it have cleansed and taken away the spots: or the powder of the yolk of an egg and salt burnt together, and put into the eye: or the powder of Sal-Armoniake, Myrrh, Saffron, and the shavings of the Cuttle bone.  
The strucken eye is cured by applying unto it a cataplasm made of bread 〈◊〉 steeped in cool water, 
The 〈…〉.  or bread toasted and steeped in white wine: if this do no good, you must open the head vein.  
The bleared eye is cured by an eye-salve made with frankineense, 
The bleared eye.  myrrh, starch, and fine honey: as also by a frontlet made of frankincense & mastic finely powdered ●●nd brayed with the whites of eggs, applied to the brows, and suffered there to lie ●ntill the eyes cease to shed tears, and after to raise the frontale with anointing the ●●dges thereof with Oil and warm water beaten together.  
The scars of the eyes are healed with rubbing them with your own fasting hospital and Salt, 
The scar of the eyes.  or with the powder of the Cuttle-bone mingled with burnt Salt, or the seed of wild Parsnep pouned, and pressed out of a linen cloth upon your eye scars.  
All pains of the eyes are cured by anointing them with the juice of Plantain with Honey. 
Pain of the eye.   
The Enceur doth bring present death unto horses: 
The ●ar●fore or swelling of the kernels of the hart.  wherefore you must so soon as ever you see the breast kernel to be swollen, pluck it away immediately without 〈◊〉 staying: and if in thus pulling of it away, any vein should burst, you must tie it 〈◊〉 both ends with a silk thread: look how much the kernel shall grow greater, so much greater an impostumation it would make, and not so only, but therewithal ●●●ause death.  
The horse having drunk much, 
The aviues.  or watered very quickly after his heat and travail, and upon it growing cold, and not being walked, doth beget the Auives, which do but little differ from the disease called the King's-evil, because as well in beasts as in man the King's-evil cometh of too much cooling of water, the throat having been heated, whereupon the horse looseth his appetite to eat, and his rest likewise, and his ears become cold: you must presently provide to help him, in taking away the Auives after this manner: Bend down the ear betwixt his neck and his chine, make incision with a knife for the purpose along upon the hard fleshiness, which one would say to be nothing but a very whitesinew: pluck away the white carnosity or fleshy substance: lay to the place as well within as without, a linen cloth dipped in the white of an egg, cover the horse by and by with a good covering, and walk him so long as until that his ears become warm, giving him a drink made with water, salt, and meal, but first causing him to eat a little good Hay: let him rest three days in the stable, and eat and drink there: or else make him hot fomentations, and those of such things as are proper in that case, to be applied unto the part, for to remove the humour, afterward apply a cataplasm made of Barley meal, and three ounces of Rosin, all boiled in due sort in good strong red wine; and when the matter shall be gathered and ready for suppuration, give it a gash with a knife, to let the suppurated and ripe matter out, afterward put in the hollow place tents wet in water, oil, and salt, with bolsters laid upon them and dipped in the same. This disease craveth a speedy remedy, for and if you stay till the Auives be gotten up higher, it is past hope of curing.  
The Squinancy, 
The squinancy or inflammation of the throat.  otherwise called the disease of the throat, and swelling of the tongue, requireth first of all that the horse should be let blood upon the vein under the tongue, or of the palate of the mouth: after that, a fomentation for the whole mouth, and for the tongue with warm water: then after that, a lineament of the gall of an Ox, or of 〈◊〉 and tartar beaten together with strong vinegar. And as concerning a drink, you must take of Oil two pound, of old wine a pottle, amongst all this you shall mix nine fat figs, with nine leeks heads: temper them all well together, and afterward make a decoction; in the end whereof, but before it be strained, you shall add of Salt and Nitre well pouned, so much as you shall see necessary: of all well strained, you shall make a drink, which you shall cause him to take with a horn twice a day, that is morning and evening a quarter of a pint at a time. For his meat cause him to eat green Barley, or Fetchets, or the meal of Barley, amongst which you shall mingle Nitre.  
The Strangles of a Horse, or Glandules, 
The Strangles.  which happen under his throat, and fall down from the brain much cooled, are oftentimes cured by pricking him under the throat in the morning, afterward cover his head with some kind of Linen cloth, and rub his throat oftentimes with fresh Butter, but especially the place of his disease.  
The barbs hindering the Horse from eating, 
The barbs.  by reason of 〈…〉 swollen, are healed by making him eat Pease, beans, or the stalks of Pease or 〈◊〉 because that the bruising and breaking of them causeth this swelling to go 〈…〉 if the barbs do grow there again, you must cut them out with a very 〈…〉 being likewise very hot, for thus are they taken out of the hollow of the 〈…〉 mouth, and for the rest taken away by burning, you must cut them away 〈…〉 of shears even to the quick.  
For the excrescence of flesh growing under the Horse's body, 
The soup, or excrescenc● under the belly.  you must 〈…〉 place, and make incision with some knife fit for the purpose, and then afterwards anoint it morning and evening with the ointment called Dialthoea.  
Flies are kept away from Horse's ●ores with pitch and oil, 
To chase away files.  or grease mingled 〈◊〉 powered upon them, and then by strawing Fetch flowers upon them again.  
The disease of the gums and teeth happeneth oftentimes unto colts when they 〈◊〉 growing their teeth, 
The pains of the gums and teeth.  temper of fullers earth (the best you can come by 〈…〉 Rheims) in very strong vinegar, and therewith rub their jaws on the outside, 〈◊〉 more a great deal in the place where the pain or swelled gums be.  
The short wound Horse, 
The short wound horse.  or he which cannot easily draw his breath, and 〈◊〉 hath his flanks beating incessantly, and which notwithstanding that he be 〈◊〉, haled, and whipped, will not stir, but pant very much, and blow exceedingly▪ 〈◊〉 and which eating of his meat cannot abstain coughing: this same Horse will 〈◊〉 ever be cured. It is true that this disease being new, and caused of dust, 〈◊〉 winds, fo●stie hay, or of having eaten some kind of dung in his provender, 〈◊〉 comedy for it may be, to draw blood upon him with a green withie, and to 〈◊〉 hot upon his breast and back the said blood mingled with wine and Oil 〈◊〉 and having done this for the space of five days, than the next five days following 〈◊〉 make him take down Lee at his nostrils, wherein there is mixed a portion of Oil, to give him this drink after: Mustardseed well fried, quick Brimstone, grains 〈◊〉 Paradise, of each alike much, make them in powder, and make thereof a decocti●● in honey and water, or else in some composition that is good and thick, whereof you shall give him every morning the bigness of a big Walnut, with sage, and with thick red wine, but such as is good and noble: or else make him a drink 〈◊〉 cloves, ginger, cummine, fennell-seed, and the roots Galanga, as much of the one 〈…〉 the other; all these being powdered, mingle therewith some eggs, and a little 〈◊〉, make the Horse to take it down with Wine, holding his head high, to the end 〈◊〉 may swallow the more easily, and not suffering him to hold it down, at the 〈…〉 a good half hour, to the end that the drink may pass through his bowels; 〈◊〉 this drink, you shall give him fresh grass, or the leaves of Roses or willow 〈…〉 temper the heat of the said drink: but the horse must not have eaten any thing 〈◊〉 the space of one half day before the taking of this, neither yet must he eat any thing for the like space after the taking of it. Let him walk and lead him gently by the headstall, or else getting upon him, let him place him very softly, that so he may not cast it up again: and thus much for the cure of the 〈◊〉 ●vinded horse, if the disease be not grown too old. Which notwithstanding that it should be, yet 〈◊〉 may relieve it for some time, if you fear him a little upon both the sides of the 〈◊〉, to the end that this heat may cause to cease this great panting, which doth pain 〈◊〉 in his flanks: and if withal you slit his nostrils, that so he may attract and 〈◊〉 in the air and his breath, and as easily let it go: besides these ways, I would 〈◊〉 you also to give him to eat, some grapes oftentimes, and to drink some sweet 〈◊〉. Another singular remedy there is, which consisteth in giving him a drink 〈◊〉 with Agaricke and Fenugreeke tempered with red Wine: or else to cause him 〈◊〉 swallow the blood of a little dog, which yet is not above ten days old: or to take the roots of Gentian, of wild cucumbers, and bitter Almonds, and to poune therewith Honey and Water, and to make a drink thereof; or else to give oftentimes 〈◊〉 eat of silver grass.  
The Cough hath many causes, 
The cough in a 〈◊〉.  notwithstanding that which cometh from the 〈◊〉, as from the lungs and parts adjoining, or else from some other of the inward 〈◊〉, which are noble and principal, and have accordingly some notable office in 〈◊〉 body; hath not a more sovereign remedy, than the slitting of the beasts nostrils, and if after this the beast do not amend, then to cause him to take down a ●ood pint of the drink following with a horn. Take Fenugreeke and Linseed, of ●●ch a quarter of a peck, Gum-tragacanth, Olibanum, & Myrrh, of each an ounce, ●ugar, the oatmeal of great wild Tare, of each an ounce, all these being well pou●ed and let run through a bag, you shall cause it to be infused all a whole night in hot water, and the day following you shall give it to the beast, as hath been said; ●nd this shall be continued, adding thereto a bowl of oil of Roses, even to the end of the cure. Some cause five eggs to be laid to steep one whole night in strong Vinegar, and the next morning when they see that the shell is become very ten●er and soft, they give them to the horse to take down. Furthermore you must ne●er draw blood from the horse in what place soever that it be, but it shall be good to ●iue it unto him, and to continue the Gum-tragacanth with sweet Oil.  
The ague of a horse is cured by being let blood upon the vein, 
The horse 〈◊〉 Ague.  which is found in 〈◊〉 midst of the thigh, to the quantity of six ounces, or about the place which is somewhat about the fundament: but if in neither of those two places, or where they cannot be found, you must take the neck vein toward the windpipe: if you perceive that there is need of a drink, you shall strain a handful of Purslane, and ●●ingle the juice with Gum●tragacanth, fine Frankincense, and a few Provence Ro●●s, you shall make him take it all with honeyed water, in some pretty small quanti●ie. It is known amongst other marks that he hath an ague, if he have the stopping of his urine, and his ears become cold, withering and hanging down.  
In the faintness of the heart. 
The faintness of the heart  it is good to keep the horse very hot, and to give him this drink; Myrrh two ounces, Gum-tragacanth four ounces, Safron four drams, Mehlot in powder an ounce, Mercury a pound, and fine Frankincense so much as shall be sufficient and proportionable: all these mixed together and made in●o powder, shall be reserved for your use, and that shall be in giving two good spoonfuls thereof with one pint of water, two spoonfuls of Home, and two bowls of Oil of Roses. This drink will serve for many days, even till the horse do find himself better. 
The broken back.  And further, know that this drink is good for those that have their ●acke or loins broken, and members very stiff.  
For the horse that is overheated, 
The horse overheated.  you shall cause him to swallow with the horn 〈◊〉 Winter three ounces of Oil, with one pint of red wine, and in Summer two ounces of Oil only, with the like quantity of Wine that is above named.  
In the pain of the belly, 
Pain in the belli.  which some call the Birth, you shall take the seeds of wild Rue, or of the garden Rue, you shall poune it well, and with hot wine you shall make him a drink: unto this drink you may add Cummine and Fennel-seed in like quantity, and after keep him hot in some close and well covered place: before you give him this drink, you must get upon his back, and walk him a long time, and that rather in high places, than in low and plain fields: when you are coming homeward, if the season be cold, you shall clothe him with a good woollen cloth, rubbing his flanks with Oil, until such time as he be become cold, and do break wind. It would be good also to convey into his fundament some hollow joint of a Reed or Rose tree sufficient thick, and half a foot long, anointed with common Oil, and let this same hollow Reed be in such sort fastened unto his tail, as that it may not by any means come forth, and this done then to get upon the horse, and to walk him. But howsoever things go, you must let him have meat of hot quality, and to drink water boiled with Cummine and Fennell-seed in equal quantity, mingling with it Wheat meal, and keeping it very warm in a very clos● place.  
For the difficulty 〈◊〉 urine, 
Difficulty of urine.  it is an approved thing to take five or nine of the flies called Cantharideses, to lap them in a linen cloth, and apply them to the thigh, and howsoever it fareth with him, yet to keep them there for some time: this will procure urine: but in any case give him them not in powder, clyster, or drink●. 〈…〉 good also to rub his cod with the decoction of Cresses, Pellitory, and 〈…〉 Leeks.  
For the snivel, 
For the snivel.  take Orpin and Brimstone, cast them upon burning coals, and 〈◊〉 the fume go up into the Horse's nostrils, that so the humours congealed above in 〈◊〉 brain may be resolved and cast forth.  
For the Flying worm, 
The Flying worm.  take from him some blood upon the veins of the 〈…〉 apply a hot ●earing iron very deep under the throat, and in the hole put 〈…〉 plegets upon them, moistened in the white of an egg, and after let him stand 〈◊〉 days in the stable.  
For the javar, take Pepper, 
The javar.  as also the leaves of Coleworts, old Swine's 〈…〉 make an emplaster to be laid upon the place.  
For the Fig, 
The Fig.  you must pair the hoof so far forward, as that you may 〈◊〉 reasonable room and space, betwixt the sole of the foot and the fig, than 〈◊〉 Sponge there, and tie it very hard, that so the rest of the fig may be 〈…〉 even to the cleft.  
For the Wen, 
The Wen.  open it when you shall perceive it to be full of matter, 〈◊〉 make a plaster of Goole-turdes, wine, salt, and vinegar, and lay unto the 〈◊〉: beware in any case that there be not in the bottom of it some strange and 〈◊〉 thing.  
For the galling of the back that is new done, 
For a galled back.  take two great Onions and 〈◊〉 decoction thereof in boiling water, afterward you shall apply it to the sore place 〈◊〉 hot as the horse can abide it, all the swelling will be gone away in one night. Otherwise take salt in powder, and wet it in strong vinegar, putting thereto the yolk of 〈◊〉 egg, with all this together you shall rub the place, and you shall see the proof▪ 〈◊〉 else wash the place with wine or very strong vinegar, lay aloft upon it Lime made 〈◊〉 powder, and mixed with Honey, continue this remedy so long as till the flesh be 〈◊〉 again, and the bone covered with it, then to cause the hair to grow upon it, yo● must poune the shells of small nuts burned, and being mingled with oil, anoint 〈◊〉 places wanting hair, and it will be overgrown in a short time.  
For a Horse swayed in the back, 
A horse swayed in the back.  or complaining of having been overladen, supply unto the reins of his back an emplaster made of stone-pitch, with the 〈◊〉 of Bole-Armoniake, Dragons-bloud, Olibanum, Mastic, Galls, of each squall weight: let the plaster be laid somewhat hot upon the offended part, which you shall not take away until it easily forsake the place when you touch it: for 〈◊〉 the Horse is healed.  
For the swellings caused on the Horse back by the Saddle, 
The back 〈◊〉.  open it first with 〈◊〉 Knife, afterward lay plegets upon it w●t in the whites of eggs three days together: and the place if it be swollen and hard, it will be healed with Coleworts, 〈◊〉, Wormwood, and Beares-breech, bruised together and stamped and bo●●led together with sweet Seam: apply it unto the place offended and hurt.  
For the disease called Grapes, 
The 〈◊〉 of the 〈◊〉.  which are moules and scabs on the heels, 〈◊〉 way the scabs, and them wash the place with the decoction of Mallows, 〈◊〉, and Mutton Sewer: put the dross or thick substance of this upon the 〈◊〉 and bind it fast and close thereto, afterward take it away and anoint the place 〈◊〉 an ointment made of vinegar, Mutton Suet, the gum of the Fir tree, and new 〈◊〉 of all alike, and boil them altogether.  
It is a singular good remedy for the jaundice which followeth: take of ●●nicke Corn, 
The jaundice.  and Smallage, of ea●h a pound, boil them all with Lupins 〈◊〉 good Honey, and of the whole strained, make him take a Pine, eight 〈◊〉 together.  
If he be costivene, 
Costives.  he may be helped by drink or clyster; the drink shall be 〈◊〉 give him ordinarily of the powder of wild Rue, with the seed thereof 〈…〉 good red wine: or else take the root of yellow Flower-de-luce, with Aniseed, 〈◊〉 Opopa●ax: and of all these beaten together very small, you shall make 〈…〉 or draughts, with three ounces of good Red wine, and as much Oil olive, and those on three several days. In the clyster you shall put the juice of pale coloured Flower-de-luce in three pound of the decoction of meadows and Perrie, and into the whole you shall put of Sall-nitrum, and the dung of Pigeons, of each an ounce, of Oyles-de-baye, and Rue, of each three ounces. After the clyster given, he must be walked a great while, and very softly. Some Farriers or Horseleeches have in this disease made trial of Hare's dung, with nine spoonfuls of Honey, and five grains of Pepper, to make a drink to take with the broth of Cich Pease, or Red Coleworts.  
The Horse oftentimes having eaten too much Barley or other provender that is hurtful, 
The 〈…〉.  is troubled with the swelling of his flanks, and the rest of his body: to take the same away, you must make a decoction of Mallows, Pellitory, Bears- 〈◊〉, Mercury, and other soluble herbs, putting thereto, Bran, Salt, Honey, and Oil: and having warmed this decoction, he shall have a clyster given him with a clysterpipe, having the shank thereof proportionably great and long: this being well accomplished, anoint his belly with Oil, and after cause it to be rubbed with a round staff by two men, beginning before, and so going backward, stopping up his fundament: after this, get upon him, and walk him very softly, and a long time, until that he have voided, not only this clyster, but withal some part of the dung, which he had in his body, and he will be well by and by after.  
For bursting, or rupture, 
For a horse that is bursten.  some are of opinion that there is nothing so sovereign as to take seven ounces of the ashes of the wood of vine branches, or of Elm, with three ounces of Oil olive, Scallions brayed, seven in number, Honey three ounces, fresh Butter and Goats Sewe●, of each an ounce, the juice of Plantain three ounces, with old white wine, or the broth of Cych Pease: this will serve for thrice, to be taken three several days together.  
To keep your great Horses that they may not be molested and troubled in great heat, 
The ●●inging of Flies.  with the stinging of Flies: you must rub their hair with the juice of leaves of gourds.  
For the farcie of the legs, 
The farcie.  you must shau●● the place, and after anoint it with the Oil of juniper for the space of four days evening and morning, and let not the horse go forth to water all the while that his hair is not grown again: or else let him have a strake with an iron, longways, and overthwhart: otherwise, for the farcie of a horse how hard to cure so ever it be, you must take the roots of common cotton thistle (which is the broad and white leaved thistle) and make him eat them in shives with his oats, it will heal him without all fail, in less than fifteen days, or three weeks, if it be continually given him to eat: and the remedy is very easy, seeing the horse will willingly eat it.  
For clefts which happen betwixt the joint of the leg and the hoof, 
Clefts.  shave away the hair, wash the place with wine, anoint it with an ointment made of Soot, V●●degrease, and Honey pouned and boiled together, mingling therewith in the end some Lime: if the chaps be very deep in, ●●are them.  
For the scab you must let him blood in convenient places, 
For the scab.  according to that place where the disease is: for a convenient purge, it will be good to use of the powder of the root of wild Cucumber mingled with Sal-nitrum, and given in a ●o●ne with white wine: the medicine oftentimes given doth purge him of evil humours: for an ourward remedy, take quick Brimstone, fat Pitch, Clay of judea, called Asphaltu●▪ mingle all together, and dissolve it in new Butter salted, and with this ointment you shall rub him all over his body in the greatest heat of the Sun, and by many persons, and a long time. If you love not rather to take of vinegar a quarter of a pin●e, of Perrosin four ounces, Pitch or Gum of the Cedar-tree four ounces, and mix them all well together in an ointment, with man's urine and warm water, putting thereto of sweet Seam, and old Oil, of each three oun●●●, make a lineament or cerote, if it like you not, better to wash him all over, 〈◊〉 else to foment him with urine and warm water, and after to appl●e your lin●ment upon the places so washed. The herb called Rose-baie, or Oleander, boiled in Oil (I mean the leaves only) is an exquisite remedy for this disease, 〈◊〉 thereto fat pitch, vinegar, and wax: and remember always in rubbing and anointings to rub the beast against the hair. It is also a sovereign remedy to 〈◊〉 him first in the s●abbed place until it bleed, and after to wash it with Lee made with one part of lime, two of Beane-meale, and three of the ashes of Ash-tree, all these not boiled but steeped only in the Lee. After the washing, you must anoint the place with an ointment made of quicksilver, hellebor, brimstone, alum, coltsfoot, 〈◊〉 Swines-grease.  
When the horse complaineth himself, 
The Horse swelled.  and his flanks be swollen, as also the re●● of his body, by having eaten some bad Hay or Provender, you shall make him this drink: take the thin skins that are in the stomach of three Hens, and dry the● well in an oven, afterward powder them with half an ounce of pepper, and fou●● spoonfuls of Honey, and an ounce of the powder of fine Frankincense, make him take this medicine with a pint of warm wine, and to the end that it may loosen his belly, give him at the fundament by a clyster sufficient great and long, a clyster of the decoction of Mallows, Mercury, Pellitory, and other loosening herbs, putting thereto Bran, Salt, Honey, and Oil.  
Against the colic: 
The colic in a Horse.  take Asarum bacchar, the leaves and roots of Parsley and Fennell, of each one ounce, black Pepper two ounces, Horehound an ounce, Soothernwood half an ounce, fine Honey a pottle, boil it well, and scum it altogether, and thereof make trochiskes of the bigness of Filberts, and with a quarter of a pint of good wine, you shall make the horse to take it in manner of a drink: and the day that the colic doth pain him, you shall bruise three or four spoonfuls of Fennel-seed, and cause him to drink it down roundly with wine, and then count him well to cause him to sweat.  
For the swelling of the cod or stones, make as it were a pap of strong vinegar, fullers day and salt, 
The swellings of the cods.  to anoint the cod withal twice or thrice a day.  
For a Fistula: 
For a Fistula.  make the hole wider, sear it, cast into it a salve made of unquenche Lime, so long as till the core or dead flesh within do fall out.  
For the canker: 
For a Canker.  wash it with strong vinegar, afterward sprinkle upon it the 〈◊〉 powder of the root Daffodils, Ratsbane, and Vnquencht-lime, put together into ● pot, and burnt to ashes.  
For the javar in the houghs or hams: 
The javar or scab in the 〈◊〉.  sear the places along and overthwart with a hot iron, afterward apply thereto a cataplasm made of very new Ox dung 〈◊〉 upon the fire with Oil.  
If the horse be cloyed, 
The Horse cloyed.  you must take out the nail, and pair him to the quick and till blood come, then making very clean the pared place to drop into it 〈◊〉 Brimstone, or to fill it up with an ointment made of Turpentine, Wax, Oil, Honey and Salt, all being made very hot, and a little Cotton also dipped in the same ointment. Or else (which is an approved thing) to put upon the hurt place on th● inside of the hose of the horse, the leaves of white female Mullein bruised betw●●● two stones. And in case the malady be a day or two old, than you must hold the horse foc● in warm water well salted, and lay and bind aloft upon the foot a 〈◊〉 of Bran, Swines-grease, and Salt-water: or with small Salt and strong Vinegar, or the powder of galls, or mittles, or of the mastic tree, and then to sear him above, 〈◊〉 to fill up all the hollow of the foot with Porkes-grease: and having thus dressed it so much, and so oft as it shall be needful: let it be made up, filling notwithstanding the hoof on the inside with pitch, and anointing it oftentimes with swines-grease as i● abovesaid. And to preserve the hoof in his soundness and strength, apply unto 〈…〉 lost a cataplasm made of boiled meadows stamped and mixed with honey and bran: put in the hollow of the hoof the suet of a sheep, and above the hoof his own dung 〈◊〉  
For the horse which halteth because of some stroke given him by some other horse upon his sinews: 
Alene Horse.  take of the suet of a Malegoat a pound, Molibden● halves pound, Resin a pound, and Copperas half a pound, make an ointment. The 〈◊〉 ●●roken or wounded, or having received any other kind of wrench in the Knee or ●oynt, by the horse his setting of his foot in some bad and inconvenient place, is hea●ed by taking an ounce of Fenugreeke, as much of Linseed, four ounces of Swines-grease, all this being boiled together so long as till it be thick, and much dimi●shed.  
If the horse interfering do wound himself upon his hinder feet, 
The interfering of a horse.  you must cut away the hair very short and bare from the place that is hurt, and rub it with common salt, tying upon it some pretty plate of thin Lead, afterward taking that away ●o wash it with Wine.  
For the spavin in the hams: you must, 
The spavine.  raising the thigh up on high, tie the vein called Fontanella, and give it a wound with a flemme to let it bleed, and after to apply the actual cautery, or hot iron upon the spavin, and to burn it long wise and overthwart, and to heal up the seared place, as in the javar.  
The chaps are healed, 
Chaps & Cliffs.  if you burn them at either end with a round hot iron: for his burn will keep the chaps from going further, and then afterward rub them with washed Lard in divers waters, or with oil of Bays mixed with Mastic, Frankincense, Vinegar, and the yolk of an Egg.  
The grapes would (when the hair is once taken away) be washed with the decoction of meadows, 
The grapes or scabber.  of Brimstone, and Mutton-sewet, afterward applying the drossy parts unto the places, which being taken away, there shall an ointment be made of new Wax, Turpentine, and Gum-arabecke equally mingled.  
For the horny swelling in the circle of the houghs or hams: 
For the 〈◊〉 swelling.  you must shave the disease and put upon it the drossy parts of the decoction of hollihocke roots stamped: and after that a plaster of Mustardseed, the roots of meadows, and Ox dung, all boiled together with Vinegar.  
Cut the head and the tail from a snake, 
For the disease called Paumon, or 〈◊〉 gall.  and divide the rest of the body into gobbets, roast them on a spit, gather the fat which droppeth, and apply it to the sore or wound.  
The disease of the hoof or the corn: stamp Coleworts that are green with old Swines-grease, 
The disease of the hoof, or the corn of the f●oat.  lay it unto the disease, and get upon the horse, and ride him indifferently to the end that the medicine may pierce into it.  
For the garrot: 
The garrot.  pluck away the flesh that is dead with a sharp instrument, and wash the place with warm Wine, afterward apply plegets thereto moistened in the white of an Egg.  
The disease of the neck: 
The disease of the neck.  pierce the flesh in five places on both sides the neck, with an iron sharp like a Awl, put a Seton through every hole, and let them abide there fifteen days.  
For the palamie: 
The Palamie or bloody chaps in the palate.  take away the flesh from the palate of his mouth with a very fine instrument, and that in such quantity as that the humour may easily come forth, afterward cleanse and rub his pala●e, with honey of Roses, juice of Chibol●s, Scallions, and burned Wheat.  
The courbe: cut the skin alongst the hair, 
The courbe, or a long swelling beneath the elbow of the hough.  according to the bigness of the courbe, apply thereto a linen cloth, wet in warm Wine, straw upon it the powder of verdigris, and thus continue unto the end of the cure.  
For the Knee swollen: 
The swelling of the Knee.  take a pint of strong vinegar, wherein you shall temper a little Salt, of burnt Copper half a pound, and of Sinople so much as shall be needful and necessary.  
For the Knees that are broken and chapt: 
Broken and chapt Knees.  take common Oil, Linseed, ashes of Rie-straw, and all being put together make an ointment thereof, to anoint the sore place evening and morning until it be wh●le.  
For the chafings which most commonly happen unto the neck or back of a horse carrying Saddle-packs, 
Chafing.  or Saddle: lay upon the place the leaves of wild black ●ine.  
In old and hard tumors make this cerote: 
Old tumors.  Galbanum two ounces, Rosin, and Wax, of each a pound, Gum-ammoniacke, and black Pitch, of each half a pound, and of oil so much as shall be needful to incorporate and make up all the rest 〈◊〉 good form. But if the tumour be broke and hollow, and hath been an old 〈…〉 very long continuance, than you shall dissolve a quarter of a pound of Allome 〈…〉 pint of running water, and with it first wash the sore very well, and the take V●guentum Aegyptiacum, and lay it upon the sore with flax hurds; do thus once 〈◊〉 twice a day, and the cure will soon be made perfect.  
Against the bots or worms, 
Worms and bots.  make him drink water wherein Rye hath boiled, or mingle amongst his bran some Brimstone: or make ashes of the wood of 〈◊〉 Olive-tree, or powder of dried Wormwood, together with the corns of raw ●●pines, and Centaurie alike much of all, two ounces of the seed of turnips, hearts- 〈◊〉 one ounce, and with white wine it will serve to take at three times: the day after the three above named, you shall make him a clyster of the decoction of Wormwood and Rue, putting thereto in the strained liquor two Oxe-galls, and an 〈◊〉 of Aloes.  
Against the flux of the belly, 
The current.  which some use to call the current, there is made a drink of great service and use of the powder of galls, with red wine, and the flower of starch tempered together: or else i● the flux come of taking cold, give him 〈◊〉 dipped in sweet Red wine and rosewater; and rub his reins and belly with 〈◊〉 wine, Oil of Roses, and a little Salt.  
For the flux of blood passing by urine, 
Flux of blood.  you must let him blood of the vein of 〈◊〉 breast: afterward make a decoction of Wheat with sweet Seam, and the powder of the rinds of dry Pomegranates, strain them all to make a drink for to give him every morning, not putting him to any travel at all. Likewise you shall apply a 〈◊〉 plasme unto his back and reins, made with Knotgrass, Bole●armoniacke, and the blood of the beast, mingled together with strong vinegar or thick red wine, which may also serve for them that have their reins relaxed, or have been pricked with 〈◊〉 Lancet.  
A resty horse for to make him go forward, 
The resty horse.  must have a cord tied unto 〈◊〉 cod, and it must be so long, as that reaching betwixt his forelegs it do come up 〈◊〉 high, as that the rider may hold it in his hands, and so may pull it hard whenas the horse should offer to go backward: but if it be in a Gelding, you must bombast 〈◊〉 buttocks with a good long stick taken hot out of the fire, and burnt at the end, for 〈◊〉 will make him go: and likewise if you use the same course in his rearing, it will ●●●rect him, and make him leave them.  
If the horse at any time with eating of his hay do eat any venomous beast, 
Poison eaten.  as Scorpion, Spider, or the venomous fly called Buprestis: he must be covered till he 〈◊〉, and then in all haste let him blood in the roof of his mouth, which so soon as it is 〈◊〉 forth, shall be given him again to drink warm, and in such quantity as it 〈◊〉 forth; for his meat, give him leeks and wheat boiled together. Look more abo●● in the Chapter of the Neat-heard or Oxe-keeper.  
For the stinging of Vipers, 
The stinging of Vipers.  a live Cock slit through the midst, and applied warm unto the wound is much worth: and presently after this, a powder of the 〈◊〉 of yellow Daffodil, with strong wine and Salt made all in a drink for him: or 〈◊〉 the root, leaves, and fruit of wild vine made in ashes, and drunk with good 〈◊〉 or else take presently that kind of bugloss, called Echium, and draw out of it a good pint of juice, having first watered it with white wine or water of Card●us 〈◊〉. It you perceive that the leaf will not yield you juice enough of itself, 〈◊〉 the horse first to drink that which you have, and after apply the substance of 〈◊〉 herb upon and about the stung place, and cover it.  
The Shrew by her biting of the Horse, 
The biting of the Shrew.  maketh him oftentimes to die, as 〈◊〉 have oftentimes seen both in Horse and Oxen: this is a beast as big as a 〈◊〉, of the colour of a We●ill, with a long snout and a short tail: she fasteneth upon 〈◊〉 infecteth most chiefly the cod, and maketh four small wounds: for to heal● 〈◊〉 venomous biting, you must cause him presently to take down through the ●●ose ●●●●leaues stamped or powdered with water: and to apply unto the place that is 〈◊〉 ●ummin and Garleeke stamped together: and in case there be any ulcer, you must ●ment the place with Brine, or with the decoction of the Myrtle-tree, and to scatter ●nd sprinkle thereupon the powder of burned Barley, or of a Pomegranate rind. ●ooke more in the chapter of the Ox-keeper.  
The biting of a mad dog hath for a singular remedy, 
The biting of a mad dog.  if it be used before it be 〈◊〉 days, the flowers of Medicke fodder burned and mixed with old Swines●rease, and applied unto the wound, or else to stamp it with old white Wine, and ●●use him to drink it. Also the root of the Eglantine-tree made in powder, and put ●pon the wound, or given him to drink with good old Wine. Likewise the Berries of Elder-tree, or the juice of the leaves thereof, or of Ashe-tree.  
Hen's dung swallowed by hap, 
Hen's dung swallowed by the horse.  bringeth frets and wrings in the belly: for which, ●●ke of old Smallage and dry two ounces, and cause him to drink them with Wine ●nd Honey: afterward walk him until his belly rumble, and that he begin to dung.  
The lean horse may be made fat, 
The lean horse.  if you give him to eat Fasels or long Pease boiled in water, and mixed amongst his provender: but and if he should be so weak as ●hat he could not swallow them down, you must strengthen and get him into cou●age again, making him sup egge-yolkes with sugar in very good quantity: warm water, mixed with Salt and meal of Millet, and given to the horse, doth greatly fat him. Also Panic, Rice, and Millet boiled, and mixed with Beane-meale and Salt, ●are excellent good, and it would be given him four times a day, but not much at a time, lest the horse should cast it up again.  
It cometh to pass sometimes that Mares are troubled with a kind of rage, 
The raging love of Mares.  that is to say, when they see their own pictures in the water they are taken with love: and hereupon they forget to eat and drink, and dry up their heat or sign of desiring the horse. The signs of this madness are manifested by their running through the pastures, as if they were spurred, oftentimes looking round about them, as if they sought and desired something. They are cured of this madness by being brought unto the water; for when they see by their shadows how ill favoured they be, they will forget the first shape which they had beheld before.  
For a Horse that is troubled with the Yellows, 
Yellows.  you shall first let him blood in the neck vein and in the roof of the mouth: then take a quart of Ale, a handful of Celandine, fine spoonfuls of Honey, three ounces of Cummin seed beaten to powder, a little Saffron, and a handful of Time, boil these together, then strain it, and give it the Horse to drink luke warm.  
If your Horse be troubled with the Staggers, 
Stagger.  you shall first let him blood in the neck vein, and take from him great store of blood: then take Verjuice and Bay salt beaten together, with a good pretty quantity of Assafoetida, and dip in Flax hurds therein, stop it hard into the Horse's ears, and then bind them up so as the medicine may by no means fall out; and do thus divers days together: and if need require, let him blood again the second day on the other side of the neck: let him stand warm, lie soft, and by no means drink any cold water.  
For the Gargyll or Pestilence amongst Horses, 
Pestilence.  take hens dung, and mix it very well with old urine, and then boil them together, and being luke warm, give the Horse a pint, or a little more, to drink two or three mornings together: then, as was before said, let him stand warm, lie soft, and by no means drink any cold water.  
If your Horse be troubled with the Cords, 
Cords.  take a corued made of the brow-antler of an old stags horn, and thrust it under the Cord, and twynd it ten or twelve times about, till the Horse be constrained to lift up his foot, than cut the Cord asunder, and put a little salt into the wound, and wash him after with Beefe-broth, and the cure will be effected.  
If your Horse be troubled with a Rheum descending down into his eyes, 
Rheum in the Eye.  you shall take Bole-armoniake, Terra sigillata, Sanguis Draconis, of each a like quantity, scrape them, then add the white of an egg and vinegar, so much as will serve to moist them, than spread it upon a piece of leather plaster-wise, and lay it to the temples of the Horse's head, three or four days together, and it will both 〈◊〉 and dry up the rheum.  
If a wart, 
A wart.  or any other naughty substance shall grow within the 〈◊〉 of your horse, you shall take burnt Allome, and white Copperas, and grind 〈◊〉 to a very fine powder, and then with a Goose or Swans quill blow some of the po●der into the horse's eye, and it will soon eat away the excression and cleanse the eye, and make it fair and perfect.  
For any strain whatsoever, 
A Strain.  whether it be in sinew or in bone, you shall 〈◊〉 bole-armoniac, Vinegar, whites of Eggs, and Beane-flower, and mix them 〈◊〉 together till it come to be a good thick salve, then spread it upon a cloth, and lay 〈◊〉 exceeding hot to the strain, renewing it once in five and twenty hours, and it 〈◊〉 cure it.  
If your horse be troubled with spavens, 
Spaven.  you shall take a good quantity of Linseed, and bruise it well in a Mortar, then mix it very well with Cow dung, and put in into a Frying-pan, and boil it well therein upon a quick fire, than 〈◊〉 hot apply it to the Spaven, not forgetting to renew it once every day till it 〈◊〉 brought the Spaven to a head, and break it like an ordinary impostumation; 〈◊〉 having run two or three days, you shall lay a plaster of Pitch upon it, and so heal up the sore as in case of other ulcers.  
Now for as much as to know medicines for diseases is to little or no purpose, 
To know diseases by their signs.  except a man know the disease, I will here in a brief manner show you the signs of all the most general and hidden infirmities that are in horses, therefore first to begin with the outward parts: that you may know where the grief is when at any time a horse halteth, you shall note these few observations following, first if he 〈◊〉 before, and 〈◊〉 but his Toe to the ground, it is most certain that the greiefe is in his hoof; but if when he halteth, he bend not his pastern, then be you well assured the grief lieth in the joint: If he halt more when you turn him than when he goeth right forward, or forbeareth his foot more in the turning than in going, than the grief questionless is in the shoulder or the thigh; or if when he standeth still he setteth one foot a good deal more forward than the other, the grief is then in the shoulder or upper parts also, as, in the Knee or Knuckle of the Elbow: If he go bowing to the ground, and tread his steps very thick, the grief is in the breast: 〈◊〉 he halt behind and in his gate set but his Toe to the ground, the grief is in the foot, or in the sti●le; but if he refuse of touch the ground at all, than the grief is in the Buttock. Now to know whereof these griefs do proceed, you shall understand that if the grief proceed of a hot cause, than he most halteth when he traveleth, or is chafed, and the further he goes, the worse and worse he goes: but if it proceed of a cold cause, than he halteth most when he rests or stands still, and at his first going out out of a journey, but after a little chafing he goeth upright again. Now if the horses halt be secret, and as it were half vnperce●●able, insomuch that you are incertain whether he halteth yea or no, you shall suffer him to run at the uttermost length of his halter, without any stay or ease of your hand, and then without doubt if he have any hidden malady or grief whatsoever, he will easily discover it: and thus much for the signs of griefs in the outward parts. 
Signs of inward griefs.  Now for the signs of griefs in the inward parts, you shall observe, that if your horse be slower in labour, or duller of the spur, or shorter breathed, or if his ears hang down more than they were wont, of his hair stare, if his flank be more hollow, if he burn or glow betwixt the ears, if he refuse his meat, or if his mouth be dry and clammy in his travel, all these are general signs of inward sickness: If a horse hold his head down in the Manger, be heavy and dim sighted, it is a sign of a Fever, headache, hear●ach, foundering in the body, or the Staggers.  
If a Horse turn his head back, and look to his body as to the place grieved, it is sign of obstructions in the Liver, especially when he looketh to the right side, but if he look further, as to his belly, than it is a sign of Worms or Colic; when thin water runneth from his mouth, it is a sign of Staggers, or a wet Cough▪ ●●tinking breath, and foul mattar at his nose, is a sign of an Ulcer in the nose: but ●he mattar be white, than the Glanders; if black, than the mourning of the ●yne; if yellow, than the consumption of the Liver: but if he cast little lumps 〈◊〉 of his mouth, than it showeth rotten Lungs. If the Horse's body and breath be 〈◊〉, and withal he loathe his meat, it is a sign of a Fever, surfeit in the Stomach, or 〈◊〉 dry or moist Yellows. A palpable swelling on both sides the forehead, shew●● the Staggers; between the ears, the Poll-evill; under the ears, the V●●es; in 〈◊〉 mouth, the Flapps, or Lampas; under the throat, the Glanders; in the tongue, 〈◊〉 Strangles; on the left side, the Spleen; in the belly and legs, the Dropsy; 〈◊〉 in the flank, the Colic. To cough, or to offer to cough, shows a Cold, or 〈◊〉 feather or such like thing in his weazand. To stagger, or go reeling, showeth 〈◊〉 Staggers: yet if such staggering be behind only, than it shows Foundering in 〈◊〉 body, or pain in the Kidneys: Trembling or shaking shows a Fever, or the ●●undring in the body: Hollowness of the back, shows the dry Malady, or the dropsy: stalling with pain, shows the Stone: leanness and gauntnesse shows hidebound, Worms, or a Consumption: looseness of body shows an unflamed ●●uer; and costiveness, the Yellows and sickness of the Spleen: A Horse's dung ●uch stinking, shows a hot Liver; not smelling, a cold Liver; hardly disgusted, then Consumption, or the dry Malady: A desire to lie down on the right side, shows ●at in the Liver; on the left, disease in the Spleen: to be oft up and down, Bots, or ●ormes: If he spread himself when he lies down, shows the Dropsy if he groan ●hen he is down, shows a sick Spleen: and not able to rise when he is down, ●ewes Feebleness, Foundering in the body or legs, or else Death: To be troubled ●ith Wind, shows the Colic; desire to eat, and not to be thirsty, shows a cold ●iuer; desire to drink, and not to ●at, a Fever, or over-travelling; and greedy eating ●nd drinking, 
The Horse-leacherie of P. Vegetius translated by the Author.  shows rotten Lungs. A further Discourse and more ample Treatise of ●he diseases and curing of Horses, is to be looked for in the Works of P. Vegetius, concerning the curing of the diseases of Horses; and which I have translated, or ra●her paraphrastically runned over in French out of Latin. Look also into the Chapter of the Oxe-keeper above handled.   

CHAP. XXIX.  
Of the Ass.  
NOtwithstanding that the Ass is but a base and contemptible thing, yet he is very necessary in every Country House, because he traveleth and doth his necessary work better than if he were greater and more corpulent: as to turn the Mill, to grind the Corn, to bear the Corn to the Mill, and divers other implements and commodities, as Butter, Cheese, ●nd Cream, to be sold at the Market, and to bring the same or any other thing back again home upon his back: to toil the earth that is light, and not strong and stiff: ●o draw Carts that are not too heavy laden: 
The milk of an Ass good for them in consumptions: and for to make fair the countenances of women.  besides the commodity of the milk of ●he she Ass, which is a sovereign remedy as well for them that be in a consumption, that be weak, empoisoned, rheumatic, and such other like diseases; as also for to make nea●, to white▪ make tender and smooth the faces of women: as we read that Poppea the wife of Nero did, using baths to keep her hue and colour most fair, ●nd her flesh most smooth and white. To let pas●e and to say nothing of the flesh of the Ass, which whiles it is young is very delicate, and full of pleasant ta●t and savour 〈◊〉 eating, and for that cause hath sometimes been of great request in Rome, as also ●n our time in great estimation by a great noble and worthy man in France, who caused a flock of Asses to be kept and most carefully looked unto: and in like manner to say nothing of the Hide, whereof there are made very good sieves to riddle the corn, as also tabor to dance by, and drums for the wars. Wherefore the good householder must appoint him also one to order and govern him, who notwithstanding shall not be much busied in taking charge of an● looking to him, seeing he 〈◊〉 very easy and light to keep: he is contented with a little meat, and that of any sort even such as one will give him: for some feed him only with leaves, thorns, and thistles: some do fat him with chaff and straw, which are commonly found almost in all countries: it is true that he must not be let feed upon or have given to eat any Hemlock; for it casteth him into such a sound sleep, as that he seemeth to be not so much like a block, but rather stark dead. If you give him now and then some 〈◊〉 bread, or millet, it pleaseth him as well as a great banquet: he looketh not worse, when he is ill handled and curried of him, who hath the charge of him: he doth easily endure strokes and hunger, and is not easily tainted of any disease: notwithstanding the Asse-keeper shall have care that the She-asse may be covered in 〈◊〉 time, that is to say, from mid March until june, to the end that foaling about the end of the year, it may happen to be in the spring of new Grass, and the age of the Ass to be covered must be from three years to ten: at which time you must give leave to the She-asse to run, in regard of the good store of fruit she hath brought forth: 
Rest maketh an Ass always after unfit for labour.  but on the contrary, not to suffer the male to continue out of labour, seeing that much respeit will bring him to an habit of slothfulness. He shall suffer the young Ass to suck it dam until it be two years old: or else you shall let it such● a Mare, because it is somewhat better: he shall not set the young Ass to labour before it be three years old, which is the time wherein you must accustom it to bear burdens, 
The mark●s of a good Ass.  to draw in the plough, and to serve to ride upon. The Ass that is not above ten years old, nor younger than three, which is great, well squared in his parts, having sufficient gross eyes, wide nostrils, long neck, broad breast, high shoulders, great back, a large chine or crest, great cod, a flat crupper, a short tail, hi● hair drawing toward the colour of black, sleek, and listed, having a black mark in the forehead, or all along the body, shall be well accounted of. But on the contrary, there is no account to be made of such as have an ashy coloured hair, or somewhat grey, as the most in this country are, and least of all of such as are of a small ●●ature, 
The diseases of the Ass.  To be short, he shall be careful to heal them when they be sick (although as hath been said, this beast is not very subject to diseases) and that by using such remedies as he doth unto horses.  
The householder being a good husband, 
The Asses-hide.  shall keep the hide of his Ass, to ●an and dress to make shoes as well for himself as for his family, for as much as shoo●● made of an Ass' skin, and upon the back part, whereon the Ass doth carry 〈◊〉 buthens, are so durable, as that one shall scarce see any end of them, though you wear them amongst stones, gravel, thorns, or other such like places, notwithstanding with their lasting they grow so hard as that they cannot be worn any more.  
The hoof of an Ass burnt and made in powder doth heal the Falling-sickness▪ and that of the wild Ass hanged about the neck, 
The Asses-●oo●e  or set in a ring, in such sort as th●● it may touch the flesh, is singular good against the said disease, as also against the swimming of the head, which cometh through a weakness of the brain. Some think that the wild Ass is that which is called Ellend, and much seen in Polonia, Litu●n●a, and Su●cia, and that because that the Ellend hath ●ares like unto an Asses: the French men which have traveled into Polonia, say, that the Ellend doth resemble the Ass i● nothing but in her ears, as otherwise in all points almost being like 〈◊〉 the Hart: having a cloven foot, but that he is a great deal bigger, and in ho●●es like unto a Falo-deer.  
Although the Ass be mocked of the most because of his long ears, 
The A●●e doth 〈…〉.  yet notwithstanding those ears how great soever they be, do serve him to show his virtue, and to make to appear his understanding and certain knowledge which he hath of the change of the weather, seeing that if it will turn to rain, he than layeth them so 〈◊〉 upon his neck, that one would say they were glued to it.   

CHAP. XXX.  
Of the Mule-keeper.  
A Good Householder must not be unfurnished of things necessary for his House, whether they serve for food and sustenance, or for ease. Wherefore although in respect of some manner of work he may be content to want Mules, having the benefit of Horse to carry him to the Market and other places whither his business shall call him: yet notwithstanding the Mule is necessary for his ●asement, whether it be that he would rather ride upon Mules than upon Horses, because of their easier pacing; or that, by reason of age, or want of health of ●odie, he cannot endure the travel of a Horse, but is constrained to provide a Horse-litter to carry him in. 
The Mules of Auernia.  I will further say, that in some places, as in Auernia, ●hat for the scarcity and small number of Horse and Oxen, the Mules are esteemed of great value, and are used to toil the earth, to travail, and do other necessary ●hings tending to the commodity and maintenance of the House; to say nothing ●hat Mules are proper Beasts, strong and able to carry great and heavy burdens, as Trunks, sacks of Corn and Meal, and such other burdens which Horses could ●ot bear.  
The ordering and charge of Mules is like unto that of Horses, as well in respect of their meat, pasture, feeding, and furniture, as in the curing of their diseases, whereunto they are subject: and therefore we will knit up in ●ewer words what may be said of them, both for the causes rehearsed, as also for that I willingly leave the whole knowledge of their feeding and handling to those of Auernia, amongst whom they are in such high request. Notwithstanding, to speak summarily, the Mule-keeper must not only be careful of the well-feeding of his Mules, but also of making of the most profit of them. The profit that may be raised of them, consisteth in the very same commodities that may be raised of the Ass, and that is principally of goodly Herds and Flocks. Hence he shall choose a good and goodly beautiful male Mule, Ass, or Horse, and likewise a female, Mare, or she Ass, for the saddle: for if both of them happen not to fit the turn, and be well conditioned, yet that which doth, cannot be but valiant and courageous: 
The divers manners of the engendering of male and female Mules.  And although that male and female Mules be engendered either of the male Ass and the Mare, or of the Horse and female Ass, yet those are the best which come of the Ass and the Mare: for those which come of the Horse and the Ass, though their name be according to their fire, yet they resemble in conditions their dams altogether. Wherefore it is best, to the end you may have goodly and beautiful she Mules, 
The marks of a good Ass to c●uer she Mules.  to make a Stallion of an Ass, which is fair and beautiful, of a good race, and that hath been well tried. You must choose one that is three years old and upward, great and corpulent, of a strong neck, strong and large ribs, of an open and musculous or fleshy breast, fleshy thighs, well-trus●ed legs, of a black colour, or flea-bitten with red, tending to a bright, or of a grey silver colour, or of a dark murrey colour, for commonly Asses are of a Mouse colour: but they which are of this hair, are not so lively and stirring as the other: and if there come forth either male or female Mule wearing this livery, they are not so good and suitable. The Mare must be less than ten years old, great and fair, and of good limbs, to the end she may take and keep the nature of the Ass, disagreeing with her body, and being of another kind than she herself; and that she bestow upon her fruit not only the gifts of the body, but also of spirit and liveliness▪ The young stayeth in the dams body twelve months: wherefore the Mare would be covered from mid March unto mid june, to the end she may foal when grass is in full force, thereby to be sure to get good store of Milk. She having brought forth her young one, it must be used after the manner of young Colts, excepted only, that after it hath sucked six months, the dam can give it suck no longer, by reason of the ache of her teats: but it must be made to suck some Mare, that so it may grow more lus●ie: or you must let it go with the dam, that it may learn to eat, so that still it be provided of milk to suck.  
The Horse-mule well chosen, 
Signs of a good Horse-Mule.  must be of a gross and round body, having small feet, and thin legs and dry, a full and large crupper, a broad and soft breast, a long and compassed neck, a dry and small head. On the contrary, the Mare-Mule must have her legs somewhat gross and round, 
Of a good Mare-Mule.  a strait and solid body, and a crupper hanging towards the tail. The Mare-Mules are stronger, mightier, nimbler, and longer livers than the Horse-Mules: but the Horse-Mules are more tractable and more easy to guide and learn than the Mare-Mules be. Both of them are subject to lunacy: but to take this fault away, you must make them drink some wine oftentimes. If they be froward, and unwilling to be saddled, you may tie up one of their forelegges even unto their thighs, to the end that in the mean time they may not fall backward. If they be hard to shoe on the right foot behind, you must 〈◊〉 up the left before.  
The Mare-Mule is subject to the same diseases that the Horse, 
The diseases of the Horse and Mare-Mule.  as hath been said; notwithstanding there is something peculiar in them, for which the remedies do follow: When she hath an Ague, 
Ague.  you must give her raw Coleworts: when she bloweth and sigheth much, and hath a short wind, you must let her blood, and afterward give her to drink three quarters of a pint of Wine, 
Difficulty of breath.  with half an ounce of Oil, and as much Frankincense, and two pints of the juice of Horehound. If she have the moules and scabs about her pasterns, 
Scabs in the pasterns.  called the Grapes, you must put upon them Barley meal, 
Leanenes.  and open the imposthume, if any thing be in it. Their leanness and languishing is taken away, by giving them oftentimes drinks made with half an ounce of Brimstone beaten, a raw egg, and a dram of Myrrh with Wine. The same remedy is good for the pain of the Belly, and the Cough. 
Cough.  
Colic.  If he be weary and overheated, 
Weariness and ●uer-heating.  you must cast Grease and Wine into his throat.  
Let all women that desire to have children, beware that they never take the sent of the urine of a Horse or Mare-Mule: for the smell of their urine doth make women barren, because that they themselves are naturally barren.  
The fume of the hoof of a Mare-Mule put upon hot coals, and set on fire, 
The smo●ke of the hoof of a Mare-Mu●e.  is so odious unto Rats and Mice that are in the house, that they by and by foeling the smell, run away with great swiftness: of which you may make trial.    
The end of the first Book.   

THE SECOND BOOK OF THE COUNTRY HOUSE.  

OF GARDENS.  

CHAP. I.  
Of the Situation, Enclosure, Ground, and fashions of Hedges requisite for Gardens, whether they be for profit or for pleasure.  
IT is requisite that we should now occupy ourselves in describing the manner of husbanding and tilling of the Earth, having run through all that belongeth to the building and enclosing of a Farm, the office of the chief Lord, and of the Farmer and his people, and generally whatsoever concerneth the raising of profit by keeping of cattle. We will begin therefore (following the order before propounded) to describe Gardens: And first with the Kitchen Garden; which ●ath been devised and appointed to join to the one side of the Garden of pleasure, ●nd yet separated from it by the intercourse of a great Alley of the breadth of three fathoms, having either a Well or Conduit from some Fountain in the midst ●hereof (if you cannot conveniently have a particular Well in the midst of every Garden) and beside, with an Hedge of Quickset very thick, 
A Quickset Hedge.  in which there may ●e made three doors, one to the House, another to the place of the Well or Fountain, and the third opening upon the Orchards enclosure. This Hedge shall be ●lanted likewise with Hasell trees, Gooseberrie bushes white and red, Pepper trees, Curran trees, Eglantines, Brambles, Woodbine, the wild Vines, both the holies, ●lder trees, and Apples of Paradise, cervise trees, Medlar trees, and Olive trees: 〈◊〉 it must be more thick, and a greater defence than any other, to prevent danger ●f cattle getting loose, which might a great deal more endamage the good and profit of their Master, than they could any way pleasure him. Yet in the planting ●f your Quicksets, according to the opinion of Serres, you shall have great consideration to the nature of the ground on which you plant them: as, which are apt for Quicksets, which not apt; and which Quickset is apt for which ground, as thus: ●our clayne and stiff calies which are without any mixture of sand, are slow in ●ringing forth Quickset, yet having once taken root, they preserve and maintain ●●eir Quicksets longest, and therefore the black and white Thorn, mingled with ●ild Apple trees. cervise trees, Medlar trees, Olive trees, or any other which carrieth body and substance. Your mixed Hasell soils, which are Clay and Sand of an equal temper, or your fast and close Sands, which do not divide or run to a general dust, are the kindliest of all other to bring forth Quicksets, and do preserve and maintain them for a convenient time (though not so long as the Clayes) and are very speedy in bringing forth, therefore any Quickset is meet to be planted on such Soils, whether they be Tr●es, Shrubs, or Bushes, as those before spoken of, together with any thing else that will take root: But your gravely, flinty, or loose Sands, which fall away, and never fasten unto the root, are the most barren of all other, and seldom, or with great difficulty, bring forth any good Quickset at all: yet Industry (which is the Mother of all profits) hath found out by experience, that the best Quickset which can grow upon these Soils, is the common Bramble or wild Bri●r, out to the length of two foot, or thereabouts, and so planted in the earth, and amongst them mingled, three or four foot asunder, here and there divers black thorns: then when the Brambles begin to shoot forth, to interlace them and twynd th●● bought-wise about the black Thorns, making one bought run into another, and plashing them both upward and downward so close one within another, that they may seem like a Lattice-window; and ever and anon to uphold and maintain the earth to their roots, till they be well fastened within the ground, and then they wil● hold up the earth afterwards themselves. By this experiment only hath been se●●e, in di●ers of these most barren Soils, as strong, as thick, and as defensible Quicksets, as in any other Soil whatsoever: as is daily apparent to men's eyes both 〈◊〉 France, England, and the Low Countries.  
The situation of the said Gardens must be (as we have said before) near unto the House, 
The Garden door.  placed upon the North rather than upon the South quarter, to the end tha● the chief Lord and owner of the Farm may out of the windows of his lodging enjoy the pleasure and beauty of his Gardens: in some plain plot of ground, which is as it were a little hanging, and thereby at the foot thereof receiving the stream 〈◊〉 some pleasant running water, either from some Spring, and Fountain, or from som● Well, or else from the falling of the Rain: but far removed from the Threshing●floore and Barn, to the end that the herbs may not be hurt by the dust, dirt, sma●●straw, or chaff, which might be conveyed along from the Threshing-floore unto the Garden by the wind when the Corn is in threshing: for such chaff having take● hold upon the leaves, doth pierce them and fret them through, and being thus pierced, they burn and parch away presently. 
The paths in the Garden.  Likewise, for the benefit of their 〈◊〉, it must be justly lived out and cast into a Square very equally and uniformally, 〈◊〉 yet somewhat sloping, for the conveyance of the fall of Raine water, and of the 〈◊〉 of the dunghill, which continually will be thereby running downward 〈◊〉 the allies by means of the Rain, and so will mend the idle and untoiled 〈◊〉 And by the side of either of those two Gardens, within the wall and enclosure of the House, there shall be kept two other Gardens (if possibly it may be) severed and separated by other Hedges, and a great path betwixt them, containing in breadth 〈◊〉 less than three fathoms or eighteen foot, every one finely paved with good ●●●●stones, or burned Tiles, or made with Steers, or filled with Sand; that is to say, by 〈◊〉 side of the Kitchen Garden a particular Garden for Hemp, Line, Saffron, 〈◊〉 and other things of profit and good Husbandry; and this requireth a proper & 〈◊〉 kind of ordering: and by the side of the Garden of pleasure, another Guard with Pulse, as Peason, beans▪ Fetches, Rice, Panic, Millet, and such other things for they serve greatly for the keeping of your family. Yet you shall understand, 〈◊〉 albeit I thus particularly appoint you these two several Gardens, the one for 〈◊〉 and Flax, the other for hast●e Pease, beans; and such like, being right necessary 〈◊〉 your household use; yet notwithstanding you may sow any of those seeds abroad, 〈◊〉 your Fields, or many other remote Croft or Close well tilled for the purpose, 〈◊〉 fully as much profit & conveniency, especially your Hemp and Flax: for you 〈◊〉 understand, that there be some Soils so rich and fat, that after you have 〈◊〉 Wheat, Barley, and Pease, successively year after year, that then in stead of fallowing and giving your land rest, you may that year sow a full crop of Hemp, whic● destroying the weeds and superfluous growths which spring from the fertileness of ●●e Soils, makes your land apt and ready to receive either Wheat or Barley again; ●nd so you never lose any Crop at all, bue have every year something to reap ●●om your ground: whereas, should you let it rest, and bestow mea●ure upon it as 〈◊〉 case of more barren earth, you would so much over-rich it, that it would either ●●ildewe and spoil your Grain, or else choke and slay it with the abundance of Weeds which the earth would utter forth of it own accord. Again, if your land ●e with your neighbours in common amongst the general Fields▪ here a land, and ●ere a land, or here two and three, and there two and three, as it is a general custom 〈◊〉 divers places, and that such lands do butt upon green Swarthe, or Grasse-●rounds, which are likewise common, and on which both yourself and your neighbour's must necessarily teather your cattle; which cattle if at any time they break ●ose, or by the negligence of their Keepers be stalld too near the Corn, may do ●ou much hurt on your Grain: in this case, and to pre●ient this evil, you shall sow ●●e ends of all such lands as butt on the grass, ten or twelve foot in length, as your and may conveniently spare, with Hemp, for upon it no cattle will bite: so that ●n either of these cases aforesaid you shall not need much to respect the preservation ●f your Hemp or Flax Garden.  
The Enclosures 
The Enclosure.  of the Gardens must be such as the commodity and necessity of the place doth require, that is to say, of Walls, if the revenues of the House will bear it, or of a strong and thick Quickset Hedge, if there want either Pit-●tone or revenues to build the wall withal. Notwithstanding, it is least cost (to speak the truth) and more profit to enclose and compass them in with a Quickset Hedge than with a Wall: for the Quickset Hedge doth endure a longer time, and asketh not so great charges neither to trim it, nor to repair it, as the Wall doth. Such a one is that which is made of Brambles and Thorns, as white Thorn, or with the plants of Elder tree, or other plants, with tufted flowers mingled and set amongst the Brambles, the same being cut by the tail and made plain and even when the time of the year serveth, as we see here in many places of France. Some there be that compass and enclose their Gardens with Ditches and Banks, but small to their profit, seeing the moisture of their Gardens, which should serve them, is thereby conveyed away and taken from them: and this holdeth in all other cases, but where the ground is of the nature of Marshes. The common enclosing used by Country men, is of Thorns, Osiers, and Reeds: but such Hedges do require almost every year new repair, relief, and making, in putting new stakes therein; whereas if it had an abiding and living root, it would free the Gardeners of a great deal of trouble, cost, and travel.  
The ground 
Grounds.  of the Gardens must be good, of his own nature free from Stones, Dirt, and hurtful Herbs, well broken and dunged a year before it be digged to be sown: and after it hath been digged and dunged again, or mar●ed, you must let it rest, and drink in his dung and marvel. And as concerning the nature and goodness of it, the clayey, Stiff, or Sandie ground is nothing worth, but it must be fat in handling, black in colour, and which crumbleth easily in the breaking, or stirring of it with your fingers, or which hath his green Turfs or Clods breaking easily under the Pickax, and becometh small with labouring, as the small Sand; and generally, all grounds that are good for Wheat, are good for Gardens. It is requisite also, to the end it may bring forth green Herbs in abundance, that it be a reasonable moist ground: for neither the ground that is much dry, nor that which is much subject to water, is good for Gardens. Notwithstanding, if the Grounds belonging unto the Farm happen not to have this commodity of idle and unemployed ground to make Gardens, you must remedy that soar as well as possibly you may. The clayey, Stiff, and Sandie places must be amended by Dung and Marl, and would be cast three foot deep. The Watery place shall be made better, if there be mixed with it some Sandie or Gravellie Ground, and therewith cast it round about with ditches, thereby to drain and draw out the water annoying the Guard▪. And thus the good Husband shall do his endeavour to amend and make in so●● sort his ground more fruitful. Lee the dung which he layeth upon it, be either 〈◊〉 Sheep, or of Swine, or of Horse, or Pigeons, or Asses, according as the nature of 〈◊〉 ground shall require; or of Ox or Cow: for albeit some Gardeners think it of 〈◊〉 cool a nature, and not so nourishing unto tender herbs as the other which are 〈◊〉 hot, yet they are greatly mistaken therein: for it melloweth the earth, and enriche●● it more than any of the other, and maketh it more apt to sprout and put forth 〈◊〉 increase: beside, it doth naturally affect no weeds, if it have better seed to work● upon: Whence it cometh, that the Garden so manured keepeth his herbs 〈◊〉 the cleanest, fullest, and largest. Also Ashes are a very good manure for Garden●▪ especially if the ground be apt to chap or break into great rifts, as divers Cla● grounds are: neither, if the soil be answerable thereunto, shall you omit Mar●●, Sand, Chalk, lime, or such like. And the elder it is, the better also, in as much 〈◊〉 in time it looseth his filthy stink, and whatsoever other evil quality, and getteth 〈◊〉 new kind of rottenness, which is more soft and more easy to be converted into the substance of the earth, whereby good earth is made better, and the naughty amended. This is the cause why such as have written of Husbandry in Latin, have called dung L●tamen, and Frenchmen Litiere, because it maketh the ground me●●●e, supposed when it is once mingled and incorporated with the same: For dung that 〈◊〉 pure, and of itself, must not be laid unto the roots of trees, but first (where there●● need) of the shortest earth, and afterward of dung.  
The Hedge 
Hedges.  of Quickset, parting the Kitchen Garden and that other for delight, would be planted and furnished with the Plants before spoken of, in the month 〈◊〉 November, and in the beginning of October, planting there also, at the end of every eight feet, some Elms, wild Plum trees, and Cherry trees, by the suppo●● whereof, as of faithful props and stays, it will wind and bind itself more firmly. This Hedge shall be very well digged and helped with dung for a foot depth, 〈◊〉 near unto the root some two years after, and pruned every year, to keep it roun● and even, as also to make it grow thick: and you must suffer to grow in height and thickness such Trees as shall be planted therein, to serve for Stakes and as Poles for your Arbours; and the more Elms you can put in this your Hedge, and the rest which shall part your Garden of Huswiferie and Pulse, the better it will be, either for the making of Faggots every year, and that so they may themselves spread more i● thickness, as also for Timber-wood for your Ploughs, and other Implements▪ 〈◊〉 also that they may overgrow such Arbours as you shall plant at their feet, and wherewith they do in that place mutually and naturally bear and suffer.  
If furthermore you would know the ordering of such great and small Trees 〈◊〉 whereof the Hedge is to consist, you shall find it in the third and fixed Book.   

CHAP. II.  
Of the Arbours of the Kitchen Garden.  
EVen as the Garden of Pleasure is to be set about with Arbours, 〈◊〉 with jesamin, Mary's seal, Musk Roses, Myrtle trees, Bay trees, Woodbine, Vines, Gourds, Cucumbers, Musk Melons, Prympe, sweet ●rye● and other rare things: even so shall the Kitchen Garden be set with Turrets of Lattice fashion, covered over with Bordeaux Vines, or with the best 〈◊〉 of Vines that are to be got in the Country, for to make Verivice on, for 〈◊〉 and commodity of the Household.  
The fashion of the Arbour 
The fashion of an Arbour.  shall be in manner of a shadowy place (for Arbours 〈◊〉 costly to maintain) to the end you may draw certain Beds underneath, or 〈◊〉 ●oore of herbs, which crave no great cherishing and refreshing, leaving notwithstanding an alley of three foot breadth both on the one side and on the other, for the ●spatching of such work as is to be bestowed upon the Arbour. And you must ●ant the best and greatest sets of Vines upon the South side, not cutting them so ●●ng as the wood may grow thicker: for it is nothing but a good foot and a thick ●at maketh a fair and a beautiful fruit. The Lattice-worke may not be too thick 〈◊〉 or wrought: and it must rise and grow higher for the space of five whole years, 〈◊〉 be renewed and new tied every year about the end of the month of januarie 〈◊〉 the twigs of your Willows and Osiers, or of the Broom of your Warren: ●hough if you make your poles of juniper wood, you shall not need to trouble ●ur hand with them for ten or twelve years, especially if you strengthen your 〈◊〉 with piles of Oak half burnt. Also if your poles be of dead wood, and of 〈◊〉 stocks growing or increasing, if then you bind them with strong wire, it shall be 〈◊〉 of all, for that shall last the longest; and keep your poles, by their fastness of ●●itting, 
The binding of the Arbour.  longer found than any other binding whatsoever. Tie not the poles of your ●attic●-worke straight, nor the stocks against the trees of your hedge which shall serve ●r stakes, for so in time the band would eat itself into the rind as they should ●ow thicker, and do them great harm. And I would not have you to forget to ●ung and uncover the roots of your stocks in Winter, and to mark the young wood ●r to make sets to sell, or to store yourself withal every day more and more: Ga●●er not their Grapes very ripe, 
The work of the Arbour and of the Vine is alike.  or very green, nor yet when it rameth. Finally, ●e ordering of the Arbour is like the ordering of the Vine, and would be but a superfluous thing to stand any longer upon in this place. Wherefore you must have ●ecourse to the place, setting down the manner of the ordering of the Vine, as it ●hall be hereafter declared.   

CHAP. III.  
Of the digging and casting of the Kitchen Garden.  
AS concerning the dressing of the Kitchen or Household Garden, in as much as there are two seasons in the year for to sow herbs, so there are two times for to bring into order and dress Gardens, that is to say, Autumn, and the Sp●ing: there must such consideration be had, as that ●he first workmanship and tilth be bestowed about the beginning of November upon that ground which we intent to sow in the Spring, and to dig in the month of May such other grounds as we intent to sow in Autumn, to the intent that by the cold of Winter, or by the heat of Summer, the clods may be apt to turn to dust, becoming short and brittle, and all unprofitable weeds may be killed. But in the mean time, before this first tilth and workmanship, it will be good that the ground for one whole or half year be manured with old manure, 
All man●●r of ground, by being long 〈◊〉, doth grow lea●t.  and made good and fat; for the best liking earth that is, in time becometh lean and wasted by long and continual occupation. Wherefore it behoveth, that the unemployed, or fallow ground, which you shall appoint for your Gardens, be first well cleansed from stones, and afterward cast up and digged into new and fresh earth, and the bad weeds rooted out, even by the end of the roots; whereof the good housewife shall make good ashes: and afterward amended with some small quantity of Cow●● dung and Horse dung well mixed together, and well rotten, and having laid a long time; or else of Ass' dung, which is the best of all for Gardens, because the Ass doth chew his meat with leisure, and breaketh his meat thoroughly, and so by that means doth make his dung better digested, and better ground than other beasts do, and which also for that cause doth beget almost no weeds. In stead of dung, the chaff and trodden straw of Corn, having rotten in the high ways for the space of a year, may serve, which being by nature very hot, doth so greatly fat the earth, as that 〈◊〉 Herbs, Trees, Citrons, Lemons, Oranges, Cucumbers, Citruls, and all other 〈◊〉 planted in that ground, or sown, do come up very fair, and bear fruit 〈◊〉 quickly and in great abundance. For the second tilth, it shall be wrought and laboured as a man would work Morrar, from the one end to the other: and in thus labouring it, you shall mix the dung or marvel very well with the earth. For the 〈◊〉 tilth it shall be clotted, laid close, and raked into a flat form, and with the 〈◊〉 of the Rake, in going over it, you shall mark out your Beds and floors, and the Paths running along betwixt them, and those so long and so broad as you can 〈◊〉 them, according to the contents and largeness of the place. And you must 〈◊〉, that you make your floors of such wideness, as that you may stride and 〈◊〉 your arms from one side to another, according to that their said breadth, to th● end, that such as are to weed them, or to rake them, may from out of the said 〈◊〉 Paths be able to reach into the midst of the Bed, and not to tread with their 〈◊〉 upon that which is or shall be sown. Wherefore, if your said little Paths 〈◊〉 two foot wide, it will be enough: for to make them any broader, is but 〈◊〉▪ and loss of ground.   

CHAP. FOUR  
Of the disposing or appointing of the floors of the Kitchen Garden.  
YOu shall dispose of your Beds in such sort, as that they may be in the midst of your Garden, giving and allowing unto your Turnips the largest room, 
Little Turnips or Navest.  and next to them the Coleworts: 
Coleworts.  and unto them you● shall join the space for great Turnips of both sorts, 
Great Turnips of both sorts.  and that of 〈◊〉 much ground as would make two of the former: After these floore●, you shall make a path of three foot breadth, after which, you shall prepare other floors by themselves, for Spinach, 
Spinach.  Beeres, Arrach, Rocket, Parsley, and 〈◊〉 Again, you shall make another path of other three feet: and on the further side you shall quarter out a Bed for Leeks and Cyves, 
Leeks and Cyves.  and join thereunto two other for Onions 
Onions.  and Chiboles, 
Chiboles.  and for Garlic, Scallions, and Carrots. 
Carrots.  By the side of 〈◊〉 floors you shall make out a path of three feet and a half, and after it, you shall mak● many floors for slips to be let upon, as well for the maintaining of a Plate for 〈◊〉 flowers, as also for your Borders: and yet further, for your Winter potherbs. And it will be good to this end to prepare a Bed for Sage, and another for Hyssop; and for Thyme, 
Sage and Hyssop.  〈◊〉 another for Mari●rome, and another for Lavender, and another for Rosemary, and another for Sothernwood, and another for small Cypress: again, one for Savoury, for Hyssop, Costmarie, Basill, Spike, Balm, Pennyryall, and one of Camomile, for to make Seats and a Labyrinth. 
A Labyrinth.   
It shall be good also for necessity sake (for it concerneth the good housewife 〈◊〉 know many remedies for diseases, and you must not doubt but that I myself 〈◊〉 learned many remedies from the experiments and observation of those sorts of women) to shape out below, or in the further end of the Kitchen Garden, near to the enclosed ground for Fruits, certain B●ds for Physic herbs, as for Valerian, 〈◊〉, Asparagus, Mugwort, Asarum Bacchar, Houseleek, Patience, Mercury, Pellitory, Nico●ana, and other such like, whereof we will make some short 〈◊〉 hereafter.   

CHAP. V.  
Of the situation of the Beds of the Kitchen Garden.  
IN such place as the Sun shineth upon at noon, you shall provide your Beds somewhat raised, and well mingled with Earth and Horse dung, and you shall let them rest sometime before they be sown. In one of which floors you shall sow, in the increase of the Moon of March, 〈◊〉 seed of Lettuce 
Lettuce seed.  and Purcelane (for they will be grown as soon being sowed 〈◊〉 March as in April) for to set them again in their floors, when they be sprung 〈◊〉 half a finger. In this same Bed you may put the seed of Pimpernell, Harts horn, ●rick-madame, and Sorrel of England, and other sorts for Salads, all thick, and ●nd over head, one among another, to separate and set at large by themselves when ●●ey be grown. 
To choose seeds.  Look very well to your seeds, that they be not too old, that they 〈◊〉 winnowed and clean, that they be moist and oily, but not mouldy; and by the 〈◊〉 of this Bed, 
Fine herbs.  the breadth of two hands, you shall sow Artichokes. You shall so make a Bed for fine herbs, which in Winter serve for the Pot, being kept dry, ●nd for slips for the Garden of flowers, as are Garden Balm, Basil, Costmarie, ●hyme, 
Seeds that will hardly grow.  Hyssop, Savoury, Mariero●●e, and Sage. Again it will be good to make 〈◊〉 to sow the seeds and kernels of Citrons, Oranges, Lemons, Pomegranates, 〈◊〉 trees, Bay trees, and Date trees in: and seeing they are hard to grow in this Country, because it yieldeth no air either from the Sea, or fit for them, it must be well and advisedly considered, that in planting or sowing of them you set the smaller end upward, and that they be not tumbled on the side: and when the Citrons and such like ●eeds shall be grown up and sprung, you must transplant and remove them into ●ome Cask, or such like thing, that may be removed hither and thither, to the end to ●●eepe them from very much heat and excessive cold, and to cover & use them dain●ly according to the times, and as shall be said hereafter. In another Bed, which shall 〈◊〉 a very long one, 
Cucumbers and Citruls.  and toward the Quickset Hedge and the Arbours, you shall sow Cucumbers, Citruls, long and round Gourds. In a plot long and narrow like the for●●er (because they must be oft watered, and water powered at their roots) you may sow Melons of divers sorts.  
And for fear of flying Fowl and Birds, cast Thorns very thick upon your ●eds; and, if they be sown in the increase of the Moon in February, for to have ●hem the sooner to grow, yea though it be in March, yet spread upon the Thorns straw, and that such as is bright, and let it be thick, that so it may the better defend ●hem from the danger of the Frosts: which if you perceive to be great, as it falleth ●ut some years, spread over them, in stead of straw, old or whole Ma●s, and yet in ●uch manner, as that they may not lie pressing of the earth, thereby to oppress and ●eepe down that which would spring and grow up. Or for a more perfect surety, ●oth to preserve your seeds in growing, and to maintain such as are grown, how ●ender soever their natures be, from all manner of Frosts, Storms, or Colds, which ●ither the Winter of Spring can any way produce, you shall take halfe-rotten Horse●●tter, and with it lightly cover all your Herbs, Seeds, or whatsoever else you fear ●he sharpness of the Winter may annoy: for besides that it is a defence and coue●ing against the bitterness of all weathers, it hath also in it a certain warm quali●ie, which nourisheth and strengtheneth the Plants, and makes them more forward ●han otherwise they would be by divers weeks: beside, it keepeth your herbs from running into the ground, and hiding their heads in the Winter season, and ●s if they were comforted with a continual spring, keeps them fresh and green, and fit for your use at all times. And what you would have to continue still upon their first Beds, as the Cucumber, Melon, and other Fruits, make some small separation betwixt them and the other, and water them oft with water warmed in the Sun, and drawn a long time before, having stood in the 〈◊〉 or Cask placed near unto the Well. Notwithstanding, all herbs and fruits 〈◊〉 from out of this Garden are much better by removing: in doing whereof, they are also not only more freely bestowed, but become of a better taste and verdure.   

CHAP. VI  
Of the time of sowing the Kitchen Garden.  
ALl seed which are for the store of the Kitchen Garden, must be Sown 〈◊〉 removed in the increase of the Moon, 
The power of the increase of the Moon.  as namely, from the first day 〈◊〉 the sixth: for those that are sown in the decrease, they either come 〈◊〉 slowly, or else they be nothing worth. Besides that, although you sow 〈◊〉 the increase of the Moon, it sometime falleth out, that notwithstanding your 〈◊〉 be fat, full, make a white flower, and be nothing corrupted or hurt, yet some 〈◊〉 constellation (which the Gardiner's do call the course of the Heavens) do 〈◊〉 them that they profit not, nor yet thrive any thing at all. Although that 〈◊〉 the Husbandman say, That the Earth, which hath the favour and benefit of a 〈◊〉 and mild air, and is watered with some running stream, is in all points and respects free, and not tied or bound to any laws of sowing: but he cannot 〈◊〉, that whatsoever groweth, whether it be Plant or Seed, hath two ends, that is to 〈◊〉, the Root, which hath altogether to do with the Earth, and the Branches, or uppermost part thereof, which hath altogether to do with the Air and the Heaven's and that the observations drawn from superior bodies, as from the proceeding and disposition of the Moon, do show and prove the overthwarts and 〈◊〉 encumbrances wrought against the creatures of the earth, both in their 〈◊〉 forth of the earth, and drawing to stalk, as also in the government of them afterwards.  
In moist places, 
To ●●w seeds in the Spring.  and such as are served with some small currant of water, it is 〈◊〉 to sow in the Spring: for then the mildness and gentleness of the year following doth entertain in very good sort the growing seeds; and the dryness of the 〈◊〉 cannot hurt them, because of the water priest and at hand. But when as the 〈◊〉 of the place hath no natural supply of running water, or else such as is very 〈◊〉 come by in respect of the bringing thither, there is no other refuge but the 〈◊〉 of the Winter rain: wherefore in such places it is more sure to sow in A●tumne; and yet one may well sow there in the Spring, so that you cast your 〈◊〉 three foot deep.  
If a man be disposed to sow Seeds in Summer, 
To sow seeds in Summer.  it must be in the increase of the Moon of july and August; and in Autumn, in the increase of the Moon of September and October; as also for the Spring, in February and in March. In 〈◊〉 naturally cold, 
At what time seed must be sown is cold and hot places.  or which receive no great heat from the Sun beams, the sowing 〈◊〉 the Spring time must be toward the later end thereof; and that in Autumn, must 〈◊〉 hastened and early performed. On the contrary, the sowing of Seeds in the Sprin● time in a hot place must be early performed: and the Sowing or Seedtime of A●tumne must be somewhat deferred. Seeds do grow the better when they be 〈◊〉 upon warm days, or days that are neither hot nor cold, than and if they be 〈◊〉 upon hot, cold, or dry days. The Seed that is to be sown, must not be above 〈◊〉 year old: 
The age of seeds.  otherwise, if they be very old, dry, wrinkled, lean, soft, false or 〈◊〉 gathered, they will never grow nor thrive. Wherefore, by how much the 〈◊〉 the seeds of Cucumbers, Melons, Leeks, and Gourds be, so much the sooner they grow: On the contrary, by how much the elder the seeds of Parsely, Beets, 〈◊〉, Cress', and Coriander be, so much the more hastily do they put out of the earth▪ supposed always that age hath not corrupted them. Coleworts and 〈◊〉 of all sorts, white Succory, Garlic, Leeks, and Onions, are sown in Autumn, and live all Winter. Coleworts, Rocket, Cresses, Coriander, chervil, Navets, Turnips, Radishes, parsnip, Carrots, Parsely, Fennell, and other herbs, whose roots are good in pottage, are sown in Autumn and in the Spring, notwithstanding they grow better being sown in july in hot Countries, and in August in Country's indifferent hot, and in September in cold Countries. Lettuce, Sorrell, Purcelane▪ Cucumbers, Gourds, Savoury, Hartshorn, Trickmadame, Beets, and other tender herbs, as also Artichokes, are sown in the Spring: and for the most part also those of March and April grow more early than those of February, according to the diversity of the time.  
Above all, the Seeds which are to be sown must be well-conditioned, full, heavy, corpulent, gross, having a good colour, yielding a white flower when they be broken, not dusty: for dust falling from them when they be broken, showeth, that they are corrupted and nothing worth.   

CHAP. VII.  
Within what space Seeds are w●nt to grow, after they be sown.  
NOtwithstanding that the nature of the Ground, the mildness of the Air, favourable furtherance of the Heavens, and the age of the Seed, do cause Seeds to hasten the more, or to be the flower in springing out of the bosom of their mother and nurse the earth, (for as much as that which is sown in fair weather, and an open air, in a hot place, and open upon the Sun, and of new Seed, doth show itself sooner than that which is sown in a contrary time and place) yet every Seed hath a certain time to manifest in self in: whereto we must have due regard, to the end that there may be prefixed times to sow, and look for the growth of every Seed: Spinach, Basill, Navets, and Rocket, grow within three days after they be sown; Lettuce, the fourth day; Cucumbers and Citruls, the fifth; Purcelane a little later; anise, the fourth; Cresses and Mustardseed, the fifth; Beets in Summer, on the sixth; and in Winter, on the tenth; Arach, the eight; Coleworts, the tenth; Leeks, the nineteenth, or ofter the twentieth; Coriander about the five and twentieth, or else more late, if the Seed be new; Organie and Savoury, after the thirtieth; Parsely in the fortieth, for the most part, and oftentimes in the fiftieth. It is true, that in this place the age of the Seed, and state of the Air, when the Gardener doth sow them, is of great moment: for (as I have said) the Leek, Cucumber, and citrul, grow sooner if the Seed be new: And on the contrary, Parsely, Spinach, Organie, Savoury, Coriander, and Cresses, when their Seed is sold: likewise the Seed of Cucumbers, steeped in milk, or in warm water, putteth the sooner out of the earth: after the same sort you may make reckoning of Artichokes, and many other herbs, as you shall know hereafter in their particular Treatises.   

CHAP. VIII.  
Of watering, weeding, sweeping, and cutting of Pothearbes.  
SO soon as the ground is full of Seeds in all places, 
Watering.  you must be careful to water it, if by hap the place be dry of his own nature, that so the Seed may not be hindered of his sprouting by the too much dryness, or that the herb already sprung may not die. 
What water is good for Seeds.  The best water to water the potherbs withal, is rain water, if it fall in the night, or in such a time as that it may not heat the herbs, for it washeth and cleanseth them from the dust and 〈◊〉 that eateth them, especially if the Rain come driving with a Northern wind: for want of this, the River or Brook water is best next, being a little warm: in place of this, Well water drawn in the morning, and put in a barrel, or in some other thing of receipt, that so it may take the heat of the Sun beams, may serve: for cold and salt water is enemy to all sorts of herbs, although that Theophrastus say, that salt water is more convenient than any other to water certain plants. Besides, you shall understand, that for the speedy growing of herbs, or for comforting them after they are once sprouted and risen above the earth, there is nothing 〈◊〉 the world better, or more comfortable, than Soap ●uds, after they have been 〈◊〉 in, and are very well cooled. The dregs of Ale, or lees of Wine, are 〈◊〉 good to water Rosemary with, or any other tender Herb, Flower, or Pla●● whatsoever. 
What time is good to water.  The time to water them, is the evening and morning, not the midday for fear that the water, heated by the heat of the Sun, might burn th●● at the root.  
After that the herbs have begun to put forth, 
Weeding and raking.  you must weed the bad from the good, whose nourishment they would consume and overshadow them withal: this must be done with a forked trowel whiles they be very small, and with the hand (which gardiner's call by the name of making clean) when the potherbs are grown strong and great. Some do also weed them thus, as well for the weight of the earth, and heavy falling of the water upon them, as also because of the 〈◊〉 of folks feet, whereby the earth becometh hard: Wherefore if the 〈◊〉 be soft, you need not to ●ake it but very slightly. And you must know, that weeding is necessary for Gardens at all times, except in the height of Winter, that is to say, from November till March: in all which time it is not good to weed, because those weeds which do then grow do not offend or choke the herbs, but rather keep them warm and comfort them: whereas, should they be taken away, you would leave the stem and roots of your herbs so naked to all the bitterness of Winter, that every small Rind or Frost would endanger the utter kill and destroying of them, as you may find by proof, if you please not to give credit to our relation.  
Cutting of herbs is also profitable for them at what time as they be somewhat grown, 
Clipping or cutting of herbs.  thereby to make them to keep their greenness the longer, and to 〈◊〉 them the more beautiful and tufted, to keep them from seeding, as also to 〈◊〉 them somewhat a more pleasant smell than they had in their first stalk. By this means Lettuces and Coleworts are made better, and of a more pleasant taste, 〈◊〉 their first leaves be plucked from them. In like manner, Turnips and 〈◊〉 grow more beautiful, and tufted, if their leaves be cut. But all herbs must not be cut at all times: for such as have a hollow stalk, as Onions, and others, if they be cut when it raineth, the blade or stalk of the Onion is filled full of water, and rotteth. And this is the cause why herbs of such nature are not 〈◊〉 be cut but in a fair and dry time: Or if not cut at all, it is better, except it be to keep them from seeding, or to make the head a little the fairer; which, fresh moulding will better do, and with less labour. As for your Scallions, Chyves, or Leeks, to cut them it is not amiss, because they are herbs continually to be used for the Pot; and in that respect, the oftener cut, so much the better.   

CHAP. IX.  
Of setting and removing of Pothearbes.  
TO give the greater scope and liberty to herbs, and to make them greater, men use to remove them: and this is done either by removing of them from one bed to another, or from one floor to another, when they have four or five leaves out of the ground: and this may be done at ●y time, but specially see that the season be inclining to moistness and rain: and 〈◊〉 must be set in ground that is well furnished with fat, without any amending of with dung. If the time fall not out rainy, you must water them after they be new 〈◊〉 in good and due time, not staying too long, and from some of them you must cut 〈◊〉 the ends of their roots, and set them thin, that so they may be wet, and have 〈◊〉 earth lightened when need requireth, and that thereby they may grow better 〈◊〉 fairer. And of these herbs which are thus to be removed, none is more necessary than the Lettuce, because being very swift of growth, and naturally apt to mount 〈◊〉 it be not corrected and stayed by removing, it will presently run to seed, and 〈◊〉 that virtue for which it is principally preserved: Therefore the sooner you re●oue your Lettuce (provided that you have a shower to do it in) the better it is, and 〈◊〉 sooner it will Cabbage and gather in his leaves, growing hard, firm, and thick: Also, if after their removing you lay some heavy Tile or Slate stones upon them, which may a little press down their leaves, it will be so much the better, and they will Cabbage so much the sooner: Generally, what herbs soever you would keep from seed, that you may thereby take the profit of the leaf, and keep the full strength of the herb in the same, you shall, as soon as you perceive some leaves to ●e sprung above the ground, forthwith remove them into some other new-digged Beds of good and perfect Mould well broken and manured for the purpose: and in ●his removing of your herbs, you shall observe to set them rather deeper then ●hallower than they were before, and to fix the earth close and fast about them, ●nd not to forget to water them, as aforesaid, till you see they have taken fast root, ●nd begin to shoot up.  
Slips 
Slips.  for the Garden, of sweet and fragrant herbs, are gathered at all times, and ●hey would be of young sprigs of a year old, taking part of the old wood; and ●vrything that, to put it into the earth: or else cleaving it below, and putting in the ●left an Oat, and round about it some other grains of Oats rather than dung; for herbs that are removed, do not require dung at their roots, but rather they have ●eed that the lowest parts of their roots should be a little steeped in water, as I will show hereafter.   

CHAP. X.  
Of gathering and keeping the seeds, roots, and flowers of Pothearb●s.  
Roots for the most part are gathered 
Gathering●  when the leaves are fallen off: and in like sort are the flowers gathered, as Borage, bugloss, All-good, and Marigolds, when they are thoroughly open: notwithstanding, the flowers of Roses and Capers must be gathered, to be kept, while they be 〈◊〉: likewise the leaves and whole herbs are gathered when they are grown to the full: fruits▪ as Melons, Cucumbers, Citruls, and Gourds, when they turn yellow, and are grown to their perfection. If they be purposed to be made serve for seed, than they must be let alone longer, and afterward kept in convenient place 〈◊〉 be time to sow them, and they must be gathered in a bright weather, and in the ●●crease of the Moon. Seeds are gathered when the herb is all laid and dry. 〈◊〉 it must generally be observed in all manner of gathering, 
The time to gather Seeds.  as well of herbs, 〈◊〉 roots, as of fruits and seeds, that it be done in a fair and clear weather, and in the ●●crase of the Moon.  
Such herbs as are to be kept, 
The way to keep herbs.  must first be made very clean, and dried 〈◊〉 shadow, which is the best means to keep them the strongest in their virtues 〈◊〉 qualities: or else in the Sun, and after to put them up in bags of Leather, woollen stuff, nor in wooden boxes, that so they may not lose their 〈…〉 see it put in practice by sine herbs which are kept to be used in Winter. 〈◊〉 me thinks that the Apothecaries fail much in their doings, which hang their ph●sicke herbs in the roof of their house, for by this means they do not only 〈◊〉 their force, but become laden with dust, cobwebs, the dung of flies, and a thousand ●●ther filthy things.  
Flowers must not be dried in the Sun, 
The way to keep flowers.  not in the shadow that is made by 〈◊〉 South-Sunne, nor yet in any high room, because of their tenderness and 〈◊〉, which would cause their force to vanish away, either in the burning heat of 〈◊〉 Sun, 
To keep Provence Roses.  or in the more modern heat of the very air. If it be not the Prouen●e 〈◊〉 which (that it may be kept long) requireth to be dried in an high place, open to 〈◊〉 South-Sunne, where the beams of the Sun do enter, but touch not the 〈◊〉 The best way to dry flowers will be in a temperate place, and to turn them 〈…〉 the end that they may not corrupt, having also this continual care, that they 〈◊〉 neither lose their colour nor their smell. And when they are dried, they must 〈◊〉 put into an earthen vessel.  
Seeds must be kept in bags or vessels of earth which have narrow mouthe● or in boxes, 
To keep seeds.  or else in bottles of the rinds of gourds well stopped and set in 〈◊〉 dry places, and where there is no water shed; for seeds do mightily spoil 〈◊〉 moisture. The seeds of Chibols, Onions, and Leeks, as also of Poppy, are kept 〈◊〉 their rinds or heads.  
For to keep Roots, 
To keep roots.  you must observe two ways: for either they are to be 〈◊〉 new, and as they are yet green, as Navets, Turnips, Carats, and such like; or 〈◊〉 they are to be kept dry: For to keep them new, you must lay them upon sand 〈◊〉 gravel very thin, in some place under the earth, and a little covered, or else to 〈◊〉 them under the earth in the garden, as we see it done in Turnips and Navets, to 〈◊〉 them the greatest part of Winter. To keep roots dry after they be gathered, 〈◊〉 must wash them diligently with clear water, and after take from them all the 〈◊〉 ●ibres or hairy threads that hang about them, and then to dry them either in 〈◊〉 shadow of the sun-rising, if they be but small and thin, as are the roots of 〈◊〉 Succory, Parsley, Sperage, and such like: or in the South-Sunne, if they be 〈◊〉 and thick, at those of Daffodils, Gentian, Showbread, Water-lilly, bryony, and such like. After that they are dried and thus prepared, you must hang them in some 〈◊〉 and upper room, open upon the Sun when it is in the South, or else upon the 〈◊〉 quarter; and in which notwithstanding neither the smoke, nor dust, nor 〈◊〉 beams may any thing hurt them, notwithstanding that the counsel of 〈◊〉 the prince of Physicians, is, that herbs, flowers, and roots, as well green as 〈◊〉, should not be put to keep in any place where the wind should come, but rather 〈◊〉 up in vessels or some other such like means of keeping of them, to the end that they should not lose their force, which indeed they might most easily loose, being 〈◊〉 open and subject to the wind.   

CHAP. XI.  
Potherbs, and particularly of Coleworts.  
FIrst of all we are to speak of Coleworts, both because they are most common, and also most abundant of all other sorts of herbs: all kinds of Coleworts do love a clean ground, fat, and well tilled, not consisting of clay or sand. And although they grow indifferently in any air, but specially in a temperate, yet they become greater and more massy, sound and safe 〈◊〉 vermin in cold places, as are those in Germany, than in hot places, and for 〈◊〉 cause they delight a great deal more in the tops of hills than in plain grounds; 〈◊〉 yet in those plain grounds more in the raised parts of borders than in the flat 〈◊〉 middle parts thereof, and they be more pleasant, more wholesome for the 〈◊〉, and better in Autumn, Springtime, and during great frosts, than they be in ●ommer. They crave much dung, and that especially which is of Asses, as being the 〈◊〉 of all for other men: and to be raked in & covered over with good earth: not to 〈◊〉 watered in any case; notwithstanding that water doth make them look fair and flourishing, but then not so sweet to the taste, nor so wholesome for the stomach. When they have got six leaves upon their stalks, you must remove them, but let it 〈◊〉 in a mild and calm time whether Winter or Summer. And to speak particularly the common Coleworts, 
Common Coleworts.  called long or green Coleworts, must be sown in 〈◊〉 August or September, if you desire to have the leaves in Lent and in Winter. Some plant them in October, and remove them in December, to have the leaves in Winter, and the seed in june and julie, and that to make them the more tuffed, ●hough there may be as much accomplished that way at other times of the year; ●ut not so commodiously.  
And look well to it, 
The seed too old.  that your seed be not too old, for if it be three years old, it will bring forth Radishes. And that is the cause why some say, Sow Coleworts, and ●here will grow up Radishes or Navets: 
Proverb.  notwithstanding it continueth six years 〈◊〉 his nature, if it be well kept.  
Cabage-colewort, 
Cabage-cole.  which are called white or apple Coleworts, are sown upon 〈◊〉, and removed to stand a foot one from another, well covered at the root with a 〈◊〉 and enriched earth, when they begin to rise up into a great stem; and love ●●e cold air, for in a hot air they cannot live: and you must cover them with straw 〈◊〉 make them cabage the better, 
The curled coal.  and become the whiter. The curled and Roman Coleworts being more tender by nature, are sown in March, and are planted far within the year, and covet to be oft watered.  
When you see the leaves of Coleworts wax bleak and pale, or yellow, it is a ●igne that it needeth water: and you must oftentimes take from them their yellow ●●aues, as also those which are eaten through, or rotten, or dried; for this would make them die.  
If you would have Coleworts of a good taste 
Coleworts of a good taste.  and pleasant, take away their first ●eaues; for those which come after will have a better taste, and more pleasant savour than the first.  
Red Coleworts 
Red Coleworts.  grow naturally of the abundance of dung, or for that they are watered with the Lees of Wine: or by being planted in a place where they are hea●ed continually with the heat and burning of the Sun.  
Do not at any time gather, or at the least use the tops and edges of the curled Roman Colewort, neither yet of any other, but the rest of the leaf down toward the stalk.  
All sorts of Coleworts may be planted at any times; 
The planting of Coleworts.  provided it be not too hot or too cold: and when you plant them, break their root, for fear it be not doubled again or turned upside-down in the earth, and that you put it not so far in, as 〈◊〉 there be nothing of the top left above.  
Some men use to water Coleworts 
The watering of Coleworts.  with Salt-water to make them the more 〈◊〉: and some do cast and sow saltpeter amongst them upon the upper face of the earth: or else small ashes sifted to keep them from Locusts, Palmar-wo●mes, 〈◊〉, 
The 〈◊〉 betwixt 〈◊〉 the vine, and the Colewort.  and other vermin. Above all things the Colewort may not be 〈◊〉 near unto the V●ne, nor the Vine near unto the Colewort: for there is such 〈…〉 betwixt these two plants, that being both of them planted in one ground, 〈◊〉 they become to some growth, they turn and grow one from another, 〈…〉 will they prosper and bear fruit so well. And admit it to be true which is 〈◊〉 namely, that if a man do mingle wine, be it never so little, in the pot where Coleworts are boiling▪ that then the Coleworts will leave boiling by and by, and 〈◊〉 boil any more, 
Coleworts do keep one from being 〈◊〉.  but lose their colour. Likewise such as are disposed to drink 〈◊〉 wine and not to be drunk with it, must eat some raw Coleworts aforehand, as 〈◊〉 Almains are wont to do, when they mean to quaff you off a whole pot 〈◊〉, and to overcome ●uch as with whom they strive in drinking. The 〈◊〉 also may not be planted near unto Organy, 
Coleworts enem●e unto Organic and Rue.  Rue, and Showbread: for being 〈…〉 sown near unto these herbs, it thriveth not at all, and again it infecteth his neighbours with some of his ill qualities.  
The careful Gardener must never abide to have in his Garden so much as 〈◊〉 rotten coal, 
Rotten Coleworts.  not yet water his herbs with the water wherein Coleworts have 〈◊〉 steeped or boiled: for both the one and the other doth cause his neighbour herbs 〈◊〉 have an ill taste and savour.  
A good housewife will have Coleworts in her garden at all times, 
The virtues of Coleworts.  for the relief 〈◊〉 her family: for besides food, she may comfort her people with them in the time 〈◊〉 sickness: As thus, the first decoction especially of red Coleworts, with Butter of Oil, without Salt, doth loosen the belly, ripen the cough, and maketh the voice better: and if unto this broth you put some Sugar, it will be singular for such as ar● short wound: the juice also of Coleworts is good for these diseases, if you put Suga● to it: the seed of Coleworts in broth or in powder, is good against the Women 〈◊〉 li●●le children: Coleworts boiled in two or three waters do stay the lask: Coleworts boiled and sprinkled with Long-pepper and eaten with the broth, 〈◊〉 great store of milk in nurses: the juice of Coleworts drunk, doth expel and kill 〈◊〉 poison of Toad-stooles: the pith of the Colewort boiled with fat and 〈◊〉 honey, is singular for such as are short breathed to use in manner of a lotion. To 〈…〉 the Colewort is good for all things, whereof the Romans when time was, 〈◊〉 such account, as that having expelled all other physic out of Rom● for the space 〈◊〉 an hundred and fifty years, they used no other physic but Coleworts in all manner of diseases. The Lee made with the ashes of Coleworts is good to wash the head. The breasts fomented with the decoction of Coleworts increaseth the milk of n●●ses. The ashes of Coleworts mixed with the white of an egg doth heal burning Cataplasines made of boiled Coleworts and mingled with the lees of vinegar, 〈◊〉 yolks of raw eggs and a little clear vinegar of Roses, all well beaten and 〈◊〉 together, is a singular medicine presently to take away the pains coming 〈◊〉 rheum.  
There is nothing better to make clean a pot all overgrown with 〈◊〉 (wherein ●lesh hath been accustomed to be boiled and water to be heated, 
〈…〉  as 〈◊〉 pot, brass pot, or such like, and which cannot by any other means be 〈◊〉 scoured) than to boil Coleworts in it.   

CHAP. XII.  
Of Lettuce.  
SOw your Lettuce as thick as the Colewort, in a moist ground, well dunged, ●at, light, and easy to turn over: it must be specially in March, for it cannot well endure much heat, or much cold. Notwithstanding if you will sow it in September, yea at all times make choice of sun●e 〈◊〉 warm places, and such as are well stored of dung well rotten, notwithstanding 〈◊〉 it will wax hard with Winter, and may continue some time being planted again▪ 〈◊〉 must be watered once in every two or three days, if the weather be not dropping 〈◊〉 moist. And in the sowing of it, you must water it, for fear that the heat of the 〈◊〉 should cast out the seed: it putteth forth of the earth the fiftieth day after it is 〈◊〉. Being grown above the bed, the height of four or five leaves, you must 〈◊〉 it with your hand (but never with any rake) and set it again in a fat ground, and ●●ood distance one from another, and cover the roots and shanks with cows, goats, 〈◊〉 sheeps dung, for so they will be of a better taste, and water them at the foot, but it 〈◊〉 not be when it is either very hot or very cold.  
Some do nourish four sorts of Lettuces here with us in France, 
The curled and cabbaged Lettuce.  not differing 〈◊〉 from another in virtue, but in taste somewhat more or less pleasant, that is to say, 〈◊〉 curled; the headed; cabbaged or white; the common; and the little and small 〈◊〉: 
The Roman Lettuce.  Men use not to plant the small or common lettuce, but the great one, which 〈◊〉 be curled, and that which will cabbage, otherwise called the Roman Lettuce, ●hich hath a white seed, and a greater than the other, and is of a sweeter relish, especially if his first stalk be cut away, which it putteth forth after it hath been planted 〈◊〉 second time, for the first stalk having in it very much milk, doth easily become 〈◊〉 by the heat of the Sun. 
White Lettuce.  If you desire that it should have great leaves, when as 〈◊〉 beginneth to put forth a stalk, cut off the same in the half, then put upon it a clod 〈◊〉 earth, or some small tile. If you covet to have it fair and white, bind together the 〈◊〉 of it two days before you take it from the first bed, and set it in another place, 〈◊〉 sprinkle it over with sand.  
The cabbaged Lettuce 
Cabbaged lettuce.  being leaved and curled, and not growing higher than a 〈◊〉 for the most part, is made by being trodden down. After that it is planted 〈◊〉 second time, put unto the root some cows dung that is very new, afterward tread 〈◊〉 down again▪ and water it, and when it beginneth to gather strength and grow, 〈◊〉 the branch which it putteth forth, and cover it with a new earthen pot in such 〈◊〉, as that the top thereof by it may be beaten and kept down; and by this means 〈◊〉 will become tufted, cabbaged and white: or else if you would have beautiful 〈◊〉 fair lettuces, two days before you take them up by the roots, you must tie together the tops of them, and then cover them with earth up to the very ●aid tops so tied: 〈◊〉 so they will become white and fair. 
White and fair● Lettuc●●.  In like manner, sand cast upon them ma●●th them to become white. If you fear that it will not grow hard enough, by rea●●● of some fault in the place, or in the time, or seed, take it up and set it in some 〈◊〉 place.  
To cause Lettuces to have a sweet smell more than ordinary, 
To cause Lettuce to small well.  sow them with the 〈◊〉 of Citrons, or else steep the seeds in Damask, or other sweet water, three 〈◊〉 days together.  
To mingle Lettuce with other Salad herbs, 
Salad hearb● mixed together.  as Rocket, Sorrell, and such like, and 〈◊〉 in such sort, as that they may all grow up together from one and the same root, 〈◊〉 all your sorts of Seeds into a sheeps trottle, made good and hollow for the 〈◊〉; afterward set it very deep, as namely about the depth of eighteen inches in 〈◊〉 ground, and water it oft, and by little and little, and have great care and regard 〈◊〉 it when it putteth forth of the earth. Others do crumble & break three or four crottles of a Goat or Sheep, and put their seeds in the midst thereof, and then 〈◊〉 them with a linen cloth fast bound in manner of a knot, and do plant them 〈…〉 were in the uppermost part of the earth, very diligently regarding and looking 〈◊〉 them when they come up. Some pluck away the leaves of the lettuce, which 〈◊〉 next unto the roots, and in stead of the leaves so plucked away, they put one 〈◊〉 seed of rocket, cresses, or sorrel, and other such like, by which means there grow 〈◊〉 and divers sorts of branches.  
The Lettuce is not without good physic helps, 
The virtues of the Lettuce.  for it cooleth the 〈…〉 the belly, causeth abundance of good blood. The juice thereof mixed 〈…〉 Roses, assuageth the pain of the head, and causeth the sick● of agues 〈…〉 rubbed upon the brows and temples: it serveth for a Gargarism with 〈…〉 of Pomegranates, for the Inflammation of the throat: being rubbed upon 〈…〉 it stayeth the night pollutions or gonorrhea, especially if thereunto be added 〈…〉 Camphire: the seed thereof beaten with the seed of white Poppy in form of 〈…〉 or extract doth effect the same, and also cureth the scalding and burning of the 〈◊〉 the seed thereof steeped in water, wherein hath been quenched steel, with 〈…〉 quantity of jourie powdered is very sovereign against the white flowers of 〈◊〉 The leaves of Lettuce boiled and moistened in broth, or salads of them in like 〈◊〉 after supper, doth provoke sleep: the seed thereof powdered, and mixed 〈…〉 milk of a woman that hath brought forth a daughter, and the white of an 〈…〉 to make frontale for the very same purpose. The decoction of the 〈…〉 boiled in Barley water and drunk, causeth great quantity of milk in 〈◊〉 if afterwards the dugs be well rubbed with the hand: such as have a short 〈◊〉 spit blood, or have weak lungs, as also such as desire to have children, must 〈…〉 Lettuces.   

CHAP. XIII.  
Of Endive, Sowthistle, and Succory.  
Endive 
endive.  having narrow leaves (otherwise called Scariole, or 〈…〉 wild Lettuce, and of the Latins Intybus or Seris) is more 〈…〉 Physic than any other ways, and is not planted in Garden●, 〈◊〉 it is always bitter, notwithstanding that it be of the sorts of 〈…〉 rather of Succory. It is true, that in often planting and transplanting of it, and 〈…〉 moving it from one place to another, and by binding and covering it with 〈…〉 ring the Winter time, the nature thereof may be changed and become tender 〈◊〉 white, and without any great pains to the Gardener may be kept all 〈…〉 thing our Gardiner's have practised, seeing by experience that wild 〈…〉 cometh fair and flourishing after it hath been overflown with water, and 〈◊〉 with sand or earth.  
Sowthistle, 
〈◊〉  called in Latin Sonchus, or Ci●erbita, was of old time in 〈…〉 salads, but now there is no such account made thereof, save only that it is used 〈…〉 to teed Coneys and Hares: in like sort it is not planted in gardens, because it 〈◊〉 plentifully amongst the vines: notwithstanding the Italians do use the 〈…〉 it in Salads in Winter, finding them sweet and of a pleasant taste: his stalk is 〈◊〉 milk, sometimes drawing near unto a yellow: this milk taken in drink, is 〈◊〉 for them which have a short breath, and are stopped in their lungs: 〈…〉 pains of the ears, if you drop certain drops thereof into them, especially if 〈◊〉 cause it to boil with some Oil in the ri●d of a Pomegranate: it healeth 〈◊〉 the strangury and pains in making water, if it be drunk to the quantity of 〈…〉 The leaves of Sowthistle chewed, do take away the stinking of the mouth.  
Succory 
Succory.  is of the nature of Endive, having large leaves, and without 〈◊〉 and good handling doth always continue bitter. It loveth a moist place, and 〈◊〉 laboured ground. When it hath put forth four leaves, you must translate it to ●ell dunged soil. And to the end it may have fair, large, and well-spread leaves, 〈◊〉 it beginneth once to come to any growth, in the midst of his leaves you must 〈◊〉 some pretty little tile; for by this means it will spread forth his leaves, and 〈◊〉 have them a great deal thicker standing and tufted. By this good husbanding 〈◊〉 his bitterness, and then there is use to be had of it in salads in Winter, 〈◊〉 it is called white Succory; and to this end it is wont to be planted again in the 〈◊〉 of August: after that in the beginning of September, to the end that the leaves 〈◊〉 may be the greater, it must be taken up without the breaking of any thing, 〈◊〉 with a small blade of a straw have the leaves tied together very easily and gently, 〈◊〉 wring or bruising of them: afterward it must be laid in a well 〈◊〉 soil, the leaves downward into the ground, and the root upward toward the 〈◊〉 of the earth, and above it there must be made something to cover it in manner of 〈◊〉, under which there must straw be cast to keep it from frost and bad winds: 〈◊〉 like is done with Endive, and it is found white when it is pulled up again; and 〈◊〉 very delicate in eating. Some for the same end, when Succory hath put forth 〈◊〉 leaves, tie them all together with a very small thread, and after cover them with 〈◊〉 of earth, to the end that it may continually draw by his root nourishment out 〈◊〉 the earth, and by this means it becometh white and tender, and looseth a great 〈◊〉 of his bitterness.  
Every man knoweth that the decoction of Succory drunk in manner of an 〈◊〉, 
The virtues of Succory.  is good for them which have the jaundice or heat of the liver. The juice of 〈◊〉 drunk every second day fasting, 
Spitting of blaud.  stayeth the spitting of blood. Succory 〈◊〉 and put under the least dug doth heal the heartache. Some say that the 〈◊〉 of wild Succory often drunk, maketh the visages and countenances of 〈◊〉 more clear and pleasant.   

CHAP. XIIII.  
Of Artichokes.  
THe Artichoke plant is a divers thing from Endive and Succory: for 〈◊〉 for Artichokes to plant them in Autumn's, which is about the month of October, they are so fruitful and forward to thrive, as that you need not to take any more but the great leaves with their branches, of 〈◊〉 as bring forth the fairest and greatest fruit, and in like manner of the thick 〈◊〉 in the midst, serving for no manner of use after that the heads of them be 〈◊〉: and to plant them again. Also some have otherwise used to cast down 〈◊〉 said stalks, and bury them a foot deep in good manured ground, the leaves at 〈◊〉 top bound at the end with a little straw, and the stalk laid down and well 〈◊〉, and they keep them thus, watering them now and then, if the time be not 〈◊〉 enough of itself, for to make shoots and young sets of in Winter, or at other 〈◊〉: and some there be that prick the heads in a well manured earth, and being 〈◊〉 planted, do cover them in Winter with the chaff or dust of Line or Hemp 〈◊〉 keep them from the frost, and that in the year following they may bring forth 〈◊〉 fruit.  
Moreover, the Artichoke 
To sow Artichokes upon beds.  is sown in the increase of the Moon of March, 〈◊〉 beds well dunged and fatted, but you must not look to have any whole and 〈◊〉 fruit of them, until the next year after. And, if you would have the seed to 〈◊〉, make little small pits upon your bed a good foot one from another, and half 〈◊〉 foot deep, and as much broad, and these fill with old dung that is very small, and ●lacke earth that is very fine, mixed together, and above the same plac● prick or thrust in the seed of your Artichoke two inches within the earth, the small end 〈◊〉 and putting five or six seeds in one pit together, and making many pits near 〈◊〉 in a round compass, that so they may make a fair knot and plant, and 〈◊〉 you may cover it again easily without much stamping or treading for it. And 〈◊〉 soon as the Artichoke hath leaves big enough, it must be watered; and 〈…〉 continued in such places as are very dry, that so it may bring forth a 〈◊〉 and great fruit. Above all things care must be had that the small end be not 〈◊〉 contrary put downward, for than it would bring forth writhe, weak, small, 〈◊〉 hard Artichokes. You must also make choice of the fairest and greatest ●eed 〈◊〉 may be found, and that the small pits be made a good fathom the one from the 〈◊〉, that so one plant may not hinder another. It is true, that it is better to 〈…〉 slips and branches than the seed, because there cometh fruit the sooner of the 〈◊〉 than of the other, and because that in so planting of them, you may be occupied 〈◊〉 well employed every month, and so reap your fruit in divers seasons of the 〈◊〉 according as the earth is fat or lean, hot or cold, moist or dry, or as the 〈◊〉 hardly agreeing with and unfit for this plant. And in any case plant of those 〈◊〉 bear the fairest fruit, according as there are divers sorts, in respect of their 〈◊〉, length, roundness, divers colours, and taste, some also being prickly, and 〈◊〉 without pricks. 
Choice of Artichokes.  For of Artichokes there be divers kinds; as the round and the 〈◊〉 the red and the green: the round, which is green, is a good Artichoke, so 〈…〉 red, although it be long, yet the sole is but thin, neither is the leaf very 〈◊〉, only it is exceeding pleasant in taste: the green, which is long, is of 〈◊〉 sorts the worst, for it neither beareth good sole nor good leaf, but is a loose 〈◊〉 leaved Artichoke, ever wallowish and unpleasant: but the round large 〈◊〉 whose tops of leaves are red, being hard, firm, and as it were all of one piece, is of 〈◊〉 other the best Artichoke, hath the deepest sole, the thickest leaf, and is the 〈◊〉 to grow in any soil whatsoever: And therefore I would with every man, as 〈◊〉 as he can, to make choice of these before any other kind.  
If you would that the Artichoke should grow without pricks, you must 〈◊〉 against a stone, and break the end of the seed which is sharp: or else put the 〈◊〉 after the manner of a graft in the ●oot of a Lettuce which hath no rind, and 〈…〉 small pieces, in such sort as that every piece may be grafted with a seed, and so 〈◊〉. You shall have Artichokes of good taste, 
Artichokes of a good smell.  if you let the seed steep three 〈◊〉 before you plant it, in the juice of Roses or Lilies, or oil of Bay, or of 〈◊〉 or some other sweet and fragrant juice, and then afterward dry it, ●nd so plant 〈◊〉 it: Although, that as concerning the former oils, there be some which are of a 〈◊〉 opinion, and do think that the oil doth spoil the seed. You shall 〈◊〉 Artichoke of the smell of the Bay tree, 
Artichokes smelling like Baye●.  if you clea●e or make a hole in a Bay 〈◊〉 and putting therein the seed of an Artichoke, do set it so. Artichokes will be 〈◊〉 in taste, 
Sweet Artichokes.  if before you set the seed, you steep them in milk; which must be 〈◊〉 and changed twice or thrice before that it sour; or in honey: and then 〈◊〉 dry and set them.  
Two sorts of beasts do annoy the roots of Artichokes, Mice and Mo●les. 〈◊〉 dung of Swine, or the ashes of the Figtree spread about the roots of the 〈◊〉 do chase away Mice: and the like will fall out, if you wrap their roots abo●● 〈◊〉 wool. Some, to drive away Rats that destroy the roots of Artichokes under the 〈◊〉 prick down, half a foot deep in the earth, certain sticks of Elder tree, 〈◊〉 some four inches from the other; the smell of which Elder is so odious 〈…〉 beasts, that they have no desire to come near it, either under or above the 〈◊〉 so long as it is green: and therefore when these first sticks shall be dry, you 〈◊〉 renew them. Othersome put Thorns that are very sharp and pricking, or 〈…〉 of Chestnuts under the earth, round about the plants of the Artichokes, 〈…〉 one near unto another, to the end, that the Rats, coming near unto the 〈◊〉 may presently be driven back again. Others cause beans to be boiled 〈…〉 poisoned water, and do put them in the holes of this wicked cattle: for they 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 sent thereof, they run thither presently. As concerning Moules, we will speak of 〈◊〉 manner of killing them hereafter.  
The root of Artichoke sodden in Wine and drunk, 
The virtues of the Artichoke.  is sovereign against the difficulty of making water, for the stinking and strong smell of the armpits, and of 〈◊〉 urine also, for the hot and scalding fretting of one's urine, whether it come of the 〈◊〉, or of some other cause, and so also for the dropsy: the pulp boiled in flesh 〈◊〉, and eaten with Salt, Pepper, and Galanga made in powder, helpeth the weak●sse of the generative parts. The Italians eat them in the morning raw with bread 〈◊〉 salt, whiles they be yet young and tender.   

CHAP. XV.  
Of Sorrell and Burnet.  
SOrrel and Burnet notwithstanding that they grow untild in great abundance, yet they may be sown in fine ground, and well manured in the Spring time, especially the Sorrel: for as for Burnet, it groweth likewise, and as well in dry grounds, nothing tilled or stirred: both of them 〈◊〉 planted in gardens, must from the beginning be well watered: and he that de●reth to gather the seed, must take them up and plant them again, suffering them to ●row to their perfection, and then to dry and wither. They fear not cold or frost, ●either yet abundance of water: but they look (especially the Sorrel) that they 〈◊〉 become the fairer, to be cut three or four times a year.  
All the sorts of Sorrel, 
The virtues of Sorrell.  as well those of the field as those of the garden, have this virtue, that being boiled with flesh how old and hard soever it be, yet they make it ●nder and lose the body.  
The leaves of Sorrell roasted in hot ashes, have a singular force to resolve or to cause 〈◊〉 Apostumate the swellings of the eyes: or as some Surgeon's use, if you take the 〈◊〉 of Sorrell, and lap them up close in a Burre-docke leaf, then lay it in the hot 〈◊〉, and roast it as you would roast a Ward, then open it and apply it as hot 〈◊〉 the patient is able to endure it to any impostumation or bile whatsoever about 〈◊〉 part of a man's body, it will not only in short space ripen and break it, but also ●raw and heal it very sufficiently: it is also, being boiled in Posset-ale, a very ●●od cooler of the blood, and a great comferter against inflammations which come by ●●urning Fevers. A Cataplasm made of the leaves of Sorrel, with twice as much 〈◊〉 Swines-grease, all beaten and mingled together▪ and afterward put in the leaf of 〈◊〉 Colewort under the hot ashes, is sovereign against cold Apostumes. The seed of ●orrel powdered and drunk with water or wine, 
The bloody flux.  doth assuage the pain of the bloody flux. Sorrell steeped in vinegar and eaten in the morning fasting, is a preservative ●gainst the plague, 
The plague.  as also the Syrup or juleb made with the juice thereof. The ●aues of Sorrel well stamped, and applied unto the wrist, doth tame the fierceness 〈◊〉 the ague.  
Burnet of the garden being an herb that some use to put in their salads, 
The virtues of Burnet.  whereof 〈◊〉 have here spoken, and which is also the same which the Latinists call Sanguisor●●, taken in drink is good to restrain the monthly terms of women, and all other 〈◊〉 of the belly, but especially such as are of blood: it is good also to dry up wounds ●nd ulcers if it be applied unto them in form of a Cataplasm. Some do much steam it in the Plague time: and some say, that the often use of Burnet, especially 〈◊〉 juice thereof, is a very sovereign preservative against dangerous diseases, because it hath a property very much strengthening the Liver, the Heart, and the Spi●●●ts. The leaves of Burnet put into the wine, make it more pleasant, more strong, and somewhat Aromatical, and of the taste of Millions: they are very good to be put in salads made with Oil, Salt, and Vinegar, according as we see them used 〈◊〉 day.   

CHAP. XVI.  
Of Hartshorn, Trickmadame, and Pearcestone.  
AS for Hartshorn 
Hartshorn.  and Trickmadame they have no need of any 〈…〉 or planting: 
To cause hartshorn to thrive.  for both of them will come in any ground that 〈◊〉 would have them, whether it be husbanded or not. True it is, that if 〈◊〉 would have Hartshorn flourish and fair liking, you must cut it oft, 〈◊〉 it along upon some roller, or cause it to go upon foot by itself: for it delighteth to 〈◊〉 so entreated, and utterly refusing to grow otherwise than against the ground. 〈◊〉 madame doth nothing fear the cold, and doth grow principally upon the old 〈◊〉 of vines, in a stony and gravelly earth. These are put in Summer-sallades, 〈◊〉 neither of the●● have either taste or smell fit for the same. 
The virtues of hartshorn.  The Hartshorn is good● stay the flux of the belly.  
Trickmadame stamped with Lettuce, 
The virtues of Trickmadame.  and applied unto the pulses, doth delay 〈◊〉 heat of an ague. The distilled water thereof being often times drunken, doth 〈◊〉 roughly heal burning and tertian agues.  
Pearcestone is sown in a dry and sandy soil, 
Pearce●●one or Sampire.  and craveth to be much 〈◊〉 even from the beginning: he that desireth the seed, must let the herb grow to 〈◊〉 perfection, and afterward to dry the seed as corn is dried.  
It may be preserved in salt and vinegar after the manner of porcelain, 
The preserving of Sampire.  and then 〈◊〉 sovereign for the difficulty of urine, for the jaundice, 
jaundice.  and to break the stone, 
Stone.  to pro●●uoke women's terms, and to stir up ones appetite, if it be used in the beginning 〈◊〉 meat. For want of such as is pickled in vinegar, you may make the decoction of 〈◊〉 leaves, roots, and seeds in Wine, for to use in the same disease.   

CHAP. XVII.  
Of Marigolds.  
MArigolds 
Marigolds.  have not need of any great ordering, for they grow in 〈◊〉 fields, and in any ground that a man will, neither do they 〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉 sown every year: for being once sown, they afterward grow of the● selves, and bear flowers in the Calends of every month of the year, 〈◊〉 in Summer as in Winter, for which cause the Italians call them the flower of all 〈◊〉 months: To be short, the place where they have once been sown can hardly 〈◊〉 of them. 
Tu●ied and well thriving Marigolds.  If they be never to little husbanded, and cut many times, they will bear 〈◊〉 fair ●lowers and very great but yet ever more in Autumn than in the Spring.  
The juice of the flowers of Marigolds drunk fasting, 
The virtues of Marigolds.  have great force to 〈◊〉 the terms of women: the fume or smoke of them taken through a 〈◊〉 into the secret parts doth the like, and causeth the afterbirth to come forth, and 〈◊〉 young maids out of the Green-sickness. The conserve of the same 〈◊〉 have the same virtue. The women of Italy as well to provoke the 〈◊〉, as to 〈◊〉 them, do fry the juice and tender crops of this herb with the yolks of 〈◊〉 and do eat them. The very same juice mingled with a little Wine or warm 〈◊〉, is a sovereign remedy to assuage the extreme pains of the head and teeth, 〈◊〉 one use ●t in manner of a lotion. This juice drunk to the quantity of an ounce, 〈◊〉 the weight of a French-crown of the powder of earth-worms rightly prepared 〈◊〉 help greatly against the jaundice. Some say that to eat oft of Marigold leaves 〈◊〉 make a good countenance: the distilled water of Marigold leaves being dropped 〈◊〉 his eyes, or linen clothes wet therein and applied unto them, doth heal the 〈◊〉 of the eyes. The powder of the leaves thereof dried, and put in the hollow 〈◊〉 the tooth doth cure the aching of the same. The juice of the flowers of Marigolds 〈◊〉 to the quantity of two ounces in the beginning of a pestilential ague, doth 〈◊〉 the plague, so that the sick after he hath drunk this juice, do presently lie 〈◊〉, and be made sweat, being thoroughly covered in his bed: it doth cure also the ●ndise, and beating of the heart. The conserve of the flowers of Marigolds doth 〈◊〉 like. To drink half an hour before the coming of the fit of a quartain agu●●●out three ounces of white wine, wherein have been steeped seven seeds of Mari●●ds, and to go over this drink for divers mornings together, is a sovereign medi●●● against a quartain ague.   

CHAP. XVIII.  
Of Beets and Blites, white and red.  
BEets, 
Beets.  as well the white as the black and red, which is called B●tte and lot of the inhabitants of Tourraine, or Roman of the Picardes, are 〈◊〉 not only in Le●t, but at all times, especially after December until March, and in August, to the end that there may always be in a rea●nesse both old and young, and for to gather feed which may endure good thr●●●●ares. And for this cause you must take them up and plant them again, when they 〈◊〉 put forth five leaves, and put unto the roots a little new dung, and afterward 〈◊〉 and raise their earth, and free them quite from weeds: they are apt and easy ●●ough to grow, 
A spe●iall 〈◊〉 of the 〈◊〉.  and though they be cut, yet they will spring again if they be plan●●d in a fat and well manured ground. They have this special and as it were admirable quality in them, namely, that they never come to their full perfection, until the 〈◊〉 year after they be sown: in respect whereof, I could advise the gardener not 〈◊〉 gather any seeds of the beets to sow, but such as the beet shall bring forth the third 〈◊〉 for of such seed there grow very fair and goodly beets.  
If you would make choice of fair beets, choose rather the white than either the ●lacke or red, as being the fairest and tenderest: but to have such as shall be very ●reat and white, you must cover the root with the new dung of Oxen, and cleave in ●nder their sprout, as is done with Leeks, and to lay upon them a large and broad ●one or a brick. If you would have your beets red, 
Red beets.  water them with the Lees of 〈◊〉 Wine: or else plant them in such a place, as wherein they may have great heat 〈◊〉 the Sun.  
Beets ●aten in pottage do lose the belly: 
The virtues of the beets.  the juice of beets drawn up into the ●●ose, doth purge the brain: the same juice ●ubbed upon the head, causeth Lice and 〈◊〉 to die. The roots of beets roasted in the ashes and eaten, do take away the ill 〈◊〉 that cometh of eating Garleeke. 
For ●o make 〈◊〉 quickly.  The root of beets stamped and cast in wine, ●oth turn the same within three hours after into vinegar.  
Blites are sown in March, and are not long in coming out of the earth. If they 〈◊〉 sown in a well tilled ground, they will also grow the next year following without any new sowing, in such manner as that the ground will hardly be rid of them 〈…〉 crave no weeding or sweeping.  
Blites do lose the belly: 
The 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉.  their decoction wherein hath boiled the roots and ●●aues, killeth lic● and nits: their leaves roasted amongst ashes or boiled, do heal●●●rnings: the first boiling of Blites with the gall of an Ox, and the Oil of 〈◊〉. ●oth take away all spots out of garments without doing any harm: 〈◊〉 presently 〈◊〉 you must wash the place with warm water.   

CHAP. XIX.  
Of Arrach and spinach.  
THe herb Arrach (in Latin called Atriplex) aswell the white and 〈◊〉 as the green, do naturally grow in grounds manured with 〈◊〉 and in such place as where there hath beets grown at other time. 〈◊〉 become red in the same sort that beets do in a fat and well 〈◊〉 ground. But they are sown in February, March, and April: and they would 〈◊〉 sown thin and not thick, and oftentimes watered. Some sow them in 〈◊〉 to gather them in Winter. They will not be removed, but rather wed, 〈◊〉 dunged with good dung, often cut and pruned, and that with an iron tool, 〈◊〉 they may not spend themselves in turning all their substance into leaves. But 〈◊〉 after the time that the seed is scattered upon the earth, it must presently be 〈◊〉 with earth, and they must be sown as clear as may be, that so they may 〈◊〉 and come fair and goodly ones. In less than fi●teene days they be ready to 〈◊〉 The Italians use to make a kind of Tart of Arraches: They chop small the 〈◊〉 and stamp them with cheese, fresh butter, and the yolks of Eggs: afterward 〈◊〉 put them in paste, and bake them in the oven.  
spinach 
spinach.  (so called because his seed is prickly) is of two sorts, the male and 〈…〉: the female beareth no seed. Both of them are ●owen in August, Septem●● and October, for to be used in Lent time, and in December, januarie, and 〈◊〉, for Summer: they bear out the roughness of all seasons very well and 〈◊〉, whether it be frost, cold, or snow: they grow also in any ground, so that 〈…〉 well dressed and somewhat moist; they require (to the end they may prosper 〈◊〉 and spring quickly) to be watered every evening, and to be covered either 〈…〉 or stubble: they stand not in need to be wed, but if they be cut oft they grow the 〈◊〉. And he that would have them to continue long and flourish, must at 〈…〉 cut off the one half of the stalk, and at another time, the other half. Likewise 〈◊〉 that would have them to continue sometime without being sown every year, 〈◊〉 at the first when he soweth them, see that the seed be a good, full, and well fed 〈◊〉 for then for some years following, they will grow without being sown again, 〈◊〉 though the seed of the second year will be somewhat weak: for to keep 〈…〉 the frost, you must cover them with Walnut-tree-leaves, and that before 〈◊〉 or ●ogges do fall in any manner of sort.  
The inhabitants of Paris know well enough how profitable spinach is 〈…〉 make meat o● it Lent, 
The virtues of spinach.  which use to make divers sorts of dishes thereof for their 〈◊〉; as sometimes they ●rie them with butter in pots of earth: sometimes they 〈◊〉 them at a small fire with butter in pot of earth: sometimes they make 〈◊〉 of them, as also divers other fashions: especially they make a most excellent 〈◊〉 salad thereof, by taking the green leaves thereof, and boiling it in ●aire 〈…〉 i● be soft as pap, then take it from the fire and strain it, and with the backs of 〈◊〉 chopping-knives, chop it so small as possibly you can, than put it into a very 〈◊〉 sweet pipkin or skelle●, with a good quantity of sweet butter▪ and currants very 〈◊〉 wished, and so bo●le it over again a good space, then with vinegar and sugar, 〈◊〉 i● according to the taste which pleaseth you best, and so serve it up upon 〈…〉 hard eggs, or otherwise as you please, for it is of all salads the best. The use of 〈◊〉 is good for them which have some impediment in breathing or speaking, 〈◊〉 which are much troubled with the cough, especially if such a one in the morning 〈◊〉 the broth of spinach boiled with fresh butter, or oil of sweet Almonds, 〈◊〉 loosen the belly: their juice is good against the stinging of Scorpions and 〈◊〉 whether you drink it, or 〈◊〉 it to outwardly.   

CHAP. XX.  
Of Borage and bugloss.  
BOrage and bugloss being herbs much differing in leaves and flowers, are alike notwithstanding in their roots, seeds, and virtues, serving to put in the pottage whiles their leaves are tender, and the flowers are used in Salads. They are sown in August or September for Winter use, and 〈◊〉 Ap●●ll for Summer: they may be removed at any time: And as for the seed, it 〈◊〉 be gathered half ripe, that so it may not leap out of his coat. And of this 〈◊〉 and bugloss you shall sow but a very small quantity: for it is ●o apt and 〈◊〉 of growth, the seed so soon ripe, and so apt to shed, that albeit your vigilance 〈◊〉 very great, yet you shall find it will in short space soon spread and overrun 〈◊〉 ground: neither, where it is once sown, can it, but with great difficulty, ever 〈◊〉 be rooted out.  
bugloss, 
The virtue of bugloss.  but especially the flower, doth minister pleasantness unto men that use 〈◊〉 times, because it cheereth up the heart, purgeth the blood, and comforteth the 〈◊〉 spirits. The broth wherein bugloss shall have been boiled, doth lose the 〈◊〉. The root that beareth three stalks, stamped with the seed and boiled in 〈◊〉, doth serve to be taken against tertian Agues. The wine wherein the leaves of 〈◊〉 shall have been steeped, taketh away all sadness. The juice of bugloss, 〈◊〉, and Parsley, mixed with Wine, or oil of sweet Almonds, is a sovereign 〈◊〉 to cause the afterbirth of women to fall away. The juice of Borage and 〈◊〉 drunken, is a preservative against poison, if a man have drunk it; as also 〈◊〉 the biting of venomous beasts. bugloss having three leaves, being stamped 〈◊〉 his seed and root, and drunk, doth help to put away the shake of a 〈◊〉 Ague: and that which hath four, against the shivering colds of quartaines. 〈◊〉 water distilled is singular against the damages happening in Fevers, as also 〈◊〉 the inflammation of the eyes.   

CHAP. XXI.  
Of Leeks both great and small.  
Leeks, 
〈◊〉.  as well those that are long headed, as those that are round, do not require so rich and fat a ground as the herbs going before, and they may be sown at all times, if it were not for the gathering of the seed: for which cause they must be sown in December, januarie, and 〈◊〉, and there it will be ripe after March and mid August, and that if from the 〈◊〉 that they are sown, you go and tread upon the Beds, and water them not but 〈◊〉 days after.  
They are wont to be removed when they grow of seed, and that either into 〈◊〉, every one being set four inches from another, and then there is nothing 〈◊〉 from them but the ends and tops of the leaves, or into a hole made with a stick, 〈◊〉 then the roots must be made clean and cropped off, as also many of the leaves, 〈◊〉 sand with the earth: or you shall plant them to make them great, if you 〈◊〉 a brick upon the head of them after you have planted them. This must be in ●prill, May, or all june, to have for Summer use; and in August, September, and october, for the Winter use: in any case you must weed, water, and dung them 〈◊〉 times, especially the round headed ones. Furthermore, to make them very ●●icke, put the seed of a Cucumber and of Navets in a Reed, or in Box boared through, and graft this reed into the head of the Leek, when you plant it the second time: or else if you will have great and gross Leeks, you must put so much of their seed as you can hold in three fingers in an old Linen Cloth that is foul, and put it into the earth, covering it with dung, and watering it by and by: for all this little heap of Seed, thus put together, will make one great and thick Leek.  
Ner● used every morning the leaves of Leeks with oil, 
The virtues of L●●kes.  to have a good voice● although that Leeks be noisome to the stomach, as being very windy, except they be boiled in a second water. If you eat Cummin before you eat Leeks, your breath will not smell afterward of Leeks. The leaves of Leeks boiled and applied unto the swollen Hemorrhoids, doth very much good both against the swelling and pain of them. The leaves of Leeks stamped with Honey, and applied inform of a Cataplasm unto the stingings of Spiders, 
Poison.  or upon the biting of venomous Beasts, 
〈◊〉 at the 〈◊〉.  are sovereign remedies for the same. The juice of Leeks mixed with vinegar and rubbed upon the brows, stayeth bleeding at the nose. 
Difficulties of making water.  The seed of Leeks stamped and drunk with white or sweet Wine, doth heal the difficulty of making Water. The juice of Leeks drunk with white Wine, 
For 〈◊〉 in 〈◊〉- birth.  helpeth to bring Women a bed which travel in childbirth. The seed of Leeks stamped with Myrrh and the juice of Plantain, 
Spitting of blood.  it good to stay the spitting of blood, and bleeding at the nose. The seed of Leeks cast in a vessel of Wine, doth keep the Wine from souring: and if it should be sour already, it reneweth it, and returneth it to his former goodness. The juice of Leeks, or Leeks themselves boiled in oil, take away the pain and worms in the ears. Leeks roasted under embers, and eaten, is singular good against the poison of To●d-stooles, and to preserve from drunkenness, or else to dri●e 〈◊〉 away, being already possessed. If you boil Leeks with earth-worms in Oil unto the consumption of the third part, and afterward strain out this Oil, it will be singular good for the ulcers and noise in the ears.  
Small Leeks 
Small Leeks.  must be sown in the Spring, at such time as other herbs are sowne● they make a fair show because of their thin and little leaves, and because also they keep green all the year long: they may seem to be the same with Chibols and Cyves, which are wont to be used in Salads to help to temper the coolness of other herbs used in Salads, because the Chibols and Cyves have no head, but only a long stalk like unto Leeks.   

CHAP. XXII.  
Of Purcelane.  
PVrcelane loveth to be sown in February, March, April, May, and june, but not at any other time, for it cannot abide the cold. It cometh in great abundance upon Beds mixed well with old dung, or in a ground that is very fat of itself, especially if it be sown amongst Colewo●●, Onions, and Leeks: and after it hath once taken with the ground, it will not fail any year afterward, though you take no pains with the sowing of it: notwithstanding it craveth to be oft watered, that it rise not upright like the stock of a tree. It must be placed in the shadows of trees, and amongst clods full of herbs, but not thick, for than it could not well spread itself abroad.  
Purcelane eaten doth cure the roughness and astonishment of the teeth, 
〈…〉.  stayeth spitting of blood, and quencheth the heat of the reins, notwithstanding that this herb is hard to digest, and nourisheth but a little: being applied unto the brows, is appeaseth the headache, and being laid upon the navel, it killeth the worms 〈◊〉 children. 
〈…〉.  The decoction of the leaves thereof, or the seed, or the water distilled, is ● sovereign remedy against the Bloody flux and the Worms in children. A lea●e of Purcelane put upon the tongue, 
D●ought.  assuageth thirst. A Cataplasm made of Purcelane and Barley m●ale, applied unto the liver and ●lanke, worketh a marvelous effect against burning Agues. 
Burning agues.  A Lineament made with Honey, and the powder of the root of Purcelane dried, healeth the chaps of the lips and hands. 
Chaps in the lips.   
This Purcelane is an excellent Salad, 
To preser●● Purcelane.  and by a cooling operation which it hath keepeth the blood in a most excellent temper. You preserve it all the year, by boiling it first in fair water, then draining the water from it, spread it upon a fair table, and cast good store of salt amongst it: then when it is thoroughly cold, pot it up in clean sweet pots of Earth, and pour upon it either a good strong Brine, or Vinegar and Salt mixed together, till the Purcelane be clean covered: or if you fear the over-saltnesse of it, than you need but only make a well-tasted pickle, such as you put to Olives, and with it cover the Purcelane, then close the pot up close till you have cause to use it: And if at any time you find the pickle or brine to 〈◊〉 away from the herbs, and leave them dry, you must immediately renew it, and cover it all over again, for it is apt to putrify, and nothing bringeth it more sooner thereunto then the want of moisture: Therefore you must have care ever once in three of four days to open your pots, and to mend what you shall find amiss in them: and if you find any hoariness cleaving unto the pots sides, you must cleanse that away also.   

CHAP. XXIII.  
Of Onions, Chibols, and Chines.  
FOr the most part, Onions (so called of the French, because they have but only one white root, like to a pearl; which the Latins call unio whether they be white, red, or round, would be sown in januarie, February, and March, in a fat ground, well dunged, black, well turned, as also well cleansed from stones, and enriched: or else in a red earth, which is short and murlie; for in it they grow excellently. They would be removed in April all along, well weeded, and often laboured, to cause them to grow great and thick: and they must be kept from cold and freezing winds. In them we must observe a nature contrary unto that of other Herbs and Plants, being of great●● force and virtue in the increase of the Moon than in the decrease, quite conrarie to that of Onions, which in the wane of the Moon is more effectual, and in the growth of the Moon more dry and weak. Such as are intended to be kept for seed, when they begin to put forth their stalk, and to rise aloft, must have small sticks or poles to set by them and keep them upright, that the wind do not bow or break them down. They must be gathered in the old of the Moon, in fair and dry weather, when the leaves begin to dry, and the seed to grow black, 〈◊〉 than you must pull up the whole stalks, and dry them in the Sun: And it is said, that if they be sown and planted when the Moon is under the earth, they taste the stronger, but are smaller and less: Furthermore, they must be ordered as Leeks. But i● must be observed, that they love and delight in a red earth, and to be sown in fair weather, in the decrease of the Moon, to be taken up again, and by and by watered: and for to make them grow great, they must have their top taken away when they are planted, and their heads uncovered, and their earth must be digged twenty days before they be removed again, that so it may dry, and not have any moisture in it. And to keep Onions from rotting, 
To keep 〈◊〉 from r●tting.  you must cast them into warm water, and dry them in the Sun, and after that they are dry, to lay them upon Barley straw, so as they may not touch one another. Who so would make choice of Onions, 
To make cho●ce of 〈◊〉.  must know, that the round and white ones are a great deal better than those of a russetish or reddish colour, and not to be so hot and sharp as the other. The best in France are those which grow at Fertlonion, a small village near vn●● Estamps, for it hath his name upon that occasion.  
The Onion, 
The virtues of 〈◊〉.  though it be the Country man's meat, is better to use than to 〈◊〉 for he that eateth every day tender Onions, with Honey, to his breakfast, shall live the more healthful, so that they be not too new: for the dry are more healthful 〈◊〉 the green; the boiled, than the raws; the preserved, than the dry: wherefore the dry must be chosen to use in Salads, fried Meats, Gallymawfries, baked Meats, Sauces, Beane pottage, and other uses.  
The juice of Onions causeth hair to grow again, cleanseth filthy ●ares, and such as run with mattar; taketh away white spots, as well out of the face, as from the rest of the body: It cureth the Dropsy 
Dropsy.  with the juice of Fennell, if it be but beginning: it purgeth the brain through the nostrils: mingled with hens grease it drieth up the Kibes: 
Kibed heels.  applied with a linen cloth unto burnings, it easeth and take● 〈◊〉 the pain: being mixed with strong vinegar, it stayeth bleeding at the nose, if it be dropped and put into the nose with a feather.  
An Onion roasted upon hot coals, and eaten with Sugar, Oil, and a little Vinegar, doth cure the Cough, and is good for them that are stopped or stuffed in their Lungs, and such as are short breathed. Take away the heart of an Onions, 〈◊〉 it with Cummin seed powdered, stop the hole, and roast the Onion thus prepared ●●der hot ashes, when it is roasted, strain it out, this juice is singular good for the noises and deafness of the ears, being dropped into them. The thick ri●de of the Onion burned or roasted under hot ashes, assuageth old Headache and Megrams, if you put in little morsel, moistened or besprinkled with Oil of Roses and Bays, within the ear of that side of the head that acheth.  
An Onion stamped with fresh Butter, easeth the pains of the Hemorrhoids: stamped with Honey and Salt, 
The biting of a ●ad dog.  it is a sovereign remedy for the biting of a mad dog, and other such like beasts: mingled with hens grease, it taketh away the red and blue spots of the face: 
Red spots.  boiled in Wine, or in Water, and afterward stamped and fried in common Oil, and applied in form of a Cataplasm unto the Navel, it assuageth the throws of Women newly brought in bed: roasted upon hot coals, and mixed with Leaven and Oil of Lilies, it ripeneth Impos●umes. Take away the heart of the Onion, fill the hollow place with Tracle or Mithridate, dissolved and beat with the juice of Citrons, stop up the hole again with the Cap or upper Crust which you cut of●, roast all together under the hot ashes, and that so long, as until all be well incorporated and drenched in, afterward strain the Onion so roasted, and give that which shall be strained to drink to him that is infected with the Plague, and cause him by and by to lie down, and to be well covered, to the end that he may sweat. This Medicine hath not his match against the Plague, provided that the sweat break forth by and by.  
As for Chibols and Chyves, they come more near unto the nature of Onions (as by the smell one may well perceive) than unto the nature of Leeks, which they nothing resemble, save only in the blade or stalk, and in that they have no head. They must be sown in the Spring, as other herbs, in the same ground with the Onion: They are very pleasant in Salads, to temper the coldness of other cold herbs.   

CHAP. XXIIII.  
Of Garlic.  
Garlic 
Garlic.  (as is well known unto the inhabitants of Gascoine, Aquitaine, Limosin, and those about Bordeaux) would be planted at the same time that Onions are, and in the new of the Moon, that so they may be great: and it must not be set in whole heads, but in those little ●loues and parts which may be divided and taken off from the head. They shall be set all along upon beds divided by ridges, like unto ridged grounds of the Country of Beaux, to the end that the water may not destroy them in Winter: For this herb desireth a dry ground, and but a little moist, very white, and not much dunged, or very fat. When they shall have put forth three leaves, you must weed them as oft as you can, for so they will become fairer, and their seed will be the greater. Who so is desirous to have it great headed, must take away the tops of it, or else tread it down with his feet before it put forth his stalk: for by this means the juice will return into the head. It groweth likewise of Seed, but more slowly, for it hath no better a head for the first year than a Leek, the second year it beginneth to be better headed and more like itself, but is not perfect and absolute until the third year. If you sow it in the wane of the Moon, and take them up in like manner when the Moon is under the earth, 
Sweet Garli●●.  you shall have Garlic that will not smell so strong: but chose, if you sow in the new or growth of the Moon. Likewise it will have a sweet savour, if when you sow it you set in the midst thereof the kernels of Olives: as likewise, if in planting it you set by the side thereof a Clove, joined very close thereunto, it will retain the smell and taste thereof. In like manner it will be of a better taste, if you steep it in good sweet Wine a day before that you sow it: And if you steep it in Milk two days before you sow it, it will become both greater and better.  
The fit and convenient time to gather and take it up, 
How to keep Garlick●.  is in the wane of the Moon, and in dry and fair weather, when the stalk will no longer stand upright. It is kept well upon straw lying bare, or hung up in the smoke of the chimney, or being steeped a little in salt water. And to keep it long, you must let it ripe well, and when it is gathered, to lay it in the Sun, that it may dry thoroughly, and afterward to lay it up in a place that is not moist, and whereas notwithstanding the Sun cometh not, for so it would continue but a while. It is true, that if you mean to sow and set it afterward, that then you must not hang it up in the smoak●, nor steep it in salt water, for such kind of keeping doth make it barren and not fit to grow any more.  
Garlic eaten, 
The 〈◊〉 of Garlic.  bringeth a very unpleasant smell unto the mouth: and for the taking away of the same, you must eat a raw Bean by and by after, or the rib of a Beet roasted in ashes, or some Smallage or green Parsley: or which is better, if you love Garlic, 
The 〈◊〉 of Garlic.  and hate the stinking breath that it yieldeth, then use vinegar wherein it hath been steeped: or else cause the Dishes and Vessels whereon your meat is to be served, to be rubbed therewith: for by this 〈◊〉 you shall have the taste thereof in your mouth, and yet your breath shall not smell any thing ill.  
Garlic eaten fasting, is the Country man's Treacle in the time of the Plague, 
The Plague.  and other dangerous diseases, as also against all manner of Venom and Poison. It is true that it causeth thirst and heat throughout the body, and headache when it is of● used: but all these inconveniences will be easily corrected, if you eat some Smallage or Parsley presently after. Very many men, but especially the people of Aquitaine, in the beginning of the Spring time, namely, the first day of May, do eat every morning Garlic with fresh butter: by this means they hope to continue sound and strong all the year.  
Garlic applied in form of a Cataplasm unto the stingings of Serpent's, 
The 〈◊〉 of a mad Dogg●.  or biting of a mad Dog, is a sovereign medicine against the same. A Lineament made of Garlic, Salt, and Vinegar, killeth Nits 
Nits.  and Lice. 
Li●e.   
The decoction of Garlic not bruised, given in Clysters, or applied unto th● belly in manner of a fomentation, assuageth the pain of the Colic, 
Colic.  and expelleth wind.  
Against an old Cough, 
Cough.  coming of a cold cause, it is very good to rub the soles of the feet, the back bone, and wrists of the hands with an Ointment o● Lineament made of three Garlic heads, well powned and beaten in Swin● Seam.  
Against the pain of the Teeth, 
〈◊〉- ache.  coming of a cold cause, there is nothing be●ter than to hold in the mouth Vinegar, or the decoction of Garlic, or to apply unto the aching tooth three cloves of Garlic stamped in Vinegar. For the kill of Worms 
Worms.  in children, it is good to give them to eat Garlic, with fresh Butter, or else to make a Cataplasm thereof, to lay upon the Stomach. They which can scarce or hardly make their Water, 
Difficulty of 〈◊〉.  or are subject unto the Stone, receive great comfort by eating of Garlic. To keep Birds 
Birds.  from h●●ting of young Fruit, you must hang at the boughs of those Trees some quantity of Garlic.   

CHAP. XXV.  
Of Scallions.  
Scallions 
〈◊〉.  are like unto Garlic in taste and smell, but in stalk and fashion the leaves resemble Onions, save only that out of their head there grow many hulles or husks, which bring forth many round little leaves. They thrive and grow better when they be set than when they be sown: for when they be sown, there is no great hope of their coming to any fairness before the second year. They may be planted from the first day of November unto the month of February, to have the fruit thereof the next Spring: and they are planted as Garlic: But in the mean time you must gather 〈◊〉 before the March Violets do flower: for if one use them not before that they be flowered, they will fall away, and become but silly ones. They are known to be ripe, if their leaves begin to dry away below. For to cause them to have 〈◊〉 and thick heads, you must put bricks round about their roots, as hath been said of Leeks.  
As concerning the use of Scallions, 
The virtues of 〈◊〉.  there is no great help or profit to be hoped for, or expected, except of such as are given more to their pleasure than to their health: for the Scallion serveth for no other thing but to provoke and stir folk 〈◊〉 the act of carnal copulation, and to have a good appetite. They have the same ve●●wes that Garlic, save only that they be somewhat troublesome to the 〈◊〉, because of their more sharp and subtle taste.   

CHAP. XXVI.  
Of Parsley.  
PArsley 
Parsley.  craveth no great labour, but loveth a stony and sandy ground, for which cause it is called Parsley: again, it craveth not any store of manure; wherefore it will be good to sow it under Arbours. It desireth above all things to be well watered: and if it so fall out, as that it be sown or planted near unto any Fountain or River, it groweth very fair, and in great quantity. And if any be desirous that it should have large leaves, he must put into a fair Linen Cloth so much seed as he can hold in his three fingers, and so cast it amongst the stones in the ground: or else he must put in a Goats trottle a quantity of Parsley seed, and so set or sow it. And he that will have it curled, must bruise the seed with a pestle of Willow, to the end that the husk may break and fall off, and afterward wrap it in a Linen Cloth, and so put it in the ground. Otherwise, without thus much to do, it may be made to curl howsoever it be sown, if you draw a Rowler upon it so soon as it beginneth to grow. It is a good time to sow it from mid May until the Sun be risen to his highest point in the Heavens, for it somewhat craveth the heat. The seed thereof that is but a year old, is nothing worth: for look how much elder the seed is, by so much it is the better, and endureth a long time unsowne: in such sort, as that it will not be needful to sow or plant it of five years; although, when it is sown, it groweth not under the space of threescore days. Notwithstanding, to cause it to grow, and put more speedily out of the earth, it behoveth that the seed be steeped in vinegar some certain time, and after sown in a well toiled ground, and filled or mixed with one half of the ashes of Beane stalks: and after it is sown, it must be oft watered, and slightly, with a little Aqua vitae: and by and by after the watering, to lay aloft it a piece of Cloth, that the heat thereof may not be spent, and breath away, and by this means it will grow up within a few hours: and then you must take off the Cloth covering it, and water it oft, and by this means it will have both a high stalk and great leaves.  
A Cataplasm made of the leaves of Parsley, 
The virtues of Parsley.  with the crumbs of White bread, doth heal a Tettar or Ringworme, doth resolve the swellings of the Breasts, and maketh Women that are brought in bed to lose their Milk. 
Delivery of women in their travel.  The juice of Parsley, drawn ●ut with vinegar, and mixed with a little salt, helpeth Women that are in travel to be delivered. The often use of Parsley taketh away the stinking of the breath, especially from such as have drunk much Wine, 
A stinking breath.  or eaten Garlic: And therefore such as use to keep company much, and have an ill breath, must not go unprovided of good store of fresh Parsley to chew or hold in their mouths. The decoction of the roots or leaves of Parsley, 
To make water.  helpeth down women's terms, 〈◊〉 Urine, casteth out Gravel contained in the Vrinarie vessels, taketh away the pain of the Colic 
The Colic.  and of the Reins, applied in manner of a fomentation upon the pained parts: 
Pain of the reins.  It serveth also for the obstructions of the Liver; but better for such as are phlegmatic, than for the choleric, or those that are of sanguine complexion. The leaves of Parsley cast upon the water of Fishponds, do recreate and rejoice the sick and diseased Fish.   

CHAP. XXVII.  
Of Rocket and Tarragon.  
ROcket 
Rocket.  being an herb very usual in Salads, and good to temper the coldness of Lettuces, may be sown as well in Winter as in Summe● for it feareth not cold, nor other injury of the air; neither doth it ●●quire any great labour: it loveth notwithstanding to be 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 in a gravely ground. Rocket must not be eaten by itself, by reason of the great heat that it maketh in them that eat it; 
The force of Rocket.  and for that cause it hath commonly for his companion in Salads the leaves of Lettuce, seeing that the one of these doth notably temper the other. It is good notwithstanding to provoke urine, applied in form of a Cataplasm upon the share bone: And some say, that three leaves of Rocket gathered with the left hand, and bruised in honeyed water, and taken in drink, 
〈◊〉 and hardness of the spleen.  are sovereign against the jaundice, and hardness of the Spleen: Also Rocket being boiled and mixed with Sugar, doth take away the Cough in little children.  
Tarragon 
Tarragon.  is made of Linseed pricked in many places of the head of a red Onion, the strongest and sharpest that may be found, and put into well manured earth: And after it hath shot up the height of a foot, or somewhat more, you must take the slips or branches and set them again in the same earth, and water them often.  
Tarragon hath the same force and virtue that Rocket hath, and is not to be eaten alone, but with Lettuces and such like herbs.   

CHAP. XXVIII.  
Of Smallage, chervil, Costmarie, and Auens.  
SMallage 
Smallage.  must be sown in a well toiled ground, and near some wall: for i● loveth the shadow, and groweth well in all manner of ground. And after that it is once sown, if it be not all pulled up by the roots, but that there be but one stalk left from year to year to seed, it will continue for ever: and it hath not any great need of being weeded. The good time to sow it, is from the end of February unto the first day of September. It hath the like virtue that Parsley hath, not to eat, but for Physic. It is good also for all blue strokes, and blood that is settled by reason of any kind of blow. The oil thereof is likewise good for many diseases, and especially for the rawness that cometh in the throat, if the place that is sore be oft anointed therewith. It is true, that Smallage stirreth up the Falling sicknessee, if we may believe Pl●nie; although that Galen, in the curing of the Falling sickness, do prescribe the roots of Smallage and Parsley. I have tried by experience oftentimes, that the leaves of Smallage, chewed raw, do provoke the terms of women.  
chervil, 
chervil.  called in Latin Cerefolium, loveth to be sown in a ground that is well manured, and in the time of February, March, and April, and sometimes in August and September, for to have it in Winter: and it would be often watered. chervil doth shirre up the stomach, 
The virtues of Cher●ile.  and is very good to provoke urine, and purge the blood.  
Costmarie and Auens 
Costmarie and 〈◊〉.  are very pleasant herbs to give a savour like Spice in Pottage and Salads: They would be sown in May and April, and removed in November. Both of them have the taste of Pepper and Cloves, and therefore cannot but be good to comfort the stomach. Some, to provoke appetite, make a green sauce of Sorrel for to eat with meat. Physicians do greatly esteem of the decoction of costmary against the Swimming disease, Astonishments, falling Sickness, obstructions of the Lungs, Dropsies, and jaundice; as also for the Colic, Stone, difficulty to make Water, staying of the Terms, for quick delivery in Childbirth, and to bring down the afterbirth.   

CHAP. XXIX.  
Of Asparagus.  
THe herb Asparagus doth grow big in a fat and spongy ground that is free from stones, well dressed, plain, and smooth, demanding no help of watering, except a little in 〈◊〉. Some sow them in the Spring at the new of the Moon: but it is better to set the roots, which spread and increase better and sooner than the seeds: whether they be sown of seeds, or set of roots, it must be done in furrows three inches deep, and a fathom over on every side, standing one from another a good long foot: put into every furrow two or three seeds, every one off from another some nine inches, about forty days after the seeds do gather together, and join one with another, becoming one: after you have set them thus low, you must cast upon them the third part of the earth that you have taken out of the furrows, which must be ●ifted, before you put it there, with an iron Sieve, that so the Sun may pierce the deeper, and draw the Asparagus unto it: after this, you must weed them oft, and help them in October with some well rotten manure of Horse, Sheep, or Birds, or, which is better, with the filth and ordure of sinks and Privies, and the dust which falleth out of Wool when it is beaten: and again, upon this the ●eeds and dross of the Vine-presse and Grapes. You must renew their ground oftentimes in February, and cast new dung upon it: you must do the like also the second year in Februar●● or March, and likewise every year in October. It is true that they must be removed the second or third year, and never to cut them until the third year, and then in the month of May. In stead of removing them, it were better to uncover their roots, and to take away those that are supers●uons, for to set in some other place, and then to purge them of withered and rotten or corrupted branches, (in as much as Asparagus would never be removed out of their place, except it be when they grow too thick together:) For doing so two or three years one after another, it will fall out, that all the entangled and folded one within another will be taken away; and than you may prune and trim those which you leave standing, which you must cover from foot to foot, or from root to root, with well seasoned manure, being rotten and mixed with as much sifted mould, sifting moreover the same which was above before, and putting it into his old place from whence it was taken, and in such manner as it was found there. Howsoever it be, the year after they be planted there may well be taken from them some one of their stalks, and the other let stand to seed. The stalk so taken away, must be cut away, not plucked away, 
The way to have good ●●ore of Asparagus.  for fear of doing hurt to the root. For to have Asparagus to grow fair and abundantly, you must cover the earth of the trenches with beasts horns; or else sow in the furrows where you shall set them, the powder of the horns of Wethers, or wild Rams, or some others, and afterward you shall water them. And this is the cause that maketh them grow naturally in the Meadows. 
Asparagus may grow of a sheeps horn.  Others there are which say (though it be a wonderful thing) that there must nothing be done to the horns, but only bored through, and to hide them in good ground, and that of them will breed and grow Asparagus. And to cause Asparagus to sprout and bring forth often, you must rake and weed and dig about them often, opening their roots, after that you have gathered the fruit, and straw upon th●● the powder of beasts horns: for the plant being thus handled, will bear his 〈◊〉 otherwise.  
Asparagus is a delicate fruit, 
〈…〉.  and wholesome for every body, and especially when it is thick, tender, sweet, and not very much boiled: it giveth a good stomac●e unto the sick, if it be used before meat: it provoketh urine: it openeth the obstructions of the reins and the liver. The root thereof applied to the toothache, 〈◊〉 the pain: being dry, and thrust into the teeth, it rooteth them out: put 〈◊〉 decoction, and drunk oftentimes, it breaketh the stone, it maketh a good colour 〈◊〉 the face, and a sweet smell in all the body, excepted only that it maketh the urine strong and stinking.   

CHAP. XXX.  
Of Garden and watercresses.  
GArden-Cresses, 
Garden Water-Cresse●.  so called because they grow at all times, and are of great nourishment, as also watercresses, do love moist places, and the little Brooks rising from Springs and other little Rivers: wherefor● they ask no other labour in Gardens, but to be planted near to 〈◊〉, that they may grow well, and to be watered every day, having water 〈◊〉 at their foot.  
Both of them are very good in Salads of Lettuce, 
The virtues of Wate● and Garden-Cresses.  and have great force against the Stone and difficulty of Urine: And furthermore, Cresses of the Garden, made in a Cataplasm, doth resolve Carbuncles, the Sciatica, Cat-haires, and all other sorts of Impostumes; especially if it be mixed with Leaven, it killeth the Worms. The juice thereof, drunk with the juice of Mints and Wine, doth the like. The juice of watercresses dropped into the ear, doth heal the pai●● of the teeth, 
Toothache.  coming of a cold cause. The seed of Cresses chewed and held 〈◊〉 the mouth, is good against the palsy 
Palsy.  of the Tongue. In the palsies of oth● parts, there must be applied unto the said parts bags full of the seed of the said Cresses, having boiled 〈◊〉 first in Wine. The same remedy is good also for the Colic. 
Co●●cke.   
watercresses in a fomentation comfort a cold stomach, provoke the terms, mundify and cleanse the mother, and prepare it to conceive. They dissolve the colic of the mother, if you fry them with Mugwort upon a hot fire- 〈◊〉 sprinkling them with red wine, and applying them unto the belly. They are very singular against the pains of the mother after Childbirth, if with the flowers of Camomile, and the leaves of Mugwort, all chopped small and incorporated with four yolks of eggs, you fry them all in a frying-pan with the oil of Lilies, and apply it hot unto the belly and navel. The juice thereof rubbed abo●● the cod, stayeth the flux of the seed in the night time. A Cataplasm made of the leaves of watercresses, of the leaves and roots of Turnips, and of the roots of Parsley, all chopped small, and fried with pure wine and butter, and applied 〈◊〉 the stomach and the groin, causeth the urine that hath been long kept, to 〈◊〉 away and avoid.   

CHAP. XXXI.  
Of Saffron.  
AS concerning Saffron (as shall be said hereafter) it loveth an indifferent soil, not strong, not dunged, but yet well eared, lying upon the Sun, and well digged: and it cometh very well in the place where Onions have grown. It loveth not water, and standeth in awe of the Moule and Mice: It groweth better, the head being set, than the seed being sown: for indeed it is not used to be sown, but the heads of it only to be set, as the heads of Lilies, Leeks, or Sea Onions are. They are planted and set by ridges in April and May. The heads are let ripen on heaps in the shadow of the Sun, some eight days before they be set: and this must be in such a place as is not moist. They are set in a well-digged earth with their roots, and a good distance one from another, as namely, about half a span, and three inches deep. It groweth the better, if it be a little footed upon. It flowreth every year in Autumn, for one whole month together, and then letteth the flower fall: but it keepeth his leaves green all Winter long unto the Spring, and then it beginneth to wither, and maketh no show at all in Summer. It may continue good, being set and planted, for nine years: and then if it be removed into some other place, it will be able to do further good. It is true that it springeth forth many cloves and kernels, which must be taken away every three year, or else the root would be choked and smothered. Some do set it (as being the best time) from after mid August unto mid September, and cast at the roots of it the dross of Grapes as it cometh from the Press, 
Good Saffron.  and leave it in the earth two or three years: and every year, in April and May, the dried part of the herb is tied up and trodden into the earth some two inches deep, without hurting of the root: and after you have cleansed the grassy part and leaves thereof, and that the flower shall be ripe, as in August, and toward Autumn, it shall be gathered in the morning at Sunne-rise, and reserved in a close and dry place. Furthermore, the Saffron is known to be good, if it be fat: if being holden in your hand, it make a noise: and if being put into any liquor, it dissolve: if being handled and held up to the face, it procure a certain kind of biting or pricking unto the eyes: if it be of a golden colour: if it die the hand with his colour, and have somewhat a ●harpe smell and pricking: and if it be not brittle and very ready to break.  
Saffron taken in a very small quantity, is good for the weakness of the stomach, and fainting of the heart: it keepeth from being drunk, and healeth the bitings of Serpents and Spiders: if it be taken inwardly, or applied outwardly, in great quantity, it procureth swimming and pain in the head, and bringeth a ●oggie mist over the eyes.   

CHAP. XXXII.  
Of Navets great and small.  
NApes and Navets (called of the Latins Napi) are two divers sorts of one kind, but notwithstanding, differing in taste, colour, and greatness: for the Napes are greater and drawing toward a yellow colour, less● pleasing the taste: Navets are less, white, and a great deal more savoury: both of them are sown after one fashion in a well-digged ground, and withal well enriched, and made very good, that so they may go down a good way, and work themselves deep into the ground, or else in a ground which is intended to be made ferthe, or upon Stubbles which have been newly ploughed, or betwixt Mill●, and Panic: The seed is used to be mingled with earth broken into small powder, that so it may sow the more clearly, not falling many together it must not be abo●● three years old; for if it be elder, it bringeth forth Coleworts. And if the seed 〈◊〉 been steeped and moistened in milk or sweet wine, or honeyed water, two or three days before it be sown, it will be very much the better. And if they come 〈…〉 thick, there is some part of them to be taken up and set in other places. They 〈◊〉 be well wed and digged, and the fairest and greatest kept to have the s●●d of 〈◊〉▪ They are sown in August: When you go about to sow them, you must look th●● the earth have been newly watered with rain, for so they will grow bette●▪ And above all things it must be looked unto, that they be not sown in a 〈◊〉 ground, for the shade is altogether contrary unto them, though the earth be good and fertile. 
The gathering and keeping of Napes.  They are gathered in November, & kept in Winter upon sand 〈…〉 under the earth, for to eat in Winter and Lent time. I report myself unto them of Meason and Vau-Girard near unto Paris, which gather great store of th●m 〈◊〉 year to sell at Paris.  
This fruit is windy, 
The virtues of Napes.  and begetteth worms in young children by their 〈◊〉▪ but they must be eaten with Mustard. It is true that their seed doth resist 〈◊〉, and there it is put into Treacle: it likewise killeth the Worms, being mingled 〈◊〉 the juice of Oranges or Lemons: and it driveth forth the small Pocks and 〈◊〉 with the decoction of Maidenhair or of Lentils. It provoketh urine mixed in equal quantity with Linseed, and given to drink in wine: it bringeth up the crudities of the stomach by vomit, being taken with honeyed vinegar and warm water. The Egyptians make a very good Oil of it.   

CHAP. XXXIII.  
Of Turnips.  
TVrneps 
Turnips.  (called in Latin Raepa) are of two sorts, the round and the long, and they differ not much from Napes and Navets, save only in gre●●nesse and taste: For Turnips are a great deal bigger, and of a 〈◊〉 pleasant taste, than the Napes: for the truth whereof, I report myself to the inhabitants of Limosin in Aquitaine, 
Turnips are the ordinary ●eat of them of 〈◊〉 and Savoy.  and the people of Savoy, who having no store of Corn, have no more excellent a meat than Turnips: and for the same cause they are so industrious in sowing and dressing of them, as being that commodity and increase of the earth unto them, which is as well, yea better beloved, and more necessary, than any Corn or Graine: for they feed themselves and their cattle with the leaves, great and small stalks, tops and roots of Turnips; insomuch, as that they complain of a Famine, when in their Country their Turnips are frozen in the ground, or have received some overthrow by the injury of the heavens.  
The manner of ordering and dressing of them to make them grow, is (as it were) like unto that of the Napes. It is true, that they would be sown very thick, and not thin, for else they will prove but very small and little, and it would be r●●her in September than at 〈◊〉 other time, in a moist ground, well manured, and diligently corrected of such faults as it may have, because they rejoice and 〈◊〉▪ great deal the fairer, and of a better taste, in cold, snowy, and foggy weather, 〈◊〉 they do in fair: which is the only cause that in the Country of Savoy and 〈◊〉 they do grow more sweet, tender, fair, and great, because of the Fogs, Snowed, and cold Seasons that they suffer much in those places. If they be sown in the Spring time, there must care be had, that their leaves be not ●aten with worms and such other vermin: and the better to free them from this plague, it will be good to mingle of the dust that is to be found upon floors with the seed 〈◊〉 they before it be sown, or else of the foot of the furnace or 〈◊〉: or else to steep it in the juice of houseleek, and afterward to sprinkle it o●er well with water 〈◊〉 it may receive some moisture: and then to ●ow it the day after it hath been so steeped.  
It is one of the wonders of nature, 
Turnip seed is very small. Fair turnips.  that of so small a ●eed there should grow so grea● a fruit, as should sometime weigh thirty or forty poun●. There must special car● be had that the seed be not above three years old: for if it be it will bring forth coleworts in steed of turnips. To have them fair and great, after they become 〈◊〉 great as a finger, they must be removed a good distance one from another: afterward they must be covered with earth, 
The keeping of turnips.  and trodden down very hard: for by this 〈◊〉 the juice which should have been spent in putting forth of leaves and stalk, will turn to the making of the root great. They must be gathered in November, and for to keep them all the Winter, they must be buried in holes, or covered with leaves, or seed of Mustard.  
The use of turnips is not very good for health, 
The virtues of turnips.  notwithstanding their decoction is very excellent good for to wash the feet of such as have the gout withal. The Cutlers and Armourers do constantly affirm, that knives, daggers, and swords, quenched three or four times, when they are in forging, in the juice of turnips, mixed with equal quantity of the water or juice pressed out of earth worms bruised, doth make their edge so hard, as that therewith you may cut iron as easily as any Lead.   

CHAP. XXXIIII.  
Of Radishes.  
RAdishes 
Radishes.  are properly the same which is called in Latin Raphanus, in Italy Ra●anels, and at Paris Raves, they are used in manner of a salad● with meat for to stir up the appetite. They grow better when they are planted, than when they are sown, and there are two seasons to set or sow them in, ●hat is to say, in February in the wain of the Moon, if we intent to have the benefit of them in the Spring: and in August or September, if we would use them sooner: and this season without doubt i● the better, because the Radish in a cold and moist time groweth in the root, and is more tender, but in a hot and dry time it groweth in stalks and leaves. So soon as they are sown they take root, the leaves whereof you must tread and trample down, that so the root may grow the greater, which otherwise would run up all into leaves: likewise they must be gathered within two or three months (otherwise they will quickly go to seed) and put them in the ground under sand or gravel after you have cut off their leaves. The manner of ordering of them is to set them good and deep in earth which is well husbanded, stirred up even from the bottom and dunged, and after they be pretty great ones, to co●er them again with earth, and to take off their leaves from them, for so they will become more sweet and pleasant. You must not plant or sow them abo●● vines or arbours: for they are great enemies unto vines, as making them to run out their juice, when they are neighbours to it, by reason of their acrimony and 〈◊〉. Some likewise say, 
Radishes 〈…〉▪ Sweet radishes.  that radishes do keep away drunkenness, because they greatly weaken the force of Wine. To have sweet radishes, their seed must be watered oftentimes with salt water, to have them the more tender, and not so sharp: for the salt water doth greatly diminish their bitterness: likewise we ordinarily 〈◊〉 that they are eaten with salt and vinegar. 
Good radishes.  Their goodness is known by their leaves, which by how much they are the gentler in handling, by so much is the root the tenderer and more pleasant to eat. The rind doth likewise show the sa●e: for the thinner it is, so much the more delightsome are the radishes.  
Physicians do hold, that among other discommodities, the radish is an enemy unto the teeth▪ and they make hard and stony places in the mouths of such as use them: but this inconvenience may be amended, if presently after you eat some certain slips of Hyssop or Thyme, or Organie: or if they be eaten with oil: and again, in stead of this one discommodity, they bring a thousand profits for the health of mankind. The roots of radishes being new, chopped small, and sprinkled with white wine that is neat and warmed in a frying-pan, and applied unto the stomach, causeth a man to piss abundantly the water which he could not avoid of a long time: the juice of the same root drunk to the quantity of two ounces with Malmsey, worketh the like effect: take an ounce of the rinds of radishes, as much of the lea●es of Mercury, four grains of saffron, one dram of sweet Cassia, and two drams of the juice of savin, poune them all together in a mortar, and put them in a linen cloth, which being put up into the matrix is a singular remedy to help them that tramell of childbirth. 
Tr●●ell of child b●●th.  The juice of the root of radishes, mixed with oil of sweet or bitter almonds, a little white wine, and a little coloquintida, all heated at the fire and strained, and afterward dropped into the ears, 
N●ise of the ●ares.  doth take away the windiness and noise of the ●ares: being drunk with honeyed water, it cureth the jaundice. The leaves boiled in pottage in stead of coleworts, do take away the obstructions of the liver & spleen. Their seed bruised and strained with white Wine, is sovereign against all 〈◊〉 of poisons and other dangerous diseases. The roots eaten fasting do preserve and keeps a man from venom and poison. 
The ill 〈…〉 wine.  Some hold it for a certain truth, that turnips 〈◊〉 in stinking and ill-savouring wine, doth take away altogether the ill taste thereof. They wipe away the spots 
Spots.  of the face, heal the places of the body razed with the twigs of rods, and cover the places with hair which are bare and should not. But above all the rest, the●e is no more certain a remedy for the grief of the reins, the stone, 
Gravel and 〈…〉.  gravel, or difficulty to make water, than to drink evening and morning going into bed, or coming out of it, a small draft of white Wine warm, wherein have been sleeped the space of eight hours, the rinds of radishes, with the fourth part of the kernels of medlars made in powder. For the same matter there may be provided a Wine to use a long time, wherein hath been infused a certain time th● powder of the roots of radish dried. I cannot forget to set down, that the often using of radishes bringeth unto nurse's great store of milk. And that water how stinking soever it be, 
〈…〉.  wherein radishes have been boiled, will become better, and th● they may not be eaten in the later end but at the beginning of meat, whatsoever 〈◊〉, pleaseth Dioscortdes to say, that so they may go presently out of the stomach, and nothing hinder the digestion of the rest of the meat.   

CHAP. XXXV.  
Of parsnip, Mypes, Carrots, and Skirworts.  
parsnip, 
parsnip.  Mypes, 
Mypes.  Carrots, 
Carrots.  and Skirworts, 
Skirworts.  are sown all after one fashions, in a ground well digged, freed from stones, cleansed and scoured from all weeds, and unprofitable roots, being also manured and rilled well before: they may not be sown thick, that so they may grow the longer and thicker▪ They must be watered as soon as they be sown, and if the time prove dry, once a week, so long as till they be well sprung up. They are set also after one and the same fashion: The time to sow or plant th●m, is in Autumn, and in the Spring: but Autumn is the better, that so you may have them in Lent time. He that desireth to have their roots great, fair, and thick, must often pluck away the● leaves: they must be gathered half a year after they be sown, and then their leaves taken from them, and they kept under sandy gravel, especially in Winter: for 〈◊〉 causeth them to corrupt.  
P●rs●eps may be kept a whole year or two in the earth, so as that one may know by the falling of the flowers, both the old and the new and which are good in Winter and Lent, whether they be fried or otherwise.  
All of them have virtue to expel urine, 
The vert●●s.  to assuage the pain of the colic, and to provoke women's terms: their leaves stamped and laid upon wounds which happen in the legs, are very profitable for them.   

CHAP. XXXVI.  
Of Mustard and Poppy.  
SEnuie Mustard delighteth in a fat ground, 
The goodness of Mustard.  and is ●owen with mould●, before and after Winter, and it, must be often weeded and watered, bu● it would not be sown too thick: for it spreadeth very easily, insomuch as it is hard to destroy it where it hath been once sown: the seed will keep 〈◊〉 year, but the newer that it is, so much the better it is, either to sow or ●at. It is discerned to be good, when being broken or cracked with the teeth, it appeareth green within, but not white: for and if it be white, it is old and not worth any thing, either to sow or eat. That which is intended to be kept to eat, shall be good to be removed when it is growing: for so it will yield a greater and fairer top: but that which is intended to use for seed, must not be removed or have his place and habitation changed.  
The seed of Mustard chawed, 
The ●ertues of Mustard.  and holden under the tongue, is of great force against the palley of the tongue, as also against all other manner of palsy, if upon the grieved part there be applied a bag full of the said seed, having been first boiled in Wine. The powder thereof cast into the nostrils causeth sneezing, and purgeth the brain from superfluities. The decoction of Senuie or Mustard doth assuage the toothache coming of a cold cause, and being drunk breaketh the stone, and provoketh the terms of women. It keepeth the hair clean, and from falling. The oyl● of Mustard is sovereign against the ache of the hips, and weakness of the sinews. Mustard seed brayed and put into sweet wine, preserveth the same in his sweetness, so that it shall not lose it, the reason is, because it keepeth it from taking of a heat▪ th● same made in powder and mixed with vinegar, doth heal the stingings of serpents and scorpions: being drunk, it overcometh the venom of muhrooms that have 〈◊〉 eaten: mingled with the urine of a young child, and rubbed upon the bellies of such as have the dropsy, it causeth them to avoid water: of you temper it with water, and rub your hand or any other part that hath need to be made clean therewith: you shall perceive the benefit thereof. The white poppy, which is sometimes used in pottage and cleansed barley, carts, and other confections for to quench the thirst, provoke sleep, and cool the great heat of agues, never groweth of his old root, but will be sown every year in September, in hot and dry countries: and in other plac●● from januarie until March, and it is sown commonly with coleworts. It prosp●et● best when it is sown in places where the crops of vines have been burned. I ha●● seen at Vandever, a small village in Burgundy, young children and other folk to eat the seed of white poppy, for lickorishnes, without being any thing moved to heaviness of sleep, but made more stirring and lively, which hath made me to 〈◊〉 that the seed of Poppy is not so much to be feared, as some would bear in hand.   

CHAP. XXXVII.  
Of Cucumbers.  
CVcumbers are sown upon a bed, in the month of March: and for fear of srost they are covered with straw until mid-May, which is the time when they would be removed unto such ground as is well manured and thick laid with dung, fat, and soft, to the end they may be suffered to creep and ripen upon the ground: or else upon beds, filled with fat and well 〈◊〉 earth, being a foot high. For to sow them there must be planted four or five seeds, the one from the other some two foot, they must not be weeded at all, because they thrive the better when they be overgrown with weeds. Notwithstanding 〈◊〉 Spain they use to weed them as carefully as they can, as also lighten and raise the●● earth, and there grow very fair Cucumbers thereupon. It is good to water the●● oft, until they put forth their buds, and bring forth fruit, yea and after also, if the time fall out somewhat dry: for the Cucumber of his own nature doth love moisture, insomuch as if there be set a vessel full of water under a Cucumber, it will be found the next day to be shrunk three fingers, and it must be provided that the water go directly down unto the root of the Cucumber, without touching the fruit, because otherwise it would make it worse. It is true, that when it beginneth to ripen, the rain, and ●uerie other manner of watering is enemy unto it, for thereby it becometh but more withered, without any taste, and altogether discontenting. It feareth the thunder and lightning, and for that cause you must not pla●● them in any such time, neither yet hope for any great increase thereof, in such years, as wherein such storms and tempests fall out: for thereupon they whither and fall quite away to nothing. If a man desire to have them fair ones, he must gather them in the full of the Moon, for at this time they grow big, and at other times they fade and grow less. 
〈…〉  Furthermore, there may not come near unto their bed, any vessel full of oil, because the cucumber of all other things hateth oil, and cannot thrive if he which doth till them, have handled oil.  
The use of Cucumbers is altogether hurtful, because the nourishment and juice coming of them is easily corrupted in the veins, 
The virtues of the cucumber.  whereupon there grow in 〈◊〉 bodies Burning-Agues, and such as are very hard to c●re: wherefore it is better to appoint them for meat for Mules and Asses, to which kind of beasts this fruit is very pleasant and profitable, than to ordain them for men's food and sustenance. It is very true that their seed boiled with Barleywater doth provoke urine, assuage the heat of the reins, and also diminish the heat and thirst that is in Agues. A decoction made with the seed of Cucumbers, Winter-Cherries, Mallows, and the seeds of white Poppy, adding thereto the juice of liquorice, a little Mummia, Gum-arabecke, and Tragacanth, is a singular remedy for them which are in consumptions, which cough continually, and have their urine burning them. So●● likewise say, that a Cucumber placed long-wise, near unto a child which hath an Ague, being of the same greatness that the child is, doth deliver it altogether from the Ague.   

CHAP. XXXVIII.  
Of Gourds.  
Gourds 
Gourds.  do crave the like earth, and ordering, or tillage that Cucumbers do, foreseen that they have the Sun at command: it is true, that they must be sown with greater distances, and in such sort as they may climb stakes, heaps of stone, and arbours, thereby to give some pleasure in the beholding of the fruit hanging, rather than the lying upon beds: for they delight not so much in creeping upon the earth as the Cucumber doth, but rather to climb on high.  
Before you set them, you must steep their seeds one night in water, 
The goodness of the seed.  that so you may learn to make the better choice of them, and to know which are good. And in that respect it will be good to take those which sink down to the bottom, and let alone those which shall swim upon the top of the water, as being unprofitable and worth nothing to sow. The seeds shall be put into the earth two together, the sharp end upward, in holes wide and deep, to the quantity of two foot, and three or four foot every one from another, filled with old dung, that is very small: or else to make them spring out of the earth the sooner, with horse dung as it cometh all hot from the stable: for other matters they crave no great attendance, provided that they be served with water to their contentment: and yet those which are least wa●ered, will have the most pleasant savour and taste: wherefore if they be sown in a dry ground, you must set hard by them, pots of water with lists of cloth or straw hanging at them, which will be continually dropping of water upon them, which thing will be great advantage to them during the great heat. It is certain that the goodness and fairness of Gourds doth consist altogether in the good choice and well setting of the seed: for the seeds which are next to the neck of the gourd, do bring forth long ones, those which are in the midst, round ones: and those which are by the sides, short and thick ones: in which consideration if you would have gross and thick gourds, which may serve to make vessels and bottles of, when they shall be dry, you must take the seed that is in the midst of the gourd, and set it with the head downward: but when you desire to have them to sell and to eat, you must take of the seed next unto the neck, and set them after the right and common manner: for so the fruit will grow long, and more tender, and of a greater price. The gourds intended to gather seed of for to sow, must not be gathered before Winter, and when they are gathered, they must be put in the Sun to dry, or else hung up in the smoke, or else hung (as the manner is in France) under some chamber-floore, or else set them in rows voon boards, for otherwise the seeds would rot: or else to put them in heaps of corn, which will not only keep them from rotting, but will also ripen them if they be gathered being yet unripe: but those which are intended to be eaten, must be gathered at their due time when as they be ripe.  
The use of Gourds 
The virtues of Gourd●s.  is not so dangerous as those of Cucumbers: so that their waterishnes●e be tempered with things meet and sit for the same, as with saffron, pepper, and other such aromatical powders: and for the dish, those which are long and white are better, and to be preferred before either of the other two sorts. Physicians are of opinion, that there is nothing better to assuage the heat of hot burning agues, to take away the thirst, and to loosen the belly, then to use oftentimes the strained juice of Gourds stewed without liquor, in a new earthen pot, set in an oven. There is nothing better for the dryness of the tongue, for sharp and burning humours, and for lea●e agueish persons, than the use of the pulp of Gourds, or the Syrup made of their juice.   

CHAP. XXXIX.  
Of Melons and Pompions.  
MElons and Pompions 
Melons and Pompions.  do not so easily grow in this Country, because they delight in a Country and Air that is hot: but by force of labour, and cunning skill, they are drawn unto it, by ordering their beds, and removing of them, where they may be shielded from the Cold, and rece●●e the benefit of the South Sun, and reflex of the heat of the same from some wall. And again, it is a special furtherance and helping of them forward, to forecast, that they may grow in such seasons as are very hot: for now and then Summer falleth out 〈◊〉 variable, and mixed with cold or drought, or moisture, as that thereupon they be 〈◊〉 ripe till Autumn, and towards the time of Vintage. Wherefore it standeth you upon to hasten them and help them forward with dung, and with the heat of their beds; though this course, in the mean time, stand not so well with the health of the parties that shall eat them, or with the goodness and pleasant smell of the Pempions: and thereupon it cometh, that there are more grounds planted with Cresses than with Melons amongst us. Wherefore it were better to reserve for such use▪ quarter of ground, or thereabouts, in some place of your Garden where the South Sun lieth, and is beaten back by some wall, the same also keeping away the North wind, having no shadow either of Trees, or of any other thing, to keeps back the Sun from it, but being withal a good, fat, and substantial ground, well weeded, well tilled, and the green swarth well broken, and withal made very level and even. And this your quarter would be again divided into four small quarters: and to set your Melon seeds which you intent to plant that year but in one of th● said little quarters, letting the other three r●st, and so successively, in succeeding years, to low the said little quarters one after another: for then the Melons wi● grow in their natural goodness and perfection; it being their nature to crave a new, rested, and well manured ground. And if it be requisite to help such ground wi●● some sweetness, you must burn upon it in Winter some Straw, or dry Dung, 〈◊〉 some Elder tree amongst other wood, and mix the ashes with the earth, to the end, that during the time of Winter it may grow in season. And if the said ground 〈◊〉 need of more help, it must be dunged with sheeps dung, or else with Goat's dung well rotten; and this to be done a long time before you intent to sow your Melo● seed: for as for Horse or Cow dung, it must not be used, except it be when no other thing can be gotten; and when it is used, it must be spread and mixed with the earth long before Seedtime, as hath been said: whereby we may judge, how vnf●● the beds, now ada●es used, are for to yield good Melons: and they that would ha●e them grow upon beds, as less damnifying, must make their beds in the said place of the Garden, compassed about and hemmed in with a Mat: and upon the bed must be cast a layer of the best and fattest earth that you can find, or of earth the thickness of three fingers, and in this earth to set your seeds; for the Melon will not be so much spotted with the dung, when there is a mixture of the one and the other▪ You must take the seed of the Melon, which hath a thick and hard husk, and looking very green within, which is of the first grown, and of those which grow nearest unto the root, which you shall have reserved in your Melon plot, until the full ripeness thereof, that so you might have others grow of it; for the seed is better when it is now taken out of the Melon, having been all that while, from the gathering time, kept in the body and substance thereof. And if you would have it to grow very quickly, sleep it in warm water six or seven hours: afterward, abo●● the tenth day of March, make your pits upon your beds, some three or four foot one from another, and two foot in depth and wideness: and if you may make yo●● choice of dung, then fill them up with Sheep or Goat's dung that is old, well rotten, and crumbly, and with very fine black earth together, and herewith to fill them up within two finger's. Some put therein the dung of horses coming hot from the stable, to make th●m put forth the sooner, but the savour and goodness of the Melon is greatly hindered thereby: and thereupon prick six or ten seeds of your pompions, the sharp end downward (although some put not in above four or five) and cover them again gently without much beating or treading of the earth down upon them. Afterward, for to avoid danger of frosts, cover them with straw or mats borne up with sticks pricked up one way: or if you have the benefit of great boards, or tables of boards, borne up with stones or rubbish by the way, that so they may not press upon them, and that so you may take them up when the Sun shineth hot, and lay them down again when the cold wind bloweth and when frosts come. And as soon as the Melons shall have put forth leaves big enough, you must water them with a shred of cloth hanging continually in a pot of water, without wetting of the Melon any whit at all, and this watering must be continued in a very dry ground, though you have removed your Melons, till the fruit become of the bigness of Oranges: and if you use beds, you shall remove them after mid-May in this country, out of the danger of frosts, about five or six foot one from another, upon a border well tilled and manured. And from that time forward, you shall weed out diligenetly all the weeds from about them, and shall lighten their earth at the trunk of the root, without doing any hurt to it: and when the flower shall peep out, you must cut off the ends of the arms of the hea● be, to the end that the flower and the fruit may come forth in greater store & abundance. And for your better choice of the said seed, take that which is of the Melons first put fo●th (as I have already said) i● so be that your melon plot do bring forth the fruit somewhat late, for otherwise it will be good to take them that come forth last: as also that which groweth betwixt the middle and head, or crown of the melon, and out of it, not that which is on that side whereupon the Melon lieth, the best seeded, and most rising from the earth, being heavy and full; and you may make trial of it in water, because that such seed will sink down to the bottom: and it must not be above one year old, for if it be, it soon groweth sick, and casteth his fruit in untimely sort.  
Pompions and Melons 
The gathering of Melons.  must be gathered in the morning before Sun rise, and they must be gathered when as they begin to cast their tail, and yield a pleasant smell at their ends, and then you must beware of and look to Cats that go a caterwauling: and if you would carry or send them far, you must gather them a little before they be ripe, and with the hand only without any edge-tool, for they will come so their just and perfect ripeness by this course, which the cutting with an iron would keep them from: there must notwithstanding care be had that those which are called Winter Pompions, be never suffered to ripen upon their beds, but for to ripen them they must be gathered and hung up under the floor of some higher room, and when they are once turned yellow to eat them.  
Furthermore, that I may say something of their goodness, 
The goodness of Melons.  you must understand that there are divers sorts of Pompions, for there are some female, and are called pompionets and they are more long than the other, and have not their wrinkles standing up so high: the other be more thick & greater bellied, and have their wrinkle● more high and stretched out from the tail unto the eye. Some of them are called Turquins, as those which ha●e a very green colour, and drawing somewhat toward a black: some other of them have the shape of a Quince, and they are properly called Melons, and have a more fast and solid flesh than the pompions have, which likewise have not so many wrinkles in their sides, nor so much moisture in their nollow parts, neither ye are they so thick, but have a whitish flesh, and a great deal more seed than the pompions. The other sort may be called citruls, as having the fashion and colour of a citron, and their leaves diversely drawn with many small lines, like unto the feathers or wings of birds▪ The other are Winter pompions, and these are not so thick or great as the common pompions: and yet furthermore the one hath a white meat, and the other a yellow, whereupon the first do crave more water than the later, and the later are better in a strange Country. But the Melons are best of all, as also the black coated Pompion, and the Musk Melon, 
〈…〉.  which become so by having their seed steeped in water that is well sweetened with sugar or honey. The sign of a good Melon is the bitterness of the tail, the hardness of the crown, the hea●●nesse and good smell of the whole.  
As concerning their use, 
The ●ertues of Melons.  they are somewhat more delicate and pleasant than Cucumbers, so that they have a fast meat, and their hollowness dry: for otherwise they are fitter to make meat for Cats that go a caterwauling, or for Mules and Asse● to make them fat, tha● for to feed men withal: notwithstanding this is a thing well and sufficiently proved, 
Melons cause 〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉.  that a slice of a melon or pompion put in a pot with flesh, causeth it to boil the sooner. physicians likewise give it out for a truth, that the seed as well of melons as of Pompions, cousred with sugar, or without sugar, is a sovereign remedy to provoke urine, to asewage the heat of the reins, and to break the stone.   

CHAP. XL.  
Of certain special observations for and about Cucumbers, Citrons, Gourds, Melons, and such like fruits.  
IF the border whereon you set your Melons be not so fat nor well dunged as that of the Cucumber and Gourd, and if it be not watered so soon as it is put forth and sprung, it becometh the faster meat, and more 〈◊〉, and sooner ripe.  
To cause Pompions, Cucumbers, and Gourds to grow without seed, 
Pompions, Gourd●, and Cucumber▪ without seed.  you must steep your seeds in the oil of Sesamum, otherwise called Turkey millet, three days before you sow them.  
To have Cucumbers of such form and fashion as one would wish, they must be put whiles they be yet young and small, together with their stalk, into vessels or bottles that have some figure or shape drawn within them, and tie them about them, for in time they will fill up the draughts and prints within the same: likewise to make them long▪ you must put their flowers into reeds, thoroughly emptied of their pi●h▪ for then the Cucumber will grow all along: or else to set near unto them some v●●sell full of water, as namely about half a foot off: for (as I have said) cucumbers 〈◊〉 moisture so well, as that upon the only standing by of water, they will grow the more, and become longer: in like sort standeth the case with the Gourd.  
For their better and greater growth, 
For the helping forward of their growth.  you must sow them in cases or pots, or other great vessel● full of sifted and well manured earth, which may be carried and rolled or drawn from one place to another into the Sun, that so it may have both the presence of the Sunshine and absence of the cold winds and frosts, and when they begin to grow, break off their ends.  
To free them of vermin and louse, sow Organie round about them, or else pric●● some boughs amongst their plants.  
To make that a Cucumber or Melon shall have no water, 
A Cucumber without water.  fill the pit that yo● have digged to plant your seeds, half full of straw, or the shutes of vines cut 〈◊〉 small and put upon the earth, and afterward your seed: and do not water them 〈◊〉 all, or else very little.  
To make melons or cucumbers laxative, 
〈…〉.  sprinkle them five days together, 〈◊〉 five times ●uerie day with water, wherein hath been steeped and infused the 〈◊〉 wild Cucumber for the space of three days. Otherwise, uncover them so soon 〈◊〉 they have put forth any bud, and dung them at the foot with about two ounces of black Hellebor steeped in water, and afterward cover them again. Otherwise, steep the seed before you sow it three days in the infusion off cammonie, or 〈◊〉 or Agaricke, or some other purging medicine.  
To make Pompions sweet 
Sweet Pompions.  and smell well, so soon as you have taken out the core and wiped and dried the seed, put it amongst dry Roses, or some grains of Musk, and there ke●pe it until you must sow it, and if it so like you, sow them together: or else steep the seed four days before you sow it in damask or sweet water: by such means you may give them such taste and smell as you please, if you steep their seed before you sow it in any such liquor, as in Honied-water, in rosewater, or in some other kind of water sweetened with Sugar or Musk: notwithstanding watering of them doth take from them a great deal of that smell, as also of their savour and taste.  
To make Cucumbers or Pompions sugared, 
Suger-Mel●●s.  you must steep the seed in water that is well sweetened with Sugar or Honey, and to make them sweet in sheeps milk, or Honeyed water, and so sow them: and when they be grown, you must sprinkle them over with the dust of some dry earth, and water them a little.  
To make Pompions to keep long, 
Lasting Pompions.  and not to be spoiled or rotten, you must sprinkle them with the juice of Houseleek.  
A woman having her terms, 
A woman in her terms maketh Pompions dry and di● To keep Cucumbers fresh a long time.  and walking by the borders of Pompions, Gourds, and Cucumbers, causeth them to dry and die: but and if any of the fruit escape it will be bitter.  
Cucumbers endure fresh a long time, if they be put in the sweet lees of wine, or else in brine, or if they hang in a vessel wherein there is a little vinegar.  
Pompions 
Pompions smeling like Roses.  will have the smell of Roses, if their seed be mingled with dry Roses, and afterward sown together: and then also they are excellent good to quench the thirst in burning agues.   

CHAP. XLI.  
Of Strawberries.  
STrawberries 
Strawberries.  have no need of great toil or tilling, so that they be planted in some good ground not manured, notwithstanding, but well shaded howsoever: because they delight greatly in the shadow of other herbs, so also they are found growing amongst great tall trees, without any manner of husbanding or tillage. It is true that they grow well in the open Sun, so that they be watered once or twice a week, especially when they begin to look red: they must be removed every three years, to make them bear fair berries, and their earth raised about them once every year, and that about Christ-tide, and to weed them by hand when as weeds do overgrow them: in the ground whither you remove them, you must first put horse-dung well rotten, or cows dung, a scuttle full to every border that is three foot broad: dress this ground in a dry time, and let it lie afterward, and in a moist time, but not rainy, you shall set the Strawberries half a foot every way, thrusting the earth close to the root with a dibble. In these you may observe a certain kind of wonderful harmlessness and innocency: which although they creep upon the earth, and be continually trodden upon by Adders, Lizards, Snakes, and other venomous beasts, are notwithstanding never infected with them, neither get they any venomous savour, which showeth that they have no affinity with ven●me or poison.  
Amongst other pleasures or commodities that they afford, the juice or wine that 〈◊〉 strained from strawberries, 
The ●ertues of Strawberries.  is good to take away the red pimples▪ & itching knobs, which grow in the face by the heat of the liver, as also to take away the redness of the eyes, and to wipe out the spots and knobs of the Leprosy. Likewise the decoction of the roots and leaves of Strawberries made with wine, is singular good for the 〈◊〉, if it be drunk for some time in the morning, as also to provoke the terms in women; and this nevertheless doth stay the white terms and bloody 〈…〉 used in form of a Gargarism, it comforteth the gums and teeth, and 〈…〉 rheums.    

Of Physic Herbs.  

CHAP. XLII.  
Of Mallows.  
WE have heretofore dedicated and appointed certain borders downe●●low the Kitchen garden, 
〈…〉.  near unto the wall of the orchard for Physic herbs, whereof we desire and wish that the housewife may have 〈◊〉 knowledge, thereby to help the necessity's of her people. And in 〈◊〉 respect it shall not be thought strange, if we touch in a word the dressing and 〈◊〉 of some few, such as are most usual and familiar amongst women, leaving 〈…〉 and exact description of th●m unto such as make profession thereof: for 〈◊〉 drift of my purpose is, to instruct the Farmer and his wife, or her that is the 〈◊〉 and Dairie-woman, so much as is needful for the maintenance of their house and family But we will begin with Mallows, as those that are most in use.  
Mallows 
Mallows.  notwithstanding that they grow every where, yet if you be disposed 〈◊〉 sow them▪ you may do it most commodiously in Autumn, rather than at any other time, to the end their growth on height may be repressed by the coming of Wi●ter: for by how much the Mallow is the less, by so much it is the better. They lo● a fat and moist earth, and crave to be removed after they have put forth four or 〈◊〉 leaves: though indeed it would be much the better not to remove them at all, 〈◊〉 they will keep a better relish: but to the end they should not grow up into high and great stalks, alter that they be come forth of the earth, you must put some 〈◊〉 brick in the midst of their leaves. They would be oft wed, and when they 〈…〉, if their leaves be t●ed together at the end, they will bring forth a well 〈◊〉 and thick set root.  
The root of Mallows steeped in Wine a whole day, and afterward wrapped in a 〈◊〉, and roasted under the ashes and dried, is a fine medicine to rub the teeth with●● and to cleanse and scour off from them the filth gathered thick about them 〈◊〉 juice drunk to the quantity of half a pound, o● the decoction of the 〈…〉 leaves coming to a certain thick consistence, is exceeding good for w●men 〈◊〉 are in travel of child birth. It is singular also for many other things, and therefore is called of some Omnimorbia.  
Hollihocks 
〈◊〉.  crave the like husbanding and tillage that the Mallows do, 〈◊〉 they are of the same kind, and in both of them, especially in the Mallows, we 〈◊〉 observe as a miraculous thing, that their leaves and flower do open at the approved and coming of the Sun, and shut up themselves to go to bed when it 〈…〉 do the Marigolds.  
Both these have very great power and virtue to mollify, 
The 〈…〉.  they serve also to 〈◊〉 the belly, especially the young and tender crops of Mallows have virtue to 〈◊〉 suage the pain of the reins, and do cause a man to make water. The juice 〈◊〉 with oil do heal● the stinging of Wasps. The juice mingled with 〈◊〉 doth help women travailing of child birth. Their lea●es stamped with the 〈◊〉 of willows do stay inflammations. A cataplasm made of their leans, doth 〈◊〉 way the hardness of the mother and other parts, especially if it be made of 〈◊〉 with oil of Roses.  
Gentian 
〈◊〉.  grows in high places & open to the air, being notwithstanding 〈◊〉 and somewhat overshadowed. This herb through his bitterness draweth down the terms and the stayed urine: The water thereof, especially of the root, being distilled through a Limbeck in Maries-bath, doth marvelously heal the Agues caused of the obstructions of any noble part: and which is more, it killeth the worms, and wipeth away all the spots of the face, it they be often washed therewith. It is exceeding good against the inflammation of the eyes. It is very sovereign against any infection or mortal sickness, if it be drunk with Water and Honey it abateth the swelling of the body, and easeth the colic, whether it be in the stomach or in the bowels, it also cureth the biting or stinging of venomous beasts, and it causeth a woman to be delivered of her dead birth.  
The root is a present remedy against the Plague, not only in men, but also in all ●orts of cattle: it is a special preservative against all poison, and a means to withstand all putrefaction: in regard whereof, the Swissers mingle it amongst their own meat, and the fodder or provender of their cattle, that so they may continue in good health.  
Arsmart 
Arsmart.  (so called because the leaves applied to the fundament for to wipe it, do cause great pain, and of the Latins Hydropiper) doth require a marshy ground full of water, or at the least very moist, or often watered, and it groweth rather being planted of a root then sown of seed.  
It is very singular in ointments for old ulcers and fistulas, as also in clysters for bloody fluxes: the leaves thereof washed in cold water, and applied unto wounds and ulcers either of man or beast, do take away by and by the pain thereof, and doth thoroughly heal them, as the swellings or galls under the saddles of horses that 〈◊〉 hurt, if they be renewed every day, and the horse needs not to be forborn for all that. Or else take the herb new, steep it in water, and wash it, then rub therewith the swollen or gauled place, than put the herb in some place where it may quickly rot, or else bury it in some fat ground, and co●er it with a great stone; so soon as the ●hearbe is rotten, so soon will the fore be healed.  
If you spread it all green in the bed, it killeth fleas, you shall keep powdered proke from worms, if you wrap it in the leaves of this herb: th● juice thereof dropped into wormie ears, doth kill the worms that is in them.  
Eye-bright 
Eye-bright.  delighteth in a lean ground, and shadowed place, and yet where moisture is not altogether wanting, such as are the meadows and little mountains; is groweth of roots, not of seed. It is singular good against the dimness, waterishness, cataract, rheum, and weakness of the eyes, being either applied and laid thereto, or ●aken inwardly by the mouth: there is a powder made of ●he dried leaves, which being oft taken by the mouth with the yolk of an egg, or alone, or mixed with aloes▪ ●nd swallowed down with Fennell-water, or with water of vervain, doth comfort ●nd strengthen mightily the weak and diseased eyes: some use much to take Win● wherein eye-bright hath been infused and steeped a long time for the same purpose▪ or the powder used with wine, but the powder alone, or the decoction without wine▪ 〈◊〉 a remedy far more certain, than the wine of eye-bright, as I myself have proved ●y experience, in as much as the Wine by his vapours doth fill the brain▪ and pro●ureth rheums: and therefore if you would avoid these inconuenienees, you must ●elay your Wine with the water of Fennell, or mix Sugar therewith. 〈◊〉 de ●illa-no●a affirmeth, that by the continual use of this he●healed an old man which ●●ad already wholly lost his sight; by the often use of the leaves of this herb as well 〈◊〉 as dry, as well in his drink as in his meat.  
Vervain, 
〈◊〉.  as well the male as the female▪ must be planted of roots in a moist soil, ●nd that it may grow the fairer, it requireth to be removed, and that into a place of ●he like nature and quality.  
Besides the helps that this herb affordeth unto weak eyes, it is also good against the pain of the head, teeth, and ulcers of the mouth, and principally in the ●●fections of the skin, as the itch, the tetter, the flying-fire, the ringworm, the ●prosie, the Gangrena, and Shba●lus, if it b● used in manner of a bath 〈◊〉 in manner of a fomentation made with F●mitorie in Water and Vinegar.  
elecampane 
〈◊〉.  must not be sown of seed, because the seed hath no power to 〈◊〉 but it must rather be planted of the young sprouts pulled gently from the 〈…〉 that in a very well tilled ground, and which hath been manured, not very 〈…〉 yet overshadowed. It is good to plant it in the beginning of February, leaving 〈◊〉 foot distance betwixt plant and plant, for it hath great leaves, and the roots do 〈◊〉 very much, as do the young sprouts or roots of Reed.  
The Wine wherein the root of elecampane 
The virtues of elecampane.  hath steeped for the space of four● 〈◊〉 twenty hours, is singular good against the colic, as we have alread●e said in 〈◊〉 first book: the juice of the root is singular good to continue and keep the 〈◊〉 and beautiful hue of women. The decoction of the root is likewise good 〈◊〉 rejoice the heart, and to provoke urine, and the terms of women, as also to 〈…〉 to spit out, but than it must be used inwardly, and whiles it is new and green: 〈◊〉 when it is old and dry, it is fit to be used outwardly, and not to be taken into 〈◊〉 body.  
Dittander 
Dittander.  which hath the taste of pepper and mustard (for which cause it is 〈◊〉 of the Latins Piperitis) must be planted before the first of March, cut as the 〈◊〉, but not so oft, for fear it should die with cold. It will continue two 〈◊〉, provided that it be carefully weeded and dunged: it continueth in many 〈◊〉 whole ten years▪ and it cannot easily be destroyed.  
The root of Dittander 
The virtues of Dittander.  stamped with Hogs-grease, or with the root of 〈◊〉, and applied in form of a cataplasm unto the Sciatica, doth cure it thoroughly. It taketh away the great spots, freckles, and scales, or pilling of the face by 〈…〉 the thin skin wherein these are fixed, and as for the rawness left after the away of this skin▪ it is healed easily with ointment of Roses.  
Great Celandine groweth in every ground, 
Celandine great and small.  so that there be any shadow 〈…〉▪ and it would be sown in February, and may so continue ten years, so that ●waies after it hath cast his seed, the stalks thereof be cut down within 〈…〉 of the root.  
The juice of the flowers mixed with honey or woman's milk, 
The 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉.  or some other 〈◊〉 assuage the sharpness of it, doth take away the spots in the eyes, 〈…〉 scartes and vicers, healeth the ringworms and itch of the head, and the 〈…〉 the hair of little children. The Alchemissts do make great account of it 〈◊〉 their extractions of metals. Some say, that the old Swallows do recover the 〈◊〉 of their young ones being purblind, by applying unto their eyes the leaves 〈…〉: some say likewise, that the lea●e of this herb carried in the shoo●● 〈◊〉 unto the bare sole of the feet, doth heal the jaundice: being applied unto th● 〈◊〉 it taketh away the abundance of Milk: stamped together with the root in th● 〈◊〉 of Cammomile, and being warmed or fried, and applied unto the navel or 〈◊〉 it assuageth the frettings of the belly, and pains of the mother: the whole 〈◊〉 being d●●ed and made in powder, doth heal wounds and ulcers: the juice 〈◊〉 dropped into a rotten or hollow tooth, mortifieth it, and causeth it to fall out: 〈…〉 also the 〈◊〉 called Porrum, to fall away.  
The small Celandine, 
Little Celandine.  otherwise called Pilewort, or the herb for the King's 〈◊〉 because it heals the same, doth grow well in warrie, moist, and shadowy 〈…〉 groweth likewise in dry places, but not so well, though there it get a more 〈…〉 as well in his leaves as in his root virtue to heal the Kings 〈…〉 to exulceration, as also other virulent ulcers, hemorrhoids, cankers, hard 〈…〉 whether 〈◊〉 or porracious and other cold tumours, by a ●oollifying and 〈…〉 quali●●e that they have.  
Asarum bacchar 
〈…〉.  craveth a lean ground and dry, and where there is 〈…〉 to be set than sown. The root of Asarum being dried 〈…〉 good to be taken the weight of a French Crown in white 〈…〉, and by this it c●reth the quartane and tertian ague: and this 〈…〉 days, the quantity of a good goblet full of the decoction of this root, made in wine with honey, putting thereto some Cinnamon, Mace, and other such Spices, by which they purge very much, as well upward as downward: Likewise when they feel the fit coming, they chafe the back and soles of the feet with oil, wherein they have caused to be infused this root in the hot Sunshine, and after lying down in bed, the shiverings and shake of the Ague is taken away, and a great sweat procured. The decoction of Asarum is good against the Sciatica: the infusion thereof in wine doth cure the Dropsy and jaundice: the juice dropped into the corner of the eyes, doth heal the Web in the eye, and dazzling of the eyes. Many good women do apply Asarun unto the wrists of the hands, to drive away the heat of an Ague. You must observe (as it were) divers parts in this herb: For the root is a provoker of Vomit, and the leaves thereof are Aromatical, and agree very well with the stomach.  
Valerian 
Valerian.  groweth very well in a moist and well manured ground, and would be often watered, that so it may put forth a tall stalk.  
The good wives are wont to apply to the wrists, in burning Agues, the leaves of Valerian, but without reason: for the Valerian doth rather increase the Ague by his heat, than diminish it. It will be better to use it in the pains of the sides, and in the provoking of urine, and women's terms. If you wet lin in the juice of Valerian, and put it into any wound, made either with Arrow, or Sword, or otherwise, and the dross or gros●e part thereof laid upon it, you shall cause the iron to come forth, if any such be stayed behind, and so also heal the wound. Cats do delight much to eat this herb. The decoction is good against Venom, and the Plague: It is good also against shortness of breath, if there be mixed therewith liquorice and Damask Raisins.  
Angelica 
Angelica.  would be sown in a well tilled ground, oftentimes wed, and reasonably watered.  
The root is sovereign against the Plague, 
The virtues of Angelica.  and all sorts of Poison: Whosoever shall keep a little piece of it in his mouth, or which shall drink only in a Winter morning a little draft of Wine and Rosewater, wherein it hath been steeped, 
Th● Plague.  he ●●●not be infected of any evil air of all that day. Englishmen use the l●aues and roots of this herb in sauce with their meats, because it correcteth gross humours, and a stinking breath, and surthereth digestion very much. The leaves of Angelica stamped with other leaves of Rue and Honey, and applied in form of a Cataplasm, do heal the bitings of mad Dogs, 
Against the biting of a ●ad dog.  and the stinging of Serpents: Being laid upon the head of one that hath an Ague, it draweth unto it all the burning heat of the Ague; and it is good against Sorcery and Enchantment. The distilled water of Angelica it singular good against the fainting of the Heart, the bivings of mad Beasts, the stingings of venomous creatures▪ especially against the Plague, if with this ●●stilled water there be drunk half a dram of the root in powder, and a dramm● of Treacle, and that afterward the patient give himself to sweeting, for by this means many have been saved. The root put into a hollow tooth, assuageth the pain: being ●●●wed, it maketh the breath sweet and concea●eth and small of Garlic, or any other 〈◊〉 meat which causeth an ill breath.  
Blessed thistle 
Blessed Thistle.  would be ordered and dressed with such manner of ●illage as Angelica. It is true, that it would be sown in the increase of the Moon, and not abou● three fingers depth in the earth. It lo●eth the company of Wheat 〈…〉▪ It will not be prickly▪ it before that you sow it you put the Seed in the roo● 〈…〉▪ the leaves broken off: or it you break the sharp pointed end of the Seed against a stone, after the manner spoken of before in the Chapter of 〈◊〉.  
Blessed thistle hath no less virtue against the Plague, 
The virtues of Blessed thistle.  or any other sort of Poison, ●han hath Angelica, whether you use it inward or outward. This virtue is it which driveth away Moules and other kinds of such cattle, being hurtful unto Garde●●, from the place where it groweth. Such 〈…〉 troubled with a Quartane Ague, or other Agues, which have their fits coming with a Cold, are cured if 〈◊〉 take in the morning three ounces of Blessed thistles water, or of the decoction, 〈…〉 weight of a French crown of the seed in powder. The same remedy is good 〈◊〉 Pleurisies, and for children that have the Falling sickness. If it be boiled in 〈◊〉 the decoction is good to assuage the pains of the reins, and colic, to kill 〈◊〉, and to provoke sweat. Blessed thistle, as well dry as green, taken inwardly, 〈…〉 ourwardly, doth heal malign ulcers. Physicians likewise command it 〈…〉 ●mingled in decoctions and drinks for the Pocks.  
Mother-wort 
Mother-wort.  groweth in untilled and rough places, and standeth not in 〈◊〉 of any tilling: notwithstanding, it is singular against the beating and fainting of the heart; for which reason it is called of some Cardiaca. It provoketh also women's terms: it taketh away obstructions, and provoketh urine: it raiseth 〈◊〉, delivering the Lungs thereof, by making it easy to be spit forth: It 〈…〉 worms: dried and made in powder, and the quantity of a spoonful 〈◊〉 in Wine, doth mightily help forward the delivery of Women labouring of Childbirth.  
Golden-rod 
Golden-rod.  would be sown in a fat ground, which is not open unto the he●● of the Sun, but hath the shadows of some Trees, the top of a Mountain, 〈…〉 other such like thing. 
The virtues of Golden-rod.  It hath a very astringent power, as also it is very 〈◊〉 by which (after the manner of Comfrey) it healeth wounds, ulcers, and fistulas, 〈◊〉 well inward as outward: it stayeth rheums and bloody fluxes, healeth the 〈…〉 the mouth, and the inflammation thereof: Which is more, it is very singular to provoke urine, and to break the stone.  
Saxifrage, 
Saxifrage.  as well the great as the small, delighteth in a dry ground, chal●●● clayey, sandy, stony, and altogether barren: And it is sown of small seeds▪ which are found hanging to the roots thereof. It provoketh urine, and so driveth forth the gravel of the reins and bladder. If you boil the root and 〈◊〉 thereof in Wine, it procureth Women also their terms, and bringeth ou● 〈◊〉 afterbirth.  
The great and small Burr 
The great and small Burr.  (otherwise called Bardana, and of the Greeks' 〈…〉) hath not need of any great tilling: for it will grow either of seed or 〈◊〉 in a lean ground, that is dry and untilled; as we may well see in ditches, 〈◊〉 it groweth without any labour at all, and in the high ways and by-p●●h ● 〈◊〉 the fields.  
The roots, seeds, and juice of the great and small Burr, are very 〈…〉 provoke urine, to break the stone of the reins and bladder, and to stay the 〈◊〉 flux. The juice is drunk with white Wine, or alone, and the seed in like manner▪ which is sometimes, for the more pleasantness sake, confected or covered with S●gar. The leaves stamped with a little salt, and applied unto the bitings or 〈…〉 Adder's, mad Dogs, or other venomous Beasts, are very sovereign. The roots 〈◊〉 seeds of small Burr, stamped and laid on cold swellings and rebellious 〈…〉 very profitable and good.  
Star-thistle, 
Star-thistle.  so called, because it hath little heads at the tops of his stakes (〈…〉 Thistles have) set round about with sharp pricks, after the manner of 〈…〉 groweth in unhusbanded grounds, as well of his root as of his seed. Some do 〈◊〉 esteem of the seed, made into powder, and drunk in wine, for to provoke 〈◊〉 and to avoid gravel: and herein it is of so great virtue, as that the much use of it 〈◊〉 cause one to piss blood sometimes. The decoction of the root with honey, after 〈◊〉 manner of a honeyed water, doth the like, but more gently, and without 〈…〉 party for to piss blood.  
Mary's Thistle (otherwise called Spina alba, 
L●die-thistle.  or white and silver Thistle, or 〈◊〉 Artichoke, or Asse-Thistle, because that Ass' delight much to eat it) doth 〈◊〉 fat and well tilled ground, and other ordering, like to that of Beets: and it 〈…〉 that it letteth not to grow in untilled and unhusbanded grounds. The seed and 〈◊〉 have (as it were) the like power to take away obstructions, to provoke urine, and it break the stone, that Star-thistle hath. The Italians use the roots thereof in Salads, after the manner of Artichokes; and good wines, to gather the milk of it, for to eat. Some make a Ptisane with the root of this Thistle made in powder, the seed of Fennell, and a little long Pepper, to give to Nurses to use which have small store of milk. The distilled water of the leaves is good against pain in the sides, being drunk with half a dram of the seed of the same herb.  
Siluer-grasse 
Siluer-grasse.  (so called, because the leaves do resemble silver on the backside) doth delight in a moist and grassy ground, howsoever unhusbanded it be. It hath one excellent property above all other herbs, for to break the stone, to heal ulcers and malignant wounds within the body, to stay the bloody flux, and to dissolu● cluttered blood, being taken in drink. Some say, that if you put it in half a basin full of cold water, and cover that basin with another basin, or vessel, or other covering, that there will gather great store of vapours in the hollow of the thing covering it, and will turn into the form of distilled water, and that this water thus gathered, is very good to take away the spots, freckles, stains, and die of the Su●ne out of the face.  
Patience doth willingly grow in cool and moist grounds: 
Patience, or Monks 〈◊〉.  and we see it ordinarily to grow near unto Rivers and little Brooks. The root, by reason of the great bitterness and desiccative power, hath singular commendation against the Plague: for being dried and powdered, and afterward drunk with wine, it driveth away all venom from the heart, by the abundance of sweat which it procureth. Some fo● this purpose take away the rind and core of this root, stamping it in vinegar, and after making a drink of the vinegar, the juice of Rue, and Treacle, for to take in pestilent Agues. The powder of this root drunk with wine, is excellent for the suffocations of the Matrix, and the wring throws of the belly. This powder also killeth the Worms, healeth malign Ulcers, the falling of the hair, called Tinea, and the Kibes; the Farcie in Horses, whether it be taken inwardly, or applied outwardly, either in juice, or in the decoction thereof.  
Scabious 
Scabious:  groweth in the same ground that Patience doth, that is to say, in woods, untilled places, and especially in sandy places.  
It is very proper and appropriate unto the Cough, and diseases of the Lungs: fo● the same purpose also the juice is sometime extracted, sometime the herb itself made into powder, and sometime the decoction of it is made to endure for a long time. Likewise there is sometime conserve made of the flowers. His leaves or roots applied to itchy places, and the places bare of hair, or mixed with oils and ointments, do great good unto the same, as also unto plaguy carbuncles: for they being rubbed with the juice of Scabious, will be found to vanish away within three hours. The juice of Scabious drunk in the quantity of four ounces, with a dram of Treacle not yet one day old, is a singular remedy against the Plague, so that afterward the party sweat in his bed, and withal, continue the drink for many times. The same remedy serveth for the bitings of venomous beasts, if, besides the drink, you apply outwardly unto the soar the leaves of the same herb bruised. A Lineament made of the juice of Scabious, the powder of Borace, and a little Camphire, is singular against tetters, itch, freckles, and other infections or desilements of the skin. Above all other things, the decoction of Scabious being drunk the space of forty days, doth heal the tettar thoroughly, yea, though it came of the Pocks, as I myself have oftentimes pro●ed by experience.  
Scolopendrium, or rough Spleenewort, 
〈…〉.  called also Harts-tongue, would be planted in a stony and gravely ground, which is moistened with some running Brook; and for want of this, it must be often watered. The roots thereof must never be pulled up, but only the leaves cut: for it cannot be sown, seeing it bringeth forth no seed. 
〈…〉.  The decoction thereof made in white wine, is very good for such 〈◊〉 have a hard Spleen, and are subject to a quartane Ague.  
B●●onie 
〈◊〉.  delighteth to be sown in a moist and cold ground, and near unto some wall, by which it may be shadowed, for it is not 〈◊〉 in love with the Sunbeams. The root hath contrary properties to the leaves and flowers: for the root 〈◊〉 the stomach, and is very unsavoury unto the mouth; his leaves and flowers and of 〈◊〉 ver●e good smell, and a taste correspondent and answerable.  
The decoction of Betonie made in white wine, 
The properties of 〈◊〉.  assuageth the pains of the 〈◊〉, breaketh the stone, and healeth the jaundice. The leaves stamped and applied 〈◊〉 form of a Cataplasm, do quickly join together the wounds of the head. A Cataplasm made of the leaves with Porkes grease, doth ripen the tumours called C●●haires, and all other sorts of Impostumes. The leaves stamped with a little salt, do heal hollow and cankerous ulcers. To be brief, this herb hath so many and so gre●● virtues, as that the Italian, when he would highly commend a man for his gi●●, will say, that he hath more virtues than betony.  
Bugle would be planted in a stony, 
〈◊〉, or Bugle.  dry, and hilly ground; in respect whereof, the Latins call it Casolida petrosa: It craveth no great pains to be taken with 〈◊〉▪ The leaves thereof are good to conglutinate and soldier together both outward and inward wounds: it is likewise put in drinks for wounds: and that is the cause why some do commonly say, That he that hath Bugle and Sanicle, will scarce vouchsafe the Chirurgeon a Bugle.  
Lions-paw 
Lyons-paw.  groweth in a clayish ground, being withal fat, red, and somewhat moist, commonly in meadows, situated in some high place. It hath like properties with Bugle and Sanicle: but moreover, it taketh away all the pain and heat of inflammations and ulcers. The same herb stamped and applied unto the teats of women and young maids maketh them hard and firm.  
Great Comfrey 
Great Comfrey.  groweth in moist places, and hath the same property that Bugle hath, that is to say, to soldier wounds: and this is ●o great in both of them, as 〈◊〉 that you put Bugle or Comfrey into a pot wherein flesh is boiling, the pieces of flesh will become no more many, but one. The root of great Comfrey, whiles it is yet green, and newly plucked out of the earth, being spread upon Leather, or upon Linen, and applied in form of a Cataplasm upon gouty 
Gout.  or rheumatic places, doth presently appease the pain of the gout, being a thing often proved and tried. The same root dried and made into powder, is good to put in children's pap, 
Rupture.  which have their rimme broken; as also to stay the flux of the belly▪ A Cataplasm made of the root of great Comfrey with Beane flower, and applied unto the place where the child's guts fall down, is a sovereign remedy to cu●● the same.  
Self-heale 
Self-heale.  craveth a fat ground, and where the Sun beateth not much: it groweth of se●des, and not of roots, and hath like properties that Bugle and Co●frey have, especially to stay the spitting of blood, the bloody flux, and to conglutinate wounds within the body (where no man can come to apply tent or ointment) if there be made a drink of the juice of the roots and leaves thereof, which being chafed in your fingers, or put under your tongue, doth smell and taste like Myrrh.  
Water Germander 
Water Germander.  (called of the Latins Scordium) groweth very easily, and without great pain or toil, so that it be planted by little slips taken from the old stalk, and set in a moist ground: for it specially requireth (to grow well) to be pl●●ted in a moist ground, and to be often watered. It hath the like qualities that Angelica hath against Poison and the Plague: 
The virtues of Germander.  and furthermore, the decoction thereof taken as a drink for certain days, doth heal the tertian Agues, and putteth away 〈◊〉 obstructions of the Spleen, and provoketh urine.  
Folefoot 
Folefoot.  must be planted in a very moist place, and craveth to be often watered: for so it appeareth, when as it is seen to flourish and like best in marish grounds, and about currents of waters. There groweth a whirish moss● about the root of it, which if you gather and pick very clean, and afterward wrap it in a Linen Cloth with a little Sal nitrum, and so boil it a little in Lee, and afterward lay it to dry in the Sun, you shall have an excellent match to take fire at a flint and fire-steele; for it taketh fire so easily, that it will light at the first stroke of the 〈◊〉. Amongst other virtues, it is singular good to comfort the lungs and parts above the breast, whether you take it in a decoction, or in a syrup, or in manner of a fume at the mouth, or otherwise; especially if you mingle some slips of Hyssop, and some figs, or syrup, with the said decoction. The great coltsfoot, especially the root thereof, dried, powdered, and taken in the weight of two drams with wine, is singular against the Plague, if so the party sweat presently after. It is good also to give unto Horses which have the bots, or are short-winded.  
The great and small Carline (so called, as though it were Caroline, 
Carline thistle..  because this Thistle was in a divine manner made known unto Charlemaigne by an Angel, for the delivering of his host from the Plague, which did miserably annoy them) doth require to be sown and planted in a dry ground, and stony, and where the Moon and Sun doth shine pleasantly.  
The root of the great Carline made into powder, and taken the weight of a French crown, is singular good against the Plague, the feebleness and faintness of the Heart, for the keeping of the Urine, the breaking of the Stone, the pains of the Sides, and Convulsions: applied outwardly after it hath been steeped in vinegar, it helpeth the Sciatica.  
Eringium groweth in an untilled, 
Hundred headed thistle.  rough, and dry ground. The wine wherein the roots of Eringium 
Eringium.  have been boiled, provoketh the Terms and restrained Urine, breaketh the Stone, and casteth out it, and Gravel. It is good for such as have the falling Sickness, Dropsy, or jaundice. 
Sea-Holly  The decoction of the root is singular good to resist Drunkenness. The distilled water of the young buds of the leaves being drunk every day, and that so oft as one can, is marvelous good for them which have their bodies troubled with ulcers caused of the French Pocks, in as much as it comforteth the Liver. The same water is very profitable for the quartane and quotidian Agues. The root thereof taken either in powder, or in a decoction, with the broth of those Frogs which are used to be eaten, or for lack of Frogs, in the decoction of a Goslin or green Goose, is a preservative against the poison of the Toad, Hedgefrogge, and other venomous herbs. It doth good also in the diseases of the heart, being drunk with the decoction of bugloss or Balm.  
Beares-breech, 
Beares-breech.  called of the Latins Acanthus, groweth in stony and moist places, although it love to be diligently tended, or otherwise not to yield any profit.  
The root and leaves are very mollifying: taken in drink, they provoke urine: and applied in form of a Cataplasm, they are good against convulsions, wrenches, and contractions of the ligaments: They are to good effect used in the Clysters of them which have the Dropsy.  
Divels-bit 
devils bit.  (so called, because it showeth as though the middle, or the heart of the root, were gnawed or bitten by some Devil, so soon as it is planted, or hath put up in any place; as though the Devil did envy the good which it bringeth unto men by the incredible virtues that are therein) craveth no great husbandry, neither yet any fat earth, or very moist: for, as we see, it groweth upon mountains, in bushes, and places altogether barren. It is true, that it groweth also in meadows, but yet such as are not very moist. It is found in great abundance in the meadows of Verriere, a borough near unto Paris.  
The root and green leaves being stamped together, and applied unto Carbuncles and pestilent Buboes, do heal them: The Wine wherein they have boiled, is drunk with good success against the Plague, and against the griefs and suffocation of the Mother. The powder of the root thereof is very good against Worms.  
Cinquefoil 
Cinquefoil.  (so called, because of the five leaves which it beareth) craveth a low, waterish, and shadowed ground: it groweth also in dry and gravely places.  
The decoction of the root used for a Gargoyle, doth assuage the toothache, and heal the ulcers of the mouth: in a Clyster, it slayeth all manner of flux of the belly, as well the bloody flux as others: taken as a drink, it is singular against the jaundice, the stopping of the Liver, and against a pestilent air, and poison.  
Tormentill 
Tormentill.  (like in stalk unto Cinquefoil, but unlike in number of leaves 〈◊〉 much as it hath seven) delighteth in the same ground that Cinquefoil doth, 〈…〉 not altogether so waterish, and called Tormentill, because the powder or 〈◊〉 of the root doth appease the rage and torment of the teeth; is over and above 〈◊〉 ●ther remedies, most singular against the Plague, and against the fury of all 〈◊〉. and Venimes: it stayeth likewise all fluxes of blood, whether it be spitting, 〈…〉 struous, or of the belly, all vomiting, and untimely birth, whether it be taken 〈◊〉 by the mouth, or applied outwardly, or whether it be taken in substance, 〈◊〉 the distilled water only.  
Perwincle 
Perwincle.  delighteth in a shadowed and moist place: we see it grow likewise 〈◊〉 Willow grounds, Hedge-rowes, and outsides of Woods.  
The leaves, as well in decoction, as otherwise, do stay all manner of flux of the belly, or spitting of blood, or otherwise, as the monthly terms, and whites, 〈◊〉 purging having gone before, and bleeding at the nose, if you bruise the 〈◊〉 and put them in the nose: or if you make a collar thereof to put about your 〈…〉 a garland for your head: or if you put them under and about the tongue: After the same manner you shall stay the monthly terms, as also prevent untimely birth, 〈◊〉 you apply them upon the groins.  
Bistort, 
Bistort.  as well the great as the small, doth delight in a moist, waterish, and shadowy place: it groweth also in high Mountains.  
The root thereof doth stay all manner of fluxes, as the terms and unwilling 〈◊〉 away of the urine, if it be drunk with the juice or distilled water of 〈◊〉 it stayeth the flux of blood coming of a wound, if the powder of it be cast 〈◊〉 the bleeding wound: it suppresseth choleric vomits, if is befried with the 〈◊〉 of eggs upon a red hot tile, and be eaten by and by. It is singular good, as well 〈◊〉 the decoction and substance, as in the distilled water, against all Venom; as also against the Plague, against Worms in little children, against the Measles, Purple●▪ and small Pocks in young children; against the bloody flux, and all manner of falls against the pain and rheums of the teeth, if you put it into the hollow tooth 〈◊〉 little Allome and Pellitory of Spain.  
Pionie, 
Pionie.  as well the male as the female, craveth to be planted or set in dry ground, where the Sun hath his full force.  
The seed or root gathered in the wane of the Moon, and hanged about the neck▪ or applied unto the wrists alone, or with the Miss●ltoe of the Oak, is a very singular preservative against the Falling sickness: Whereunto notwithstanding I would not have thee so much to trust, as that thou shouldest not look after some other comedy: assure thyself rather, that it is singular in bitings and stingings that are gonimous, as well taken inward, as applied outward. Thirty seeds of peony 〈◊〉 and brayed, and the very kernel made into powder, and drunk with wine, doth fetch again the speech when it is lost.  
Paul's betony, 
Paul's betony.  both male and female, would be either sown or planted in th● very same ground with Pionie.  
This herb, especially the female, is very much commended for his virtues: 〈◊〉 the juice that is pressed out of his leaves, and the water that is distilled thereof, 〈◊〉 heal all sorts of wounds, as well new as old; all sorts of ulcers, whether malign 〈◊〉 cankerous; swellings, and hot tumours, itch, and all the diseases of the skin: and which is more, the often use, as well of the juice, as of the distilled water of Paul's 〈◊〉, doth perfectly cure the Leprosy: whereof we have a notable and famous testimo●●● of a French King, who thereby was thoroughly cured thereof: And this is the 〈◊〉 why this herb is called the Lepers herb. Some do make a balm thereof (〈◊〉 we will further speak in the Chapter of Balms in the third Book) which is singular above all others for all sorts of wounds and malign ulcers, as also for the Leprosy: and that it is so good, is proved; for that a certain person, well known unto 〈◊〉, having a virulent ulcer, in manner of a Polypus in his nostrils, of the cure 〈◊〉, many, as well Physicians as Surgeons, being excellent men, and dwelling in 〈◊〉 Town, did altogether despair, was notwithstanding wonderfully cured by the application of this Balm, and often use of potions made of the decoction of the leaves of the female Paul's betony. This herb is singular also in Clysters for bloody Fluxes; and in drinks, for pestilent Fevers, ulcers of the Lungs, and obstructions of the Liver and Spleen.  
Gromell 
Gromell.  is the same which we call in Latin Milium solis; and it groweth better being sown than pianted: it delighteth in a dry and untilled ground, being withal stony, and having a good air.  
The juice of the leaves and powder of the seed being drunk with Wine, hath a singular virtue against the Gravel and Stone, and procuring of the Urine to pass away. There is nothing more singular for the burning of the Urine, than to drink many morning's the seed of Gromell, to the quantity of two drams, Ceterach half a dram, and Amber two scruples, all being powdered with the juice of Plantain, or Purcelane, or Lettuce. In like manner, two drams of the seed of Gromell, with women's milk, doth much comfort and strengthen a woman in her childbirth.  
Hyporicum loveth the like entreaty that Gromell loveth: 
Saint john's wort.  and yet withal it doth refuse a fat and well tilled soil. The juice of the leaves and flowers healeth cuts and wounds. The seed drunk with white wine, taketh away the tertian Ague. The flowers and crops are principally in use to make Balms of for the curing of wounds, 
The Balm.  such like as this is: Take of the fruit of the Elm tree, the flowers of Hypericum, and the buds of Roses, put them all together in a Glasse-bottle, and set them in the Sun so long, as until you see them all so altered and changed, as that they may seem to be rotten, then strain them all through a linen cloth, and reserve it for your use. See further in the third Book of the oil of Hypericum.  
Ground-pine 
Ground-pine.  loveth a dry, sandy, and stony soil, and groweth better planted than sown. The whole herb boiled in honeyed water, doth heal the laundise, provoke the terms in Women, provoke Urine, and is sovereign against the Sciatica, either taken in drink▪ or applied upon the hip in form of a Cataplasm: for the whole herb, with the flowers and roots, made into powder, and taken at the mouth forty days with half an ounce of Turpentine, doth thoroughly heal the Sciatica. The conserve made of the flowers is good for such as are subject unto the Palsy. The whole herb boiled in vinegar, and taken at the mouth, doth minister insinit help to a travailing women, when the child is dead in her body.  
agrimony 
Agri●●●ie.  would be planted in a stony and dry place: and further, craveth no great help of hand, or husbandry. The decoction openeth the obstructions of the Liver, and strengtheneth it: and it being boiled and drunk, doth help against the bitings of venomous beasts. The juice of agrimony mixed with vinegar and salt in a Lineament, doth cure the Itch. agrimony is good against the cough of Sheep, and for broken-winded Horses. The liquor of the decoction of agrimony, with fumitory made like Whey, doth provoke Urine, expel the Terms, heal the Itch and Scab of the whole body; whereupon it is singular in the beginning of the Leprosy. The seed mixed with the juice of agrimony, and taken in manner of pills, doth kill the Worms. The Stag being shot and wounded, is healed so soon as he hath eaten of this herb. If you gather good store of this herb, and steep it in fair Spring water, in a large earthen pot, till the water putrify, and then every morning wash the face therein, it will take away all manner of Morphew, Sunne-burning, Farn-freckles, and other spots or dunness of the skin whatsoever, making the same also clear and smooth, and filling up every manner of wrinekle. Some likewise use in this case to use with agrimony the like quantity of Goose-grasse: and sure it is not amiss; for they have both one manner of force and working.  
White Mullein 
White 〈◊〉.  groweth every where: but best, in a stony and sandy ground. The white Mullein, both leaves, flowers, roots, and seed, is singular good against all manner of venom: as also to contain in his place the falling Fundament. Good wives, in like manner, for this consideration do make a fume of the seed and flowers of Mullein, the flowers of Camomile and Mastic, all made into 〈◊〉. The juice pressed from the root before it put forth his stalk, and drunk fourfold in the quantity of an ounce, with Hippocras or Malmsey, in the beginning of a 〈◊〉 of a quartane Fever, doth drive it quite away. The juice pressed out of the flowe●● or leaves, applied to Warts, doth take them clean away. Likewise, Gentlewom●n find no better remedy than the juice of white Mullein flowers, to take away the wrinkles and other blemishes in their face. The leaves bruised betwixt two stone●, and applied in form of a Cataplasm upon the foot of a Horse that hath been cloyed, doth afford him a singular and present relief. The water distilled of the flowers, quencheth the firinesse of the face, if there be a little Camphire added there● unto. It doth in like manner with the tumour called Erisipelas, the itch, burnings, 〈◊〉 other diseases of the skin. The flowers of white Mullein, with the yolk of an egg●, crumbs of bread, and the leaves of Leeks, applied unto the Hemorrhoids, do 〈◊〉 them altogether. There groweth about the leaves of white Mullein a whitish 〈◊〉, which is good to make match or tinder to take fire.  
Mercury 
Mercury.  craveth one and the same ground with the Vine, there to be sown, and grow in great abundance, without any great care of husbanding: and yet th●●● must care and regard be had, not to sow it among Vines, because the wine which 〈◊〉 Vines should yield, amongst whom Mercury hath been sown, would retain the taste of Mercury, and become very unpleasant to drink.  
The juice of Mercury being drunk, 
The virtues of Mercury.  helpeth conception, provoketh women's terms, and delivereth them of their afterbirth. The decoction of Mercury do●● lose the belly, being drunk or taken in a Clyster. Some make a honey of the 〈◊〉 of Mercury, with a half quantity of honey, and this is good for laxative Clysters. The juice of Mercury taketh away Warts: the seed of Mercury in a decoction with Wormwood doth cure the jaundice: and the juice thereof, with vinegar, doth rip● up the scab and scurf.  
Yarrow doth grow in a ground that is indifferent fat and moist. 
Milfoile.  The decoction thereof doth stay all manner of fluxes, and especially the red terms of women, 〈◊〉 also that which cometh of a wound, especially the leaves dried, made in powder, and drunk with the juice or water of Comfrey or Plantain. The leaf put into the nose, stayeth the bleeding: and put into a Clyster, it stayeth the bloody flux. Milfoile bearing a white flower, being powned with his flower, and drunk with 〈◊〉 distilled from the same, and Goat's milk, doth cure the burning of the urine in 〈◊〉, and the whites in women.  
Danewort 
Danewort.  groweth better plunted than sown, and craveth a fat ground, well manured, and somewhat moist.  
The juice pressed from the roots of Danewort, being drunk for a certain time, preserveth a man from the Gout. The seed of Danewort being well washed and drunk in powder to the quantity of a dram, having been first steeped a whole night in Wine, doth help the Dropsy, because it procureth stools downward, and vomit upward, to the voiding of great store of water. Being drunk also with the decoction of ground Pine, it assuageth the pain of the Gout and Pocks. There is also made a sovereign Ointment of the same for the appeasing of the said pains: Ta●● the juice of the roots of Danewort, the flowers of Rye, and fresh butter, of each alike, mix all, and let them work together in an earthen pot set in the Oven; with this Ointment rub the aki●●g parts: or else infuse the flowers in oil, with man's grease, set in the heat of the Sun. Some also make an Oil of the seeds, pressing it 〈◊〉 of them.  
Orpin 
Orpin.  groweth for the most part in moist and shadowy places. The Country people do, by their good wills, plant it upon Saint john's night in dishes, or vpo● trenchers of wood, in some cleft of a wall, the foot being thrust into clay, and the●● they set it, where it abideth a long time green, growing and flourishing, if it be now and then watered. The liquor of the decoction of the leaves is a sovereign remedy to heal wounds, and stay fluxes of blood, for inward wounds and ulcers, and for burstings and ruptures.  
Goatsbeard 
Goatsbeard.  groweth very well in a moist ground and shadowed, and craveth to be oft watered. The Latins call it Vlmaria, because the leaves are like to the leaves of Elm. The root and leaves made in powder, do cure the flux of the belly, and bleeding. The distilled water being drunk, is singular good for wounds both inward and outward.  
Ground-Iuie 
Ground-Iuie.  groweth likewise in a moist and shadowed place. The decoction of the leaves hath great power to take away the obstructions of the liver and spleen, to provoke urine, and the terms in women. There is made of it an excellent balm for new cuts and wounds: also for the Colic, ministered in Clysters, or taken in drink, putting the small chopped leaves into a Glasse-violl well stopped with gummy wax, and strong parchment, and setting the said viol in Horse dung for the space of forty days. The juice thereof, with the rust of Brass is a fit medicine for fistulas and hollow ulcers: the decoction thereof, with betony, Pimpernell, Mouse-eare, Bistort, Horse-tail, Tormentill, red Coleworts, and Dittander, is singular for wounds in the principal and inward parts, if it be oft used. This ground-Iuie is otherwise called of some, Ale-hoofe, and it hath a most singular virtue for the curing of all manner of ●ore eyes, either in man or beast, if you take it and beat it well in a mortar, and drop into it three or four drops either of white rosewater, or the water of Eye-bright, and then strain it into a clean Glasse-bottle, and keep it close, then wash the sore eye therewith, when occasion is ministered, and the oftener in the day that you do wash the sore eye therein, the better it is, and the sooner recovered.  
Hounds-tongue 
Hounds-tongue.  groweth easily in peblie and untilled ground. The leaves powned and applied unto burnings, the wildfire, old ulcers, wounds, and inflammations, aches, fluxes, and hemorrhoids, do very much good. There is made a singular Ointment for wounds of the juice thereof, mixed with honey of Roses, and Turpentine. There are also made thereof pills, to stay vehement and violent rheums.  
Adders-tongue 
Adders-tongue.  doth require above all other things a fat place, well tilled, and moist: it groweth also in meadows, but it is destroyed by and by and spoiled. The leaves stamped and applied unto burnings, inflammations, burstings, and principally unto wounds and malign ulcers, are of a marvelous effect. There is a balm made of the leaves thereof for the same effects, whereunto some put Turpentine: Red wine, wherein this whole herb hath been steeped, is good to stay rheums falling down upon the eyes.  
Goose-grasse 
Goose-grasse.  doth grow in any kind of ground, and hath no need of great tillage. Some do distil the water of it, which is singular good against the Pleurifie, and other pains of the side, being taken in the beginning of the disease, as also against the bitings and stingings of venomous beasts, and to cool the heat of Cankers.  
Corne-rose craveth a fat ground, and well tilled, 
Of Corne-rose, or wild Poppy.  such as are Corne-grounds, wherein we may see them grow fair and very well blown. The flowers of Corne-rose, as well the great as the small, either in decoctions, or the distilled water, or in sy●rups, or in powder, the weight of half a French crown, are singular means to provoke spitting in Pleurisies, and to cure the same.  
Bastard Dittanie 
Bastard Dittanie.  in like manner requireth a fat ground, and well tilled, and therewith a diligent care to water it, and to keep it from the coldness of the air. The seed, root, leaves, and flowers, as well in powder as in a decoction, do provoke urine, break the stone, provoke the monthly terms, cast out the dead conception and afterbirth: being eaten with Rhubarb, they kill and cast out the worms: The juice applied outwardly, doth draw forth thorns and thistles, and stumpe● of splints.  
Knotgrass 
Knotgrass.  is called in Latin Polygonum, it groweth by the edges of Vineyards and fields that are badly tilled, especially when it is a moist year. Amongst the principal virtues thereof, the distilled water is sovereign against the difficulty of vri●●, as I have oft proved by experience.  
Salomons-seale 
Salomons-seale.  must be set in a dry ground, and raised high. The root whiles it is new, being powned, or the juice of the same, wipeth out freckles, spots, blue marks of blows, falls, or other such like thing, whether they be in the face, or in any other part of the body. Some distil the water, which as very good for the paintings of women.  
Great Dragons 
Great and small Dragons.  must be planted in a shadowed place, and good earth. The small Dragons love a moist ground and waterish, as near unto the Fountain in the Garden. Their roots boiled, or roasted and mixed with honey, and afterward taken as 〈◊〉 Eclegme, do profit greatly for shortness of breath, difficult and hard coughs, and painful getting up of the spittle: in such sort, as that they cut, ripen, and waste the gross humours and slimy. Being powdered and mixed with honey, they heal malign and corroding ulcers, especially the Polypus. Their leaves spread upon Cheese, do keep them from spoiling and ●otting. If the juice thereof be mixed with honey, and put into the eyes, they take away all manner of pa●●e and aching thereof: Also who so batheth his hands in the juice thereof, may handle any venom without danger: Also it is a great cooler of lust, and marvelously abateth all lecherous cogitations.  
As concerning the Nettle, 
Stinging and dead Nettle.  it hath no need either of sowing or setting, for it cometh up in Gardens more than one would have it: yet notwithstanding it is not without his great virtues, as well the Greek Nettle, as the Hungarian or dead Nettle.  
The leaves, and especially the roots of dead Nettle, 
Dead Nettle.  stamped and put upon the nostrils, do stay the bleeding of the nose: and their juice rubbed upon the brow, doth as much. The leaves of the stinging Nettle stamped with a little Myrrh, and applied unto the navel in form of a Cataplasm, have great power to provoke the terms of women. Their juice drunk a certain time, provoketh urine, and breaketh the stone. A Lineament prepared with the leaves of Nettle, Salt, and Oil, doth defend the parts of the body from all cold and starving, how great soever it might prove to be, if so be that you rub the ridge of the back, the soles of the feet, and the wrists of the hands therewith. Likewise the juice of this Neule mixed with a little Populeon, and applied unto the wrists, appeaseth the great heat of Agues. The leaves beaten and mixed with oil of Violets and Poppies, and applied unto the wrists, do alike. The vapour of the decoction of Nettle seed doth take away the stuffing of the nostrils. Such as have the Cough, with a great rattling in the throat, cannot meet with a better medicine to make them spit out lustily, than to take with some p●ctorall syrup, or decoction, the weight of half a French crown of Nettle seed finely powdered. You must furthermore observe this virtue in Nettles, 
〈◊〉 in boiling of flesh.  as that if it be put into a pot wherein is flesh boiling, it will cause the flesh to be the sooner boiled.  
Stavesacre 
Stavesacre.  must be sown in a place reasonably dry and shadowed. The seed chewed and held in the mouth, draweth unto it, by his heat, great quantity of moisture: stamped and mingled with oil, it driveth vermin out of the head and other parts of the body; it cureth scuruinesle and itch: sleeped in vinegar, and held in the mouth, it assuageth the toothache.  
There is not any need of great care to be taken in sowing the great, small, or middle Plantain, 
Plantain.  for they grow every where, and yet they must be esteemed by reason of their virtues. The juice of Plantain leaves or roots pressed out, and 〈◊〉 two hours before the fit, to the quantity of two ounces, doth assuage the 〈◊〉 Fever. The leaves of Plantain, stamped with the whites of eggs, do 〈◊〉 burnings. An emplaster made of the juice of Plantain, the white of an egg, and Bolearmoniacke, and applied unto the brews, doth stay the bleeding of the nose.  
Horse-tail, 
Horse-tail.  as well the great as the small, requireth a very moist ground, as near to some pool or shadowed place. The decoction thereof in wine or water doth staunch bleeding, and all other fluxes, whether it be the bloody, or any other such. The juice put into the nostrils, doth stay the bleeding of them: and with a pessary put up into the neck of the Matrix, it stayeth the flux thereof.  
Pellitory craveth no great care or tillage, 
Pellitory of the wall.  for it groweth naturally near unto walls. A Cataplasm made of Pellitory and the grease of a male or female Goat, is a singular remedy for the gout, and slidings or falls. The leaves of Pellitory fried with fresh Butter or Capon's grease, and laid in form of a Cataplasm unto the belly, doth assuage the pain of the Colic. The juice mingled in like quantity with white Wine and oil of sweet Almonds newly drawn, doth assuage the pain and torment of the stone. A Cataplasm made of green Pellitory, stamped with crumbs of Bread, and oil of Lilies, Roses, or Camomile, doth resolve Apostemes happening in the breasts. It is good also for mollifying Clysters and Baths that are deterging.  
shepherds Powch 
shepherds powch.  groweth in all ground, but principally upon the ruins of old walls, and near unto walls. The decoction of this herb in rain water with Plantain and Bowl armoniac, being drunk certain mornings, or taken in Clysters, doth stay the bloody flux, and the spitting of blood. A bath prepared with the decoction of the leaves, stayeth the excessive flux of the terms. But if you take it and boil it in red wine, with a little Cinnamon and Tanner's bark, and so give it the patient to drink, it will stay the most dangerous bloody flux that can be possible. It is very good also for the same disease, if it be given in milk. The juice doth heal green wounds, and being dropped into the ears, doth dry up the ulcers of the same. The leaves stamped and applied in form of a Cataplasm, doth kill inflammations, and the wild fire. The leaves eaten do stay all sorts of bleeding, being put into the nostrils, as also holden in the hand, they stay the nose from bleeding.  
Showbread 
Showbread.  desireth a shadowed ground, as under some tree or bush, which must notwithstanding be fat and well tilled to feed the root thereof, which is full, gross, solid, and as it were like unto the Turnip. The Forest of Orleans is well stored and replenished with this herb.  
This is a thing to be marveled at, 
The virtues.  that the juice of the root of Showbread snuffed up into the nose, purgeth the head: and the distilled water thereof snuffed up also into the nostrils, doth presently stay their bleeding. The same water drunk to the quantity of six ounces, with an ounce of Sugar, doth presently stay the blood running down from the breast, stomach, or liver, and knitteth together the vessels therein, if any be broken: which I myself have proved and tried. Two drams of the juice drunk with honeyed water, do loosen the belly, and free the liver from obstructions, as also the spleen; in respect whereof, it is singular good for the Dropsy and jaundice, but you must mix with it a little Mallicke, or Nutmeg, or Rhubarbe, for to correct the vehemency thereof. It is incredible what ease the juice thereof worketh in the Colic, and other such like griping pangs, if it be put into Clysters: how greatly also it profiteth in Ointments, lineaments, and Cataplasms, appointed for the hardness and swellings of the spleen and liver. If you infuse the roots chopped small in the oil of Roses, or Camomile, or sweet Almonds, and afterward boil them together, putting thereto a little wine, in the end you shall press them out: This oil dropped by two or three drops into the ears, doth drive away the noise and deafness of the ears, especially if upon the ears you apply the dross of these roots at night at the parties going to bed: or else chop small the roots, stamp them with Peaches and bitter Almonds, steep them all in Aqua vitae, afterward strain them, and drop certain drops of that which shall be pressed out, into the ears: this is very sovereign for deafness and the noise of the ears.  
Crowfoot, 
Crowfoot.  although there be six kinds of it, yet they all love a moist and marish ground, and whereas the frogs delight to live, which also take pleasure in and 〈◊〉 themselves about this herb. It is true, that some of the sorts do love these 〈◊〉 places more than other some: for the Crowfoot that hath a double flower, not 〈◊〉 yellow, but somewhat red, and which appeareth only in Autumn, cannot grow in a very moist place, so as it doth in the dry meadows, and in places a little 〈◊〉: chose, that which beareth a single flower, of a yellow and golden colour, cannot grow but in some watery medow-plot, and near unto standing water. The other, which beareth a double flower, not very yellow, hath a bulbous and whitish root of a sharp taste. This same (as well the leaves, but especially the root) being applied unto any part, is as caustic as Pigeons dung, or the caustic stone, or any oth●● the most violent cautery that may be found: for though you put betwixt the 〈◊〉 and the herb a Linen cloth five or six double, yet it will not leave to 〈◊〉 and pierce deep even unto the flesh. This is the herb, which being steeped in D●●gons blood, the cursed rogues and wicked rovers up and down do rub their 〈◊〉, legs, and thighs withal, thereby to exulcerate them, that so they may move th● people with remorse, and so get the larger alms. This is the herb which si●i● calleth Crowfoot, and which is so much esteemed for the Plague, and Plague- 〈◊〉, called a Carbuncle. Take, saith he, Crowfoot (having a root like unto a small 〈◊〉 Onion:) this root, either alone, if it be big enough, or two or three of them st●●ped and laid unto the thumb of the hand that is on that side in the arm, whereof the Plague is broken out, or unto the great toe of that foot that is on the same side th●● the groin is that hath the Plague-sore, and there leave it four and twenty houred, and it will make blisters, which breaking of themselves, do let run out the 〈◊〉 of the Plague drawn thither by a vein common unto both parts: but because that this root is very strong, you must put betwixt it and the thumb four or five doubles of new and strong cloth, or six or seven of thin and worn cloth, and so 〈◊〉 it and bind it up; and afterward you shall heal the ulcer of the thumb with the yolks of eggs and fresh butter beat together, with a little of the middle Coniform stamped with them, or a little washed Aloes: and if you cannot have it new, the dries also good for the same purpose; but than you need not so many doubles of cloth betwixt them. This operation and work is quickly done, and certainly, without blood-letting, or other evacuation.  
Petty whin 
Pettie-whin.  groweth in every ground, whether it be meadow, ploughed land, dry, scorched, moist, tilled, or not tilled. The Husbandman doth greatly abhor 〈◊〉 herb, whereof he cannot by any means rid his grounds. The root is singular, 〈◊〉 well in powder, as in a decoction, or in the water distilled from it (so that before it be distilled, the root be steeped in Malmsey twice so much as it weigheth) for 〈◊〉 provoke Urine, women's terms, and to procure the opening of the obstructions of the Spleen and Liver: but above all, to break into powder, and dri●● forth the Stone, as also to waste such ●arnosities as may be begotten in the bladder and conduit of the yard. The powder must be taken with white Wine. The●● is also made a kind of Wine of this root during the Vintage time, with new Wine and white Grapes put into a Vessel, adding thereto a certain quantity of Winter Cherries.  
The Dittanie 
Dittanie.  of this Country groweth in a dry ground, being also stony, and open upon the Sun. The root is much commended against Poisons and Veni●●●, Worms in children, and cold diseases of the Matrix. Being taken inwardly by decoction, or in powder with Wine the weight of two drams, or applied or ministered in a fume, it moveth the terms in women: it bringeth forth the afterbirth and dead child: it also driveth out the stone from the reins: but principally it is good for the Pocks, taking it every morning a long time the weight of a dram with 〈◊〉 decoction of Guaiacum. It is profitable also against the Plague every way that 〈◊〉 can use it.  
Germander 
Germander.  (called of the Latins Cham●drys, that is to say, a small Oak, because the leaves are like to those of the Oak) requireth no other ground or manner of ordering than Dittanie. This herb is called the Fevers scourge, because the decoction thereof being drunk in the morning for a certain space, doth drive away and make an end of the tertian agues: the leaves eaten in a salad in the morning fasting, it preserveth from the air and pestilent contagion, no less effectually than water Germander, of which we have spoken before. The decoction thereof is singular good against the jaundice, and being used a long time, for the Falling sickness, headache, and other diseases of the brain, and for the worms.  
Rupture-wort 
Rupture●wort.  groweth in a gravelly or sandy ground which is dry and unhusbanded: there is likewise great store of it found in the wood of Bo●●on, near unto Paris. This herb made in powder and drunk with wine, provoketh urine that hath been long detained, and breaketh the stone of the reins and of the bladder, if for some long time the party take the weight of a dram. Fallopius, ● great and famous Chirurgeon in Italy, affirmeth, That he had cured an infinite number of persons of the rupture therewith, giving it them in drink for a very long time together.  
Mouse-●are 
Mouse-●are.  will grow in the same ground that Rupture-wort doth: it hath a very strong astringent quality: and that is the cause why Shepherds have no great affection to d●aw their sheep into such fields as have store of Mouse-eare in them, because it bindeth them in their bodies, which for the most part worketh in them unto death: likewise Physicians are wont to make their benefit of this herb in the bloody fl●x, and abundance of terms: as also to heal up both inward and outward wounds, the spitting of blood, and falling down of the fundament.  
Dogges-grasse, 
Dogs-grasse.  without setting or sowing, groweth more than one would wish, both in gardens, and also in corn grounds that are fat. It serveth in physic to cool and dry indifferently: and withal (notwithstanding this) to open and take away obstructions, and to expel and break the stone: it is true that the seed drieth more, but it bindeth somewhat.  
Water-Betonie 
Water betony.  groweth in moist, watery, and marshy places. Of the r●ot thereof gathered in Autumn, and made very clean, and stamped with fresh Butter, all being closed up in an earthen vessel well leaded and stopped, and the same vessel set in some mo●st place, and let stay there some fifteen or twenty days; after let the butter be melted upon a soft fire, and in the end strained: is made an ointment that is singular good to anoint the King's-evil withal, and the hemorrhoids: this root is set about with many small knots, having the resemblance of Hemorrhoids, or the swelling of the King's evil.  
It groweth without any great pain in gardens, 
Palma christi.  and being sown, groweth more abundantly than one would have it. The seed purgeth those that have the dropsy very much, if they be given in Whey: it is true that they may be used without annoyance done to the stomach, if it be parched and dried, as also mixed with anise and Fennell-seed▪ furthermore it is very good to set in gardens, to kill and drive away Moules.  
This herb is of two sorts, male and female: both of them will grow in all manner of earth, 
Fern●.  but principally in that which is moist.  
Neither the one nor yet the other doth bear any seed, as Writers record: notwithstanding it hath been tried, 
The virtues.  that the male beareth seed, and that it cleaveth to the hindermost part of the leaves, but yet so little, that hardly can a man see it, and which cannot be acknowledged, or gathered, but in the end of julie, which is the time when it is ripe: for to gather it, you must cut the leaf near unto the root, and then hang them up in your house, spreading a linen cloth under them, or else some fair clean white paper. I know well that the common sort do verily think and aver, that this seed cannot be gathered but on the night of the wakes of S. john in Summer, and that more is, not without great ceremonies and mumbling and muttering of many words between the teeth, which have power to drive away Devils, which have the custody of the same seed: but all this is nothing but fables.  
The decoction thereof is good to provoke women's terms, to cast out the dead child, to kill worms, and some do use it to heal the frettings or hurts that may be in the fundament fallen down; but especially the female.  
Herb Twopences 
Herb Twopences.  (so called because the leaves resemble small pieces of silver requireth no great piece of husbandry about it, save only that it would have a moist ground. The whole herb either in decoction or powder, but especially the water thereof distilled in a limbeck, is very singular good for the falling down of the fundament.  
Fleawort (being called of the Latins Psyllium) craveth a very fat, 
Fleawort or Flea●ane.  well manured and batled ground, for else there will no good come of it. The seed prepared in form of a Mucilage, and applied in vinegar doth kill the wild fire and te●●er: applied unto the head or brows it taketh away the pain thereof: it taketh away also the redness of the eyes being applied thereunto. The distilled water is of infinite goodness serving in the pains of the eyes, two or three drops thereof only being dropped into them.  
This herb requireth a very fat place, 
I●●itorie.  well manured and tilled: likewise we see it grow abundantly in vineyards and grounds for Wheat and Barley. The leaves are very singular good for the opening of the liver, and cleansing away of adust humours, and this also is the cause why physicians prescribe it with whey, in scurvy, scabby, and itchy cases, and where the leprosy is. The juice thereof is good to clear bleared eyes.  
Groundswell 
Groundswell.  groweth in every ground, and without any great care: we see if grow likewise near unto walls, and upon the towns walls: it is green all the year, and flourisheth as it were in every month, and this is the cause why the Italians call it every months flower. Some think that Groundswell distilled is very singular good for the Whites in women: but believe it not before you find it true by proof, for I have observed by often use, that this herb whether in decoction or otherwise, provoketh the terms that are stayed.  
Birt-wort, as well the long as the round, 
Arist●l●chie or birthwort.  must be planted in a fat and fertile soil, such as that where Wheat is sown, and Olive trees planted. Their roots (amongst other alecost infinite virtues) cause women's courses, purge the lungs, cause spitting, cure the cough, and provoke urine: which more is, if either of them be taken in drink, especially the round one made in powder with Pepper and Myrrh, it driveth forth the afterbirth, the dead conception, and all other superfluities gathered in the Matrix: it doth the like being applied in form of a Mother suppository. It purgeth all obstructions of the liver, and easeth all manner of colic or other griefs which proceed from windy causes, it is sovereign against all manner of poison or any other infection; it cleanseth the blood, and by rubbing the gums therewith it preserveth the teeth from rotting.  
Centaurie, 
Centaurie.  or the gall of the earth, aswell the great as the small, desireth a fat ground that is fruitful and well tilled, and yet in such a ground they thrive not well without the great care and industry of the Gardener. Their root in decoction, juice, or powder, moveth women's terms, and provoketh urine, expelleth the dead child, purgeth phlegmatic humours which cause the sciatica, openeth the obstructions of the liver and spleen, killeth the worms, profiteth and helpeth palsies, convulsions, and diseases of the sinews, it cleareth the sight, and taketh away all mistiness from them, especially the juice dropped into the eyes doth heal their fresh and new wounds, and siccatriceth old and malign ulcers.  
Woodbine craveth no great tilling or husbanding, 
Woodbine or honeysuckles.  for it groweth every where and in what place soever it listeth. It is true that it desireth greatly to be near broom hedges, and also the borders of fields. The fruit of Woodbine drunk with Wine the space of forty days, taketh away the obstructions of a hard and indurat spleen, it purgeth out urine with such force, as that the tenth day the urine becometh all bloody: it helpeth women in their childbirth: the leaves in decoction or distilled do heal wounds and filthy ulcers: wipe away the spots and scars of the body and of the face.  
Pimpernel 
Pimpernell.  hath red and blue flowers, and craveth a moist and shadowed ground, so likewise we see it grow in the shadows of hedges and bushes. Pimpernell with the red flowers, stamp and applied unto the eyes, or the juice thereof dropped within them, taketh away the inflammations, dimness, and ulcers of the eyes: and heals the inflammations of the secret parts: Pimpernell with the blue flower boiled with salt and water, is a very good and proper medicine to cure the itch or scurf, and the louse, or worms in the hands, if you wash them o●t therewith.  
Buckwheat is a very common herb, 
Backwheat or binacorne.  and yet but little known by his name: it is very ordinary in corn and tilled grounds about harvest time. The Peasants of champaign do commonly call it velvet, because (in my judgement) the leaves are hairy: which name I mind not to change, but rather to keep for the easier knowing of the herb. They make use of it by applying it, if at any time in shearing they happen to cut themselves with their sickles. For to know it better therefore (than only by the name) it putteth forth from the root, five, six, seven, or eight small branches, for the most part laid along upon the earth, of the length of a hand, and sometime of a foot, bearing leaves somewhat like unto the little bindweed, but indeed they be less and more round, very hairy, and a little fatty. The flower is small and of divers colours, drawing very near unto a pale yellow, but in greatness it cometh ne●re unto the flower of eye● bright, but in shape and fashion unto the nettle slower.  
The water of the leaves and branches distilled (whiles it is in force) in a Limbeck in Maries-bath, 
The virtues of Buckwheat.  is singular and marvelous good to stay the spreading of the canker in the breasts, and the creeping Polypus, howsoever some hold them as incurable. The same applied to the brows taketh away the hear, and assuageth the pain of the head. In an injection it mundifieth first, and afterward conglutinateth wounds, and drieth up fistulas very readily, and malign ulcers which are easily provoked, and become worse by other remedies: being dropped into weeping eyes it healeth them, and stayeth such rheums as fall down upon them, and cause inflammation and dazzling of the same: being applied with a linen cloth upon itchings, weals, scabs, poukes, the wild fire, S. Anthony's fire or shingles, it cureth and healeth them in a very small time, as also all other burning inflammations. Being drunk for certain days, it stayeth all rheums, vomitings, and fluxes of the belly, it drieth up the water in those that have the dropsy, appeaseth the pains of the colic: it cureth tertian and quartan agues, and I am verily of mind that it may be given to good and profitable purpose to other agues, the temperature thereof considered and his infinite other secret qualities, which every day are more and more manifested: being drunk and applied a certain time, it re●uniteth the rupture and falling down of the bowels, the falling down of the mother, and the excessive courses of women by suppressing them and whatsoever other ●luxes of blood. Taken in a gargarism with a little Wine, it driveth the ulcers of the mouth: and being used for a gargarism itself alone, it is singular against the distillations, causing the swelling of the v●ula or the inflammation of the throat called the squinancy: likewise taken in the same mann●r it is good against the blackness and roughness of the tongue caused of a continual ague. The juice and decoction of the leaves work the very same effects, if they be taken while as yet the herb is not too much dried by the heat of the Sun.  
Of this Buckwheat there is made a compound water to make the face fair and beautiful, 
The compounding of the water of Burckwheat.  and undoubtedly to take away the freckles, and it is thus made: Take of the leaves thereof bruised in a mortar two good handfuls, of the roots of Salomon's seal made clean with a linen cloth, and after brayed a quarter of a pound, mingle all together, and infuse them for the space of twelve hours in wine, this being done, put all into a limbeck, adding thereto the juice of three Lemons or Oranges, then distil and draw out the water in Maries-bath, which you shall keep very carefully for your use: but it is requisite that before this you have made provision of the liquor of the Brionie root, which must be gathered about the end of April, or in the beginning of May, whiles the dews continue, and that in this manner. The head of 〈◊〉 root must be cut a little, uncovering the top, and not pulling it up by the root 〈◊〉 it is thus pared at the top, you must cut a hollow hole in it some two or three fing●●● deep, and then cover it again with the cap you have cut off from the head, and some few of the leaves thereof, and so to leave it to the next morning before Sun●● rise, not taking off this cap or covering: then there will be found in this hole a liquor which must be gathered with a spoon, and put up and kept in a viol glass, after which the covering must be put on again as it was the day before, and this to be continued every day until mid-May, and longer if so be that one be disposed. Now when you would use it, take an ounce of this liquor, and mix it in a viol with two ounces of the abovenamed compounded water; and at night when you go to bed, you must wet a linen cloth in this mixture, and spread it all over the face, then letting it rest a good part of the night, but in the morning you must avoid the b●●ning heat of the Sun: and this course shall be continued for certain nights together.  
But although the herb alone applied, his juice, water, and decoction having great and excellent qualities, as it is easy to judge by that which hath been said before, yet forasmuch as that one simple, or one drug, or many joined together, and to good purpose and effect in that thing for which it was compounded and made, is of much more efficacy by the help and assistance afforded unto it, I am willing for that cause to impart unto you a marvelous ointment made of the same Backe-wheat, 
An ointment of Bucke-wheat.  and the description of it, it in manner as followeth. Take of the juice of the leaves of Buck-wheat, laid in steep in a little white wine the space of four and twenty hours, one pound of the juice of Vernaine (which is as yet but a little 〈◊〉 up into branches) in like manner steeped as before, and that by itself a quarter of a pound of the juice of the leaves of yellow Henbane (commonly called small Nicotian, or the Queenes-herbe) half a pound, Oyle-olive a pound: mix all these together in a skellet, and boil them upon a small ●ire, stirring it often with a spatule of wood, until the juices be almost consumed: then add thereto of new wax, broken into pieces, and of Perrosine, of each a quarter of a pound, and melt the whole by little and little, still stirring it with a spatule, and keeping a low fire without increasing of it: which being done, take the skellet from the fire, and put into it at th●● present instant of Venice Turpentine a quarter of a pound by little threads 〈…〉 were, and stirring it continually with a spatule: then when the ointment shall begin to wax cold, put in Mastic and Frankincense mixed together in powder, of each the weight two French Crowns, and cease not to stir it as before, until it 〈◊〉 all well incorporated. The mark to know when the ointment is well made and fully finished, is, if a drop thereof being put upon your nail do congeal and 〈◊〉 together, or that it cleaveth unto the spatu●e stirring it. Then put you up this composition or mixture in Gallipots, for to serve you as shall be declared hereafter.  
This ointment above all other remedies is singular good in the curing of the 〈◊〉, as well of the dugs as of other parts, in the curing also of the Polypus, N●li 〈◊〉 tangere, the King's-evil, bruised or squat ●●●les, wounds old and new, fistulas, and malign ulcers, be they never so rebellious It quencheth all sharp inflammations, the shingles, and burnings either of water or fire. It rooteth out all sorts ofringwormes, scabs, itches, pastules, the wild scab, and the wild fire. It is good for 〈◊〉 of sinews i● there be added to it pouned worms. It cureth the moth, or falling of the hair, if before you anoint the head, the hair be pulled and taken away. 〈…〉 away the swelling and pains of the hemorrhoids. Being applied with 〈◊〉 grea●e and a little oil of Roses, it likewise taketh away the pains of the go●●●●●mundifieth and draweth out mightily the gunshot out of the body, and healeth 〈◊〉 wounds up without any other thing applied: it taketh away the blueness of 〈◊〉 blows. To be brief, it is a m●st ●ure and infallible remedy by reason of his ●●●●●rature in all impostumes either hot or cold, and resolveth and discusseth all 〈◊〉 that need not to be suppurated and ripened. But this must be observed, that before you apply it, you must discern of the offending humour, to the end, that you may use some either general or particular evacuation, according to good order, and that by the advice of some Physician.   

CHAP. XLIIII.  
A discourse of Nicotian, or the male Petum.  
NIcotiana, though it have been but a while known in France, 
Nicotiana the chief● of Physic herbs.  yet it holdeth the first and principal place amongst Physic herbs, by reason of his singular and almost divine virtues, such as you shall hear of hereafter: whereof (because none, either of the old or new Writers that have written of the nature of Plants, have said any thing) I am willing to lay open the whole History, as I have come by it through a dear friend of mine, the first Author, Inventor, and Bringer of 〈◊〉 herb into France: as also of many, both Spaniards, Portugals, and others, wh●●h have traveled into Florida, a Country of the Indians, from whence this herb came, to put the same in writing, to quite such of grief and travel, as have heard of this herb, but neither know it, nor the properties thereof.  
This herb is called Nicotiana, of the name of an Ambassador, which brought the first knowledge of it into this Realm, 
Why it was called Nicotiana.  in like manner as many Plants do as yet retain the names of certain greeks and Romans, who being strangers in divers Countries for their commonwealths service, have from thence endowed their own Country with many sorts of Plants, whereof there was no knowledge before.  
Some call it the herb of Queen-mother, because the said Ambassador, 
The herb of Queen-mother.  Lord Nicot, did first send the same unto the Queen Mother (as you shall understand by and by) and for being afterward by her given to divers others to plant and make to grow in this Country. Others call it by the name of the herb of the great Prior, 
The herb of the Great Prior.  because the said Lord a while after sailing into these Western Seas, and happening to lodge near unto the said Lord Ambassador of Lisbon, gathered divers Plants thereof out of his Garden, and set them to increase here in France, and that in greater quantity, and with more care, than any other besides him, he did so highly esteem thereof for the exceeding good qualities sake. The Spaniards call it Tobacco. 
Tobacco.  Some call it the Holy herb, 
The Holy herb.  because (as I think) of his holy and marvelous effects. Very many have given it the name of Male Petum, to know it from the Female Petum; which is (in truth) the proper name of the herb, used by them of the Country from whence it was brought: Notwithstanding, it were better to call it Nicotiana, after the name of the Lord which first sent the same into France, to the end, that we may give him the honour which he hath deserved of us, for having furnished our Land with so rare and singular an herb. And thus much for the name: Now listen unto the whole History.  
Master john Nicot, one of the King's Council, 
Mans●eur Nicot Ambassador for the King in Portugal.  being Ambassador for his Majesty in the Realm of Portugal, in the years of our Lord God, 1559, 1560, and 1561, went on a day to see the Monuments and worthy Places of the said King of Portugal: at which time, a Gentleman, keeper of the said Monuments, presented him with this herb, as a strange Plant, brought from Florida. The Noble man, Sir Nicot, having procured it to grow in his Garden, where it had put forth and maltiplied very greatly, was advertised on a day by one of his Pages, that a young boy, kinsman of the said Page, had laid (for trial sake) the said herb stamped, the substance and juice and altogether, upon an ulcer which he had upon his cheek, near unto his nose, next neighbour to a Noli me tangere, as having already seized upon the cartilages, and that by the use thereof it was become maru●●●lous well: upon this occasion the noble man Nicot called the boy to him, 
A matter of experience in the 〈◊〉 of a Noli me tangere.  and making him to continue the applying of this herb for eight or ten days, the Noli me tangere became thoroughly killed. Now they had sent oftentimes unto one of the Kings most famous Physicians the said boy, during the time of this work and operation, to mark and see the proceeding and working of the said Nicotiana: and having in charge to continue the same until the end of ten days, the said Physician then beholding him, assured him certainly, that the Noli me tangere was dead: as indeed the boy never felt any thing of it at any time afterward.  
Some certain time after, 
Proole of it in wounds.  one of the Cooks of the said Ambassador having almost all his thumb cut off from his hand with a great Kitchen knife, the Stewa●● running unto the said Nicotiana, made him to use of it five or six dr●ssings, by the end of which, the wound was healed. From that time forward this herb began 〈◊〉 become famous in Lisbon, 
The Ambassadors herb.  where the King of Portugal's Court was at that time, and the virtues thereof much spoken of, and the common people began to call it the ambassadors herb.  
Now, upon this occasion, there came certain days after a Gentleman out of the fields, being father unto one of the Pages of the said Lord Ambassador, who 〈◊〉 troubled with an ulcer in his leg of two years continuance, and craved of the said Lord Ambassador some of his herb, and using it in manner afore mentioned, he was healed by the end of ten or twelve days.  
After this yet the herb grew still in greater reputation: insomuch, as that mani● hasted out of all corners to get some of this herb. 
Proof for Ring worms.  And amongst the rest, there was one woman which had a great ringworm, covering all her face like a mask, and having taken deep root, unto whom the said Lord Ambassador caused this P●tum to be given, and withal, the manner of using of it to be told her: and at the end of eight or ten days this woman being thoroughly cured thereby, came to show herself unto the said Lord Ambassador, and how that she● was cured.  
There came likewise a Captain, 
Proof for the King's evil.  bringing with him his son, diseased with the King's ●uill, unto the said Lord Ambassador, for to send him into France; v●●● whom there was some trial made of the said herb: whereupon, within few days, he began to show great signs and tokens of healing, and in the end was thoroughly cured of his Kings evil.  
The said Lord Ambassador seeing so great proof and trail of the said herb, 
Madame of Montigny dead of a Noli me tangere in her breasts.  and having heard sa●, that the late deceased Madam of Montigny died at S. Germane in Lay of an ulcer grown in her breasts, which was turned to a Noli me tangere, for which never ●nie body could find any remedy: and likewise, that the Countess of Ruff had sought for all the famous Physicians of the Realm to cure her of a Ringwo●●● which she had in her face, and that they could not all heal it, he resolved with himself to send of it into France, 
How Nicotiana was 〈◊〉 brought into France.  and thereupon accordingly sent it unto king 〈◊〉 the second, and unto Queen mother, and many other Lords of the Court, together with the manner to order it and apply it to the abovenamed diseases, as he himself had ●●und by experience: as also unto the Lord of jarnac, governor of Roche●●, with whom the said Ambassador had intercourse of letters by reason of the king his affairs: which Lord jarnac also told him one day sitting at table with the Queen mother, 
The distilled wate● o● 〈◊〉 ● good for a short breath.  that he had caused of the said Nicotiana to be distilled, and had caused 〈◊〉 water thereof to be drunk being mixed with the water of eye-bright by one that 〈◊〉 stuffe● in his lungs, and that he was cured thereby.  
This herb resembleth in figure, fashion, and qualities, the great Comfrey, in such sort, 
The figure of Nicotiana.  as that a man would deem it to be a kind of great Comfrey, rather than a yellow Henbane, as some have thought. It hath an upright stalk, not bending any way, 
The stalk.  thick, bearded or hairy, and slimy. The leaves 
Leaves.  are broad and long, green, drawing somewhat toward a yellow, not bearded or hoary, but smooth and slimy, having as it were talons, but not either notched or cut in the edges, a great deal bigger downward toward the root than above: as you see the smooth Dock leaf is, which beareth small red seeds, and not burrs; and the finer and clearer that such leaves are, the better the Tobacco is esteemed. Whiles it is young, it is leaved, and as it were lying upon the ground: but rising to a stalk, and growing further, it ceaseth to have such a number of leaves below, and putteth forth branches 
Branches.  from half foot to half, and storeth itself by that means with leaves, and still riseth higher, from the height of four or five foot, unto three or four or five cubits, according as it is sown in a hot and fat ground, and carefully tilled. The boughs and branches thereof put out at joints, and divide the stalk by distances of half a foot: the highest of which branches are bigger than an arm. At the tops and ends of his branches and boughs, it putteth forth flowers 
Flower.  almost like unto those of Nigella, of a whitish and incarnate colour, having the fashion of a little bell, coming out of a swad or husk, being of the fashion of a small goblet, which h●ske becometh round, having the fashion of a little apple, or swords pummel: assoon as the flower is gone and vanished away, it is filled with very small seeds 
Seed.  like unto those of yellow Henbane, and they are black when they be ripe, or green, whiles they are not yet ripe. In a hot country it beareth leaves, flowers, and seeds at the same time, in the ninth 〈◊〉 tenth month of the year, it putteth forth young sciences at the root, 
Roots.  and reneweth itself by this store and number of sciences, and great quantity of sprouts, and yet not withstanding the roots are little, small, fine, threddie strings, or if otherwise they grow a little thick, yet remain they still very short, in respect of the height of the plant. The roots and leaves do yield a glewish and rosinish kind of juice, somewhat yellow, of a rosinlike smell, 
Smell.  not unpleasant, and of a sharp, eager, and biting taste, 
〈◊〉 or t●st.  which showeth that it is by nature hot, 
Temperative.  more than in the second degree, and dry in the first, whereupon we must gather that it is no kind of yellow Henbane as some have thought.  
Nicotiana craveth a fat ground well stirred, and well manured also in this cold country, that is to say an earth, wherein the manure is so well mingled and incorporated, as that it becometh earthy, that is to say, all turned into earth, and not making any show any more of dung: which is likewise moist and shadowy, wide and roomie, for in a narrow and straight place, it would not grow high, straight, great, and well branched. It desireth the South Sun before it, and a wall behind it, 
How to refresh and cheer● up Nicotiana.  which may stand ●●stead of a broad pair of shoulders to keep away the Northern wind, and to beat back again the heat of the Sun; it would also be defended from the tossing and force of the wind, by reason of his weakness and height: it is true that it will be out of the danger of the wind, if the root be deeply taken in the ground. It groweth the better if it be oft watered, 
To wa●er Nicotiana.  and maketh itself spo●t and jolly good cheer with water when the time becometh a little dry. It hateth the cold, and therefore to keep it from dying in Winter, 
How to handle Nic●tiana in Winter.  it must either be kept in cellars when it may have free benefit of air, or else in some cave made of purpose within the same garden, or else to cover it as with a cloak very well with a double mat, making a penthouse of wicker work from the wall to cover the head thereof with straw laid thereupon: and when the Southern Sun shineth, to open the door of the cou●● made for the said herb right upon the said Sout●●Sunne.  
For to sow it, you must make a hole in the earth with your finger, and that as deep as your finger is long, 
To s●w Nicotiana.  than you must cast into the same hole ten or twelve seeds of the said Nicotiana together, and fill up the hole again: for it is so small, 〈◊〉 that if you should put in but four or five seeds, the earth would choke it: and, 〈◊〉 the time be dry, you must water the place easily some five days after: it may be sown also after the manner of Lettuses, and such other herbs, mingling the mould very well with the seed, and afterward covering it most carefully. Some mix with the said earth very clean ashes, being well si●ted and made small, but in a 〈◊〉 quantity. It is a long time in springing and putting forth, and after that it is 〈◊〉 forth, 
The way to remove Nicotiana.  you must keep it both from the cold and frost, covering it in the night time, even whiles it is young and small: and so it will be preserved and kept continually green and beautiful. And when the herb is grown out of the earth, in as much as every seed will have put up his sprout and stalk, and that the small threddi● roots and entangled the one within the other, you must with a great knife make 〈◊〉 great circle or compass within the earth in the places about this plot where they grow, and take up the earth and all together, and cast them into a bucketfull of water, to the end that the earth may be separated, and the small and tender imps swim above the water, and so you shall sunder them one after another without breaking of them: and thus having freed them one of another, you shall plant them along th● said wall some three foot from it, and four foot every one from another: and if th● earth near unto the wall be not so good as it ought, you shall help it by such 〈◊〉 of batteling as hath been spoken of, and shall close up all your care about th● plants so removed with watering them o●t. The time to sow them is about 〈◊〉 April, 
At what time Nicoti●ana must 〈◊〉.  or in the beginning: or else earlier, if the Springtime begin earlier: the Indians and Spaniards sow it in Autumn.  
As concerning his virtues seeing it is hot and dry in the second degree, as his biting and sharp kind of taste doth declare: we cannot doubt but that it is good to cleanse and resolve, as also good for the effecting of the things which ●t hath been tried to have wrought, that is to say, for the healing of the Noli me tangere, all old wounds, and inveterate and cankered ulcers, hurts, ring● worms, and exulcerated seabs', what malign quality soever is in them, King's evil, clouds of the eyes, conlusions, impostumes, stingings of living creatures, redness of the face, and many other accidents which we will run over hereafter particularly. But in respect of the ver●●es thereof, the best and most to be esteemed part are the leaves, and for want of them, 
The l●aues of Nicotiana are the best part of the same.  the seed, though it have no such virtue as the leaves: the leaves thereof are used, either as they are green at the time of their ripeness, or being kept dry in the time of Winter, or in powder, when they are dried and made in powder: as for the way to keep them, we will speak thereof hereafter.  
And to speak particularly of the effects of Nicotiana. The cold and windy pain of the head, 
Ache of the head, arms, and l●gg●●.  arms, and legs will be holpen, if you lay upon the grief oftentimes the green leaves of Petum somewhat dried over the fire▪ the toothache is stayed by rubbing the teeth with a linen cloth that hath been dipped in the juice of the said shearbe, and by putting into the tooth a pill of the leaves of the same herb. The wounds of the arms, legs, and other parts of the body how old soever they be, will be thoroughly siccatrized, if you wash them first with white wine or urine, and afterward wipe them very clean with a linen cloth, and by and by after put thereupon one or two green leaves well stamped with the juice, or the juice alone, and upon it some fine white Lin●, or white linen cloth, continuing the same daily unto the end of the cure: and, if you have no green leaves, take dry ones, and powder them, and put of this powder into the wounds, after you have washed them as hath been said, and wiped them with clean linen. The Indians use it to comfort the feeble & not digesting stomach, 
A weak stomach not able to digest.  first rubbing it with oil olive, and then applying thereupon one or two leaves somewhat dried and made pale over the fire: it is in use also among the Indian Cannibals against poison, wherewith they use to anoint their arrows when they go to shoot, and this poison will kill by and by if blood be but drawn: for when they go to war, they carry in one Heart's foot of that poison, and in another of the juice of Petuum to remedy the mischief: and if they have no green, they carry dry with them: and so soon as they have applied it to the wound, they account themselves out of all danger of death, how great soever the wound be. This remedy was tried by the Indian Cannibals, by reason of a battle where they were hurt in a province called Savinam, and as their custom was to cure their poisoned wounds with sublimate, so they not finding store thereof sufficient, were made to apply unto their wounds, the juice drawn out of the leaves of this herb, which shortly after took away the pain and venom thereof, and so they became whole: the proof of this thing hath also been made in Spain sundry times; and amongst others, by the Catholic King himself, who to make trial of this herb, caused the wound of a dog to be rubbed with sublimate, and then presently after to be applied the juice of Petum, together with the substance and all. This same remedy may serve against the bitings of mad dogs, so that it be used within a quarter of an hour after. The decoction of the leaves boiled in water, and made into a syrup with sugar, or into a ●uleb or Apozeme, and taking every morning the quantity of two or three ounces, remedieth the difficulty of breath, old ●ough, 
Difficulty of breathing.  
An old cough: and causeth to spit out gross and slimy humours,  so that the party before he use this decoction, have been universally purged, by some purgative medicine: the ●uice and dross of the said leaves stamped in a mortar, doth open the obstructions of the spleen▪ and softeen the hardness of the same, applied unto the region of the spleen in the morning: 
The spleen ●●opt and hard.  for want of the leaves the powder may be applied, being 〈◊〉 with some ointment appropriate unto such diseases. The same remedy serveth ●or the pain of the stomach, 
Pain of the stomach.  the pain of the belly, and the colic, 
Colic.  as also such other griefs coming of coldness and windiness, being applied warm, and used oftentimes, till at length the pains be assuaged. It is not of the least service for the pains of the matrix, 
Paime of the matrix.  the said leaves applied unto the navel in manner aforesaid: as also if the fume thereof be put into the nose of a woman grieved with the 〈◊〉 of the Mother. This is the reason why the women that are subject unto the disease of the Mother, should have the same always ready. Some hold it for a ●●●gular remedy against the gout, to chaw every morning fasting the leaves of 〈◊〉, because it voideth great quantity of phlegm out at the mouth, hindering the 〈◊〉 from falling upon the joints, which is the very cause of the gout. If you 〈◊〉 the leaves amongst hot embers for some space, and alterward taking them forth, 〈◊〉 them (without shaking off the ashes from them) unto his belly that hath 〈…〉 drunk much, 
〈◊〉.  you shall assuage his swelling fullness, and keep him from 〈◊〉. The juice of the leaves of Nicotiana stamped, clarified, and mixed with 〈◊〉 sugar of the form of a syrup, 
To kill the 〈◊〉.  being taken in the morning killeth and casteth 〈◊〉 worms: but therewithal you must lay upon the parties nau●ll some of the 〈◊〉 bruised, stamped in a mortar, and wrapped in a linen cloth, and let it be presently after he hath taken a clyster of milk and sugar. All aches of the joins 〈…〉 a cold cause, all swellings, 
Swellings.  
Rheums.  
Cold impo●●umes.  tumors, and impostumes coming likewise of cold and windy causes, all ki●es on children's heels, as also exceeding great itches are 〈◊〉 led by applying the leaves of Petum. The juice of Petum laid upon a 〈◊〉 carbuncleo how pestilent o● venomous soever, doth heal and cure the same presently: it 〈◊〉 the like in old ulcers though they pierce unto the bone, 
V●ers of the nose.  i● you continue the use of it so long as there shall be any need: for it maketh the flesh to grow again, and consumeth the filhinesse of the ulcers: which I myself have proved in two 〈◊〉 of the nose, caused of the French disease, out of which the juice of this herb 〈◊〉 great store of worms to come. 
Green wounds  Green wounds (provided that they be n●t 〈◊〉 deep) are healed in a day, by putting into them of this juice, and applying of th● dross upon them: and if it happen that they should be deep, than it is but the ●●●ther washing of them with wine, and then to put this juice into them, and the 〈◊〉 thereof above and upon them with a linen cloth dipped into the juice: also for 〈◊〉 more brief and speed●●hr curing of them, it were good that they were washed 〈◊〉 and without with the same juice.  
Nicotiana dried hath the like operation in the diseases and accidents above spoken of: 
Wherefore the dried 〈…〉 Nicotiana are good  the way to dry them is this: You must take the fairest leaves and those also that are indifferent fair, and put them upon a file, and afterward dry 〈…〉 the shadow, hanging under some chamber door, not in the Sun, Wind, or 〈◊〉, and so you may keep them whole, to use them afterward thus dried or else in po●der. 
To dry Nicotiana.  And that I may particularly touch the diseases which the dried leaves are good for. If you take of the best Tobacco or Nicotiana, I do not mean such as grows and is frequent with us, but that which is naturally good, as having all his right both of Sun and soil, and is brought from the Indians, of which there are 〈◊〉 kinds according to the natures of the countries, and the plantation of the herb, 〈◊〉 in leaf, some in roll, and some in ball, and twine it very hard as you can together then with a knife shred it very small, and spreading it upon a clean sheet of 〈◊〉 dry it over a gentle fire made of charcoal or other fuel that hath no stink 〈◊〉 smoke, then when it is cold, you shall put it into a Tobacco pipe that is 〈◊〉 clean or new 〈◊〉 (the figure whereof is needless to relate, because the world 〈◊〉 so much enchanted therewith, that not any thing whatsoever is half so 〈…〉 this is now a days) and having slopped it hard into the pipe, you shall with a 〈◊〉 candle, or other sweet flame, set it on fire, and then sucking and drawing the 〈◊〉 into your mouth, you shall force the fume forth at your nostrils, which fume 〈◊〉 the head be well covered) make that you shall avoid at the mouth such 〈◊〉 s●●mie and phlegmatic water, as that your body thereby will become lean, a● if 〈◊〉 had fasted long: by which one may conjecture that the dropsy 
The dro●sie.  not confirmed 〈◊〉 be holpen by taking the same fume: the same fume taken at the mouth is 〈◊〉 good for them that have a short breath, old cough or rheums, in which 〈◊〉 maketh them to avoid infinite quantity of thick and slimy phlegm. 
The suffocation of the mother.  The 〈◊〉 of the Mother, otherwise called the Suffocation of the Mother, is healed by 〈◊〉 this fume into the secret parts. For the headache 
Headache.  coming of a cold or windy cause, if you cannot come by the green leaves, then take the dry, moistening them first with a little wine, and after drying them at live ashes, than afterward sprinkle upon them sweet water, and so apply them unto your head, or any other such place where you feel any pain: you may do as much with the powder of the leaves dried wingling therewithal things appropriate unto the disease. Such as are subject unto swoonings 
Swooning.  are by and by brought again, by taking at the mouth or nosthralls the fume of the said leaves burnt, in respect whereof Indian women keep this herb very carefully, because they be subject to swoonings. Which is more, 
The fume of Nicotiana assuageth hunger and thirst.  the inhabitant of Florida do feed themselves a certain space with the fume of this herb (whatsoever a certain new Cosmographer say to the contrary, who seeketh by his ●yes to triumph over us in this respect) which they take at the mouth, by the means of certain small horns, the picture whereof you may see by the figure of the herb. And the truth hereof we gather from them which have been in the countries of Florida, and by mariners coming daily from the Indies, which hanging about their necks little pipes or horns made of the leaves of the Date-tree, or of reeds, or of rushes, at the ends of which little horns there are put and packed many dry leaves of this plant, writhe together and broken. They put fire to this end of the pipe, receiving and drawing in with their breath at their mouth wide open, so much of this fume as possibly they can, and affirm thereupon that they find their hunger and christ satisfied, their strength recovered, their spirits rejoiced, and their brain drenched with a delightsome drunkenness: as also to avoid out of the mouth an infinite quantity of phlegmatic water. But in that the fume of this herb maketh men somewhat drunk, some men have thought it to be very cold, and by that reason a kind of yellow Henbane, which it resembleth much in his stalks, leaves, cups, and seed, 
That Nicotiana doth not make drunk.  as we have said before: but we must know that the fume of this herb doth not make drunken so quickly, and withal, that this kind of drunkenness doth not proceed of excessive cold, such as is found in Henbane, but rather in a certain atomaticall vapour which doth fill the ventricles of the brain. All which virtues and properties, besides that we have proved and tried them in many diseases here in the countries of France, to the great comfort of the sick: they also which come from the Indies, and new world of Florida, have confidently avouched unto us to have proved and tried the same in themselves, having been wounded and hurt, when they made war in the country against the rebellious and treacherous Indians: who likewise affirm, that much good is spoken of this herb, even of all the priests of these barbarous nations, whereof they make use in their Magical practices and divinations, imagining that by the virtue thereof the things which they desire to know are revealed unto them. And that it is so, the savage and brutish Indians being accustomed to ask of their Priests the success and events of things to come, is proved by the Priests: for than they to fulfil the desires and requests of the Indians, take the leaves of this plant and put them in a pipe, or hollow end of a cane, and being mixed with Wine, they sup in and receive it all at the mouth, and by and by after they f●ll in a trance, and become as men without life so long as until the herb have ended his operation: and then they rise up half giddy, and so make answer unto whatsoever any man hath demanded of them: but we must think that it is more probable, 
Divination by Nicotiana.  that such like divination doth proceed of some devilish art, rather than by virtue of this plant, seeing withal, that this barbarous and heathenish nation is ordinarily given to call upon the wicked fiend in all their necessities, and he again do●h so dazzle their eyes, that he maketh them to conceive an infinite number of ambiguous and doubtful things, and false superstitions: representing unto them a thousand devilish and dreadful visions and apparitions: thus is the simplicity of this poor people deluded, by the company of the said Priests, holding for a true and certain oracle their virtue proceeding from this plant. Furthermore when they are thoroughly disposed to see strange and fantastical visions, they burn the leaves of the said plant, and take the fume at their mouth and nostrils, and very presently after they become as it were deprived of sense, falling to 〈◊〉 ground in a trance. It is certain that many Philosophers do deliver that there 〈◊〉 certain plants which have the like force and properties, making men to dream of 〈◊〉 infinite sort of things, and those well pleasing to the spirit and understanding of 〈◊〉 furthermore they assure us that if a man take of the juice of it in any quantity, 〈◊〉 shall become beside himself for the space of three days. 
Mad nightshade.  Dioscorides likewise saith, That there are divers plants which have the same virtue as Mad nightshade, a 〈◊〉 of the root whereof, as he saith, drunk with Wine, doth bring dreams of 〈◊〉 things; but not altogether unpleasant: but taken the double quantity it make●● mad, 
Anise-seed.  
Turnips.  and taken four, fold it killeth: if any man eat Anise-seed going to bed, he shal● have pleasant dreams in his sleep: but and if he eat turnips, they will procure hi● noisome and troublesome dreams.  
Furthermore, the use of the leaves of Nicotiana, as well green as dry and 〈◊〉 in powder, are distilled in a glass limbeck, the water whereof is not less 〈◊〉 than the juice in wounds, swellings, kibes, and the falling of the nails of the ●●gers, if you power of this water upon the grief, and afterward cover it with 〈◊〉 clothes dipped in the same.  
Some likewise draw an oil out of it by descension (to speak after the manner of Chemists) in a glass retort: some also do make thereof a chemical salt: both the one and the other, are a great deal more excellent in the foresaid diseases, 〈◊〉 the leaves, juice, powder, or distilled water of Nicotiana, forasmuch as quintessesces drawn out of simples, are the subtle spirits thereof, wherein lieth the pure 〈◊〉 and sincere qualities of the matter from whence it is drawn: we will not speak● here of the manner of distilling of the Chemical oil, and salt of Nicotiana, but reserve the same for our book of secret remedies.  
The ointments of Nicotiana are made divers ways, notwithstanding that this 〈◊〉 simple taken and applied as we have already spoken at large, be of greater vert●● and efficacy. I will only make mention of two which seem to me the most artificially described. The first is: take of the fairest, greatest, geenest, and most ro●●nish leaves of Nicotiana that can be chosen, a pound, wipe them as clean as 〈◊〉 possible with a linen cloth from all dust, earth, and whatsoever other filth, not ●●●ting them any thing at all, bray them in a mortar of wood or marble, with a wooden pestle: afterward melt half a pound of sweet seam prepared (that is 〈◊〉 from all manner of films and skins) in a brazen vessel, putting to the said 〈◊〉 the dross and juice of Nicotiana stamped, as hath been said, let it all boil together in a brazen vessel at a small and soft fire, set upon a trivet, or in Maries- 〈◊〉 (that is to say, a cauldron full of boiling water) until you see all the warrie part of the juice evaporated, 
What is meant by Maries-bath.  and that the rest have got the consistence or just thickness of the form of an unguent. The second ointment is such: melt and boil together perrosin, 
The second ointment.  new wax, and turpentine upon a cool fire in a brass skellet, of each thre● ounces, and when it is all melted and shall begin to froth, take a pound of the drossy and juice of the leaves of Nicotiana, so purged, chosen, and stamped, as hath been● said: set them to boil with the wax, perrosin, and turpentine, the space of five or six hours more or less, at a small and gentle fire of coals, upon a trevet, or in a double vessel (that is to say, in a cauldron full of boiling water) stir the same continually until the watery parts of the juice be consumed and spent, and the rest boiled thick like an ointment: after that, strain it through a thick canvas, and p●● it again into the skellet, with half a pound of Venice turpentine, not suffering it 〈◊〉 boil, but stirring it very well: let it cool, and put it into pots for your use. 〈◊〉 in dispensing the first and second ointment, put not in the droste of the stamped herb, but straining it through a thick strainer, reserve only the juice, which seemeth 〈◊〉 me to be the better. As concerning the properties of these two ointments, the 〈◊〉 is better for wounds only, canerous ulcers, ringwormes, skurfes, and fire faces, because it hath more force to cleanse and resolve, which is the principal and chief property of Nicoriana, not being hindered or restrained by the mixture of other ingredients. The other Ointment is better to incarnate and consolidate all sorts of wounds, to resolve impostumes and swellings, to mitigate pains, and other effects.  
Besides these two sorts of Ointments, 
An excellent Balm made of Nicotiana.  there may be made a very excellent Balm of Nicotiana: Distil the leaves of Nicotiana with the juice pressed out (the dross being cast away) put it into a Glasse-violl, with like quantity of common Oil: set this Viol, well stopped with gummy Wax, in the Sun a long time, and tie upon the top of it a strong parchment; or else set this Viol in a Cauldron full of boiling water, or bury it in Horse dung, and let it stand there full forty days, changing the dung sometimes: the forty days expired, you shall find a Balm in the Viol, which is of no less efficacy than the quintessence of Nicotiana above mentioned, as concerning all the properties that may be desired in this Plant.  
Lastly, you shall understand that the ashes of this Nicotiana is of no less sovereignty and medicinal use than the leaf before rehearsed: for after you have taken the fume of the Tobacco, and that the powder is burnt into ashes, you shall save those ashes in a close box, for they will cure any green wound whatsoever. They are also most excellent for the skinning of any soar or ulcer: and if you steep them in white Wine or Urine, and make a lee thereof, (but Urine is the better, because it hath a certain s●ewt oily substance in it, which comforteth and suppleth soars) and with this ice if you bathe any old and inveterate ulcer, it will take away the itch, cleanse it, and heal it. If with these ashes also you rub your teeth, it will make them white, smooth, and preserve them a long time from rotting.  
See here (friendly Reader) the History of Nicotiana, every where so much spoken of and esteemed, and that according unto the very truth, so far as possibly I could find it out, following the report and intelligences which I have received of the Portugals, Spaniards, and our own Countrymen, which have come hither these last years passed from out of Florida (which is the natural soil of the same) as also such experiments as have been made here in France of the faculties and virtues thereof, altogether like unto those which that Plant which Florida (as the natural Country thereof) doth bring forth and nourish: Which if you have not always found in every point correspondent and answering unto such effects as we attribute and give unto it, yet you must not therefore condemn the Plant, as though those were but feigned and counterfeited properties and virtues which we have delivered and reported of it; but rather accuse the small care which is had in the planting of it here amongst us: assuring yourselves, that if you provide for it such a soil, and other comforts, as it hath where it naturally groweth, or somewhat near thereunto (for such in all respects cannot possibly be procured here in France, by reason of the coldness and inequality of the a●re) and that you husband it likewise as carefully as the Indians do, that then you shall perceive, that what I have here set down of in, is very faithful and true.   

CHAP. XLV.  
Of female Petum.  
THe experience (which is the Mistress of Arts and Sciences) which hath been had of the faculties and virtues of this herb, which are almost like unto those of male Petum; the shape of the root, stalk, leaves, flowers, and seed of the same, which is but a very little one, and in littleness only differing from the figure and colour of male Petum, do give us some light and reason why we should call this hear be by the name of female Petum; and yet the more boldly, 
Female Petum growth of the seed of the male  for that of the seed of the male Petum this female doth oftentime spring and grow: For it when the male Petum is in seed, it happen to shed the same upon the ground where it is planted and hath put forth, than this ground the year following will not fail to bring forth the female Petum. And which more 〈◊〉, if you sow the seed of male Petum in a ground that is not hot, fat, well turned, and well manured, but rather which is lean and ●andie, in stead of bringing forth male Petum, it will bring forth the female Petum, and that in such abundance, as that you shall hardly rid the ground of it, but that it will grow every year without being either sown or planted. Which must be an argument unto us, that there is in Petum two sexes, a male and a female: like as we are accustomed to do in many 〈◊〉 Herbs and Plants, having betwixt them some resemblance and affinity, as well 〈◊〉 their virtues, as in their figure, proportion, and colour. It is true, that the female Petum hath a less slemme, and lower; the leaves not so great, and shorter, not so rosinie, nor so many; the flowers not so much upon carnation, nor so large spread; the seed more red; the branches not so long, nor so high, neither yet so many, as the male Petum putteth forth. And to utter my judgement, and make a particular scripli●● this small female Nicotiana hath his stem or stalk of two foot height, or then ● about, cornered, slimy, and woolly, set by distances with long leaves, large, pointed, and sharp, soft, unctuous, hoary, not notched, and of a brown colour. It bring●● forth, as it were, a nosegay at the top of the stalk, and upon the branches, from betwixt the leaves, two flowers of a pale yellow, which are like unto the Cowslip flowers: and when they be fallen, there remain and stay behind cups, and, as it we●● green pots, enclosed in small hoary skins, open above, and having five or 〈◊〉 points, but such as prick not. Within the cup is contained a seed, which is very little, of a brown tawny colour: the root is tender and fibrous. Where the seed 〈◊〉 been once sown, it soweth itself again, and increaseth and multiplieth mightily. This showeth manifestly, how greatly they are deceived, which call this hear be Pr●●peia, 
Female Petum as not Priapeia.  as though it were a kind of Satyrion, which cometh near to that which is called male royal Satyrion: for this herb, which we call female Petum, doth nothing resemble Satyrion, neither in root, colour, figure, disposition, nor properties. For female Petum hath many small roots, a ●ointed stalk, many branches, man 〈◊〉 long and large leaves, being hot and dry, as is the male Petum: but Satyrion 〈◊〉 fewer roots, but grosler, a stalk without any joint, no branches, fewer leaves, flowers only at the top of the stalk, without cod and seed, hot and moist in the third degree, and good for nothing but to stir up carnal heat. Monsieur Go●pill and Dodonaeus have spoken more wisely, saying, that it is a kind of Henbane, bearing ● yellow flower.  
As concerning the use and remedies which female Petum affordeth, 
The virtues of female Petum.  they are, as it were, like unto the virtues of male Petum: for it serveth in stead of the oth●● when the other cannot be gotten, and that in such sort as we have declared; that is to say, in his leaves, green or dry, powder, seed, juice, dross, and distilled water, in ointments and balm, prepared after the manner that we have spoken of. But you must observe, 
The leaves of female Petum for the bloody flux.  that the female Petum hath his particular properties; as that the leaves put in a decoction for Clysters, are singular for bloody Fluxes; and that the balm made thereof, according to the manner aforesaid, is a remedy not second 〈◊〉 any other in the curing of the Cankers of the breasts, and other parts; and that the juice thereof applied, is singular against the falling of the hair, called Tinea, the head being first shaven; and that the juice, mingled with man's grease, and applied, assuageth the pain and inflammation of the Gout; and that taken inwardly, it purgeth vehemently: and that therefore it is to be avoided and shunned, until such time as his corrective be known, and the use thereof in Purgations received.   

CHAP. XLVI.  
A brief discourse of the root Mechoacan.  
WIthin certain years past, the Indians, Portugals, and Spaniards have sent us the root of an herb, which they call Mechoacan which hath virtue to purge the humours in the same sort that our usual purging medicines. Our Country men, given to admit of and easily receive new things, do greatly esteem of it, even until this present: We will lay down the history thereof in brief, and as truly as possibly we could come by it, to the end it may the better be discerned whether it deserve to be had in such estimation as we have it in, or no.  
The root is called Mechoacan, 
The reason why it is so called.  of the name of the Region or Country where it groweth, which is a Province of New Spain (situate in the West Indies, or New World) called by the inhabitants Chincicila, and by the commandment of the Catholic King, Mechoacan: Which Province aboundeth with Gold, Silver, cattle, Corn, Fruits, exquisite Plants, mines of metal and Stones, and all sorts of good things; where also the people are well coloured, full of vigour, strong of body, and of a perfect health, and that by reason of the Air, which is more wholesome there than in any other place of the Indies. The occasion of the name rose thus: The Spaniards, Lords of this Province, and being desirous to plant it with Christians, did erect and set up a Covent of friars Cordeliers, living Monastically; whose Provincial Father being extreme sick, was quickly cured by an Indian Physician, who caused him to use oftentimes the powder of this well-prospe●ing and happily-succeeding medicine: when as therefore they fell sick●, they took, with good success, of this powder. And thus this root came in great request throughout the whole Province: and from thence the praises thereof were carried and published throughout all Spain and Portugal; and thereupon it hath kept the name of the Province of Mechoacan. The fame thereof is likewise come into France by the means of Merchants, desirous of gain, who have brought it us hither from thence. Some call it Rhamindick, 
Rhamindicke.  because it seemeth that it hath the like property of attracting and purging phlegmatic and serous humours, which the East Rhubarbe hath to attract and purge choleric humours.  
This root is not brought unto us whole, 
The marks of Mechoacan.  but in pieces and round slices, whereinto it is divided with knives, or with hands, so soon as it is drawn out of the earth, that so it may the better dry in the shadow (although in drying it grow but little less) and that it may keep better in these round slices, than either whole, or in powder: But the powder which is brought from the Indies, is of less operation than that which is made into powder amongst us: it is thick and of a weighty substance, and the rind thereof of an Ash-like colour: the inward substance white, and marked with many circles, without any taste, except such as meal is wont to have: for it is neither sharp, nor sweet, nor bitter; and smell it hath none, neither is it any thing pithy.  
The best is that which is whitest, 
To choose the best Mechoacan.  most close in itself, well set and joined together, somewhat heavy, not full of holes, or rotten: it becometh, in time, of white, somewhat grayish or blackish, and thus by his colour is discerned whether it be new or old: for the new is white, but the old grayish, or blackish, and, as it were, wrought with divers colours.  
This is the root of a Plant, which is a kind of great Bindweed, called in French Lizeron, which windeth itself about Reeds or Stakes along up to the top of them, helping itself, in this compassing sort, to climb without any manner of aid: it hath a stalk or trunk mix of divers colours, as deep yellow, greenish, reddish, somewhat of the colour of Ashes and Medlay, commonly called the lions colour: the leaves are somewhat moist (there being within the flowers, as it were, clappers, with round knots at the upper end, the sharpe-pointed end being toward the 〈◊〉 of the foot) round, and of a dark greenish colour. It beareth a fruit like a Grape, as big as a Coriander seed, and it is ripe in the month of September, and in the Spring following. It putteth forth near unto the roots small sciences and 〈◊〉, which fall to creeping upon the earth, if they be not borne up with some pol●, about which they may writhe and cast themselves round. The seed is like unto th●● of Bindweed. For your better assurance in all this that hath 〈◊〉 said, you 〈◊〉 visit and see the Physicke-Gardens of Master Nicholas R●se, that learned and 〈◊〉 experimented Chirurgeon, and of Master Peter Cuth, a skilful and painful Apothecary, both which dwelling at Paris, have enriched our Country of 〈◊〉 with an infinite number of rare, exquisite, and very singularly qualified 〈◊〉 This root is very like to the root of wild Vine, as well in colour, rind, and ●●●●●kles, as in thickness; in consideration whereof, some have called this Plant 〈◊〉 Vine: but and if you taste the one and the other root, your shall find them somewhat differing: for Mechoacan, if you chew it, is found without any taste, 〈◊〉 it have a mealy taste, for it is nothing sharp, but hath some small astringent and binding quality. bryony, green or dry, is biting, and leaveth behind it, in 〈◊〉 palate and roof of the mouth, a sharp and displeasing taste: it agreeth much better with the black Vine, or with Turbith, at the least in faculty, and 〈◊〉 they are both of them gummy.  
And concerning the virtues and faculties thereof, 
The virtues of M●choacan.  they are of two sorts: the 〈◊〉 proceedeth of his manifest qualities, as for that it is hot about the second degree, and dry about the third degree, compounded of airy, subtle, and somewhat 〈◊〉 parts: and by this last, it hath some binding and astringent quality, from whenee it riseth, that in purging it comforteth. Furthermore, it openeth the obstructions of the inward parts, chiefly when it is taken in infusion. The other virtues that it 〈◊〉 come of a secret and hidden property, by reason whereof it purgeth special and choice humours: that is, it purgeth, by some similitude and familiarity of substance▪ phlegmatic and serous humours, but phlegmatic especially; then secondly, choleri●●●, and last, adust and melancholic humours: and those not only from the 〈◊〉, liver, spleen, and guts, but also from the head, parts about the breast, and 〈◊〉 in regard whereof, it is good against old Agues, and long diseases, but especially the jaundice, Dropsy, Gout, King's evil, Wolves, phlegmatic tumors, head-man, obstruction of the Lungs, shortness of breath, the suffocation of the Mother, Colic, pain in the Flanks, retention of Urine, Costivenesse, Agues of divers ●●mours, that is to say, proceeding of phlegmatic and choleric causes mixed together, quotidian, tertian, and bastard Agues: to be short, against all diseases coming of a cold humour. Wherefore it is not meet to be used in hot burning Agues, nor yet in choleric Agues, nor yet in any other such sicknesses, 
Mechoacan is not fit for choleric diseases.  as are joined with great heat and inflammation, nor yet where adust humours do offend: for although it purge them, yet it leaveth behind it some notable heat: but it is very true, that in continuance thereof it would do service, as namely, when the thinnest part is purged, and nothing remaineth but the thick and gros●e behind. This is the cause why this root is not fit for the beginning of choleric diseases, if it be not first steeped a ●ight in Endive or Succory water with a very little white wine, and in the morning ●straining of it, to drink the liquor strained from it.  
The way to prepare it is on this manner: You must take the weight of a dram, 
The preparing of Mechoacan for to use.  or a dram and a half, or two drams, more or les●e, according to the disposition of the body, the aptness of it to purge, and the age and strength of him to whom you give it: and afterward beat it in a mortar, and make it into powder, neither too gross nor too fine: then afterward put this powder in three ounces of white Wine, (when there is no Ague) or water, or the decoction, or broth of Endive, or Succory, or of a Chicken, or some other such liquor, which is meet and fit for the present disease: as in the water of betony, for the headache; or in the water of Mother-wort, for the diseases of the Matrix, and so forth of others: afterward, the next morning, you must drink it, the liquor and powder all together: there may further, at your pleasure, any syrup that you will, be mixed therewith, if so be you know it meet and convenient for the disease in hand. It is true, that we have often proved, namely, that it endureth no mixture of syrups, or such other things, no, nor of Cinnamon (if the ill disposedness of the stomach do not require it) for in such mixtures it maketh no operation, 
The infusion of Mechoacan.  and therefore it is better to take it altogether simple. It may be given also in infusion, when we desire to take away the obstructions of the spleen or ●●iuer, in sleeping all night the powder thereof grossly beat (as we command to be done with Rhubarb) in some wine or liquor fit and appropriate: afterward straining it the next day in the morning, and giving the liquor only (wherein it was infused) to drink: but in this case the quantity of the powder must be increased, until it come to three or four drams, for otherwise it will work no effect; in as much as experience hath taught us, that the purging quality of this root lieth not so much in the subtle parts thereof, as in the substance. Which thing Mesues may seem to have ●ound likewise in Rhubarb of the East, when he wisheth us to take two drams only of Rhubarb in substance, and the double in infusion. This thing may happen unto this root, and to that Rhubarb of the East, upon their longer staying in the stomach, being taken in substance, than in infusion, and thereupon make a stronger and a longer continuance of their purging. This powder may be also prepared in another manner: 
Marchpanes of Mechoacan.  as namely, by making Marchpanes of the said powder with stamped Almonds and Sugar, which will be very fit to purge young children after a gentle manner. 
Pills of Mechoacan.  There may pills also be made of this powder, which may be as small as Coriander seeds, to the end they may be the sooner dissolved within the stomach, and not stay long there to heat it: or else they may be made greater, when there is any purpose that the said powder should draw from the joints and outward places.  
The commodities and benefits that rise of the use of this root, 
The commodities of the use of Mechoacan.  are, that it may be taken at all times. It is not loathsome to the taste, nor horrible to the smell, neither yet hath it any displeasing colour; unto all which the other purgatives, for the most part, 〈◊〉 more or less subject. It procureth not any loathing unto the stomach: it causeth not any wring in the belly; neither provoketh it any vomit: It purgeth so gently, as that it worketh not any weakness or relaxation, or any other such passion unto the stomach: it resolveth not or looseneth the natural power; neither doth it trouble or put the body to pain: but chose, it maketh it strong & lusty, as though indeed it were no purgative or medicine, but a familiar & acceptable thing to our nature; which thing falleth not out ordinarily in other medicines: so that young children, old folk, and all such as have taken any great check and dislike at other medici●●, may safely, pleasantly, and profitably take and use this.  
It is true, 
That the body and humours must be prepared before the taking of Mechoacan.  that before it be taken, it will be needful to prepare and digest the ●●mour that is to be evacuated, attenuating and making thin and small the same, because it is cold and clammy: and opening the passages, after the counsel of Hi●●●crates, with Clysters and other convenient means; for otherwise the powder pr●●●teth nothing: as we see it fall out every day in such as use it rashly, and without preparation: and so also, with them, the thing that of itself is very good, doth 〈…〉 name, but against all right and equity, seeing it worketh good and laudable effects, being taken the body first prepared. 
The day of the taking of it.  When it is taken, the party must keep himself from cold, wind, much eating or drinking, and other excess: he may sleep 〈◊〉 hour presently after he hath taken it, but not after that it beginneth to work: th●● is no need for him to take any broth two or three hours after he hath taken it: 〈◊〉 is so worthy a medicine, 
The day after the taking of it.  that it causeth not any pain in the guts. The day following, 
Costivenesse.  if the belly be bound, you must procure it to stool by Clysters, or other●●●●▪ and put case it hath not sufficiently purged, you must then go over it again so 〈◊〉, as till it hath wrought your wished intent. 
Symptoms happening upon the use of Mechoacan.  As concerning the symptoms or accidents which may follow the taking of it, they are easily reform, although 〈◊〉 the greater part of them grow rather of the qualities of the humours, or of the 〈◊〉 dispositions of the bodies of them that take it, than of any malign quality in the root itself. For as for vomiting, that may come by reason of the stomach, bein● easy and inclined to vomit, as having a very sensible orifice, or of the obounda●●● of superfluities and fretting humours contained in the same, rather than of the pow●●der which doth strengthen and comfort the stomach by his astringency: notwithstanding, it shall not be amiss to meet with this vomiting, to put into the infusion●● this powder a little Cinnamon. It is held for certain, that if any be desirous to 〈◊〉 the working excessine or not excessive of this powder, that he needeth but take 〈◊〉 small quantity of broth, and the eating of it will stay the attraction of the medicine▪ although I have proved this not to be always true. I further confess, that it lea●●● some heat and dryness behind it when it hath wrought, which appeareth by 〈◊〉 great alteration that is remaining: but this is no other thing, than that which 〈◊〉 purging medicines likewise have; for they being all of them hot, do show themselves therein: but this heat may easily be corrected by the mingling of cold things. Suppose likewise, that such heat may as soon come of the hot and dry humour: 〈…〉 happeneth in hot burning Agues and true Tertians, especially if the sick party 〈◊〉 of youthful and flourishing years, of a hot and dry temperature, in Summer, 〈◊〉 hot Region, and when the present constitution of the air is hot, and being such● one as hath a lean and thin body: and then, in this case, I could with such a party not to use this powder without the devise of a learned and wise Physician, for 〈◊〉 of running into a greater mischief. I confess further, that it leaveth a contiuene●● behind it, in such sort, as that some are six days before they can go to stool 〈◊〉 but herein it deserveth no more blame than other like purging medicines, and especially Rhubarbe: Notwithstanding, to meet with this, you must take a 〈◊〉 the day following, or eat some Broth, or Plum pottage, which may 〈◊〉 the belly.  
Lo here (friendly Reader) what thou art to judge of the root of Mecho●●●● and what opinion thou art to have of the properties thereof, and how thou canst 〈◊〉 fail therein, if first thou knowing the good by his tokens and marks, dost 〈◊〉 thyself for thy use accordingly: as namely, if thou buy that which is new, sliced 〈◊〉 to round pieces, white, dusty, and which, quantity for quantity, doth over- 〈◊〉 other roots: And if thou findest any one to be somewhat black and worm 〈◊〉▪ by that thou mayest know that it is old, and that therefore thou oughtest not to 〈◊〉 it. It is somewhat hard, and quickly rotteth, for it will hard and scant endure 〈◊〉 years, if it be not hidden in Millet, or wrapped in a Linen Sere-cloth, or 〈◊〉 over with Pitch or Rosin. divers and sundry other herbs there are of rare and sovereign quality, for the use of man, in medicines; but their order, sowing, nourishing, and planting, differeth nothing from them already rehearsed: only, according unto the opinion of S●rres, there is another special regard to be taken to these medicinal herbs; which is, to plant them in those coasts and corners of your Garden which is most proper to their natures, giving them that Sun, that Shade, and that Wind, which is most proper and behoveful for them: for some take delight in the Easterly quarters, some in the West, some in the North, and some in the South: as was most curiously observed by Master Richard de Belevall, Physician to the last King of France; who, at his majesties commandment, planting a Physick-Garden in Montpelier, gave unto every herb his due place so rarely and artificially, that never any was seen to flourish or increase in more rare and abundant manner, neither to have greater strength or operation in their working, to the great admiration of the learned, and his high renown in the workmanship. To proceed then to the natural Climates in which many of these Physic herbs naturally delight, 
Herbs of the East.  you shall understand, that those herbs which delight in the East, and love to behold the Sun at his first arising, is first Angelica, of which there are two kinds, the one called Garden Angelica, the other Wild Angelica: both may be sown either before or immediately after Winter. It is sovereign against all Infection, and therefore much sought after in the time of Pestilence and Mortality: it also healeth the biting of Serpents, or mad Dogs, and drieth up those naughty humours which offend the stomach. Then Valerian, of which we have written before: and also Argentine. Then Dogges-tooth, which must be sown on good earth almost in any month: the decoction whereof taken, with great reason helpeth Fevers, and kill the Worms in children. Then Sophya, otherwise called Talietrum, which may be either sown or planted in the Spring, or in Autumn: The seeds of it being beaten to powder, and drunk in Wine, is excellent for all evacuations and clearing of the blood: also it helpeth women in Childbearing. Then Oxe-eye, which would be sown at the Spring under the eaving of houses, for it loves shelter. The herb is good to be drunk for the jaundice: and being made into a Cataplasm, it dissolveth all manner of hardness: and the decoction thereof will occasion Urine. Then Centaurie, which first took his name from Chiron the Centaur, when he was wounded with a poisoned shaft. It requireth a well-laboured earth, and very fruitful, according to some opinions: yet it is oftest found in woodland Countries and barren places; whence it seemeth, that a reasonable earth will bear it: and it may be sown or planted either in the Spring, or in Autumn: it is a great purifier of the Blood, and very sovereign against Worms: it healeth old Ulcers, especially the powder thereof: and the decoction thereof is excellent against Rheums and Fluxes. Then Millefoile, which desireth rather a moist than a dry earth, and must be planted thin, for it spreadeth much: it is sovereign against the Dissenterra, and against all excessive evacuation of blood, in what part soever it be. Then Brassula Maior, or Minor, which is an herb of quick and easy growth, especially if it be planted against a wall or house side, and may be sown in the Spring, or planted in Autumn: it is good for the staunching of Blood, and it cureth most inward Ulcers. Then Bedegaris, or white Thorn, which desireth a good earth, and may be sown in the Spring: the decoction of it is excellent for the Toothache, or for a weak Stomach, for the Colic, or Flux of the belly. Then Crespinet, or Poligonon, which ever groweth best in a moist ground. It is good for the Stone, the Gout, Flux of the belly, or pain in the Ears. Then Ebulus, which may be sown in the Spring, or in Autumn: it purgeth Choler and Phlegm, being eaten in pottage: and the decoction thereof taketh away the pain of the Gout, and helpeth the French sickness. Mercury is of two sorts, male, and female: it desireth a ground that is well tilled: it may be sown in the Spring time: the decoction thereof purgeth Choler and all superfluous humours: it also looseneth the belly, chiefly if it be ministered in glister, and provoketh the terms in Women. Then Card●●● Stellatu●, which is a very delicate Plant, and groweth very easily, either from the root, or from the seed, in the Spring time, or in Autumn: The chiefest virtue of this Plant consisteth in the seed, which being beaten to powder, and drunk with Wine, provoketh Urine, and expelleth Gravel. Lastly, Venus' hair, which groweth bes● near unto Fountains and Springs in Countries that are rather hot 〈◊〉 cold, for it loveth neither storms nor wind: it is best to be planted in the Spring. This herb purgeth well: it breaketh the Stone, and avoideth Gravel: it is good against the bitings of venomous Beasts, and provoketh the terms in Women: it stauncheth Blood: and the decoction thereof is excellent for the yellow Laundise.  
Those herbs which delight in the West, 
Herbs of the West.  and love the declining of the Sun, are first the herb Scabious, which delighteth in a reasonable tilled earth, 〈◊〉 moist than dry, and having his seat according to his nature, prospereth very abundantly. The best season either to sow or plant it, is in the Spring time, and it endureth many years without aid or replanting: all parts of it is very medicinal, both the root, stalk, leaves, and flowers: The water distilled of this herb, is good against all Venimes or Poison taken into the stomach, and also against all inward infection, Itch, biles, or Ulcers. Then is agrimony, of which we have spoken 〈◊〉▪ Then Serpentar, which is so called through the likelihood it beareth of a 〈◊〉 and of it there are two kinds; one great, the other small. It desireth a very good earth, and somewhat moist, and may be sown or planted in the Spring time. The roots of this herb is excellent for all malignant Ulcers: a decoction of the 〈◊〉 thereof is good for women's terms, and the leaves thereof keepeth Cheese long from rotting. Then Onos, which will grow in any earth, and rather in a barren 〈◊〉 a fertile, and is best to be set of the root, either in the Spring time, or in 〈◊〉▪ It is sovereign against the Stone, and provoketh Urine speedily: and a decoction of the roots thereof taketh away the pain in the teeth. Then Cinquefoil, which groweth almost in every place, and may be planted in any season: the decoction 〈◊〉 it being gargled, or held long in the mouth, taketh away the pain of the teeth, and heals any Ulcer in the mouth: it is also good against any Infection, or pestil●● Air. Then Sellodnie, of which we have spoken before. Then Staphi●●●●, which desireth a good ground, yet ever to be planted in the shadow, and that principally about the Spring time: It is good against pain in the Teeth, 〈◊〉, and other Obstructions, which grow from cold causes. Then Goats leaf, which will grow every where, if it be not annoyed with wind, and may be sown or planted either in the Spring, or in Autumn, and is exceeding good for the stone. Then ground ivy, of which we have spoken before. Then Tussilago, or Colt's foot, which groweth best in watery of moist places, and would ever be planted in the Spring time, or 〈◊〉 Autumn: it is very good against infection, and against all straightness of breath▪ 〈◊〉 the smoke or fume thereof being taken through a small tunnel in at the mouth, 〈◊〉 cureth all infirmities of the lungs. Then Salicaria, or Lifimachus, which received the name from the King Lysimachus, who first made use of that herb: it loveth to be planted near unto Rivers, either in the Spring time, or in Winter: it is good against the Dissenteria, or to staunch blood, either being used in the leaf, or in powder. Lastly, Vlmaria, which loveth to be planted in low and shadowy valleys, a great 〈◊〉 more moist than dry, and would be planted chiefly in Autumn: The decoction 〈◊〉 it purgeth and cleanseth the body of all phlegm, whether it be sharp or gross: it helpeth the Falling sickness: the powder either of the roots, or the leaves, stayeth 〈◊〉 flux of the belly, or the issue of blood: and the distilled water easeth all pains, both inward and outward.  
Those herbs which affect the North, 
Herbs of the North.  and delight to endure the blasts and ●●●pings of those colder airs, are first Gentiana, of which we have spoken before. Th●● Cabaret, or Asarum, which never groweth so well from the seed, as from the plant: 〈◊〉 asketh little cost in tillage, and beareth flowers twice a year, that is to say, both 〈◊〉 the Spring, and in Autumn: it cureth the pain in the head, and assuageth the inflammation and anguish of sore eyes: it is good against Fistulas, the Gout, and Sci●●ticaes. The powder of the root provoketh Urine, and stayeth the menstrual Flux: 〈◊〉 helpeth the Dropsy, and putteth away both the Fever tertian and quartane. Then the Golden rod, which only groweth from the seed, and would be planted in a good soil in the Spring time: it is good against the Stone or Strangury: it bindeth up Ulcers, and healeth Fistulas. Then the herb which is called Devils-bit, it desireth but an indifferent, earth, rather moist than dry, and where the Seed often saileth, there the Plant never doth, if it be set in the Spring time. It is good against bit●er griefs, as those which proceed from choler, and against pestilent tumours: against ●ice in children's heads, and such like. Then betony, of which we have spoken be●ore. Then Harts-tongue, which only groweth best from the root: it is to be plan●ed in the months of March and April, in a fat earth, yet the moister, the better: it helpeth all oppilations, and cureth those which are troubled with a quartane Fever. Then the herb Dogges-tongue, which desireth a light black mould, yet but reasonably tilled: it may be sown or planted in the Spring time: it is good to cure the Hemorrhoids, and easeth all Ache in the limbs. Then Serpents-tongue, which must ●uer be placed in a rich earth, cool and moist, for it can by no means endure the heat of the Summer: it is best to be planted from the root in the first beginning of the Spring: there is in it much virtue for the resolving of Tumours, and helping of Scal●ings or Burnings, or other malignant Ulcers, or any inflammations in the Eyes. Then water Germander, which delighteth most in cold grounds, inclining more to ●oisture than dryness, and rather fat than lean: it flourisheth most in the months of june and july, yet in such sort, that the flowers continue not above a day at most; ●or as one falls away, another riseth: it is best to be planted from the root or slip 〈◊〉 the months of February or March: it is sovereign against all manner of Poisons, as Pestilence, or the Dissenteria: it provoketh Urine, and the terms of Women: it cleanseth Ulcers, and reviveth all benumbed members. Then Tormen●ill, or Septifolium, which loveth a dark, waterish, and shadowed earth, yet that which is very fat and fertile: it is always to be sown from the seed, either in the Spring time, or in Autumn: it is sovereign against the Stone, but chiefly it cu●eth Fistulas and old Ulcers: it withstandeth Poison, and easeth the pain of the Teeth. Then Enula Campane, of which we have spoken before. Then Persicaria, which is oftest planted from the root, in the Spring time, in grounds which are rather moist than dry. The decoction of this herb cureth all manner of bruises in Beasts, where the bone is not broken, only by bathing them therein. Also the flesh of Mut●ons, beeves, Veals, and such like, is kept fresh many days by the virtue of this herb only, being wrapped about the same. Then lions foot, which will not live but in 〈◊〉 good earth, fat, and fertile, yet somewhat moist, and is best to be sown in the months of March or April: it hath an excellent virtue for the healing of ruptures 〈◊〉 young children. Then Eringo, which craveth a good and well tilled ground, and ●ay be sown or planted either in the Spring or in Autumn: it is good against the Colic, against Gravel, or the difficulty of Urine: it strengtheneth the Reins, ●nd healeth the bitings of venomous beasts. The distilled water thereof is good against both quotidian and quartane Fevers: it helpeth the French disease, and stop●eth salt humours. Then last Feniculus Porcinus, which delighteth a great deal ●ore in the shade than in the Sunshine: it would be sown or planted either in 〈◊〉 Spring time, or in Autumn: it comforteth much the sinews, and strengtheneth ●eake backs.  
To conclude, those herbs which affect the South, 
Herbs of the South.  is first the blessed Thistle, of ●hich we have spoke before. Then Vervain, of which there be two sorts, the male, ●nd the female: both desire to be planted from the roots in good ground, either in the spring, or in Autumn. This herb is of great reputation, especially amongst the romans, who use if continually amongst their Enchantments: it taketh away the ●aine of the Teeth, and it healeth any old Ulcer: it is good against any Fea●er, easeth the pain of the Colic, and expelleth Gravel. Then Saxifrage, which is of two sorts, the great and the less: they may be sown or planted in any good ground which is fat and light, in the month of March. The chiefest 〈◊〉 of this herb is, to break the Stone, provoke Urine, help women's Terms, and 〈◊〉 drive away all evil humours out of the Stomach. Then Pionie, of which we 〈◊〉 spoken before. Then Hermole, or the Turks herb, which loveth a fat, black, and dry mould: it may be either planted or sown. The virtue of this herb 〈◊〉, to make one to hold his Urine, the powder of it being taken either in Broth, or 〈◊〉 white Wine. Then Acanthus, or Brankursine, is an herb which the ancient A●chitects were wont to carve, enfolding and embracing their Columns or Pyllast●● of the Corinthian fashion. Whence it came, that the Romans of ancient 〈◊〉 did call it Marmoralia, because such Pillars commonly were of Marble. It is 〈◊〉 be sown in the months of March, or April, in a well tilled Garden: his 〈◊〉 are good against the Stone, and stay the flux of the belly. Then Aristolochia 〈◊〉 both kinds, of which we have spoken before. Then Perforatio, which is so called from the affection that it beareth to the Sun: it may be sown in the Spring 〈◊〉 in any light earth. The seed of this herb beaten to powder, and drunk in 〈◊〉 Wine, cureth a tertian Fever, and easeth those which are troubled with the 〈◊〉, or Sciatica: if the powder of it be cast upon Ulcers, it also healeth them: and the decoction of the leaves thereof provoketh Urine exceedingly. Then Arum, 〈◊〉 also delighteth in a good Soil, rather moist than dry: it flourisheth most in june, and the leaves thereof are like the leaves of Millet; and when it is in the prime, 〈◊〉 hath a yellow colour, like unto Saffron: it is to be sown only in the month of March. This herb is very sovereign against the Gout, and driveth away 〈◊〉 phlegmatic humours: if it be bruised, it cureth old Ulcers, and all wounds or doting given by the Wolf: the leaves boiled in Wine, helpeth bruises and displaced members or bones out of joint: it helpeth the Hemorrhoids also. Then 〈◊〉 of which we have spoke before. Then Carline, which took the name from Charl●● the great, King of France, who by the use of it only cured himself of the Plagu● it loveth a dry stony ground, and where it may have the strength of the Sunn● beams: it must be sown in the Spring time, or else planted from the root. 〈◊〉 powder of this herb being drunk, chaseth away all infection, and prouok●● Urine: it is good against all Convulsions: and being made into a Cataplasm, ●●●tifieth and strengtheneth the heart: if it be steeped or mixed well with vinegar, 〈◊〉 easeth either the Gout, or the Sciatica, being applied unto the place grieved. Th● little Germander, which differeth not much from water Germander, only it ●●ueth a dry and stony earth, and rather a hot than a cold: it loveth the 〈◊〉 beams, and is rather to be planted from the root, than sown from the seed, 〈◊〉 in the Spring time, or in Autumn: it is good against infection, and helpeth 〈◊〉 Fevers: it helpeth the Epilepsis, pain in the head, and any other griefs of 〈◊〉 brain: it cureth Convulsions, the Gout, and warmeth the entrails. Then Nic●●●ana, or Tobacco, of which we have spoken before. Then Pepper, which must 〈◊〉 planted immediately after Winter, in a well tilled earth, and endureth long in G●●dens, without any help of transplanting. Then Camomile, which is of three 〈◊〉 differing only in the colours of their flowers: for the one is white, the other yell●●▪ and the third purple: It loveth an earth cold and dry: it is best planted from 〈◊〉 root or slip, either in Autumn, or the Spring time: it loveth to be oft trodden 〈◊〉 or pressed down, and therefore is most placed in Alleys, Banks, or Seats in 〈◊〉 Garden. It is good against a tertian Fever: and the bath which is made 〈◊〉 strengtheneth much weak members, and comforteth the sinews both of the 〈◊〉 and legs: it comforteth also the reins: The water thereof also distilled is 〈◊〉 good for the same purposes: and the juice thereof mixed with woman's 〈◊〉▪ Rosewater, and the juice of Houseleek warmed, and a Rose-cake steeped 〈◊〉▪ with a Nutmeg grated on it, and so applied unto the temples of the head, ●keth away all pain therein, how violent soever it be. divers other herbs 〈◊〉 be, which are of like natures to these already rehearsed: but from the experience 〈◊〉 these, a reasonable judgement may find how to plant, nourish, and use any whatsoever. There be also divers purgative Simples, as Rhubarbe, Agaricke, and such like, which for as much as our Soils will not endure or bear them, I will here omit to speak of them; only a word or two of the herb Seine, which is somewhat more frequent with us, and is of that delicate, wholesome, and harmless nature in his working and operation, that it may be termed the Prince, or Head of Simples. Then touching Seen, you shall understand, that it beareth little small thick leaves upon a high large stalk: it hath flowers of the colour of gold, with divers purple veins running upon them. Some take the Herb which Theophrastus writeth of, called Colutea, to be Seen: but they are deceived therein: for the one is a Tree, and no Herb, and the other is an Herb, and no Tree: besides divers other differences, needless here to repeat; all which are at large see down by Anthony Mirauld, Doctor of Physic, and a Bourbonois, in his book entitled Maison Champestre. It may be planted either from the stalk or root, like Rosemary, in any good, fertile, and dry soil, where it may have the full reflection of the Sun: and the season best and fittest for the same plantation, is at the later end of Autumn. As touching the choice of the best Seine, that hath ever the best reputation, which is brought from Alexandria in Syria, as the best of our modern Physicians do report: but jaques silvius saith, That the Seine which cometh out of India is not at all inferior to it; neither that which groweth in Tuscanie. True it is, that there is not any of them but is passing good. As for the vertnes of Seine, according to the opinion of Aetuarius, one of the best reputed Physicians amongst all the Grecians, he writeth, That Seine is very excellent for the purging and avoiding of choler and phlegm, without any danger of disturbance unto the body and spirits: it also purgeth most sweetly all melancholy and adust humours, being taken in the broth of a Capon: it also taketh away all inveterate and old pains in the head, and easeth all inward obstructions. According to the opinion of Master john of Damascus, and excellent Arabian Physician, Seine being abstersive and binding, purgeth excellently the brain, the sensitive, parts, and organs of the heart, from all adust and melancholy humours: it also helpeth all long and tedious Fevers: it also rejoiceth the spirits, and taketh away all sadness from the heart. A decoction made of the leaves thereof, together with Camomile, strengtheneth the brain wonderfully, and comforteth the sinews, being bathed therein: also being taken any way, it confirmeth both the sight and hearing. And if you find that the purgation be weak, you may then strengthen it, with mingling therewith Simples of stronger nature, as Sal Gemma, Sal India, and such like: but if you use it for any grief in the stomach, than you shall mix strong cordials therewith, and administer it either in the broth of Veal, Chickens, or Capons, or any other flesh. And Serapion, another Arabian Physician, writeth, That Seine is excellent for those which are dull of understanding, for those which are subject to frenzy or madness, or any decrepitness of body, proceeding from inward weakness. And to all these former opinions, john Fernell, jaques silvius, Manard Ferrarois, and Andrew Mathiol, the most excellent reputed Physicians of their times, are fully and truly consenting, as may be found in each of their Writings.    

The Garden of Pleasure, or Flower Garden.  

CHAP. XLVII.  
Of the profit, pleasure, situation, working, or tilling, and disposing of your Garden of Pleasure.  
THe most pleasant and delectable thing for recreation, 
The Flower Garden.  belonging 〈◊〉 our French Farms, is our Flower Gardens, as well in respect 〈…〉 serveth for the chief Lord, whose the inheritance is, to solace 〈◊〉 therein, as also in respect of their service, for to set Bee-hives in. It is 〈◊〉 commendable and seemly thing to behold out at a window many acres of 〈◊〉 well tilled and husbanded, whether it be Meadow, a Plot for planting of 〈◊〉, or arable Ground, as we have stood upon heretofore: but yet it is much more to behold fair and comely Proportions, handsome and pleasant Arbours, and, as it 〈◊〉▪ Closets, delightful borders of Lavender, Rosemary, Box, and other such 〈…〉 hear the ravishing music of an infinite number of pretty small Birds, which continually, day and night, do chatter and chant their proper and natural branch- 〈◊〉 upon the Hedges and Trees of the Garden; and to smell so sweet a Nose- 〈…〉 near at hand: seeing that this so fragrant a smell cannot but refresh the Lord of the Farm exceedingly, when going out of his bedchamber in the morning after 〈◊〉 Sunne-rise, and whiles as yet the clear and pearl-like dew doth perch unto the grass, he giveth himself to hear the melodious music of the Bee●; which busying themselves in gathering of the same, do also fill the air with a most acceptab●●▪ sweet, and pleasant harmony: beside, the Borders and continued Rows of sou●raigne Thyme, Balm, Rosemary, Marierome, Cypers, Soothernwood, and 〈◊〉 fragrant herbs, the sight and view whereof cannot but give great contentment 〈◊〉 to the beholder.  
And in this Garden of Pleasure you are very much to respect the form and proportion of the same: wherein, according to the opinion of Serres and Vnie●●, 〈◊〉 must be much ruled by the nature of the Soil: which albeit you may, in part, by your industry and cost help, as touching the leveling, raising, abating, or 〈◊〉 of the same; yet, for the most part, and especially touching the air, 〈◊〉, and climb, you must be governed by the Soil in which you live. Now 〈◊〉 the general proportions of Gardens, they may at your pleasure carry any of 〈◊〉 four shapes, that is to say, either Square, Round, oval, or Diamond. As for that which is more long than broad, or more broad than long (neither of which are uncomely) they are contained under the titles of Squares. This is but the outward proportion, or the Verge and Girdle of your Garden. As for the inward 〈◊〉 and shapes of the Quarters, Beds, Banks, Mounts, and such like, they are to be divided by Alleys, Hedges, Borders, Rails, Pillars, and such like, and by these yo● may draw your Garden into what form soever you please, not respecting 〈◊〉 shape soever the outward Verge carrieth: for you may make that Garden which 〈◊〉 square without, to be round within; and that which is round, either square, or o●●ll; that which is oval, either of the former; and that which is diamond, any shape 〈◊〉 all: and yet all exceeding comely. You may also, if your ground be naturally so 〈◊〉, or if your industry please so to bring it to pass, make your Garden rise & 〈◊〉 by several degrees, one level ascending above another, in such sort, as if you had divers gardens one above another, which is exceeding beautiful to the eye, and very beneficial to your flowers & fruit-trees, especially is such ascents have the benefit of the Sunrising upon them: and thus, if you please, you may have in one level a square 〈◊〉▪ in another a round, in a third a diamond, and in the fourth an oval, then alongst the ascending banks which are on either side the stairs, you mount into your several gardens, you shall make your physic garden or places to plant your physic herbs upon, according as the model is most bravely set forth by Oliver de Serres, and as the late king of France caused his physic garden to be made in the University of Montpellier, being all raised upon banks or heights one above another, 〈◊〉 round, some square in the manner of a goodly, large, and well trimmed Theatre, as may be seen at this day to the great admiration thereof.  
The Garden of Pleasure (as hath been said) must be cast and contrived close to the one side of the Kitchen Garden, but yet so, as that they be sundered by the intercourse of a great large alley, as also a hedge of quickset, having three doors, whose ground must be of a like goodness, and vouchsafed the like labour, tilling and husbanding, that the Kitchen Garden hath bestowed upon it: and as the Kitchen Garden is to be compassed and set about with Lattice work, and young common bordering stuff to be made up afterward and continued into arbours, or as it were into small chapels, or oratory's and places to make a speech out of, that many standing about and below may hear: in like sort shall the Garden of Pleasure be set about and compassed in with arbours made of jesamin, Rosemary, Box, juniper, Cypress trees, Savin, Cedars, Rosetrees, and other dainties first planted and pruned according as the nature of every one doth require, but after brought into some form and order with Willow or juniper poles, such as may serve for the making of arbours. The ways and alleys must be covered and ●owen with fine sand well bet, 
The alleys of the Garden.  or with the powder of the sawing of Marble, or with the fine dust of slate-stone and other hewn stone: or else paved handsomely with good pit-stone, and tiles that are well burnt: or with fair pieces of stones, such as stairs be made of, the whole laying of them being leveled and made even with a cannoneer or maul made for the purpose: or where these are not to be gotten, you shall take of fine yellow gravel well mixed with pebble or other such like binding earth, and with it trim your alleys; others use to take coal dust, or the ashes of Sea-coal well beaten and si●ted, and with it strew the alleys, and although it be not fully so sightfull, yet it is profitable in this respect, that it keeps them from grass and weeds, and other greene's, because nothing will sprout through the same, albeit be not trodden or walked upon of a long space.  
This Garden, by means of a large path of the breadth of six foot, shall be divided into two equal parts: the one shall contain the herbs and flowers used to make nosegays and garlands of, as March Violets, Provence Gilloflowres, Purple Gilloflowres, Indian Gilloflowres, small pances, Daisies, yellow and white Gilloflowres, Marigolds, Lilly-conually, Daffodils, Canterburie-bells, Purple Velvet flower, Anemones, Corn-flag, Mugwort, Lilies, and other such like, as may be called the Nosegay Garden. Also in it you shall plant all sorts of strange flowers, as is the Crown imperial, the Dulippos of sundry kinds, Narcyssus, Hyacynthes, Emeryes, Hellitropians, and a world of other of like nature, whose colours being glorious and different, make such a brave chequered mixture, that it is both wondrous pleasant, and delactable to behold. The other part shall have all other sweet smelling herbs, whether they be such as bear no flowers, or if they bear any, yet they are not put in Nosegays alone, but the whole herb with them, as Soothernwood, Wormwood, Pellitory, Rosemary, jesamin, Marierom, Balm, Mints, Penniroyall, Costmarie, Hyssop, Lavender, Basill, Sage, Savoury, Rue, Tansey, Thy●●e, Cammomile, Mugwort, bastard Marierom, Nept, sweet Balm, All-good, Anis Horehound, and others such like, and this may be called the Garden for herbs of a good smell.  
These sweet herbs, and flowers for Nosegays, shall be set in order upon beds and quarters, of such like length and breadth, as those of the Kitchen Garden: and some of them upon seats, and others in mazes made for the pleasing and recreating of the sight: other some are set in proportions made of beds interlaced and drawn one within another, or broken off, with borders, or without borders: the greatest part of which sweet herbs, as also for Nosegay flowers, though they grow ●●●rally, and of their own accord, without any labour or travel of the Gardener, especially herbs for Nosegays, yet such of them as stand in need of dressing and ordering, shall be sown, planted, removed, gathered, and kept, no otherwise than the potherbs: but yet notwithstanding, regard must be had of the nature of every particular one, as shall be declared hereafter in the particular description of 〈◊〉 of them.   

CHAP. XLVIII.  
Of herbs for Flowers or Nosegays.  
MArch Violets, 
March Violets.  as well the single as the double, must be set of whole 〈◊〉 in a well manured ground, and digged the depth of a foot, before the ●●lends of March: if you will ●ow them, you may do it in Autumn, and the Spring. But especially you must beware, not to set Violets every 〈◊〉 in one and the same place; for otherwise it will bear a yellow flower, and have very little or no smell in it. You may make, that one and the same Violet shall bear 〈◊〉 the colours that others do, that is to say, white, pale, yellow, and red, of you mix together the seeds of all, and tying them in a Linen cloth, put them in that sort 〈◊〉 a well manured earth. The Violet must be gathered in the morning before the 〈◊〉 rise, and when it raineth not, if so be that you will have it to keep his virtues and sweet smell.  
The flowers of March Violets applied unto the brows, 
The virtues of Violets.  do assuage the heada●● which cometh of too much drinking, and procure sleep. He that shall have take● a blow upon the head, 
A blow on the head.  so that it hath astonished him, shall not have any greater 〈◊〉, if presently after such a blow he drink Violet flowers stamped, and continue the 〈◊〉 drink for a certain time. There is made of the flowers of Violets, syrups and Conserves, good for the inflammation of the Lungs, the Pleurisy, Cough, 〈◊〉 Agues.  
It is also most excellent to preserve these Violets for Salads, to serve all the 〈◊〉, as thus: When you have gathered your Violets, and picked them clean, both 〈◊〉 their stalks, and any other corruption that may hang over their leaves, you 〈◊〉 wash them clean, and strike the water through a dry cloth so clear from them 〈◊〉 may be: then take a Glasse-pot, of the fashion of a gallipot, so large, as you 〈◊〉 put in your hand, and being clean washed also, first, in the bottom thereof, lay a layre of your Violets, of half a finger's thickness, then take of the finest refined Sugar, beaten very small, and therewith cover the Violets all over: then lay another layre of the Violets, and cover them with Sugar as you did before, and so lay Violets upon Sugar, and Sugar upon Violets, till you have filled the pot to the 〈…〉 take of the strongest Wine-vineger that can be gotten, and pour it into the pot, till the vinegar swim aloft: then let it rest an hour or two, to settle: and if you 〈◊〉, that the vinegar be shrunk below the flowers, you shall fill it up again, not 〈◊〉 thus to do, till the vinegar will shrink no more: then cover the pot up very 〈◊〉 with Parchment and sheeps leather, and set it so, as it may receive some 〈◊〉 air of the fire; and after one month use them, as occasion shall serve: for they will last all the year, both Winter and Summer, without losing either their ●●lour, strength, sweetness, or pleasantness, neither their growth nor fullness. And in this sort you may preserve all sorts of flowers whatsoever, as Roses, Marigolds, gilly-flowers of all kinds, Cowslips, Primroses, Broome flowers Paunfie●, 〈◊〉 leaves, or any other sweet and wholesome flower whatsoever. Wherein is to 〈◊〉 noted, that if the flower which you preserve, be of a pure white colour, and that yo● fear the vinegar may somewhat abate the brightness of the colour, in this case you shall distil your vinegar either in a Limbeck, or other ordinary Still, and with the water which cometh from it (which will be of a most pure and crystalline colour) and is indeed the spirit and sharpest part of the vinegar, you shall preserve your flowers, and then without doubt they will not abate any part at all of their own brightness and colour.  
White, yellow, and red Gilloflowres, 
White, yellow, and red Gilloflowres.  do crave the like ordering that the March Violet doth, and grow better upon walls, house tops, and old ruins of stone, than planted or tilled in gardens, especially the yellow, which come nearer to the resemblance of a shrub than of an herb, having hard and woody stalks, and set full of branches, commonly called of Apothecary's Key●y. The seed of Gilloflowres stamped and drunk with white wine, is sovereign to provoke women's terms, and to further deliverance in them that travel.  
Daisies 
Daisies.  must not be sown but planted after the manner of violets, this is the least kind of the 〈◊〉, which is likewise found in the fields without being tilled, it flourisheth all the year long if it be well ordered. 
Kings-●uill  
Palsy.  
●owt.  Daisies stamped with Mugwort resolveth the King-evill. A Cataplasm made of Daisies is good for the palsy, and all manner distillations. For wounds in the breast, whereinto tents may be put, it is good to drink by and by a drink made of stamped Daisies: they heal the pastules of the tongue if they be chewed, as also of the mouth: being brayed they assuage the inflammation of the privy members: eaten in salads or broth of flesh, they loosen the belly.  
Purple Velvet flower, 
Purple Velvet flower.  called in Latin Aramanthus, doth recreate more with his colour, than with any smell that it hath, for it smelleth nothing at all: notwithstanding who so will have it in their gardens, must plant it in a dry and sandy place. The flower supped in pottage, doth stay the flux of the belly, 
The white flowers of women.  the terms and white flowers of women, the spitting of blood, especially if there be any vein broken or bruised in the lungs of breast. The flower hereof infused in water or white wine the space of an hour, maketh the colour of the wine red, and thus one may help himself the more easily to beguile any that are sick of some ague, and cannot abstain from Wine.  
Canterburie-bells, 
Canterburi●-bells.  as well the simple as the double, require a fat ground and well enriched. The Latins call it Viola Calathiana.  
Their ●lowers mingled with Wheat flower, 
The virtues.  make a good Cataplasm against scurviness and other sorts of scabs, likewise their roots boiled in white Wine, to the consumption of the half, and a linen cloth dipped therein, and applied to scabs and scurviness doth heal them: the roots boiled in Wine and taken in a potion, do heal all the ruptures of the inward parts of the bodies, do cleanse the exulcerated lungs, and spitting of blood: brayed, and ground in manner of meal and drunk in Wine the weight of a French Crown, with two or three grains of Saffron, are singular good against the jaundice, if the party sweat thereupon presently: the like virtue is in the distilled water of the flowers: the juice drawn out of their root and flowers applied unto wounds doth heal them presently: a pessary drenched in this juice, provoketh women's terms, and draweth out the child dead in the mother's womb: being dropped into the ear, whereinto there hath some Flea, or such other vermin crept, it killeth them.  
Gilloflowres of all sorts are seldom sown, 
Provence, purple and Indian Gilliflowers.  but oftentimes planted of roots or branches plucked from the plants▪ the root shall be planted in the beginning of Autumn, in a fat mould, and so put in pots of earth, th●t it may be removed and set under some covert in Winter for fear of the frosts: Summer being come before the great plant have cast forth his sprouts, you may break off so many small branches from about the root, as will almost serve to set and plant a whole bed withal, and so you may breed new plants of them.  
You may make Gilliflowers smell like Cloves, 
To make Gilliflowers to smell like Cloves.  if you lay bruised Cloves round about their roots. In like manner you may make them have fair flowers, large, pleasant, and sweet smelling, if you pluck away their leaves often, and take pains to dig and water their earth: furthermore such Gilliflowers are commonly called Gilliflowers of Provence, 
Gilliflowers of Provence.  of the place where Gilliflowers so ordered do grow, large, tufted, and ample: those which have not their flowers so large, nor so sweet, neither yet are so carefully looked unto and dressed, 
Purple Gilloflowres.  are properly called Purple Gilliflowers.  
The flowers of Gilliflowers of Provence, as also their root▪ are sovereign against the Plague. And for this cause such as are well advised, in the time of the Plague 〈◊〉 make conserves or vinegar of the flowers of Gilliflowers, to keep themselves 〈◊〉 the evil air.  
Indian Gilliflowers, 
Indian Gilloflowres.  called of the Latins Flos petillius, and Ocellus 〈◊〉, although it refuse no ground, notwithstanding if you plant it, of the whole plant, or of the branches thereof, or else sow it in a fat and well manured ground, especially in the beginning of july, it will grow unto such a height, as that it will seem to be a thing degenerated into the bigness of a tree, and will put forth of his stalk many bough●, after the manner of a tree or shrub: and by the same means there will put 〈◊〉 flowers enduring until Winter.  
Who will be counted careful of preserving his health, 
The Indian gillyflower doth cause the headeth and an ill & unwholesome air.  must not smell unto the flower of the Gilliflowers of India: for the smell thereof doth procure headache and giddiness, and is a means to breed the Falling-sickness: further also, which is more dangerous, some have found it by experience, that it engendereth an infectious air: likewise Physicians give special prohibition to smell unto the Indian Gillyflower in the Plague time, because the flower thereof is venomous, and of temperate much like to the Hemlock, which may easily be perceived by the unpleasant smell it yieldeth, being both most strong and stinking. That it is so, namely that 〈◊〉 is venomous, I have given thereof sometimes unto a Cat the flower the Gilloflowres of India beaten and mixed with cheese to eat: and she hath thereupon become very much swelled, and within a short time after dead: I saw likewise a little young child, who after having put these flowers in his mouth, his mouth and lips did swell, and within a day or two after became very scabbed.  
Wild Gilliflowers 
Wild Gillyflowers.  as well white as red, although they grow in the edges of field● and along the ways, may notwithstanding be planted and set in gardens, where 〈◊〉 they be oft removed, they will grow to have a double flower. Their seed, flower, and whole herb is good against the stinging of Scorpions: and indeed have so gre●● virtue this way, that the herb only cast among Scorpions, taketh from them all power to hurt: their seed taken to the quantity of two drams purgeth hot and choleric humours.  
Dame Violets 
Dame Violets.  have great leaves, somewhat black, notched round about, and broad: the flowers are white and incarnate, and in shape like unto the Auens: they grow sometimes so high, as that they degenerate into a tree.  
Goats-bread, 
Goatsbeard.  that it may have fair, double, and full flowers, doth crave a fat and moist ground. The leaves thereof open at the Sun rise, and they close at noon: the root boiled in mud doth appease the pains and pricking of the side: taken in form of a lohoch with syrup of Violets, it helpeth obstructed lungs, and the pleurisy: boiled in water, and preserved with Sugar, it is a singular preservative against the Plague, Poisons, Venom, and deadly Stinging: the juice or distilled water of this herb doth heal green wounds, if you dip linen clothes therein, and apply them to the wounds: some use the root of this herb in salads, where dainty and fine fare is: the same boiled in a pot with Veal and Mutton, and afterward prepared and made ready betwixt two dishes with butter and vinegar.  
Marry, or Marian's Violets, 
Marian's Violets.  for the beautifulness of the flowers, deserve to b● sown in a fat and well laboured ground: the flowers are good to make gargarisms, for the inflammations and ulcers of the mouth.  
Lillie-conually, 
Lillie- 〈◊〉.  called of the Latins lilium convallium, notwithstanding th●t it groweth in shadowed Woodgrounds, yet it deserveth to be tilled in gardens, as 〈◊〉 in regard of the fair little flowers, white as snow, which it beareth, being also of a most amiable smell, somewhat like unto the Lilies; as also in respect of his virtues: because the distilled water of the flowers being taken with strong and noble wine, doth restore the speech unto them which have lost it upon an apoplexy: it is good likewise for the palsy, distillations, and fainting of the heart: yet these nor any other Lilies whatsoever can I commend for any use of nosegays, because the smell of them ●s luscious, gross, and unwholesome, apt to make the head ache, and (as some hold of opinion) apt to in engender infection, by reason of a certain putrefaction which it stirs up in the brain, whereby all the inward parts are distempered; therefore whosoever planteth them shall preser●● them more for show than smell, and make ●se of their medicinal quality, not o● their order; and touching their medicinal qualtitie, there is none better than this, that if the root be taken and clean washed and boiled in milk, and so applied to any hard tumour, swelling, bile, or impostumation, it will either dissolve it, or else ripen, break, and heal it, so that it be applied pultus wise very hot.  
Water lily, 
Water lily.  as well the white as the yellow, desireth a waterish and marshy place: we see it grow likewise in pools and fishponds. The root of white water lily ●oyled with gross red wine and drunk, stayeth women's white: the flowers, roots, ●nd seeds, as well in decoctio●s as in conserves, are very singular or procure s●eepe, ●nd to preserve chastity.  
Hyacinth 
Hyacynth.  groweth very well in a sandy ground. The root and seed boiled in wine and drunk, doth stay the flux of the belly.  
Narcyssus 
Nar●yssus.  (so called of a Greek word, because the smell of it coming unto the 〈◊〉 doth cause an inclination unto sleepiness and heaviness) would be sown in a ●at ground that is hot and moist: it groweth also abundantly in Languedoe and I●alie, and but a little in this country.  
The root thereof boiled or roasted, and taken with meat of drink, doth greatly procure vomit: also, the same brayed with a little Honey and applied, doth heal burnings: taketh away the freckles and spots of the face, being mixed with the seed of nettles.  
Corneflag (called in Latin Gladiolus) as well the blue as the white, 
carneflag or 〈◊〉.  would be planted of new plants in March and April: or else of slips, but such as have roots, for they are never sown, neither do they require any great tilling. Their flowers differ from the flowers of marigolds in this, in that the flowers of the marigold do open at the Sunshine, but the flowers of Corneflag do shut and close up themselves then, not opening again but when it is cold and moist weather. The roots must be pulled out of the earth in the beginning of the Spring, that thereby they may have a pleasant smell, and a delectable kind of savour, and afterward they must be died in the shadow of the Sun. Some people, to take away the superfluous moisture thereof, which putteth them in danger to be consumed with Worms, do wet them with Lee of ashes, as well whiles they are in the earth, as when they are out, and so dry them and keep them for to procure the linens and woollen garments to smell well.  
The juice of the roots put in a clyster, 
The virtues of Corneflag.  doth appease the pain of the Sciatica: 
Sciatica.  the root dried and made in powder, doth cleanse and consolidate hollow and filthy ulcers: 
Ulcers.  being held in the mouth, it causeth a good breath: laid amongst clothes, it preserveth them from all vermin, and maketh them smell pleasantly. The juice of the root taken at the mouth sundry times, purgeth water in such as have the dropsy, 
Dropsy.  especially if it be taken mixed with the yolk of an egg half boiled. The root mingled with the root of ellebor, and twice so much Honey, doth wipe away freckles, red pimples, and all spots of the face, if it be anointed thereupon. The decoction of the root taketh away the obstructions caused of a gross humour, provoketh urine, killeth worms, and casteth out the stone. The Italians make a preserve of this root whiles it is new with Sugar to Honey, and use it in all the cases aforesaid: some make an oil of the flowers infused in oil, which hath power to resolve, soften, and appease the grief of cold rheums or distillations.  
Lilies. 
Lilies  must be planted in the month of March and April in these 〈◊〉 and in hot countries in the months of October and November, 
Lilies of 〈◊〉 colours.  as well the 〈…〉 the orange colour, in a fat and well digged ground: you shall make their flowe● 〈◊〉 what colour you will, if before you set them, you steep their roots in such 〈◊〉 substance as shall best like you, and afterward likewise to water the roots when they are set and planted in their trench with the same liquor, and that after this 〈◊〉▪ Some say that the flowers of Lilies become red and purple, if their roots before 〈◊〉 be planted be steeped in the Lees of red Wine, or in dissolved Cinnabrium, and 〈◊〉 watered with the same in the little pit or trench wherein it is set. Or else when 〈◊〉 are in flower in the month of june, you must take ten or twelve plants, and 〈◊〉 them together, to hang them in the smoke, for so they will put forth small roots 〈◊〉 unto wild Garleeke, and when the time of setting is come, which is in the 〈◊〉 of March and April, steep the same plants in the lees of red Wine until they 〈◊〉 prettily well coloured, as being become red when you take them out, afterward 〈◊〉 them in pretty pits contrived in good order and water them sufficiently with 〈◊〉 said lees: for by this means the flowers that will come of them will be purple coloured. 
Purple coloured Lilies.  You shall likewise have young and fresh Lilies all the year long, if 〈◊〉 they be open you gather them, and after close them up in some bottle or well 〈◊〉 vessel, that so they may come by no air. Or else close them up in some oaken vessel well pitched, so that there can no water get in, and after sink the vessel in 〈◊〉 Well, Cistern, or running water, for so they will keep young and fresh 〈…〉 year. 
Lilies in flower at diverse and s●uerall times.  And if at any time during the whole year you would use them, set them in the Sun, that so by the heat thereof they may open. And to the end that Lilies 〈◊〉 flower at many times, when you set their roots, you shall set some of twelve 〈◊〉 within the ground, others eight, and some four, for thus you shall still have 〈◊〉 Lilies for a long time.  
A Cataplasm made with the Onion of the roots of Lilies, 
The virtues of Lilies.  Hogs-grease, and 〈◊〉 oil of Cammomile, doth maturate and ripen Buboes. An ointment made of 〈◊〉 said roots, oil of bitter Almonds, and white Wax, hath singular virtue to 〈◊〉 and smooth the face, and to take away the wrinkles 
〈◊〉.  of women's faces. The water 〈◊〉 Lilies distilled out of an Alembecke, 
Water of Lillie.  doth take away the wrinkles of women 〈◊〉, and make them look very fair and white. The root boiled or roasted in ●●embers, and stamped with oil Olive, is a singular remedy against all sorts of burning, 
Burning of s●aldings.  as well of fire as water. Being boiled with Garleeke, and stamped in the 〈◊〉 of red Wine, cleareth women's faces and countenances, which have but ill colo●●● after their lying in bed, if they besmear their faces therewith at nights, 
Asmooth and glistering ●ew.  and in the morning wash them with Barley water. This root roasted and stamped with 〈◊〉 Swines-grease, and applied to the corns of the feet, doth wholly spend them, 〈◊〉 they be kept thereto but three whole days together: the distilled water of the flowers with a little Saffron and sweet Zyloca●sia, helpeth women in childbirth▪ and delivereth them also of their afterbirth: the oil that is made of the flowers by infusion, is good to soften all manner of hardness in swellings or otherwise: if 〈◊〉 chafe the privy parts with oil of Linseed, and apply Wool wet in these 〈◊〉 upon the belly: Women which are in travel of childbirth will find great ease 〈◊〉 the same.  
Small Palaces 
Small pances.  (otherwise called Autumn Violets) desire a dry and 〈◊〉 place: they are to be planted in the Spring time, and bear flowers continuing 〈◊〉 Autumn, yea to Winter, if so be they be oft watered and carefully handled. The leaves or juice of small pances taken at the mouth, or applied outwardly, are 〈◊〉 good to conglutinate wounds: the leaves of small pances boiled and 〈◊〉 do stay the Falling-sickness in children when they froth and some: the same flowers boiled with their herbs and drunk, do cleanse the lungs and breast, and 〈◊〉 good for inward inflammations. The leaves dried and made in powder, and 〈◊〉 with red Wine to the quantity of half a spoonful, have great force to stay the 〈◊〉 down of the fundament.  
The Helitropian is a certain flower, which hath such a love and sympathy with 〈◊〉 Sun, that as his beams rise and spread open in the morning like a Curtain, 〈◊〉 the herb also openeth her leaves and glories, and (as it were) attending upon 〈◊〉 beams: her flower riseth as he riseth; and when the Sun is in his Meridian or ●oone point, than the flower standeth, and looketh strait upright; and as the ●unne declineth, so it likewise declineth: and in the evening, as he shutteth in his ●eames, so it also closeth up her flowers, and remaineth (as it were) hid and locked up 〈◊〉 the next morning. This Helitropian never beareth on one stalk above one flow●●●, but it is exceeding large and great, being ever at least half a foot in the diameter: 〈◊〉 is round and ●lat fashioned, and environed with yellow leaves of a bright golden 〈◊〉: it groweth also upon a great thick stalk, strait upright, and high from 〈◊〉 ground: it beareth also very many seeds, which as soon as they are ripe, are like Marigold seeds, white, rough, and semicircled. The best time to sow it, is in the spring time, at the wane of the Moon, and it is very quick and speedy in growing. The greatest glory it hath, is the beauty thereof: yet it hath all those virtues ●hich the Marigold hath, and cureth the same infirmity.  
Contrary to this, is the flower of the Night, 
Flower of the night.  which is very memorable for the 〈◊〉 fair flowers which it beareth: It is therefore called the flower of the Night, 〈◊〉 at the suns rising it shuts up her flowers, and at his setting spreads them open 〈◊〉, and so flourisheth with great beauty all the night long: his flowers are of 〈◊〉 colours, some white, some red, some carnation, and some yellow, some intermixed, and some entire: insomuch, that to behold it either in the morning, or in the 〈◊〉, it looks like a most fine piece of Arras or tapistry, to the great wonder of 〈◊〉 beholders, when they shall see so many several colours proceeding from one 〈◊〉, without any artificial labour, or other sophistication. It is to be planted or 〈◊〉 in the month of March, when the Moon is increasing, the ground being 〈◊〉 and rich, and well tilled and ordered before hand.  
Tulipan 
Tulipan.  is a Plant which grows about two or three foot from the ground, and 〈◊〉 a very fair flower, yet commonly not before it be three years old: it de●ighteth to grow near unto the Flower-de-luce, and would be planted soon after Winter in the new of the Moon. The first year it putteth forth but one leaf, very ●arge, and of a green colour: the second year it putteth forth two leaves: and the ●hird year, three leaves, together with the knob or button, which beareth the flower ●nd all, long before the approaching of Winter: as soon as the three leaves are sprung up, which are ever near unto the earth, the stem shooteth upward a good ●eight without leaves as smooth as a cudgel, till it be come to his full growth. Now of these Tulipans there are divers kinds, and are distinguished only by the different ●olours of their flowers: for some are white, some red, some blue, some yellow, some Orange, some of a Violet colour, and indeed generally of any colour whatsoever, except green: yet it is to be noted, that these Tulipans which are thus of one en●●re colour, are but common and ordinary: for those which are most rare and preci●●●, are of divers colours mixed together, and in semblance like the flower of the Night before spoken of. Again, there is another note of admiration in this flower; which is, that it changeth it colour every year of it own nature, for the which no Gardener is able to give any account: Also there be some Tulipans which will not flourish above four or five days in the year, and then after it carrieth no flower 〈◊〉 all.  
The Martagon is a plant which putteth forth very rare and excellent flowers, 
The Mortagon of Constantinople.  ●uch what is shape like the Flower-de-luce▪ and are infinitely desired for their excellencies: it is most commonly either of an Orange or red colour, and may be ei●her sown or planted in a good ground in the Spring time, when the Moon increaseth▪ It groweth in height seldom above three foot, neither hath it any branches: it garnisheth the earth with many green leaves, both long and sharp, ●ending their points downward. At the top of the stem the flowers put ●orth, upon seven or eight round buttons or cups, which after a few days do open, and out of every button springs forth a flower, which will continue 〈◊〉 upon at least three or four days, and then they will fall away, and the bowl is perceived in which the seed is retained, which is not very great but of a little and 〈◊〉 compass.  
P●onie 
〈…〉  are flowers of divers kinds, some being single, and some double, and are 〈◊〉 esteemed for the beauty of their flowers, they may be sown or planted on any 〈◊〉 earth; immediately after Winter the stalk of it is green, and being ris●n 〈◊〉 foot from the earth, it putteth forth divers large branches, upon the tops whereof 〈◊〉 many great buttons, out of which breaketh forth the flowers, being round, 〈◊〉 and large, so that some have been measured from the circumference to be the 〈◊〉 part of a foot in the diameter, & these flowers are ever of one colour, as being all 〈◊〉 all white, or all purple, and not mixed or stripped as other flowers are.  
Amongst all the flowers which beavitfie gardens, none may compare with this other for odour, glory, or general delicacy, whence it cometh that it is 〈◊〉 the Crown Imperial, 
Crown Imperial.  it may be sown from the seed in any well dressed 〈…〉 the Spring of the year, and the new of the Moon, yet it is much better if it be 〈◊〉 from the root, which root is big and round like unto a great S. 〈◊〉 Onion, about which in the planting you shall ●ould a little fine mould 〈◊〉 with cow's dung, and then set it a good depth into the earth, the stem of this 〈◊〉 will spring out of the ground three or four foot, garnished all along with fine 〈◊〉▪ yet without any branches; at the top of all, it putteth forth eight or nine 〈◊〉▪ borne upon several little branches distinguished from the stalk, every one of 〈◊〉 being of equal height and length, the flowers thereof for the most part show 〈◊〉, because (like the Helitropian) they continually follow the Sun, and 〈◊〉 stand straight upright, but at high noon only; the colour of them most 〈◊〉 is a pale red, and they have within the inward part of them a round liquid 〈◊〉 like unto an Orient pearl, which whilst the flower is in strength, being for the 〈◊〉 part fifteen or twenty days, you can by no means shake off, nor will it be 〈◊〉 way with showers or tempests, but if with your hand you wipe it away, a new 〈◊〉 will arise again presently in the same place: this pearl if you taste upon your 〈◊〉 is sweet and pleasant as Honey or Sugar. This flower must be carefully 〈◊〉 from the frost, and the slips of it would be seldom or ne●er set, because they are 〈◊〉 they bring forth flowers as three or four years at the soon.   

CHAP. XLIX.  
Of sweet smelling Herbs.  
BAsill, 
Basill.  as well the great as the small, is sown in April and May in a 〈◊〉 ground, and cometh up quickly, if so be that by and by after it is 〈◊〉 it be watered with water somewhat heated: It may be sown 〈◊〉 in Autumn, and the seed would be watered with vinegar, for so (〈◊〉 it but a very little) it will grow forth into branches. If you sow it in a dry ground 〈◊〉 open upon the Sun; it will by and by turn and become either mountain 〈◊〉 or cresses. When you have sown it, you must draw upon the ground some 〈◊〉 fasten and set it close together, for if it should lie light and hollow, the seed would 〈◊〉 corrupt. 
Basill never 〈◊〉 better tohen it is cursed Hat●ed betwixt Amber and Basill.  It must be watered at noontide, clean contrary to other herbs 〈◊〉 would be watered at morning or evening. To cause it to grow great, it is 〈◊〉 crop it oft with your fingers, and not with any iron thing. Some report a 〈◊〉 strange thing of Basill, as namely that it groweth fairer and higher, if it 〈◊〉 sown with curses and injuries offered unto it: and further that there is a deadly 〈◊〉 betwixt amber & basil: for whereas amber or black jet it given to draw 〈◊〉 ●nto it upon the touching of them, it driveth and putteth far from it the leaves and 〈◊〉 of Basill.  
Such as are subject unto headache, 
The smelling of basil doth cause great pain and Scorpions in the head.  or fear to be troubled therewith, must shun the 〈◊〉 of Basill altogether: for the smell thereof begetteth pain and heaviness of the 〈◊〉, ye● sometimes it engendereth in the head little small worms, like unto Scorpi●●s: as we read to have happened to a certain Italian in our time (as Monsieur ●●oulier D. in physic doth testify in the beginning of his Practica) in whose ●●aine the oft smelling of Basill did beget a scorpion, 
M. I. Hou●ier.  which caused him to endure ●●treame pain, and brought him to his death in the end. 
To be delivered of childbirth without pain.  The greatest virtue that 〈◊〉 herb can have, is that if a woman do hold the roots of Basill in her hand, together with a Swallows feather when she is in travel, she shall be delivered by and 〈◊〉 without any pain.  
Rue, 
Rue.  as well that of the garden as the other which is wild, doth not love either a ●oist or cold ground, neither yet a ground made very fat with dung: but rather a 〈◊〉 and dry ground free from wound, and where the Sun shineth much, in respect ●hereof it must be covered with ashes during the Winter time: for the natural heat 〈◊〉 the ashes doth cause it to resist the cold. It may be sown in March, August, and september, although in deed it grow better set of roots or branches, than sown. ●hen it groweth old, it degenerateth into a woody substance, and therefore you ●ust cut the stalks twice every year even to the root, to recover his youth again: 〈◊〉 must not be suffered (if possibly it may be let) to flower, for if it be suffered to put 〈◊〉 any flowers, 
The bewraier of women.  it groweth so much the more dry. Some report, that this herb 〈◊〉 a marvelous property, as that if it be touched or come near unto, be it never so 〈◊〉, by a woman that hath abused her body, or that hath her terms, that it dieth 〈◊〉 and by.  
To cause that it may grow fair and have a more pleasant smell, it must be planted ●nder the shadow of a Figtree, or grafted in the rind of a Figtree: for the 〈◊〉 and sweetness of the Figtree doth temper the sharpness and acrimo●ie of the Rue. Some say likewise, that Rue will grow fairer, if the branches thereof 〈◊〉 set in a Bean or Onion, 
Rue thriving best when it i● most cursed.  and so put into the ground. It is likewise reported, that it ●●oweth fairer, if one curse and hurt it when they set and plant it. But look how friendly and kind it is to the Figtree, so much it is enemy unto and hateth the ●●emlocke; 
Rue and Hemlock are enemies.  likewise gardiner's when they would pull up Rue, for fear of hurting ●●eir hands, rub them with the juice of Hemlock.  
Wild Rue is of greater force than the garden Rue, and of a more unpleasant ●●ell, and also a more dangerous smell: furthermore of so sharp a vapour, as that if 〈◊〉 come near unto the face never so little, it will breed the wild fire in it. The feed 〈◊〉 of the one and the other by the hot and dry temperature it hath, drieth up the 〈◊〉 of man, and maketh him barren: the same seed in decoction is good for distil●●tions, and the moisture of the matrix.  
Rue hath a singular virtue and force against all manner of venom. Likewise we 〈◊〉 that the king Mithridates was accustomed to use an opiate made of twenty ●●ues of Rue, 
Mithridates' 〈◊〉 opiate for the Plague.  two dry Figs, two old Walnuts, and a little Salt, to preserve his state ●gainst all manner of poison. For this cause you must plant in your gardens, and 〈◊〉 your sheepecoats, houses for your fowl and other cattle, great quantity of ●ue: for Adders, Lizards, and other venomous beasts, 
R●e ●n enemy to v●nimes and poisons.  will not come near unto 〈◊〉, by the length of the shadow of it. Some also hold it as a tried thing, that to 〈◊〉 away Cats and Fulmers' from hen-houses and dove-houses, 
Rne ●n enemy to cats and fulmers.  there is nothing ●etter than to set Rue at the doors thereof, or round about them. And that to free a ●ome of fleas and goat's, it is good to water that same with water sprinkled about with branch of rue. 
That rue should not come near to the nose.  In the plague time it is not good to put rue near unto your nose contrary to that which we see many men practise) because by the sharpness of the 〈◊〉 there is caused a heat and excoriation of the part which it toucheth: notwithstanding to draw out the venom that is in a bubo or pestilent carbuncle, 
For a 〈◊〉 or Plague 〈◊〉.  there is no●●ing better than to apply thereto a cataplasm made of the leaves of rue stamped with leaven, hogs-grease, onions, figs, unquenched lime, soap, cantharides, and a 〈◊〉 treacle. If a man have eaten of hemlock, ceruse, mandrakes, black poppy, 〈…〉 other herbs, which through their great coldness have caused them to be 〈◊〉 and blockish, they may profitably use the juice of rue, to drink it for the 〈◊〉 of them from such danger, or else the wine wherein it hath been boiled. Th● distilled water of rue powered into wine and rosewater of each as much, is good 〈◊〉 the weakness of the sight. It is very sovereign for the headache, and being 〈◊〉 in wine with fennel, and so drunk, it easeth all obstructions of the spleen or 〈◊〉▪ and taketh away the pain of the strangury, and also stoppeth any flux, being 〈◊〉 with cumin-seed, it easeth all manner of aches, and being stamped with home, 〈◊〉 flower and the yolk of an egg it cureth any impostumation whatsoever.  
All sorts of mints 
Mints.  whether garden or wild, do nothing desire the ground 〈◊〉 dunged, fat, or lying open upon the Sun, but rather a moist ground near 〈◊〉 water, for want thereof they must be continually watered, for else they die: it is 〈◊〉 sown than set; but if it be set, than it may be either of roots or branches, in 〈◊〉 or in the Spring time, especially about the twelfth of March or September. 〈◊〉 wanteth the seed to sow it, may instead thereof sow the seed of field mints, 〈◊〉 the sharp point downward, thereby to tame and reclaim the wildness of it. 〈◊〉 it is grown it must not be touched with any edge tool, because thereupon it 〈◊〉 die. Neither need you take care to sow it every year, for it will grow of itself 〈◊〉 being sown of set in great abundance.  
Mints stamped and applied to breasts too hard and full of milk do seften 〈◊〉, and hindereth the curding of the milk: 
The virtues of Mi●ts.  stamped with salt, it is good against the 〈◊〉 of a mad dog: stamped and put into a cataplasm it comforteth a weak 〈◊〉 and strengtheneth digestion: two or three sprigs of mints taken with the juice of ●●pomegranat, stayeth the hicket, vomiting, and surfeits. It is good to help them 〈◊〉 have lost their smelling, by putting it oft to the nose. Then leaves dried, made in 〈◊〉, and drunk with white wine, doth kill the worms 
Worms.  in young children. Such as 〈◊〉 milk, a●ter they have eaten it, must by and by chaw of the leaves of mints, 〈…〉 the qua●ling of the milk in their stomaches: for mints have the special 〈…〉 keeping milk from curding, 
The curding of Milk.  as also to keep chee●e 
To keep chees●.  from corruption and 〈◊〉, if it be sprinkled with the juice or decoction of mints: being applied unto the 〈◊〉▪ it assuageth headache commming of cold. The water of the whole herb distilled 〈◊〉 Mary's bath, in a glass Alembecke, and taken the quantity of four ounces, 〈◊〉 stay bleeding at the nose, which is very strange thing: they that would live 〈◊〉▪ must not smell unto not eat any mints: and therefore in ancient time it was 〈◊〉 captains in war to eat any mints.  
Calamint, 
Calamint.  (otherwise called Mentastrum) delighteth in the same ground 〈◊〉 mints, we see it likewise grow in untilled grounds near unto high ways and hedg●▪ It provoketh the terms in women, whether it be taken at the mouth or in 〈◊〉, and that with such violence, as that women may not in any case meddle with 〈◊〉▪ if they take themselves to be with child: it is singular good used in formentation 〈◊〉 the pains of the stomach, for the colic and distillations: the juice thereof 〈◊〉 the mouth killeth worms in the belly, and being dropped into the ear, it killeth 〈◊〉 there also. Of this Calamint there are three kinds, as the stone Calamint, the 〈◊〉 Calamint, and the water Calamint, the water Calamint is excellent to make 〈…〉, the earth Calamint is very good against leprosy, helpeth pain in the 〈◊〉, and comforteth the stomach, lastly the stone Calamint is sovereign against 〈◊〉▪ and strengtheneth the heart, if it be bruised and made into a plaster with 〈…〉 suet, it healeth any venomous wounds, and to drink it three or four days 〈◊〉 either in ale or wine, it cureth the jaundice.  
Thyme 
Thy●●.  as well of Candie as the common, doth grow better planted than 〈◊〉 and craveth a place open upon the Sun, near unto the sea, and lean, and it 〈◊〉 be planted at mid-March in a well ●illed ground, that so it may the sooner 〈…〉 also that it may grow the fairer and fuller leaf, it will be good to water the 〈◊〉 ●oft with water wherein hath been steeped for the space of one whole day dry thyme somewhat bruised. 
Goodly Thyme.  If you be disposed to gather the seed, you must gather also the flowers wherein it is contained, seeing they cannot be sundered.  
A Cataplasm made of thyme boiled in Wine, 
The virtues of Thyme.  appears the pain of the Sciati●●ca, and the windiness of the body and matrin. The smelling of thyme is sovereign to raise them that have the Falling-sickness out of their fit, and also to keep them from their fit, by decking their bed about with the leaves thereof. The oft using of thyme with wine or whey, is good for melancholic persons.  
Winter Savoury 
Winter Sau●rie.  craveth no fat, manured, or well tilled ground, but rather an ●pen, stony, and light ground, lying so as the Sun may shine full upon it. Both Thyme and Winter Savoury are good for the nourishing of bees, and for the preserving and seasoning of meats: they are also called fine, sebtill, or small and slender herbs.  
Organie, 
Organie.  otherwise called bastard Margerome, loveth a rough, stony, pebble, weak, and yet well furnished ground, and withal craveth a manured ground, as also to be watered, until it be grown up to his full bigness, notwithstanding it be seen ●o grow in many places without watering or dunging. It may be removed of little sprouts or sciences, and the lower end set upward, to the end that it may put forth new spring's and shoots; and be sown of his seed, the which the elder it is, so much the soo●er it will put forth of the earth, although that organy do not ordinarily show itself before the 30 or 40 day after the sowing of it: in many places it is sown near unto ●, because they willingly load themselves from thence, and make singular honey.  
Organie boiled in Wine, 
The virtues of Organie.  and laid upon the region of the rains, doth take away and undo the difficulty of making water: being boiled in wine and drunk, it is good against venomous beasts, or the stingings of Scorpions and Spiders. A Cataplasm made of Organie and Barley meal boiled together, resolveth the tumors under the ears. The decoction thereof is good to comfort the sinews, and the relaxed and weak parts: the seed thereof drunk with Wine doth prepare and dispose a woman to conceive: the flowers and leaves of the said Organie dried at the fire in an earthen test or melting pot, and being wrapped up very hot in a cloth, and applied unto the head, and kept fast tied thereunto, doth cure the rheum coming of cold.  
Hyssop 
Hyssop.  affecteth a place free from shadow, and lying open upon the Sun: it ●ay be set or sown about the twelfth of March. It must be cut in the month of August, and dried to put in pottage in Winter.  
Amongst other principal virtues that it hath, 
The virtues of Hyssop.  it is of great use for the affects of ●he lungs, and to provoke women's terms; of there be a broth made thereof to sup ●asting in the morning. Some say that the syrup of Hyssop, taken oftentimes with ●owerfold so much of the water of Pellitory of the wall, causeth the stone and much gravel to avoid from the reins: Hyssop with figs, rue, and honey boiled together ●n water and drunk, is good for those that are short breathed, and for old and hard ●oughs: stamped with salt, cummine, and honey, and applied, healeth the stingings of Scorpions: stamped with oil and rubbed, it killeth louse: pills made of hyssop, whorehound, and peony roots, do heal the falling-sickness.  
Summer savoury 
〈…〉.  doth delight in an open Sun shining place, and therefore must be set or sown in such a one, not in a fat or manured ground: for it is often seen grow of itself in lean grounds, and near unto the Sea. It groweth more delightfully and of a better taste, if it be sown amongst onions. 
The virtues of S●●●rie.  It is very good for sauce to ●eat. The leaves and flowers applied unto the head in form of a cap or garland, doth away the drowsily inclined. 
The drow●●● disease.  A Cataplasm made of savoury and wheat meal, ●oth cure distillations.  
The Sciati●●● Coriander 
Coriander.  ●orteth well with any kind of ground, notwithstanding in a fat and ●ew ground, it groweth a great deal more abundantly, and it seeketh for an hot ●ire: again, that which groweth in a sunny place doth overthrive that which groweth in a shadowed place: when you go about to sow it, choose the eldest seed you can get; for by how much it is the elder, by so much it is the better, so that it 〈◊〉 not mouldy and foughtie. Sow it also in a fat and moist ground, and yet 〈…〉 a lean ground: and to cause it to spring up the sooner, you must steep the 〈…〉 water two days before you sow it. If you must dung the ground where it is to be sown, it must be with Sheep or Goat's dung rather than any other.  
The excessive heat thereof bringeth Headache, 
The virtues of C●riander.  and the trembling of the 〈◊〉 being eaten after meat, it comforteth digestion, 
Digestion.  and dispelleth windiness, 
Windiness.  so that 〈◊〉 be prepared. The way to prepare it, is as followeth▪ You must, having dried it 〈◊〉, cast upon it very good wine and vinegar mixed together, and leave it thus sprinkl●● and wet the space of four and twenty hours, then dry it up, and keep it for Physic use: being stamped in vinegar, and cast upon flesh, 
To keep flesh.  it keepeth it from 〈◊〉: it provoketh women's terms: 
It provoketh the terms.  and some say, that look how many seeds a woman drinketh with white wine, so many days shall her terms continue. 〈…〉 drunk with the juice of Pomegranates, killeth the Worms 
Worms.  in children. The 〈◊〉 thereof, with Ceruse, Litharge of Silver, Vinegar, and Oil of Roses, 〈…〉 Wild fire, 
Wild fire.  and all Redness. The seed stamped in Vinegar, doth keep the 〈◊〉 from corrupting in Summer. Also to drink the juice thereof with Honey 〈◊〉 Wine, killeth Worms: and adding the seeds bruised thereto, it helpeth a 〈◊〉 Fever.  
Sage, 
Sage.  as well the little as the great, it planted of branches writhen at the foot, 〈◊〉 also of roots, in the Spring, and Autumn. It is sown also at the same time. The 〈◊〉 delighteth to be laid about with Lee ashes. It must be set near unto Rue, to 〈◊〉 from Adders and Lizards, which use to take up their lodging near unto Sage 〈◊〉 may be known by the leaves, which have their tops oftentimes withered and dried, the same coming of having been touched by Serpents. Sage refuseth neither 〈◊〉 nor cold air: how beit, naturally it groweth in a barren, sto●●e, and ill- 〈◊〉 ground; and that in such sort, as that in some places of Spain the mountaine● 〈…〉 overgrown therewith, and the Country inhabitants burn no other wood. Notwithstanding, to grow fair, it would be well digged about, and kept clean 〈◊〉 leaves and stalks that are dead.  
It hath a singular virtue to comfort the sinews that are hurt by being 〈…〉, 
The virtues of Sage.  or otherwise become weak: 
Weakness of the sinews.  And for this cause, some make Sage Wine for 〈◊〉 drink, and a fomentation with the decoction of Sage for the trembling of the 〈◊〉, and other parts. 
The trembling of the parts.  It comforteth the mother, being taken in a fume at the secret 〈◊〉 by such fume it also stayeth the whites. Such as cannot bear their conception 〈◊〉 their time, but miscarry upon slight causes, must oftentimes in the morningeat 〈◊〉 Sage leaves, for they strengthen the retentive faculty, keep alive and strengthen 〈◊〉 child, and make women very fruitful. And this is the cause why the Egyptians, 〈◊〉 a great mortality, constrained their wives to drink the juice of Sage with a little 〈◊〉, keeping themselves four days from having to do with their husbands, and then 〈◊〉 to lie with them, that so they might conceive and bring forth many children. To stir up appetite, and cleanse the stomach full of ill humours, 
To cleanse the stomach.  Sage 〈◊〉 be used oftentimes in pottage, and otherwise: it assuageth the pain of the head, 〈◊〉 cleanseth the teeth and gums: it maketh a sweet breath, being boiled in wine: 〈◊〉 distilled water thereof doth clear the sight: the conserve of the flowers of Sage 〈◊〉 the like virtues.  
Oak of jerusalem 
Oak of Ierusale●.  (called of the Latins Botrys) craveth a dry and sandi● 〈◊〉 or else a watery ground, but such a one as is sandy or gravely. We behold it also 〈◊〉 and then to grow in swift running Brooks. Being once sown, it needeth not 〈…〉 sown again afterward: for it groweth again every year, and that as it were in 〈◊〉 of a shrub. It hath virtues much like unto Thyme, that is to say, it is good●●gainst the suppression of the terms, 
The 〈◊〉.  and urine. Being dried and laid in 〈◊〉, it giveth a very good smell unto the garments, and keepeth them from 〈…〉 decoction thereof with liquorice, is wonderful good for such as have a short 〈◊〉 and are ●●uffed in their lungs, if you put thereto a little Sugar, or syrup of 〈◊〉 ●ea, and furthermore to such as spit matter, upon no other penalty; but that it be used a long time. The herb parched upon a hot tile, and besprinkled with Malmsey and applied unto the bsllie assuageth the pains of the matrix, yea and more too, ●f you add thereunto the leaves of Mugwort, and the flowers of Cammomile, all fri●●d with oil of Lilies, and the yolk of an egg.  
Horehound 
Horehound.  (called in Latin Marrubium, or Prassium) as well the black 〈◊〉 the white groweth in every ground, but rather in an untilled than in a tilled ground▪ you may also see it grow near unto walls, hedges, ways, and borders of fields▪ 〈◊〉 is ●rue that the wild desires wattie places, as ditches, little rivers, moist and low places. It is very good in decoction for the cough and difficulty of breath, because it cleanseth the lungs, and causeth spitting: it provoketh women's terms and bring●th ●orth the afterbirth.  
Sea, Roman, and common Wormwood, 
〈◊〉.  is not so much sown or set because of his smell, as for the profit that it bringeth unto the health. The Roman groweth in a sandy ground: the Sea-Wormewood groweth in a salt and ashy ground▪ ●he common in hilly, stony, dry, and untilled grounds; for to set them, you must writhe the roots.  
Wormwood, 
The virtues of Wormwood.  amongst other his virtues almost infinite and admirable, doth especially comfort the stomach laden with choleric humours, but not the stomach oppressed with phlegmatic humours, 
A weak stomach.  and for that cause there is a Wine made of Wormwood, and called by the same name. The decoction of dogs-grasse his roots, and the crops of Wormwood, do heal the jaundice. 
jaundice.  The conserve of the crops made of a pound thereof, and three pounds of Sugar, doth cure the old, inveterate, and desperate dropsy, 
Dropsy.  if it be oftentimes used after purging: it doth preserve likewise from drunkenness. It is an antidote in case a man have ●aten venomous muhrooms, or taken down any other venom, especially the Hemlock, as also in bitings and stingings of Spider's and other venomous beasts. The juice mingled with the kernels of Peaches, doth kill the Worms. 
Worms.  The leaves made into ashes, and mingled with oil of Roses, doth make the hair black. 
To make the hair black.  The leaves laid in Wardrobes, do keep the garments, and do drive away Flies and Gnats.  
Southernewood groweth best being planted of roots or shoots, 
〈◊〉 and his vertu●●.  for it doth not so well being sown of seed. It cannot abide much cold, nor much heat, and therefore it must be planted in some such place of the garden as is temperate. The seed the weight of a French Crown stamped with some of the leaves in white Wine, adding thereto an old Nut, and a little Bolearmoniacke, all being strained and drunk, is a singular drink against the Plague▪ 
The Plague.  and all manner of poison. 
Poison.  The crops of the tops of the leaves, and the flowers being beaten and stamped in oil, and made into the form of a lineament, do serve to shift off the shiverings of agues, 
Shiverings of Agues.  if so be that the soles of the feet and verebres of the back o● him that hath the ague be rubbed therewith. Southernwood taken inward, or applied outward, doth kill worms 
Worms.  in young children. It is true that Galen for biddeth the taking of it at the mouth, because it is an enemy to the stomach.  
Rosemary 
Rosemary.  loveth chiefly a reasonable sat ground: it groweth in any air, but best by the Sea sides, and thereupon it bears his name. It must be planted in the Spring and Autumn, of roots on branches writhe and see fast in the earth, and that in a warm place, or at the least lying open upon the Sun, and not such a place as is very moist or subject unto the Northern wound, because this plane can hardly endure the cold, and therefore it must be planted upon the South vader some wall, and the good time of planting or it is, when it will prick, and then you must take off the small young sprigs, and set them three inches within the earth, making the earth fast and close unto them above: or else of some part of the most levy branches thereof, which being afterward helped by making the ground light, doth spread and continue fresh, having no need to be watered, except at the very time of setting of it, if the ground be 〈◊〉 and yet notwithstanding if it be watered, it will prosper the better, and flourish the more. So long as it is young, it would be diligently weeded and picked: it requireth no dung, but only a good mould, and to be compassed 〈◊〉 the root with good earth. The lees of Wine, and the scraps broken off from 〈◊〉, laid at the foot thereof, do cause it to grow marvelously. There are two 〈◊〉 Rosemary: the one bearing seed, and the other not. Some plant it for food 〈◊〉 unto Hives, because it flowreth betimes, and for that the Bees do greatly delights 〈◊〉 it, and by it do better continue in health, as also make better honey than th●se which feed not upon it at all. The flowers of it will keep a year or two, without being spoiled, if you gather them clean, and not mixed with any filthy things, having 〈◊〉 dried them a little in the Sun, until they have lost their newness and freshness●● afterward dry them up thoroughly in the shadow, and put them not up to keep 〈◊〉 they be perfectly dried.  
It is good in the Plague time to perfume the house with Rosemary, 
The virtues of Rosemary.  for the 〈◊〉 thereof driveth away the ill air. 
An evil air.  The leaves and flowers are good against headache, 
Headache.  especially to stay the whites, if a woman do use them long time every morning▪ 〈◊〉 more specially, to make the sight better, if the party that hath the weak sight 〈◊〉 eat fasting both the leaves and the flowers of Rosemary joint together, with 〈◊〉 and salt every morning. The flowers thereof made in conserve do comfort 〈◊〉 Stomach, and are good in melancholic Passions, the Falling sickness, 〈◊〉, and Palsies. The seed drunk with Pepper and white Wine, doth heal the jaundice, 
jaundice.  and take away the obstructions of the Liver. The decoction of the 〈◊〉 thereof in white Wine do comfort weak and oppressed Sinews: 
Weak sinews.  If you 〈◊〉 your head therewith, it will make a hard skin, and comfort the little 〈◊〉, and also keep the hair from falling so quickly. Some do make Tooth-pi●●● of the woody parts thereof, and those very good; as also Coals to draw 〈◊〉 first Lineaments and Groundwork of Pictures, and such other things, to be painted.  
The ordering of lesamine 
jesamine.  is like unto that of Rosemary, save that jesamine do●● continue always gre●ne, and not so subject to frost as Rosemary, and is much in 〈◊〉 quest for Arbours and Shelters, and for the setting forth of a Quarter. There may 〈◊〉 made an Oil of his flowers, infused a long time in Oil of sweet Almonds, 〈◊〉 in a bag from betwixt a Press, which will be sovereign to comfort the 〈◊〉 sinews and other parts of the body troubled with cold distillations, 
〈…〉.  and to 〈◊〉 the frets of young children.  
Mountain or wild Thyme delighteth to be planted or sown in grounds 〈◊〉 some Fountain, 
Mountain Thyme.  small Rundle, or Well, and such as is ill tilled, being dry in 〈◊〉, and full of water in Winter: and thus placed, it yieldeth a great deal the 〈◊〉 leaves. It requireth notwithstanding a ground that is neither fat nor dunged, 〈◊〉 open to the Sun, and would be oft transplanted. Sometimes it cometh of 〈◊〉 that is ill husbanded.  
Mountain Thyme boiled in vinegar and oil of Rose, assuageth the headache, 
Headache.  if the temples be rubbed therewith: boiled in Wine, and drunk, it provoketh women's terms, bringeth forth the afterbirth, and dead child: with Honey i● cleanseth the Lungs, and helpeth the Falling sickness. The decoction is good 〈◊〉 the windiness, swellings, and hardness of the Matrix. The perfume of 〈◊〉 Thyme killeth Serpents and other venomous Beasts, 
To kill Serpents▪ 〈…〉.  and driveth away Fleas. 〈◊〉 weight of a French crown of the powder of Mountain Thyme, drunk with 〈◊〉, 
D●fficultie or painful making of water.  assuageth the belly ach, and delivereth the party which is troubled with 〈◊〉 of urine.  
Penyryall 
Penyryall.  groweth well either sown or planted: wherein this must be marked, that if it be planted of the root or branches in Autumn, it will bring forth 〈◊〉 and flowers in mid November. It being once planted, continueth always, so 〈◊〉 it be well wed and picked every year: it must be watered very diligently. Penyryall●● excellent good against the Dropsy, for the Spleen, jaundice, and furthering of women's deliverance in travel, 
To provoke women's terms.  as also to bring forth the afterbirth, and to 〈◊〉 the terms, being drunk with white Wine. 
To kill 〈◊〉.  The perfume of Penyryall killeth 〈◊〉 and venomous Beasts. A Cataplasm made of Penyryall boiled in Wine, doth assuage the pain of the Sciatica. 
The Sciatica.   
Dill 
Dill.  loveth better to be planted than sown, and craveth chiefly a ground somewhat warm, but more inclining to cold. If you would have it to grow fair, you must water it oftentimes. When it is sown, it is not needful that the seed should be covered with earth, because it is not subject to be eaten of Birds. Dill hath power to take away Belchings, 
Belchings.  and inward Gripes, 
Gripes.  Vomit, and Hicket, and that only with smelling to it, to provoke Urine, and help the digestion of the Stomach: it causeth a spring of milk in Nurses, 
Difficulty of making water.  healeth the suffocation of the Matrix, and ripeneth all manner of tumors.  
anise 
anise.  craveth a well batled, tilled, fat, and manured ground. It must be sown in March, and oft watered. Every man knoweth how good and profitable the seed thereof is, eaten in the morning, for such as are subject to the gripes of the Stomach and Guts, to the Hicke●, Belchings, stinking Breath, 
A stinking breath.  and which desire to have a beautiful and comely countenance: after meat, 
A fair face.  it also helpeth digestion: it is good for Nurses to cause them to have much milk. It also taken away the stopping of the Stomach or Spleen: it helpeth Colics, provoketh Urine, makes a man apt to sweet: and lastly, keeps the body soluble.  
Bishops-weed 
Bishops-weed.  craveth such ground and such tillage as anise, which being once sown, doth lightly grow there every year by the seed falling from it: it groweth chiefly in rested grounds. The seed is excellent good against Wring and Gripes, to provoke women's terms, and Urine, if it be drunk with Wine, so that it be used but seldom, for otherwise it causeth a pale colour. The perfume doth mundify and cleanse the Matrix, and maketh barren women fruitful, if together with this suffumigation the barren woman do take every second morning the weight of a dram of the powder of this seed, three hours before she eat any thing, continuing it for four of five times: but in the mean time, the husband must lie with his wife upon such days as she shall use this powder: a thing proved divers times.  
Caraway 
Caraway.  is sown in the month of May, in a good, clean, and manured ground, in such sort as we have said in the Kitchen Garden. The seed helpeth Digestion, provoketh Urine, expelleth Windiness, and hath the same virtues that anise hath: being made into powder, it is with good success mixed amongst such remedies as are used to be given for dry blows.  
Cummin 
Cummin.  doth grow fairest, when it is sown in a fat and hot ground, or in a ground lying open to the Eastern Sun amongst the pothearbes (for so it groweth better) in the beginning of May. Some likewise say, that for to make it grow fair and well, it must be cursed and railed upon. It must not be watered so presently after it is sown; but after it is put forth of the earth, it must be oftentimes watered.  
The seed taken at the mouth, 
Windiness.  scattereth the winds which break upward, it mendeth the inward gripes, 
Gripes.  and taketh away the difficulty to make water; as also the blackness of dry blows, 
Difficulty in making water.  the powder thereof being presently applied after it hath been beat very small and fine, 
Dry blows.  and heated at the fire. Being taken in a Suffumigation, or put up into the secret places, it helpeth conception. The fume of this seed taken upon the face, doth make it pale and deadly. And this do they very well know, which are given over to counterfeit holiness, sincere and upright dealing, or the subduing or bringing under of the body. Also the seed thereof bruised and boiled in Oil, is good against any Impostumation, and assuageth any great swelling.  
Fennell 
Fennell.  findeth not itself aggrieved with any air or soil: howbeit, naturally it is more inclining unto a hot than unto a cold air, and unto a gravely ground rather than unto a better: only it flieth and refuseth a sandy and altogether barren ground, as not thriving any whit therein. It is sown in the Spring and 〈◊〉, and it is planted likewise at the same times, the stalks are romoved having put forth a 〈◊〉, every one from another, or else the whole tuft only; notwithstanding▪ the sweet Fennell loveth rather to be sown than planted, and that rather in the Spring than in Autumn, for so it groweth more sweet, and beareth the greater seed. It must be sown in and removed unto a ground open upon the Sun, and reasonably dry, and seldom sown, as not above one year. It must be kept very clean so long as it is in growing, and until it be come unto his full growth, for otherwise bad weeds would choke it.  
To have very sweet Fennel, 
Sweet F●●nell.  put your seed in a Marseilles fig, and so sow it, or else mix honey with the earth wherein you sow it, or else steep the seed in honey one or two nights before you sow it, or else in the water of honey, or in milk, changing the same, and putting new instead, in such sort as we have said in the handling of Melons.  
Fennell, 
Clear sight.  as well the leaf as the seed, is wholly dedicated to the clearing of the eyes: and for this cause, some draw the juice of the leaves and stalks while they are yet tender, and drying it, keep it for the same effect. Sometimes the water of Fennell is distilled all alone, and by itself, or else mixed with honey. The seed of Fennell, is good to restrain wind, 
windiness.  taken after meat, notwithstanding that it is hard of digestion, and bringeth but little nourishment unto the body. It may be eaten green after the beginning of August: as also the buds and tender stalks may be preserved, and likewise the branches as they bear their seed, with salt and vinegar, in earthen pots, to use at all times, and especially whiles there is reigning any excessive heat. The use of Fennell also causeth women to have great store of milk. 
Abundance of milk.   
Marierome 
Marierome.  groweth of seed, roots, or shoots, as Sage doth. It desireth shadowed places, and that fat, well manured, and oft watered. It will be the fairer, if it be removed in the beginning of Summer. The roots must be defended from Rats and Mice; for this kind of vermin doth it more injury than any other: which you shall find and prove true, if it please you but to make trial thereof. The juice pressed out of the leaves, 
To p●rge the bra●e.  and drawn up into the nostrils, doth purge the head: made into a lee, it drieth the rheums, and scoureth away the filthiness of the head. The broth wherein it hath boiled, is good against the beginning of Dropsy, 
Dropsy.  as also for them that cannot make water well, and which are subject unto Gripe.  
Mugwort, 
Mugwort.  whether it be set or sown, craveth a dry and stony ground, contrary to another herb resembling it, and called herb S. john, and groweth in marshes, and it indeed the male Sothernwood.  
Mugwort hath singular force against the bitings of Serpents, 
The virtues.  used as well inward as outward, as also against the Plague: That it is so, the Almains do sufficiently prove, who account not themselves to have any more sovereign remedy against the Plague, than Mugwort made into ashes, and afterward boiled into a chemical salt, to use so soon as they perceive themselves strucken with the Plague, with four or five ounces of good Wine, or Malmsey, and afterward to go lay themselves down in bed, to cause themselves to sweat two or three hours. It hath singular virtues against the diseases of the Matrix: for the leaves put into a bag, or made in form of a Cataplasm, and applied warm from under the navel unto the flanks, do procure the terms, 
The Matrix out of order, and 〈◊〉.  and do appease in like manner the Matrix relaxed, or out of order and place. The leaves stamped with oil of bitter Almonds, and applied unto the stomach, do stay the pain thereof. There is made a singular Pes●arie 〈◊〉 bring down women's terms, with the leaves of Mugwort, Myrrh, and Figs, all being brayed with oil of Ireos. The root powdered and drunk with white wine, doth so purge the Matrix, as that it casteth forth the mole and afterbirth. The juice is with good success drunk against Opium: the powder of the dried leaves drunk with wine the weight of three drams, is exceedingly good for the Sciatica. Some say, that the traveler which carrieth Mugwort the whole herb, tied unto his legs, or thighs, shall not find himself weary at all: and that hanged at the entries of houses, it withholdeth all Incantations and Witchcrafts. When awoman laboureth of child, and cannot avoid her afterbirth, 
Afterbirth.  there is nothing better than to apply unto her, under her navel, upon her thighs and flanks, a Cataplasm made of Mogwort leaves, boiled with Barley meal: but presently after the child or afterbirth is come ●orth, you must take away this Cataplasm, otherwise it would draw down the Matrix also. If you stamp the juice of Mugwort with the yolks of eggs boiled, adding thereto Hogs grease and the seed of Cummin, and apply it all in manner of a Cataplasm upon the Matrix, 
Pains of the Matrix.  you shall remedy all the pain that ordinarily doth follow after childbirth.  
tansy, 
tansy.  as well the great as the small, groweth in most places, as upon the brinks of Rivers and small Brooks, and sometimes in dry places, as we ●ee it grow in Ways, and in the edges of high Ways. The seed or flowers drunk with milk or wine, doth 〈◊〉 the Worms: 
Worms.  and that is the cause why some call it Worme-ba●e. It serveth also to provoke Urine, and to break the Stone 
Stone.  and Gravel 
Gravel.  of the reins, especially in men, as Fether●ew doth the same in women.  
Fetherfew 
Fetherfew.  doth require the like ordering and ground that Mugwort doth, and they are also (as it were) of the like virtues, both of them appropriate unto the affects of the Matrix: but Fether●ew surpasseth in this, that the flowers, but principally the leaves, stamped and applied unto the teeth or ear of the side that acheth, it wholly assuageth the pain of the teeth: And this is the cause why the Parisia●s do call it Espargo●tte, because the leaves thus stamped and applied, do cause to distil out of the mouth, drop after drop, the phlegmatic humour, which causeth the said toothache. It is good also for them which have the swimming of the head, as also for them which are troubled with Melancholy, or with the Stone.  
Ca●s-mint, or Nept, 
Nept, or Cats-mint.  is a kind of Calamint, whereof we have spoken before: so called, because that Cats do exceedingly delight in the smell thereof, and do tumble themselves round upon the leaves and stalks: it groweth without any great husbanding in marshy and waterish places, as may easily be seen and tried. It is reported to have a singular virtue in helping women to conceive. 
Conception.  In like manner Physicians are wont to prescribe Baths and Fomentations made of this herb, for women that cannot conceive and have children. Also it is very delicately purgative, and openeth the body very gently, without offence, or danger afterco●●i●enesse.  
French Lavender 
French Lavender.  being and herb of a very good smell, and very usual in Langu●do● and Provence, doth crave to be diligently tilled, in a fat ground, and lying open to the Sun. The decoction▪ syrup, or distilled water doth comfort the brain and memory, taketh away the obstructions of the Liver, Spleen, Lungs, and Matrix: but such as are choleric, must not use it, because it disquieteth them mightily, in causing them to vomit, and altering them much, by bringing a heat upon all the body.  
The dry, stony, and Sunne-shining place is very fit for Lavender, 
Lavender.  whether male or female. Before it flower, it must be cut and picked very carefully. It is of a sweet smell, and good, when it is dried, to put amongst Linens and Woollen Clothes, imparting of his sweetness unto them, and keeping of them from vermin. It is very excellent to comfort weak and wearied sinews, 
Weak sinews.  or otherwise ill affected, through some cold cause: and by reason hereof, Baths and Fomentations made of Lavender for Palsies, 
Palsies.  Convulsions, 
Convulsions.  Apoplexies, 
Apoplexies.  and other such like affects, are very sovereign. The flowers, with Cinnamon, Nutmeg, and Cloves, do heal the beating of the heart. The distilled water of the flowers, taken in the quantity of two spoonfuls, restoreth the lost speech, and healeth the swoon and disease of the heart. The construe and distilled water thereof do the like. The Oil thereof drieth up Rheums also: and being anointed upon the nape of the neck, it is singular good against convulsions and benumbedness of sinews.  
All-good (otherwise called in French Orualle, 
All-good, otherwise Cla●y.  because it is as much worth as gold) groweth in any ground, without seed, and with seed: it delighteth notwithstanding to be often watered. The leaves stamped and applied, do draw forth thorns and pricks that are fastened and run into any part of the body whatsoever: It doth, in like manner, bring the child out of the mother's body, being in travel. The wine wherein it hath been steeped in small quantity, doth make men pleasant and cheerful, 
Cheerfulness.  and apt to carnal copulation. The seed thereof put into the eye, and turned many times round about the eye, 
To clear the sight.  doth cleanse and clear it, in wiping away the phlegmatic humour, wherewith you shall well perceive the seed to be laden, and (a● it were) wrapped in small films after that it is taken out of the eyes. The flower● and seed put in a vessel full of sweet Wine, whiles it yet purgeth, giveth it the taste of Malmsey. It is true, that such Wine will quickly make one drunk, and cause the headache, as we see that Beer doth, wherein Brewers boil clary in stead of Hops.  
Nigella 
Nigella.  of the Garden must be sown in a ground that is fat and well tilled. The fume of the seed taken, doth stay the rheum, dry the brain, and causeth the smelling that is lost to come again: boiled with water and vinegar, and holden in the mouth, it assuageth toothache.  
Sweet Balm 
Balm.  groweth rather in Woods and Forests than in Gardens: notwithstanding, he that will have it in his Garden, must sow it in a fat and well battild ground, where the heat of the Sun cometh not very strongly.  
It serveth to rejoice the heart, 
Cheerfulness.  and delivereth the spirit from melancholic imaginations and fancies: it is good not only against bitings and stingings of venimon● beasts, but also against the Plague, in whatsoever manner it be used. And further, if any man doubt himself to have eaten any venomous or poisoned meat, as it falleth out often in them which have eaten muhrooms and such like things, than this serveth for a singular remedy against the same. 
To keep be●s from flying from their hives.  Such as esteem it a fine thing to keep Bees, to the end he may prevent their flying away, and forsaking of their Hives, as also to cause them to come again, if they be gone away, do rub the Hives with the flowers of sweet Balm: as on the contrary, to drive them, 
To d●iue them from them.  and to cause them to forsake them, they rub them with the flowers of Fetherfew.  
Camomile, 
Camomile.  as well the white as the yellow, hath no need of great tilling: it is sufficient to plant it in a dry, lean, and stony ground.  
Camomile is singular good to mollify, 
To mollify, 〈◊〉 resolve, verify.  resolve, ra●ifie, and loosen: and in this respect there is no remedy better for la●●itudes or wearisomeness, without just outward causes, than baths made with the leaves and flowers thereof. The leaves of Camomile stamped with white wine, make a very good drink to cure all sorts of Agues, but especially Tertians: for which reason, the Priests of Egypt did consecrate it unto the Sun. Also the water of Camomile drunk warm in the beginning of the fit, doth thoroughly heal the Tertian by vomit. The leaves of Camomile yet green, being dried upon a Tile, or hot Fire-panne, do by and by appease the headache. Being also fried with sweet Suet and unset Leeks in a Frying-pan, and put hot into a Linen bag, and so applied to the navel, it killeth Worms either in old, middle age, or young infants, and taketh away all manner of pain in the belly.  
Melilot 
Me●●●ot.  refuseth no ground, be it fat, or be it dry, and yet it loveth to be watered. Melilot doth mollify, resolve, and rarefy, as doth Camomile, and yieldeth a very good smell, especially when it is new, or when it raineth, in Summer▪ it also assuageth the ache of any part or member, whatsoever it be. Also the ●uice thereof, mixed with Turpentine, Wax, and Oil, ripeneth, breaketh, and healeth any Impostume whatsoever: it taketh away all hard swelling, and cleanseth wounds.  
Many men being very desirous to adorn and set forth their Garden with all sorts of Plants, 
Apples of lo●e.  do amongst the rest provide to furnish it with Apples of Love (which the Latins call Mala insana) by reason of the beauty of their fruit, which which is as thick as a Cucumber drawing towards a red colour. They must be sown in the Spring, in a fat and well battild soil, and where the Sun hath great power, because they cannot abide any cold: they crave the like ordering and husbandry that the Cucumber doth.  
Many irish mouths let not to be eating of these, no more than of mushrooms: they take away their pilling, they cut them in slices, boil them in water, and after fry them in the flower of meal and butter or oil, and then cast upon them pepper and salt: this kind of meat is good for such men as are inclined to dally with common dames, and shortheeld huswives, because it is windy, and withal engendereth choleric humours, infinite obstructions and headache, sadness, melancholic dreams, and in the end long continuing agues: and therefore it were better to forbear them.  
Mandrake's 
Mandrakes.  as well the male as the female is more acceptable and to be commended, for the beauty of his leaves, fruit, and whole plant, than for the smell it hath: it must be sown or planted in some shadowed place, a fat and well battild ground, and be kept from the cold which it altogether detesteth and cannot abide.  
The Apples of Mandrakes procure sleep, 
The virtues.  if you put but one of them under your ear when you are laid in bed: it is all but fables which is spoken of the root which is not so cooling as the apple, and hath virtue on the contrary to dry, soften, and resolve all the hardness of the liver, spleen, kings evil, and such other tumors, how hard and rebellious soever that they be. Which is more, Dioscorides reporteth, that if one boil the roots of Mandrakes, with ivory for the space of six hours, it maketh the ivory so tractable, and softeneth it in such sort as that you may set what impression upon ivory that you please: peradventure such as bring us unicorns horn from thence, do use such deceitful and wily dealing with us, seeing by such their cunning skill, they are able in such sort to soften ivory or the Hartshorn, and thereby likewise able to work it to the same form which we receive the unicornes-horne in at this day.  
Within this small time there hath been seen a plant somewhat like unto apples of love, 
Golden-apples.  bearing a round fruit like an apple, divided upon the outside as the melon is with furrows, in the beginning it is green, but afterward when it cometh to ripeness, it becometh somewhat golden, and sometimes reddish. This plant is more pleasant to the sight, than either to the taste or smell, because the fruit being eaten, it provoketh loathing and vomiting.   

CHAP. L.  
Of the form of setting Herbs in order, by proportion of divers fashions.  
We have already delivered the form of setting Herbs in order, as well such as are of a sweet smell, as those which are for nosegays, and that either upon particular beds or quarters: now we will speak of the manner of bestowing of them in proportions of divers fashions, and in labyrinths or mazes. But in this course I cannot set thee down an universal, and as it were inviolable prescript and ordinance, seeing the fashions of proportions do depend partly upon the spirit and invention of the Gardener, and partly upon the pleasure of the master and Lord unto whom the ground and garden appertaineth: the one whereof is lead by the hops and skips, turnings and windings of his brain; the other by the pleasing of his eye according to his best fantasy. Notwithstanding that there may not any thing be here omitted, which might work your better contentment and greater pleasure, by looking upon the beauty and comeliness of this your garden-plot: I intent to set before you divers figures of proportions, and the manner of drawing of them cunningly, to the end you may have the means to choose those which shall most delight you, and best agree with your good liking. In which I desire you to give great thanks, and acknowledge yourself greatly beholden and bound unto Monsieur Porcher, Prior of Crecie in Brie, the most excellent man in this art, not only in France, but also in all Europe: and not unto me, who shall be but his mouth in delivering what he hath said, written, and communicated unto me in precepts, yet extant, and to be seen with the eye. And touching these proportions, you shall understand that they are of two kinds, inward and outward, the inward are those beauties and proportions which are bestowed upon the inward parts or quarters of your garden, as are knots, mazes, arms, branches, or any other curious figures whatsoever, and these are divided by slender rows, or lines of herbs, flowers, turfs, or such like; the outward beauties or proportions are those which are bestowed in the outward and general parts of the whole or entire model of the garden, drawn into what figure, knot, or devise your fancy can create, or the ground retain, and are divided by alleys, hedges, deep borders, and such like, as shall be at large showed unto you hereafter.  
To come therefore unto the matter, all the sweet smelling herbs and others for nosegays, which we have mentioned before, are not fit and good to make proportions of. The most fit and meet are, penniroyall, lavender, hyssop, wild thyme, rosemary, thyme, ●age, marierom, cammomile, violets, daisies, basil, and other such herbs, as well those that are of sweet smell, as those which are for nosegays: as for example, lavender and rosemary of a year old to make borders about the proportions or knots; and as for box in as much as it is of a naughty smell, it is to be left off, and not dealt withal. All the rest of the herbs, as penniroyall, hyssop, wild thyme, thyme, sage, ma●ierom, and such like, are ●ittest to be used about the quarters, or else in some such pre●tie little devices as are made in the midst of borders, or whereof proportions of quarters without borders, as well whole as broken, are made. Germander also is an excellent herb for the setting forth of any inward proportion, for it grows even and comely, thick and upright, so is also mother of thyme, winter-●auorie and pinks, provided that with your shears you keep them from too much spreading.  
The herbs whereof borders shall be made, must be more high and thicke● set of leaves, than those whereof proportions of quarters either whole or broken are made, or yet the other which are in the midst of the borders, that so the beauty and good proportion of the knot or quarter may be seen and discerned more easily.  
I call in these places that the border which compasseth the proportion or quarter about, as also the alleys of the garden: I call broken quarters, those many small parcels which are sundered and separate one from another. The proportions either without borders or borders, are either equally square in wideness and length, or else unequally squared, that is to say, longer than they are wide, or wider than they are long: Or else of the form and shape of an egg: or of a form and fashion that is mixed of a round and a square, or of some such other form, as shall please the gardener: as for example, the fashion of a flowerdeluce, of a true loves knot, of a lion rampant, and other such like portraitures.  
That which shall be in the midst of the proportions with borders, or without borders, shall be of a square form, or of the fashion of an egg, or round, or mixed of a square and a round, or some other such like form.  
If you be disposed to plant any herb in the midst of broken quarters, it must not be over high, but less and shorter than those wherewith the proportions are set, that so it may not hide or hinder the sight of any part of the quarter. It is true indeed that in this middlemost part, you may set an herb of a mean and middle height, yea, or some such as for his bigness may resemble a shrub or little tree, but it may not be thick set with leaves, not spreading far abroad, but rather putting forth his stalk upright, as doth the Bay and Cypress tree.  
But in respect of the beauty and comeliness of the quarter, you must not plant any thing in it, or if you do plant any herb, you must see, that it be of a shorter stalk than that which compasseth it about: the knot that is made of borders, must consist but of two sorts of herbs: as for example, of Lavender or Rosemary, or Box for the border, and of Pennyroyal of Hissope within. It is true, that in the midst, and four corners thereof, there may be set some Cypress, or Rosemary, or some such other herb, or little tree, which is not thick set with leaves, not spreading far abroad, but rising in height upright.  
But the knot made of broken quarters, may be made of divers, and differing herbs, which notwithstanding may not grow great and tall, because they would hinder the view of the garden, but they must be short, and thin set with leaves, as Sage, Pennyroyal, Margerom, Camomile, Daisies, Violets, Basill, Rue, and such others, which herbs shall be planted in divers quarters, to the setting forth of greater variety in the knot, and to give grace unto the little quarters. It is true, that within some round quarters, or squares of broken quarters, you may work some small birds, men, or other such pourtraites made of Rosemary, according to your pleasure, and invention of your Gardener.  
The herbs wherewith proportions are set out and decked, must be planted of roots or slips: the time to plant them is januarie, Frebruarie, March and April.  
It is true, that if you plant herbs, especially Pennyroyal and Lavender upon sl●ps. The time of gathering of good plants, will be at the end of januarie, and in the month of February, and not later, because this kind of slip will not be frozen by any frost that may happen, and withal, in the mean time, it doth not stand in need of watering, because it hath taken root before the hot times of the year come in.  
Again, if you set herbs of the root, you must stay till March and April, and look well unto it, that your herbs have ●ound, living, and every way sufficient roots, for otherwise, they will not be able to prosper, spread, and grow in the earth, but will die for the most part. It is meet also, that when they are planted, you should water them very often, because of the heat then growing more and more every day, for otherwise they will wither, or grow small and dwarfish, or die right out.  
Wherefore for the greater assuredness, I could wish you to plant your herbs rather of slips than of roots: for besides that, it will be more easy, and of less charge and cost to purchaseslips, than to purchase the whole herbs with the roots. I● will be also less labour and travel for to preserve and make to grow the one than the other: for the slips will assuredly grow without watering, and notwithstanding any frost, and they will show fair and thick leaved, by such time as Summer shall begin. To plant within the earth, whether it be root, or slip, you must cast trenches, rather with some short handled hand-forke, or hand-spade, than with a dibble, which you shall find a great deal more easy.  
Behold here the greatest part of the things which you are diligently to look unto before you put your hand to the work of casting your proportions or knots: and whereas their whole beauty and commendation doth consist in a well framed and proportioned form, and in a well carried and appointed order of disposing them, such as may delight the eye: to the end you may attain this commendable and well pleasing kind of proportion in the contriving of your quarters, you must first cast what is the space and whole contents of your quarter, wherein you mean to draw your proportions, that so according to the said contents, you may fit them with such form as the place will afford. After that, you shall have in your hand many measures of small cord, and yet sufficient strong: many cord-reeles and dibbles, and such other things to finish the proportions which you desire to have drawn in your quarter.  
And thus much concerning the means which you shall use in the finishing up of a knot with borders. Before you stretch your line to draw and cast the shape of it, you must first take the breadth and length of the border, and that such as the quantity of the ground may conveniently bear, and so make it more long and broad, or else long and broad accordingly.  
It is true, that if you have good ground enough, as about some sixty foot square, after the measure of a common foot, every one containing twelve inches, you may make your border large enough: but and if you have less quantity of ground, than you must make your border less, and the proportions at large: you shall so finish up your borders, as that in the midst of them, you may have some pretty little knot. When you have cast your ground, you shall begin to stretch your line with good and firm line-reeles, to take the breadth and length of your borders round about. Then you shall draw your line a cross, from the which cross, and from about the which said borders, you shall not draw up your line and line-reeles, until you have marked out all your border, or at the least one side, or half of it, because this is the directory, for the whole quarter and border to: this is it, whereby you must be guided and directed for the making of compasses and largeness of your squares and rounds. Furthermore, you may stretch your line in the midst of the border, thereby to take the just midst, and that for to direct and guide you. Furthermore, you shall have two lines of the length of the border or quarter, and two foot over, and these are called the flying or running lines, for that they serve to carry or remove from place to place, for the planting of herbs in the said borders. Again, you shall stretch out a line from corner to corner, because that without such line you cannot make up your corners: and this is the manner of making your borders. As concerning the knot contained within the borders: to take the measure of the proportion or squares, you must have two small rods, of the thickness of a thumb, of willow, of some other strait wood, the one eight foot long, and the other betwixt three and four, the long one to serve for the largest works, and the short for the smaller: upon which rods, you must mark out your proportions, whereof you mean to make your squares, or any other ●orme that it shall please you to make. For round works, you must have an instrument, commonly called the gardeners Bilboquet, the pattern whereof you shall see hereafter; but give it what name it pleaseth you, but this is the manner of making of it: You shall take a prop or standard, somewhat thicker than your thumb, you shall put thereto a line of the same thickness that your gardening lines are, of three or four foot long, or according to the length and greatness that you would have your rounds of. Upon this line, shall you make knots, according to the bigness or outside of the work, and then another knot for the second or inward circle of the round, which shall be eight or nine inches, or less if you will: but I tell you before hand, that if you make them any less, the border will be overshadowed, and will not last and continue so long; and yet I still refer it to your own discretion. To every knot of the said line for to make your rounds withal, you shall make fast, right over against the knot, on the backside thereof, a little stick some four fingers long, more or less as you shall most fancy, and of thickness of your little finger. By the means of these knots shorter or longer, you shall make your rounds so many, and so big, or so little, as shall seem good unto you. If it may not rather stand with your liking to make two Bilboquets, one for your small rounds, and another for your greater. This figure following, doth show the form and fashion that must be followed in using your lines for the making of your quarters with borders. These draughts will serve also to make a border to broken quarters, with some small whole and unbroken proportions in the midst, even as you see a square in the midst, and shall further hereafter see it in other portraitures, which shall be set out for your use. To work the more surely, you shall let all your lines be stretched out in length, and our standards, props, or dibbles fast in the ground, until such time as you have thoroughly finished the border, that is to say, your cross lines in the midst, as also those which pass from corner to corner, and thirdly, those which make the sides of the borders. All which said lines are noted with the letter B. The others which are marked with the letter A. are the running or flying lines, which are carried from one place to another to make middle partitions, to the treading of the rounds, and to the squaring of the said border, & when as one side is down, they are then to be taken up, & to be pitched down else where. And although that here be four, yet two is sufficient, at the discretion of the gardener, who according as his number of workefolkes is, more or less, shall stretch and draw more or fewer lines.  
The manner of using, and platform, showing the practice of handling the lines, for the laying out of a simple quarter without any border. And how the lines must be continued and kept stretched till the whole proportion be drawn out and finished.  
The use and manner of practising by the stretched lines.  
The use and manner of practising by the stretched lines.  
A simple proportion, or draft of a Knot.  
A simple proportion, or draft of a Knot.  
A simple proportion, or draft of a Knot.  
A simple proportion, or draft of a Knot.  
A simple proportion, or draft of a Knot.  
A simple proportion, or draft of a Knot.  
A simple proportion, or draft of a Knot.  
A simple proportion, or draft of a Knot.  
A simple proportion, or draft of a Knot.  
The way and manner to stretch the lines, to make a quarter with borders, and to make a border with squares broken and crossed thorough the midst.  
The manner of stretching your lines upon a border with a severed knot in the midst.  
A border with his several proportion in the midst.  
A border of broken squares, with a middle consisting of five proportions.  
The manner to stretch the lines to make a quarter of broken squares. Let rest and abide in their places the lines till you have finished the proportions. Take the measure of the standards of a cross and corner line, whether it be a square or a round, and let there be so many of them, and as great as the ground will bear. And if perhaps you would plant any thing in the midst of the quarter, help yourself with the running lines, and their standards, to plant there what you would, without putting down any other standards, or stretching any other lines than are already: and those you must not slack, according as hath been said before.  
The manner of stretching the lines, upon a quarter of broken squares.  
A border of broken squares with the middle.  
The form and shape of Bilboquet, which is an instrument to take the measure of rounds, as we have declared before.  
The form of a Labyrinth.  
When the herbs, as well of the Borders, as of the Quarters, are grown up, if they become too thick set of leaves, and by their large spreading do overshadow the one the other, cover the small alleys of the proportions, and therewithal spoil and hu●● the comeliness of the whole Quarter, they must be cut. The season to cut them, is at all such times as need shall require. It is true, that there must especial care be had not to cut them, the time of August being once past, by reason of the great los●e that ensueth in herbs, which thereby will fall to wither and pine away, and become as things burned with the Sun. To cut them which stand in a right and strait line, you shall stretch a line very stiff, being of the length of the proportion, by the direction whereof you shall cut very near first the two sides, and then the upper face thereof. As concerning Rounds, you must cut them, for the ●ight of the Country, as round as ever you can. To cut the Border, whether it be of Lavender, Rosemary, or Box, you must use the ordinary shears, which have handles of wood. To cut other smaller and less herbs, you must have shears like those which Tailors use.  
Now you shall again understand, that these inward Quarters, wherein you place these Knots, or other devices, may be circumferenced or bound in as well with 〈◊〉 curious Hedges, made battlement-wise, in sundry forms, according to invention, or carrying the proportions of Pyllasters, Flowers, shapes of Beasts, Birds, Creeping things, Ships, Trees, and such like, as with Borders, especially if your ground be little, or straightened, because these Hedges take not half so much room as the Borders. Again, you may at your pleasure, either within these Hedges, or in the s●me Line wherein these Hedges grow, plant all manner of Fruit trees, or other Trees of any curiosity whatsoever: and within them you may plant your Gooseberrie 〈◊〉, Provence Roses, Musk Roses, or any other fruit or flower that grows shrub-wise, or not above two or three foot above the earth: So that whereas your Border containeth not any thing but one entire herb, as Prympe, Box, Hyssop, Lavender, and such like; by this manner of bordering, which is to say, with a Quickset Hedge, you shall have not only all them, but also all kind of fruits, flowers, and sweet smelling herbs whatsoever: besides, they will keep your Quarters and Knots in a great deal more safety, because they are not so easy to be run over, or broken down, either by man, or beast, as your other Borders of herbs are. Now, for the making of these Quickset Hedges, it is in this manner: First, you shall with fine small stakes, cut to the length and proportions of your work, stake your Quarters about: then with small poles, bound to those stakes either with strong Wyar, or Oziers' (but Wyar is the better) make a Lattice-worke, about two foot above the earth: then with shorter poles and wands, made pliant for your purpose, fashion your battlements of what shape soever you please to have them; whether made plain, or pyllaster-wise, or in semicircles, or other proportions, in such manner as you intent your Hedge shall grow: and this done either in Autumn, or the beginning of the Spring. Alongst the bottom of this Hedge you shall set Prympe, white Thorn, Eglantine, and sweet Briar, mixed together, and as they shoot and grow up, so you shall wind and plash them within the Lattice-worke, making them grow and cover the same; ever and anon, as need shall require, either with your Shears, or Hooke, cutting them to that shape and proportion to which you first framed your Lattice-worke, and this will in two or three years bring your Hedge unto such perfection, that besides the beauty thereof, the defence will be so good, that you shall not fear the harm that Dogs, Swine, or other cattle may do, if at any time they shall chance to break into your Garden. These Hedges are also very excellent to set alongst your Alleys, or other Walks, and add a great beauty thereunto. There be some that make these Hedges only of Oziers', or small Sallowes, planted cross-wise, or otherwise, as your invention pleaseth, and these Hedges are good, and beautiful, and very speedy in their growing, but they are not of any very long continuances: therefore, except your ground be very moist, the former Hedge is much the better. Which that you may the better know how to make, I will here set you down the models of a couple of them; by the example whereof, you may at your pleasure make any other proportion whatsoever: and you shall also understand, that these two Models contain but the dead work only, which is to be made of Poles or Wands, and the Quickset to be planted close unto it, and so placed within the dead Lattice-worke, as you may here perceive.   

CHAP. LI.  
Of the manner to keep and preserve Herbs, either for the use of the Pot, or of Physic, or such as are of a sweet smell and savour.  
THe root of Elecampane is preserved after this sort: 
The preserving of the root of Elecampane.  When you have taken up the root in the month of October, at such time as it is very ripe, you must first take away all the sand and earth which is about it with a rough Linen Cloth, or with a Strainer: after that, you must scrape it all over with a very sharp knife, and according as the roots are of bigness, to cleave them in two, three, more or less pieces, of a finger's length, and boil them in a Brass Cauldron with vinegar, and that in such sort, as that the slices may not burn within the Cauldron. Three days after they must be dried in the Sun, and put into a new pot well pitched, and cured wine put unto them, and that so much, as that they may be covered therewith, and a good deal of Savoury pressed down upon them, and then the vessel close shut up and covered well with leather. Otherwise: You must carefully look that the roots thereof be made very clean, and then cut in two or three pieces, of a finger's length: then afterward, for the space of a whole day together, you must infuse them in water upon hot embers, and afterward boil them with twice or thrice as much Honey, or Sugar.  
There may likewise conserve be made of the root of Elecampane after this manner: 
Conserve of Elecampane roots.  Make very clean the roots of Elecampane, as we have said, and cut them in small slices, infuse them a long time upon hot embers in water, and after to boil them so long, as till they be tender ●odden: then stamp them and strain them through a Linen cloth or Strainer, and in the end boil them up with thrice as much Honey or Sugar.  
You may in like manner preserve and conserve many other roots, 
Preserves and conserves of Gentian, Pioni●, Corn-flag, wild Vine, Parsnips, Turnips, & 〈◊〉.  as Gentian, Pionie, Corn-flag, wild Vine, parsnip, Althaea, or marsh Mallows, Turnips, Carrots, Radishes, Naue●s, Caraway, Eringus, and such other like, all which will be the more pleasant, if you put unto the conserved or pre●erued a little Cinnamon.  
Lastly, 
The difference betwixt 〈◊〉 and conserving.  be it known, that by this word confected, preserving, or confection, is to be understood the remaining of the root or other thing (whatsoever it is that is preserved or confected) whole: and by the word conserve, or conserved, is to be understood that manner of ordering things, whereby they are stamped and beaten very small.  
Purslane is preserved in this manner: 
The preserving of Purslane.  Gather Purslane before it have cast the seed, ●ake the tenderest stalks thereof, and the fullest of leaves, from these you shall ●ake the roots, and wash them thoroughly from the sand and earth that might hang about them: afterward dry them a little, even so long, as till you perceive them to begin to wither: afterward put them up handsomely in some Barrel or little Vessel of earth, in manner of little Beds, every Bed sufficiently covered with salt. When the Barrel or Vessel shall be full, power thereinto a sufficient quantity of Vinegar, or else one part of Verivice, and two of Vinegar. This being done, set the Vessel in some dry place, and not moist, for fear that the preserve should smell any thing of mustiness, and look to it well, that the Purslane be continually covered over with the pickle: And when you would use it, wash it first with warm water, or wine, afterward make it up in Salads with Salad oil. 
The preserve of Asparagus, Hartshorn, Trickmadame, etc.  After the same manner, Sampire, the sprouts of Asparagus, Hartshorn, Trickmadame, Broome flowers, the flowers of Capers, Cucumbers, Lemons, Oranges, Plums, Pears, and such like, may be preserved.  
Lettuce is preserved after this sort: 
The preserving of Lettuces.  They take the stalks of Lettuce clean picked, and the leaves pulled off, even from the lowest part of them, unto where you perceive the leaves to grow tender, and these stalks you must salt in a little Trough or Trey, and so let them continue a day and a night, until that they have turned the ●alt into brine: after this, they must be washed in the same brine of salt, and after that they have been sprained, they are laid abroad upon hurdles, until they be well dried: afterward there must be put upon them dried Dill, ●ennell, a little Rue, and L●●kes chopped small: after all this, the said stalks are put up in a pot thus dried, and there is powered in upon them a pickle, which is made of two parts of vinegar, and one of salt brine: after this, in stead of a double Linen cloth to cover it, there must be thrust in good store of dry Fennel upon them, in such sort, as that the pickle may swell up and over-cover them. And evermore, in all confections, it must be a special great care that they remain not dry, and to that end to power in pickle oftentimes, ●f by turning them aside you see they have need. After this fashion may Succory, Scariole, Hartshorn, the tender shoots of Brambles, the young and tender crops of Thyme, Savoury, Organie, and Radishes, be pre●erued: and such preserves must be made in the beginning of Summer.  
The herbs preserved with salt and vinegar are chiefly ordained for Salads▪ but these that are made with sugar and honey, do serve for the use of Physic: such are those which follow hereafter.  
There is but very seldom any preserves made of the flowers and leaves of herbs: 
What is meant by the word preserve.  I understand by this preserve, taken properly, the preserving of things whole, and not stamped and beaten into one body: notwithstanding, who so is disposed to preserve the flowers or leaue● of herbs, may do it in this fashion: 
The preserving of herbs and flowers.  Take the leaves or flowers of such herbs as you will preserve, make them very clean; afterward, without any manner of stamping of them, put them all whole into some vessel wherein 〈◊〉 will keep them, cast upon them a sufficient competency of fine Sugar made in p●●der, and so ●et them to Sunning in the vessel. Also in this ●ort boil them at a 〈◊〉 fire with Sugar, so long, as till the Sugar become as thick as a syrup, and 〈…〉 them in a vessel. Otherwise, after that you have diligently cleansed the leaves or the flowers of the herbs, put them in an earthen pot or glass, and after pour into them of boiled Sugar of the consistence of a syrup, and well clarified. Thus may Roses, leaves of Mines, Spleenewort, Maidenhair, Sorrell, Ceterach, bugloss, and such like, be preserved: the flowers of Marigolds, Succory, Violets, Broome, Sage, and other such like: 
〈…〉.  and such preserves are more acceptable than conserves, because the flowers and leaves do in better sort retain and keep their natural smell thus, than in conserves; for in conserves they are powned with Sugar, which doth rebate very much the natural smell of the leaves or flowers.  
Now as concerning making of conserves of leaves or flowers of herbs, you 〈◊〉 keeps this course: Take the tenderest parts of the flowers or leaves, and cast away the hardest, such as are the white tails of Rose leaves, the stalks of Mints, Spleenwort, Maidenhair, and such like, make them very clean, and bray them afterward in a Marble Mortar, or of other Stone, with a pestle hard and solid enough, and that so long, as till they become in manner of a past, and then put unto them twice or thrice as much Sugar or Honey: And if it fall out, that the leaves or flowers so ●●amped be of themselves somewhat too moist, as the leaves of Violets, water Lilies, and Buglo●●e be, than put thereto great quantity of the powder of Sugar. When you have thus done, put them into an earthen Vessel, and set them abroad a Sunning a whole month, that so their superfluous moisture may be spent by the heat of the Sun; but they must be stirred every day. Or if you had rather, do thus: Set the Vessels upon hot ashes, to the end they may take a little boil: but this is not so good as the setting of them in the Sun. After this manner may the flowers of Rosemary, Marigolds, Be●onie, Pionie, Marierome, Balm, Scab●o●s, Elder tree, Mints, fu●●itorie, Eye-bright, Succory, of the flowers of the Peach-tree, Sage, Broome, Oranges, Mallows, Hollyhocke, and other such like, the tops of Thyme, Hyssop, and Worm▪ wood; the conserve whereof, we have said before to be very sovereign in the Dropsy: as also the conserve of Peach-tree flowers, and that of Broome flowers, for the obstructions of the reins and spleen. And for as much as the conserves of Violets and Roses are in great use and request, we will speak particularly of them.  
To make conserve of Roses, 
Conserve of Rose●.  you must take the leaves of Roses, white or red, which are not as yet open and blown, you must make them clean, and stamp them, without being dried before, in a Stone Mortar, and after put thereto thrice their weight in Sugar, and then put it up in a Glasse-vessell well covered with Parchment, and set in the Sun the space of three months, and stirring it almost every day. If you would make conserves of dry Roses, 
Conserve of dry Roses.  boil in half a pound of Rosewater one whole pound, or thereabout, of fine Sugar: afterward, when you see that all the water is con●●●med, cast into the Sugar an ounce of dry Roses made into powder, boil them altogether reasonably, and after with a spatule of wood you shall make your conserve into morsels or cakes. Otherwise, make three infusions of Roses in Rosewater, let the third settle, the bottom whereof you shall let alone, as being the earthy and gross part, taking that only that is above, and in it you shall boil fine Sugar: and after that, you shall cast thereinto half an ounce, or thereabout, of dried Roses in powder, and do in like manner afterward as hath been already said.  
To make conserves of Violets, 
Conserve of Violets.  you must take the fresh and new flowers of Violets, and take from them their tail, and the little green cup by which they hang, and after dry them some small time in the shadow of the Sun, to take from them their superfluous moisture which they have: after that bray them in a Stone Mortar with twic● so much Sugar, and put them in a Glas●e vessel, which shall be set to Sun for the space of three months, and stirred very oft during the said t●●e, as hath been already said of the conserve of Roses.  
If you would make conserve of dry Violets. 
Conserve of dry 〈◊〉  make one or two infusions of Violets, and in them boil fine Sugar, afterward casting half an ounce of powdered Violets to one pound of Sugar: then boiling them a little together, you shall with a spatule make your conserve into morsels or cakes.  
For to make Mustard, 
The making of Mustard.  you must pick and cleanse your seed very well, ●earce it, wash it in cold water, and after leave it a whole night in the water: then take it out, and when you have wrung it or pressed it (as near as you can) dry with your hand, than put it in a new or very clean Mortar, and bray it with a pestle with strong vinegar, and then after that strain it. But the most ordinary way for the making of your Mustard, is, only to wash the seed very clean, then put it into your Mustard Quernes, and grind it either with strong vinegar (which is the best) or with good Beer or Ale, or with Buttermilk; only the Beer will make it eat a little bitter whilst it is new, and the Buttermilk will die soon. Some make a very pleasant Mustard in this manner: Take two ounces of the seed of Se●uie, half an ounce of Cinnamon, powne them very small, and with honey and vinegar make a paste, and of the paste little loaves, which you shall dry in the Sun, or Oven: and when you would use it, dissolve one, or some of one, of your loaves in Verivice or Vinegar, or some other liquor. Some, to take away the great sharpness that is in it, do steep the ●eed in new Wine during Vintage time, and then make it as we have said already: after they put it in little Barrels, such as Mustard of Anion 
Mustard of Anion.  is wont to be put in. The people of Dijon make it in small loaves, and when they will use it, they dissolve it in vinegar. The Mustard of Dijon 
Mustard of Dijon.  hath won the praise from all other, either because of the seed growing there, which is better than that of other Countries, or by reason of the making thereof, which the inhabitants there do perform more carefully than in other places.  
To preserve Cucumbers, 
Preserving of Cucumbers.  you must put them in Lees of white Wine, which are not sour, and in a pitched Vessel, and stop it well. Otherwise, you must put them in salt Brine, or else hang them in some Vessel wherein is a little Vinegar, but so also the Vessel must be very well stopped. Some preserve them in an earthen Vessel with Salt, Vinegar, and Mari●rome. Others cast them into sandy P●●s, and cover them with the seed of Senuie bruised with Vinegar, and after that put upon them dry hay and earth.  
To preserve Gourds, 
The preserving of Gourds.  take them when they are tender, and cut them, than power upon them warm water, and let them cool in the open air for a night's space: after that souse them in strong salt Brine, and so you shall preserve them a long time: or else dry them in the Sun, and after hang them up in some smoky place. In France they are preserved all Winter, being hanged up under some chamber floor, or set in rows upon planks, especially the Citruls.  
To keep Onions, 
How to keep Onions.  you must dry them in the Sun, and afterward put them in some dry place, and well aired. Some preserve them after this manner: First they dry them in the Sun, and lay Thyme and Savoury below in the bottom of a pot, and lay the Onions above, putting thereunto pickle, which shall be made of three parts of vinegar, and one of salt brine, and above this again a bunch or small bundle of Savoury, to the end that by the weight of it the Onions may be sunk down into the pickle, and when they are so drenched, as that they have received of the pickle into their own juice, than they fill up the pot with the same pickle. Some do steep them only in water, and afterward preserve them the whole year in vinegar. But there is no better way to preserve or keep Onions long, than after they are first gathered to spread them thin upon a boarded floor, where they may receive both Sun and Wind: and then, after they are sufficiently dried, to bind them up in long Ropes or Bundles, and so hang them near the air of the fire, as over your Kitchen chimney, or such like.   

CHAP. LII.  
A brief discourse of small and great trees, as well strange as growing in the Country, planted or removed in the Garden: and first of such as Arbours are made of.  
THe Garden of Pleasure having been devised and ordained for the only recreation of the chief Lord of the Farm (as hath already been said) and seeing that this his recreation cannot be altogether so great and so sufficient in the only smell of flowers and sweet herbs, as and if there be withal presented unto the sight the view of strange and Countrey-borne trees, both great and small; which do not only yield a more pleasant smell, without comparison, than the herbs, but do also (the greatest part of them) bring forth fruits of great wonder and admiration, as Pomegranate-trees, C●per-trees, Citron-trees, Orange-trees, Limon-trees, Citron-trees of Assyria, Date-trees, Figge-trees, Olive-trees, bastard Sene-trees, and others such like. Therefore, to the end we may leave nothing out of our Garden whereof the Master of the 〈◊〉 may reap any solace, we will speak briefly of handling and husbanding of great and small Trees which must be planted in it: of which, some are employed as necessary about Arbours, and the Garden is to be set about with them; they are the Cypresse-tree, juniper-tree, Savin-tree, Cedar-tree, Rose-tree, Box-tree, and others: othersome are sown, or set, and removed unto Beds only proper unto them, or into Vessels and Cases, as the Bay-tree, Mulberrie-tree, Date-tree, Pinetree, Citon-tree, Orange-tree, Limon-tree, Figtree, Olive-tree, and such like, which shall be spoken of hereafter.  
The Cypresse-tree, 
The Cypress tree.  as well the male as the female, notwithstanding that in the 〈◊〉 of Crete it doth grow in great Tufts and Forests, without any sowing, or planting, of his own accord: yet in this Country it cannot be got to thrive, without the great pains of the Gardener, and notable goodness of the ground: for naturally 〈◊〉 delighteth not but in hot Countries, where it groweth as one would wish it. It groweth either set or sown in a dry ground, far from Floods, Rivers, Marshes, dyrtie, and moist places, and on the tops and sides of Hills where the Sun shineth, better than in valleys. It abhorreth all manured ground especially and most of all, be it never so little: yea, if one do but fill a trench with dung round about where 〈◊〉 is planted, it will die in a short time: notwithstanding, it is requisite some certain time before you plant it, to put some good mould into the pit where you intent to plant it, or to s●w it. This is (as it were) a wonder of Nature in the seed of this tree, which, though it be so small as that one can scarce see it, yet it bringeth 〈…〉 goodly and so tall a tree. When you sow it, you must sow it in furrows, from after the twentieth of October until Winter: and near unto it, some Barley; for there is such great familiarity betwixt these two seeds, that they grow (as it were) in spite one of another: whereupon it will come to pass, that when it is a great Barley year, it will be also a great Cypress year. If you remove it, do the like: but be careful in the mean time not to water it, nor to pr●ne it, or to snip off the top● of it, for it cannot endure any wound, be it never so little. This tree hath a male and a female: The male groweth more high, hath his branches and boughs more close and strait together, and bringeth forth Fruit, or Nuts, but so doth not the female.  
The Cypresse-tree beareth fruit and flourisheth three several times a year, 〈…〉 I●nuarie, May, and September: and therefore at these times you must gather the Nuts, which you shall dry in the Sun, to make them easy to break; and take 〈◊〉 the seed, which you must likewise dry in the Sun: And if you be desirous to sow it (the fit time for which is April in very hot Countries, and May in temperate ones, and in this Country from the twentieth of October until Winter) you must choose a dry, fair, and calm day; and being sown, you shall riddle over it with a small riddle, open above, some earth in an even and equal sort about the thickness of two or three fingers, and after that, so soon as the Cypress is put forth of the ground, you must be watchful o●es the Ants, and besprinkle it with water every third day before the Sun rise, or else after the Sun set, which i● much the better: but after that it is grown above the earth, you must not water it but very seldom, for often watering of it would make it die: but in steed of this, it must be carefully weeded, pruned▪ and digged, but without touching of the root: neither must you go upon it 〈…〉 upon it with your feet killeth it: and whereas ●or the first and second year it is very tender, you must cover the head of it for that time to keep it from the burning hea● of the Sun by day, and the pinching cold of the frosty nights, even so as we have said of Melons: the laying of the earth light about it spoken of before, is to be understood of the time of his young years, and whiles it is growing: for after it hath once perfected his sciences and bows, it hath no more need either of that or any other labour and help. It is wont to be removed being betwixt five and six years old, and that in March or in April, and because it scattereth and spreadeth abroad his roots, and pierceth not far downward with them, the pity whereinto it is to be removed must be made wide, and that somewhat more than itself is broad in the roots, and in a moist country it must be but a little depth, whereas in a dry country it may be two foot deep. The Gardener must be careful to keep it from ants, because this little worm loveth Cypress above all other things, and causeth it oftentimes to die.  
The wood of Cypress is better than any other to make coffers, 
The virtues.  chests, cabinets, and presses of, because besides the good smell which it yieldeth, it endureth an infinite long time without corrupting, moulding, or rotting any thing at all, and it is such an enemy to all worms and vermin, as that the leaves and nuts thereof being laid amongst clothes, do free them of worms. The leaves and seed are very much commended for the kill of worms in children. The decoction of the nuts in vinegar do assuage the toothache, if the mouth be often washed therewith: the decoction of the leaves worketh the like effect: the ashes of Cypress nuts, and the horn of an A●●es hoof mixed with oil of Myrtles, keep the hair from falling. The decoction of new and fresh gathered Cypress nuts made in old wine, doth exceeding good to them which have the falling down of the fundament, if they drink thereof every day the quantity of three ounces, but in the mean time they must rub their testiicles with the leaves of Cypress brayed and beaten: and this is a certain remedy, such as hath oft been experimented and tried: the like virtue hath the young sciences of the Cypres-tree, if they be so chawed, as that thereupon their juice may descend into the body.  
The Rose-tree sitteth itself for all manner of air, 
The Rose-tree planted and removed.  whether hot or cold, but in countries that are hot and somewhat moist, it groweth more fair, greater, and flourishing a longer time, as may be seen in many coast towns and places near the Sea in Spain, where Roses continue and flourish unto midwinter. It requireth a fat, substantial, and reasonable moist ground; for as for gravelly and sandy grounds, they are altogether enemies unto the Rose-tree. It must be planted in October, November, and December, in hot and dry country's, and in januarie and February in cold and moist country's; yea and also in March, and such as are planted in the later season, will put forth Roses the same year, which will not fall out in those which were made haste of and planted a great deal sooner: if the earth be good of itself, the Rose will crave no manure, but yield a more perfect smell, but and if it be spent and worn out, it must be succoured with dung well rotten.  
As for Roses there be many sorts of them, that is to say, the wild ones, which we call Eglantine, and the red also growing in hedges: Damask of the colour of Scarlet, which we call Provence Roses: and amongst the branches, besides the wild ones there are, Musk-roses, Common-Roses, and Roses having five leaves only. The Rose-tree groweth either of plants or seed. It is planted of shoots, or little 〈◊〉, divided into pieces of the length of four fingers, 
The Rose-tree sown.  and set into a well manured earth▪ ●oot deep. It is good to remove it, for it will grow the fairer: as also every year▪ or at the least when it is past five years old (which is the term of his approaching age) to cut it, or else to burn the branches of it that are superfluous; for this restoreth 〈◊〉 unto his young years again. If you remove it, remove it by branches, setting the one four foot distant from the other, in a ground that is not ●at or clayey, nor moist, but dry and stony. The Rose-tree sown, groweth slowly: but yet and if yo● sow it, let it be four foot within the ground: and deceive not yourself with th● seed; for the seed is not that little yellow flower which is in the midst of the Rose, but that which is contained and nourished in the little fruit which the Rose bringeth forth after Vintage, 
Seeds of Roses.  which is known to be ripe when it groweth black and soft.  
For to have Musk Roses, you must graft the Rose-tree upon itself, or upon the Eglantine, and before the grafting of it, to put into the cleft, where the graft 〈…〉 stand, a grain of Musk, or else one or two dry leaves of sweet smelling Roses. Such Roses are pleasant to behold, as being but a little tree, and yet laden with leaves, the flower very sweet of smell, and such as will never fail, but always hold and bring forth in their season: besides that, a man may fit the root and branch●● thereof to make a shadow. Such Roses are not good to make conserves, or distilled water, nor for any use in Physic, only they are good to dry and put amongst Linen and other Apparel, because of their good smell. It is true that some say, that they loosen the belly. Look further in the third Book in the Chapter of the special properties of Grafting and Planting.  
To have Roses that shall smell very sweet, 
V●rie sweet smelling Roses.  you must plant your Rose-tree in a place that is very dry, or else to set it round about with Garlic. The Roses will come early, if you make a little trench of some two hands wide round about the Rose-tree, and therein power warm water morning and evening: 
Early, hasty, and timely Roses.  and yet this must not be attempted before it begin to put forth his buds. You shall do the like if you place your Rose-tree in baskets, or pots of earth, and order them after the manner of timely Gourds and Cucumbers, as hath been taught before.  
You may keep new Roses in their liveliness, 
Fresh Roses.  if you put them in the lees of Oil▪ so as that the lees may swim above them: Others pull up green Barley, roots and all, wherein they wrap Roses as yet not blown, and so put them together in a 〈◊〉 that is not pitched. The way to have green Roses, is, if you graft the Rose-tree upon an old Colewort stalk, or upon the body of an Oak, but then the Roses will 〈◊〉 no smell.  
You may make the Carnation Rose white, 
To make carnation Roses white.  if you perfume it with Brimstone 〈◊〉 such time as it beginneth to spread.  
You may have Roses of a yellow colour, if after you have planted the Rose-tree with his natural earth near unto the broom, you bore through the broom stalk with a wimble, and plant in the same hole divers roots or shoots of the Rose-tree, scraped round about so far as they are to lie in the hole, and after tie and make the● fast unto the broom plant with mortar: and whenas you see the hole bored in the stalk to be grown up again▪ you shall cut off the broom stalk above the pla●● where you bored the hole, and shall let the Rose-tree to put forth his shoots, and 〈◊〉 by this means you shall have yellow Roses.  
The virtues of the Roses are sufficiently known unto every one. Some distil the white and Provence rose, which▪ if you will have it to retain the full quality and virtue of the Rose, together with the smell and favour of the same, you must distil in a glass vessel, and not in lead, as is ordinarily accustomed. Some make 〈◊〉 and syrops of carnation Roses, which have force to loosen the belly, and to purge the humours offending in serious and choleric matter, as also good for 〈…〉, the jaundice, the obstructions of the liver, and beating of the heart.  
The yellow growing within the Rose, which is a flower accompanied as it were with small hairs, doth stay the white flowers of women: the white end of the leaves of Roses, are good in a decoction to stay all manner of fluxes: the cup hath the same force and virtues: the seed and wool contained within the button of the Rose, as also the whole button, dried and made into powder, is singular good to stay women's whites and terms, for the scalding of the water, for the disease called gonorrhea, taken the weight of a dram with sour red wine.  
Box-tree 
Box-tree.  is planted of shoots or boughs, after the twelfth day of November. It delighteth in hilly places and mountains, and groweth very well in cold, dry, and windy places. 
Bees-bane.  It must not be planted near the place where bees are kept, 
A corrupt air.  for the flower killeth them suddenly. Some affirm, that it corrupteth the air by the stinking smell it hath, and for this cause it would be as sparingly planted in the garden as possibly may be.  
Box-tree is better to make combs and other durable instruments of, than for to use in medicine, if it were not that Physicians do hold that the scrape or r●●ped powder of Box and the leaves thereof boiled in Lee▪ do cause the hair to look ●ed. Some likewise do think that it hath the like properties that Guaiacum hath in decoctions for the French disease, but herein I refer myself rather to experience than to reason.  
Broome, 
Broome.  as well the small as the great, is planted of shoots and boughs, in the increase of the Moon, about the Calends of March. It may likewise be sown, 
To make water.  and it requireth a dry and sandy ground. The flowers, 
The stone.  as also the seed, do provoke urine, and break the stone, 
To vomit.  as well of the reins, as of the bladder: the flowers provoke vomit, taken in a drink: the leaves and crops boiled in wine or water, are good for the dropsy and obstructions of the liver, spleen, and kidneys: some use the stalks of broom to tie their vines, as also to make ropes and sacks of, and that by ripening it in water as they do hemp.  
Spanish broom 
Spanish broom●.  groweth also in dry places: it must be removed after the first year that it is sown: it is sown in February, and removed in March the next year after: the flowers in decoctions procure vomit after the manner of white hellebor: the seed alone doth loosen the belly, and forceth downward great store of water.  
Furze 
Furz●.  grow in untilled and sandy grounds: the leaves boiled in water or wine do stay all manner of ●luxes.  
The Cedar-tree 
The Cedar tree.  is very rare in these countries: so that if you will have it in your garden, you must assign it a well husbanded ground, and lying open upon the Sun, notwithstanding the places where it is found most growing, be cold and moist mountains, and full of snow: if you do well you must sow in pots of earth, and cases or impaled places the small and exceeding little seed that cometh thereof.  
The liquor thereof put into the hollow parts of the teeth, doth stay their ache: being anuointed it killeth the worms, and preserveth bodies from rotting. The wood is very pleasant to look upon, and to smell unto, whereupon some use it in steed of perfumes.  
Sa●in 
Sa●in.  is planted as box, and groweth much better if it be watered with Wine Lees, or sprinkled with the dust of tile stones. The leaves as well in decoction as in perfumes, provoke the terms, and expel the afterbirth and dead child: they also cause to fall off the warts growing upon a man's yard.  
As concerning juniper 
juniper.  it affecteth the tops of mountains, and stony ground for to grow well in, and by how much it is the more ●ost of the winds, and pinched with cold, so much the fairer it groweth. The fruit thereof is good for the stomach, for weak and broken people, and against all sorts of venom, whether it be drunk or taken in a perfume, as also against an evil air: It is with good success used in the decoctions prescribed against the pocks: take seven juniper-berries, and as many Bay-be●ries, half a dram of Zylocassia, and a dram of cinnamon, put all this whole in the belly of a Turtle-dove, roast the said Turtle thus stuffed, and ba●t her with Capon's grease, give every second day one of these at supper, to a woman that is ready to be delivered, and she shall have an easy delivery: boil twelve pound of juniper wood cut small, or raspt in a great cauldron, and in a sufficient quantity of water to the consumption of the third part of the water, put this wood and water in●● a bathing tub, and let the party troubled with the gout, ●it in this water up unto the middle; he shall feel incredible relief hereby.  
Elder tree 
Elder-tree.  is fitter to plant in the garden hedge, than to make at bouls in 〈◊〉: notwithstanding where other sorts of small trees are wanting, there may use be made of the Elder-tree. It would be set in the month of November upon sciences and shoots, in a moist and shadowed place, near to some little river or brook. To cause it to grow well, you must take this diligent course: to cast the earth as it were into furrows of a good half foot broad, and a whole foot deep with a spade, and not with a pickaxe, for there must no earth be taken away: then presently after the 〈◊〉 of Saint Martin in Winter, plant your Elder-trees, the great end thereof which sha● be put into the earth, shall be cut bias like the foot of a Hind, and thrust down 〈◊〉 the ground thus prepared, a foot or nine inches deep: and let it stand up above the ground, at the least a foot and a half, or two foot, so as that in all, your plant m●st be two good foot and a half, or three foot long: before you put them into the gro●nd, open it with a dibble, either of iron or wood, so that the rind of the plant may 〈◊〉 be torn, in putting of it into the earth. If you plant it in the furrows, there must be at the least three foot betwixt every furrow, and a foot betwixt every plant. Having once thus planted them, you shall never need to take any further pains 〈◊〉 them, if you will not yourself, but to cut it two joints at the least every year 〈◊〉 the space of the two or three first years, to the end the root may grow the 〈◊〉▪ and the first two or three years being past, you may cut it from two years 〈…〉 years to make props for vines: in any case you must ●op it every year, and cut away all the evil sciences and shoots which it ill favouredly putteth forth.  
Some distil the water of the flowers, as singular to appease the headache 
Headache.  coming of heat, if the brows or hinder part of the head be rubbed therewith. Some likewise do make very good vinegar with the ●lowers and juice of the be●●ies. The juice pressed from the rind of the root, moveth vomit, and draweth forth the 〈◊〉 that is in tho●e that have the dropsy: the juice pressed from the leaves and take● with some pottage doth loosen the belly: the dried seed is good against the dropsy, and for ●at folk to make them lean, taking of it the quantity of a dram in 〈◊〉 wine, and continuing it a certain time, and mixing therewith a little 〈◊〉▪ because it is a procurer of vomit, and a disquieter of the stomach.  
Rosemary and jesamin 
Rosemary and jesamin.  are likewise fit for the adorning of arbours in 〈◊〉▪ of the ordering whereof we will say nothing in this place, because we have before spoken thereof very largely.  
ivy, 
ivy.  as well the great as the small, doth delight to be planted in moist and watery places, from the month of November until March, and it flowreth not but in Autumn, neither doth the ber●ie thereof become ripe but in Winter: it growe●● not high, if it be not near unto some tree or old ruin, unto both which in the end 〈◊〉 worketh ruin and overthrow. It will bring forth a goodly fruit, if you 〈…〉 with powdered Allome, or ashes made of burnt Oyster-shells. Black ivy will become white, if you water the root thereof with white earth tempered with w●ter eight days together continually.  
If you take three ivy berries, and tying them up in a clean linen cloth 〈…〉 thread, give them to some one that is troubled with pain and stiffness of his 〈◊〉 to wear about his neck, the said party so wearing them three days together 〈◊〉 be whole and cured of his disease. The leaves brayed and applied, do heal ●●nings and ●●●ldings made with hot water: boiled in vinegar and applied, 〈◊〉 cure the hardness of the spleen: the gum thereof killeth louse and ni●s, and 〈◊〉▪ anointed in any hairy place, causeth the hair to fall away. The vessels 〈◊〉 the wood of ivy are singular to know if there be any water in the wine, for the 〈◊〉 will abide in the vessel, and the wine will run out. Seven ivy berries, 〈…〉 many peach kernels the skin● taken off, boiled in oil, and afterward stamp● 〈◊〉 applied unto the temples and brows, do assuage the headache coming from the brain: the juice of the leaves of ivy drunk with red wine, doth heal the swelling of the spleen: a cap made in form of a headpiece or skull of the leaves of ivy sowed together, and applied unto the head of a little child which hath the falling of the hair called Tinea, doth heal it thoroughly: the water or gum which droppeth out of the stock of an ivy three the rind being cut, killeth nits and lice.  
Privet 
Privet.  groweth more than a man would wish amongst brambles and bushes, from which places it may be transplanted into the garden for the benefit of arbours. The water of the flowers thereof may be distilled, and it is most singular against all manner of ●luxes, whether of the belly, matrix, spitting of blood, and of the eyes, as also for all sorts of cankers: the same virtue hath the juice pressed out of the leaves, especially for the canker growing in the mouth. There is an oil made of the flowers thereof infused in oil in the Sun, which is singular good for the headache coming of a hot cause, and also for inflammations.   

CHAP. LIII.  
Of Herbs for the Arbours of the Garden.  
FOr want of trees of low growth (such as have been spoken of here before) you may help yourself in the making of your Arbours for your Garden of Pleasure, 
〈…〉.  with certain herbs which are pliant, and with their leaves apt to make shadow, still provided, that they be borne up by poles of Willow, or juniper, dressed and ordered in form, and after the manner of Arbours: They are such as follow; the wild Vine, Hops, Gourds, Cucumbers, the marvelous Pease, Winter Cherries, the marvelous Apples, and other such like.  
And as concerning the wild Vine, it groweth more plentifully than a man would wish amongst the Brambles and Bushes: and therefore from hence it may be transplanted and removed into your Garden for the benefit of your Arbours. The root, especially the juice, doth mightily loosen the belly, provoke urine, purge the brain, open the spleen, and take away the hardness thereof: applied in form of a pessary, it bringeth down the terms, the afterbirth, and dead child: stamped with salt, and applied, it healeth ulcers, it cleanseth the skin, and taketh away the red pimples of the face: for which purpose also serveth the water thereof, which you may gather in the month of May out of a pit which you shall make in the head of the root, as it standeth in the ground, according as we have already said in the Chapter of Violets going before. In a Cataplasm it is singular against the Sciatica, as also to take away the hair from some place: being mixed and stamped with Bull's blood, it is of marvelous effects in hard and schirrous swellings, and cankerous tumors.  
We have spoken heretofore of cucumbers and gourds: 
Cucumbers and Gourds.  and therefore it is not needful to make any new repetition.  
The ordering of hops 
Hops.  is like unto that of the wild vine, for one and the same ground and dressing will serve both. The flowers, crops, and juice pressed out, do take away the obstructions of the liver and spleen: and the use thereof is very convenient for such as have the dropsy: therewith beer is made, as we shall further declare hereafter.  
marvelous apples 
marvelous apples.  are very fit to overspread arbours, as well in respect of their beauty, as for that they are pliant, and winding easily about the poles. They would be sown in the Spring time, in a fat and well battilled ground: they cannot endure the cold: so soon as their fruit is ripe, which is in Autumn, they dry away by and by: wherefore you must sow them where the Sun hath full power upon them, and water them oft in the time of great heat, gathering their fruit in September. These apples resemble little lemons, as being sharp pointed at the end, 〈◊〉 bellied in the midst, rough as wild Cucumbers, green at the beginning, but afterwards turning red: the first that ever brought them into France, was Re●e du Bellay▪ Bishop of Mans. They have also been found in the gardens of the religious of S. Germans in the fields, and in the Temple garden at Paris. They are called of the greeks Gracious apples, because of their well pleasing beauty; and of the Latins, Viticella, Momordica, and Balsamita, this last name was given to them by reason of the virtues of Balm which they have: and in French marvelous apples, because of the marvelous virtue that they have to heal wounds. Some take all the seeds 〈◊〉 of the apples, putting the said apples into a viol of unripe oil olive (or instead of oil made of unripe olives, which is not always ready to be had at Paris, some 〈◊〉 common oil very well in rosewater or Common water, or plantain, or Mulberry water) and do afterward set the said viol a long time in the Sun when it 〈…〉 his heat, or else they put it in a vessel of hot boiling water: or else bury it in the earth, or in horse dung, and this oil is singular good to assuage inflammations of wounds, and of the breasts, and hath no less virtue than Balm to consolidate 〈◊〉 heal wounds either new or old, being a thing tried of many. The fruit soaked 〈◊〉 oil of sweet Almonds, or Linseed, adding thereto an ounce of liquid varnish 〈◊〉 every pound of oil, 
〈…〉  maketh the oil very sovereign for the pains of the H●●●●rhoides, Burnings, prickings of the sinews, and to take away the scars of ●ound●. The leaves dried and made into powder, and drunk the quantity of a spoonful with the decoction of plantain, do heal the gripes in the guts, the pain of the colic, and the wounds of the guts. The oil wherein this fruit hath been soaked, doth keep in his place the fundament wont to fall down in little children, 
The f●lling down of the fundament.  if it be often rubbed therewith: 
To make women fruitful.  it maketh barren women fruitful, if after they have bathed in a bath for the purpose, and drunk of the powder of the leaves of this herb, they anoint their secret parts with this oil, dwelling afterwards with their husbands.  
The marvelous pease 
The marvelous peas●●.  are very rare in this country, resembling somewhat Winter cherries, as having their seed enclosed in a little film or skin, like unto a ●ich pease; in the midst whereof, there is the shape as it were of a heart. They delight in a very fat, moist, and well sunned soil, and cannot abide to endure the cold.  
Winter cherries 
Winter Cherries.  (which the Latins call Halicaca●um, and the Arabians A●●kengi,) are delighted in vines: wherefore they which would have it planted in their garden, must pick out for it such a soil as would fit the vine. The little 〈◊〉 which is enclosed in the bladder, is singular good to provoke the decayed urine, and to take away the sharpness and scalding thereof, for the juice thereof mixed with 〈◊〉 cream or milk of white poppy seed, or with the decoction of the seed of melo●● or gourds, meadows, or barley ptisan, and drunk, doth marvelously mitigate the scalding of the urine: if the root come near unto the asp or lizard, it casteth them into a dead sleep, and killeth them: the use of the cherry is sovereign against the stone and gravel. Likewise for this disease some make a Wine which is called Winter-cherrie wine, which is made with the new pressed liquor of good white wine, when in hath been infused a certain quantity of these cherries: or with a certain qua●titie of these cherries cast with an equal quantity of white wine grapes all whole into a new vessel, the same vessel afterward being filled up with white wine new fro● the press, being afterward scummed and used after the manner of other wines: or else this wine may be thus made, these cherries are trodden amongst ripe grapes, and being suffered to work together certain days, they are afterward ●unned up 〈◊〉 vessels, and ordered as other wines: this wine taken the quantity of four 〈…〉 the morning three or four days together in the decrease of the Moon, cleanseth the reins, and purgeth out great quantity of gravel.   

CHAP. liv.  
Of Trees both great and small, as well outlandish as of the same Country, being planted or sown either upon beds or in vessels, in the Garden.  
THe Bay-tree 
The Bay-tree.  will grow in all places, but it is not as easily preserved and kept in every place: for it delighteth especially and naturally in a hot or temperate country, for in a cold it groweth not but by constrain▪ but and if you be disposed to have it to grow in this cold country, you 〈◊〉 plant it so upon the Sun, as that it may thereby sh●ke off and better pass 〈◊〉 the extremity of the cold; and on the contrary, in a hot country you must plant▪ 〈◊〉 so, as that the Sun may come but sparingly to it, to wit, even when the shadow. 〈…〉 be hard at the foot if it: notwithstanding it delighteth much in places near 〈◊〉 the Sea, in lean and thin grounds, where the air is warm and temperate of it ●elfe. It must be planted in Autumn and in the Spring time, of sets, of whole plants, 〈◊〉 of branches: and in March it is planted very fitly and seasonably, when as the ●ap ●putteth up and cometh to the barb. It may likewise be fowne after the four. 〈◊〉 day of March in a ground that is well manured, one foot within the ground 〈◊〉 four berries together: and at the years end▪ to remove it to some other place. The Bay-tree feareth the cold above all other things, 
The Bay-tree cannot endure cold.  and for this cause it must be planted in this country in a firm and solid ground as hath been said, to the end that during the times of snow, frost, and freezing upon rain, the roots may be defended from cold, which although the boughs and branches should be dead by the cold of Winter, it would yet continue to bring forth new boughs in the Spring time▪ for the fastness and closeness of the ground will have let and stayed the air from having pierced unto the roots. And in ca●e the ground where you have planted your Bay-tree should be sandy, dry, and barren, than it will be your part during the time of Winter to spread and cast ashes and straw about the roots of the Bay-tree, to preserve the heat of the earth, and to withhold the cold from piercing unto the roots. Then for to procure a flourishing and fair Bay-tree, 
〈…〉.  two things are necessary▪ the heat of the air, and the fastness of the ground, of which, if the one be wanting, the Bay-tree will not grow any thing at all; or if it grow, yet it will be bu● a small and starved thing, as we may easily make trial and proof in this ●countrie. The Bay-tree may be grafted upon itself, as also upon the Dogg-tree, the Ash-tree, and the Cherrie-tree, as we will declare more largely in the third Book.  
The Myr●●e tree 
The 〈◊〉 tree.  is of two sorts, the one is a dark green, the other is a light green, the one beareth a yellow flower; and the other a white, but of these the later is the better: but every sort of Myrtle craveth a hot Country, a light, sandy, lea●●●, and brittle kind of ground, and yet notwithstanding this, it groweth well upon the Sea banks, as also upon the sides of pools, lakes, and fens. It is planted either of young boughs borrowed and cut down for the excessive rankness of them, after 〈…〉 four or five years old, or from the shoots putting forth at the root thereof, separating them from the main root so soon as they be put up, and from after a year of their first planting to remove them: or else of seed, rubbed and cha●ed betwixt your hands, and after thrust into an old band or small cord: the same buried all along according to that length that it is of in a furrow cast a foot deep, or thereabout, and well manured with rotten dung, and watering the place. The myrtle-tree would be planted in the highest part of the Garden, for by his smell it maketh the place most delightsome: it may be ●owne also after the manner of the Bay-tree, but than it will not grow up till after a long t●me. It will grow both high and fair▪ if you make it clean and sco●re it often round about, and it will b●ing forth much and great fruit, if you plant Rosetrees near unto it, or else plant it near unto Olive-trees, in the country where they grow: for the Myrtle and Olive trees do help one another greatly. It loveth and craveth to be watered with man's urine, but especially with sheeps: or when you can get neither of these, with warm water, wherein it delighteth exceedingly, as sometimes appeared by a Myrtle planted near unto a bath, which to every man's sight grew very pleasantly and beautifully, though there were no reckoning or account made thereof. Myrtle-berries put in a vessel which is not pitched, but well covered, doth keep a long time green and fresh: Some hold it better to put them in, hanging upon their boughs: The Myrtle 〈◊〉 nothing so much as cold, and taketh delight to be near unto pools, brooks, and maritime places. If you water it oft with warm water, 
〈…〉  it will bear fruit▪ 〈…〉 any kernel.  
The fruit is called Myrtle-berries. It must be gathered when it is 〈…〉 great while after the Rose is fallen and shaken. It may be grafted upon another of his own kind, and the white upon the black, and the black upon the Appletree, Medlar-tree, and Pomegranet-tree.  
After vintage time, in the country of Provence, where there is a great number of Myrtle-trees, the birds feed of the fruit of the Myrtle-tree, and thereby become so fat, and their flesh so pleasant to eat, as that men eat birds so fatted all whole, with●●● pulling out of the garbage: insomuch as it is grown into a common proverb, 〈◊〉 the excrement is better than the flesh.  
The leaves, bays, or berries of myrtle-tree by their astringent force and 〈◊〉 do stay all manner of fluxes, whether it be of the belly, or of the terms, or principally of the whites: the juice and distilled water of Myrtle-tree are singular good to drink, to keep up the falling fundament. The decoction of the seed of Myrtle-tree, doth black the hair, and keepeth it from falling. The berries of the Myrtle-tree may serve in steed of pepper, the sauce made therewith worketh the like effect, and is singular good to comfort a languishing stomach: myrtle berries even do comfort the heart, and cure the beating of the same: the ashes of the dry leaves of myrtle-tree burned within a pot of raw earth, so thoroughly as that they become white, being afterward washed, have one and the same virtue that Spodium or Pomphol●● hath.  
If you cannot make the myrtle-tree to grow in your garden, you must content yourself with the Myrt-tree, 
The Myrt-tree.  which craveth the same ground and manner of orde●●● that the Myrtle-tree, as being a kind of wild Myrtle-tree) and which may be 〈…〉 the steed of Myrtle-tree when it cannot be come by, as having the same or 〈…〉 virtues.  
Butchers-broome 
Butcher-broome.  is also a kind of wild myrtle, which groweth commonly in Forests and Vnderwoods', from whence it is better to translate it into your garden, 〈◊〉 either to sow or plant it.  
He that is desirous to plant Tamariske 
〈◊〉.  in his garden, must make choice of the moist and wettest ground, and for want of a sufficient moist ground, to water 〈…〉 It is likewise seen that Tamariske doth grow fair and tall, by ponds, 〈◊〉, and other standing waters. It is planted either of roots or sprouts, and that from the 〈◊〉 of October, till the four and twentieth of December, yea until the beginning of February; but yet it thriveth best being set of roots: there is no frost almost 〈…〉 hurt it, especially the root, for when it is once taken, it putteth forth continually 〈◊〉 and boughs along the plant.  
The wood is principally commended, for that it assuageth and diminisheth 〈◊〉 spleen in such as have it stopped too full of melancholic humours: and hence 〈…〉 that many troubled with that disease, do eat and drink in vessels made of 〈◊〉 wood thereof. And some likewise do counsel to give swine that are troubled 〈◊〉 too much fullness of the spleen, water to drink in their ●●ough●, having first ●●●ched therein coals made of the wood of Tamariske. The decoction of the 〈…〉 damask raisons in good for leprous persons, and such as have their spleen 〈◊〉▪ as also for the pocks.  
Bastard Seine, 
Bastard Sene.  (called of the Latins 〈◊〉) delighteth in a fat ground, and well battilled with sheeps dung. It groweth not planted, but upon seed: and it is meet that the seed be steeped first a long time in water, even until it begin to sprout. The time to sow it, is about the beginning of the month of june. It must not have any of the branches cut off, nor be pruned or touched before the fourth year. The fruit serveth to good use for the fatting of Sheep, and maketh them to have much milk: it is good also to fat chickens, bees, goats, and kine. Some take it to be Seen, but they do greatly deceive and beguile themselves.  
The Caper-tree 
The Caper-tree.  in many countries groweth without any tilling, ●n ●arable ground: but where it wanteth, if it must be sown, it must be in a hot country, and a dry, stony, and sandy place, which shall before hand be enclosed with a little ditch, which shall be filled with stone and lime, or else with fat earth, for to be a fortress and▪ defence unto it, that so the roots of the Caper-tree and thereby all shoots that might grow up from them, may be kept from breaking forth, and spreading further than this ditch: for if they should be stayed and kept back from spreading by some such means, it would come to pass that within a small time they would overrun the whole Garden, and plant themselves in every corner of the same. Notwithstanding the Caper-tree is not so noisome in that respect (because it may be pulled up) as it is by inveniming (I know not by what venomous humour or juice) the whole ground, and making of it barren. It hath no need (except a ver●e little) to be any way tilled or fashioned: for it groweth well enough (without any thing done unto it) in ●ields and desert grounds. It may be sown in the Spring and Autumn.  
The fruit of the Caper-tree, as well the great as the small, is good in a fallade to provoke appetite, cleanse the phlegmatic stomach, and to take away the obstructions of the liver, but principally of the spleen: the rind of the root and leaves have the like virtue, but more effectually. Capers both the great and the small, whiles they are yet green and not salted, do nourish a great deal more, both of them are in request, not so much for that they are fruit, as for their manner of preserving, which is performed either with vinegar, or else with salt brine: for Capers not pickled are of a very sharp and unpleasant taste, but the vinegar wherein they are preserved doth make them very acceptable unto the stomach: but the great ones because they have both more juice and more pulp, are a great deal better than the little ones: though the little ones are more delightsome to the taste than the great ones, because they are fuller of vinegar than the great ones.  
Agnus Castu●, 
〈…〉  seeing it cometh very near to the nature and condition of the Willow, and of the same colour with the leaves, disagreeing only in smell, craveth to be planted in a watery place, where there is much shadow: or at the least to be oft watered. The leaves, seed, and flowers, are singular good for them which would live chastened, 
Chastity.  taken inwardly, or applied, outwardly: for some say, that the leaves, 〈◊〉, or flowers, put into little b●gges, and applied unto the reins in bed, do help to keep the chastity of the body, which is the cause that in many countries it is seen planted almost in all the Monkeries. 
Heat of Urine.  The decoction of the leaves is good against the sealding and burning Urine, as well in drinking as in fomenting it, as also against the obstructions of the liver, spleen, and matrix. If you carry a branch of Agnus Castus about you, you shall not grow weary, 
The burning beat of the secret parts.  no not after much travel. The fume thereof taken in at the secret parts of women, doth quench the unsatiable lust and burning desire unto venery and carnal copulation.  
Beane-tree, 
〈…〉.  or S. johns-bread (bearing a long, flat, and broad fruit, like unto that of Ca●●ia) would be planted of new shoots, in February and November, in a dry ground, lying open upon the Sun, and where as there are very deep ditches made. It may also be grafted in a Plum-tree, or Almond-tree: in any case you must never think upon the sowing of it, because so it would never bear any fruit, but would die very quickly: it must be oft watered.  
The Cod● are good either to fat children or ●win●, 
To ●eed swine.  but not so fit to feed men withal: It is true that the fruit doth loosen the belly gently, as it were after the manner of Cassia.  
There 〈…〉 sorts of the Date-tree: 
The Dat●-tr●e.  some bear fruit, and some 〈…〉 and of the fruitful, some bear a reddish fruit, and some a white, and 〈…〉 grey. Furthermore, some are males, and some females, some are high and 〈…〉 some are stooping down, and but low, and therefore called the little or 〈…〉 three; and some of a middle size betwixt both: but howsoever they differ, yet 〈◊〉 they agree, that they all desire a hot air, a great deal more than temperate: for in a hot Country it bringeth forth very fair and ripe fruit, and of itself is 〈◊〉 kept and preserved, without any f●rther pain or ●are, except it be about the 〈◊〉 of it; where, in a temperate Region, it either ripeneth not his fruit, or 〈…〉 none at all. It craveth a 〈…〉, and nitrous ground, foreseen that it be 〈…〉 moist, and this is the cause why it ●ro●pereth well upon the Sea coast: and if the ground where it be planted, be not such, it must be watered with salt water, 〈…〉 brine. It is planted of small Plants, with roots in April and May, the Plant being well laid about with fat earth. Some also sow the new stones of Dates (and they bring forth their trees in October) two cubit's deep in the ground, and that mingled with ashes, and well enriched with Goat's dung, and the sharp side of it must be upward: it must be watered every day, and every year there must be ●alt shed 〈◊〉 it▪ or else, which is better, that it be oftentimes watered with water that is 〈◊〉 salt. Again, that it may grow high and fair, it gladly accepteth the watering of hi● roots with the lees of old red Wine strained.  
Note likewise, that (seeing of one Date stone alone there will hardly grow up any Date-tree, bearing sufficient bigness in the bowl and body, to carry and 〈◊〉 the weight of the head) it will be good to put and join together two or three 〈◊〉 stones, sowed up in a Linen cloth, in such sort, as that the sharp sides may behold one another, and so to set them; for by this joining of two or three together, your tree may come by a body sufficient big to bear the head. Not further, that if you would have the female Date tree to bear fruit, that then you must plant it near unto a male Date tree, and not one only, but many, if it be possible, because the near standing of the one unto the other, causeth that the virtue of the male is conveyed and imparted unto the female, and that by the commixtion made by the wind, from 〈◊〉 ariseth abundance of fruit. But and if you have not the means to plant many 〈◊〉 Date trees near unto the female, it will be sufficient if you do but touch the male oftentimes with your hand▪ and then afterward lay the same hand upon the females or you must gather o● the flowers of the top o● the male, or of the mos●e of the male, and sprinkle the same upon the female. Eat but as ●ew Dates as you can, for they make obstructions in the liver and spleen, and are also of hard digestion, and 〈◊〉 the headache.  
The Pinetree 
The Pinetree.  groweth chiefly of a kernel, which must be planted in October or November in warm places: or in cold places in February or in March▪ or about the fall of the apple, or a little after, and that in pits well digged, and which ha●e lain untilled and unoccupied a g●od time: the apple must not be broken by force of an iron thing▪ to get out the kernels, which must lie in steep three days before hand, and seven of them set together, and that five fingers deep only, when they are grown up, you must not be too hasty to remove them, because they take 〈…〉 but in long time, and very hardly: nay, they cannot abide at all to be transplanted without their great hurt and hindrance: but yet when time may serve to transplant them, in any c●se beware that you do not hurt their roots, especially the principal and thickest ones. The Pinetree groweth chiefly and thriveth best, upon high mountains, and places that are open unto the wind, still regard being had, that the place where they shall be planted, be as carefully husbanded and tilled, as if it 〈◊〉 for to bear and bring forth wheat. It will continue the longer time, if the bark 〈◊〉 oft taken from it, because that under the bark certain little worms do breed, whi●● fret and destroy the wood.  
The distilled water of new Pine-kernels, 
〈…〉.  ●●ake away the wrinkles of the face, and diminish the breasts that are too great and swagging, if there be laid unto 〈…〉 clothes dipped ●n this water as oft as you can: this water also is singular good to draw narrower the secret parts of women being too much distended and enlarged, and to cure them of all manner of rheums and distillations: but yet their juice ●s more effectual for these matters, than the distilled water.  
Pineapples are a meat of very easy nourishment, 
The virtue of the Pineapple.  ●nd for that cause are very good for such as ar●troubled with the cough, for them which are in a consumption, and such as are sick of an hectic ●euer, but they must have been s●●●pt sometime in Rose-water to take away their acrimony, sharpness, and oily substance: it is true that they be hard to digest, and therefore to such as are cold of nature, you must give them with home; and to those which are hot, with sugar, to help out with the hardnette of their digestion. They are good for such as have the palsy, for ache in the sinews and back, for heat of the urine, and gnawing of the stomach, taken with the juice of Purslane.  
Figs (being one of the best fruits we have, 
The Figtree.  according to the ground and plant whereof they come) are either more or les●e sweet and savoury, and this cometh of the air as it is tempered with heat, cold, or a milder temper: or else in respect of the moisture and dryness of the grounds, their fatness, and leanness; their roughness or smoothness; their s●●ngth or gentleness, and easiness; their stoutness or being without stones, or their situation amongst some old ruins and rotten stone walls: for in respect of all these, it falleth out that there are great diversity of figs, as having some great, some small, some round, some sharp pointed, some white, some black, some green, and some grey. So that this tree loveth to be in places standing open upon the Sun, and therewithal rocky or clayey, stony or mixed much with lime, near unto walls or old ruins, yea within the very walls being 〈◊〉, or half fallen down, especially that which beareth little figs, very sweet and white ones, such as are those of Mar●●●llis, for such a figtree delighteth in a dry and gravelly place: as on the contrary, the figtree that bringeth forth great, less sweet and reddish figs, desireth a fat and well manured ground. It thriveth and prosper●th in a hot and temperate air, so that the ground be somewhat moist: for this tree is very dainty and quickly wronged and injured by frosts, broken down by winds, and made thin and lean by drought, by the which the fig will sooner be overthrown and spoiled than the Mulberry. They are easily hurt by Frosts, Mists, and great Cold: wherefore they must be planted in the Spring, when Frosts are past, upon the South or East quarter, in great, deep, and well-digged pits, of shoots and boughs of two years growth, being fair and round ones, and full of knots▪ for these are most fruitful. And to cause them the better to take root, you shall take away their bark at the neither end of the stem about half a foot, and yet leaving it notwithstanding fastened thereunto, that so the said bark may turn into boots.  
It may in like manner be sown of figs laid in steep, and bound about with small lines, and then afterward planted in that manner, and watered often and diligently: but it would su●e better, if it were grafted upon a Plum tree or Almond tree▪ for so it continueth a great deal longer. But whether it be planted or grafted, it must not be much watered▪ for abundance of water corrupteth the natural beauty of the figtree, and maketh them very subject to rot. It would be a great deal better, to make them grow fair, and become fruitful, to thrust the plant into a wild Garlic, called in Latin Squilla, and better in English, Sea-Onion: or else to steep it in Brine, or to set it round about with Ox dung, or with unquenched Lime. And to keep and guard them from Frosts, they must from the eleventh of November be covered very well with Straw, or with the stalks of Line, tying these things to the roots and to the boughs so well and in every place, as that there remain nothing to be seen of the plant. If you would have the figtree to bring forth a late fruit (which is a thing against his nature) 
〈…〉.  you must take from it his first small figs which begin to grow great, and the figtree will put forth another & second fruit, which will be kept till Winter. Likewise it will be fruitful and bring forth a full fig and of a good verdure, 
A fruitful figtree.  if from the time that it shall put forth his leaves▪ there be put to his root 〈◊〉 earth ●eaten and tempered with the settlings of oil olives and man's dung: or else when it shall begin to spring, to cut off the tops and ends of the branches. Figs will be more forward and early, if there be applied unto the roots of the trees pigeons dung, and pepper brayed and mixed with oil: 
〈◊〉 and timely figs.  or else if when their gros●e and unripe apples shall begin to grow red, you anoint them with the juice of a great onion, mixed with oil and pepper, or if when as their fruit shall be reasonably great, you pierce them with a needle, and afterward rubbing them with oil, you cover them with olive-tree leaves: for the heat, being nothing hindered through the great moisture of the fig, doth concoct the fruit and ripen it most easily. But if your fig tree grow in a cold soil or such a soil as the clime appeareth somewhat unnatural therefore, you shall then when he putteth forth his first or later kno●●, and by reason of his want of Sunshine is not able to ripen them, you shall then let them remain on the tree, and by no means pull them away, and the next year following, in the height of Summer, they will all be ripe and pleasant which you shall know by their shining, softness, and transparency, then will they also put forth other new hard knots which you shall again suffer to remain till the next year, and thus allowing them two years to ripen in, you may have in England or elsewhere as good and as pleasant figs as are any is Spain.  
They will be of a divers colour, 
Figs of divers colours.  that is, white on the one side, and red on the other, if you tie together in a linen cloth the seed of two divers figge-trees, and so planting them, afterward to transplant them. You shall reclaim a wild fig tree, 
To make a good fig of a wild.  if you water him at the roots with wine and oil mixed together. Figs will not fall down from their tree, if you water the body ditched round about with salt-brine and water equally mixed together: or if you bury near unto the figtree the horns of Rams or Wethers. 
Green figs.  You shall keep them continually green, if you put them in a pot full of honey and well stopped, in such manner as that one of them do not touch another, nor yet the pot: or else in a gourd every one by itself, hanging the gourd in a shadowed place, where neither fire nor smoke may come unto it. Or if you put them in an earthen vessel, having the mouth well stopped, putting the same vessel afterward into another vessel full of Wine: for as long as the Wine remaineth uncorrupted, so long the figs will remain ●ound and safe. You shall preserve dry figs from rotting or corrupting, if you spread them upon a hurdle in an oven▪ after the bread is drawn, and put them afterward into a new earthen vessel vnpitch●. You shall have figs that loosen your body, and make it soluble, 
Soluble figs.  if you 〈◊〉 at the root of the figtree when you plant it some black hellebor ●●ampt with spurge, or some other such purgative.  
Furthermore, 
To ●ame a wild Bull.  the figtree hath this virtue, that if you have a wild and 〈◊〉 Bull which you cannot tame by any means, if you tie him to a figtree, by and by he will become gentle, forgetting his natural savageness. Furthermore, to make the hard and rough ●lesh of any beast tender by and by, you must hang it to a branch of a figtree; as also, to make it to be boiled quickly, you must stir it oftentimes in the pot wherein it boileth, with a ladle of the wood of a figtree: for the figtree breatheth forth a certain kind of vapour which drieth vehemently, and digesteth the hardness of any ●lesh whatsoever, whether peacock, birds of the river, or other such like. It is true that there is other means to make tender the flesh that is tough, 
〈…〉  as to put it in a heap of corn. We may further note I know not what secret virtue in the fig, for the horses and asses laden with figs do easily fall down under their burden, and lose all their strength, which notwithstanding are as easily recovered of their strength and refreshed, if they have but given them a 〈◊〉 of bread. It is also worth the noting how that the juice or milk of the husbanded or ●ame figtree (as we have before showed in the treatise of the making of cheeses) serveth for the turning or changing of the milk into curds, as well as the 〈◊〉: figs boiled with Hyssop, do heal an old Cough, and amend the diseases of the Lungs. The fruit doth soften the belly, nourisheth much, provoketh sweat: being dry, mingled with the flower of Linseed and Fenugreeke, it killeth or resolveth impostumes, and hard swellings: in decoctions it is good for the Cough, and difficulty of breath▪ the flowers are good to eat, notwithstanding that Swine avoid and shunn● them in all they may.  
King Mithridates made an Opiate against all manner of Poison and danger of the Plague, 
The Plague.  which was compounded of Figs, Walnuts, and Rue, as we have said before in the Chapter of Rue.  
Figs burnt and made into powder, mingled with a very little Wax, do make a very sovereign medicine for Kibes. 
〈…〉  The ●uice of Figs doth heal all Roughness, ill conditioned Scabs, small Pocks, Purples, Freckles, Ringwormes, and other spots and defilements of the body and of the face, being anointed thereupon with the flower of parched Barley. It cureth also the pain of the teeth, a little Cotton wool being dipped therein, and laid upon the tooth. It openeth the Hemorrhoids.  
This Tree is easy to make grow, 
The Olive tree.  and delighteth in hot and temperate Countries, as in Languedoc and Provence, where it may be seen growing (as it were) in little Forests: and it is so long lived, and of such durableness, as that though the labour due to be bestowed about it, be left off for a long time, yet it ceaseth not to bear fruit more or less: and coming to itself again, being old, it becometh young again, and getting foot lively, of dry it becometh marrowish and fatty, and of barren, fruitful. In these Northern Countries it groweth not without great pain and labour, by reason of the coldness of the air. Wherefore if you be minded to plant the Olive tree in your Garden, choose out a place standing upon the South or East quarter, raised sufficient high, and open to the Western wind, and which hath also rested a good while, consisting of Potter's clay underneath, and above mingled with Sand and Fuller's clay, being also a close, moist, and not lean ground: and in this you shall plant it about mid March, not of sprou●s putting forth at the foot of the Olive tree, but of sienes, shoots, and branches that are young, fair, and fertile, pulled from the boughs of the tree, as thick as the wrist, and a foot and a half long, very round, having a sleek and glistering bark, without boughs, and cut down in the new of the Moon, raising the thick bark about the length of a fathom, and letting the green bark alone, which is more fine and thin▪ And you shall set them in the ground in such manner as they did grow upon the tree; as the lower end downward, and the upper end upward towards Heaven, as when they grew upon the tree: for if you set them the upper end downward▪ they will hardly grow; but and if they grow, yet they will abide barren for ever. You must lay the root, as also the head, all over with dung mixed with ashes, and set them on such a depth in the earth, as that there may be above them some four fingers thickness of fine small mould, and afterward tread all close down together, round about the new-set Plant, and so cast still more earth unto it, as it sinketh with treading, or else you may beat it down with a rammer of wood. It must not be transplanted till after five years: but in the mean time you must dig it every month, and dung it with Goat's dung every year in Autumn. You must water it with rain water, rather than with Fountain, River, or Well water. And sometimes you must prune and c●t away the superfluous branches, especially the dry and withered shoots, and the branches putting forth upon it, if so be that the plant be not become old, feeble, and broken, in such sort, as that it standeth in need to be renewed and planted again, for than it will be requisite to leave growing one or two of the fairest, and not to cut them down before they have grown eight years, and then at such time as the Moon is decreasing, and the season dry and fair. And sometimes, every eight year, you must moisten the root of the Olive trees, that are lusty and well liking, with the lees or grounds of Olives, to keep them from worms and other vermin, which are oftentimes noisome unto this Plant. You must also defend them from cattle, especially from the browsing of Goats, which would make them altogether barren. You must not plant any other Plants near unto the Olive tree, except the Figtree, or the Vine, whose company and neighbourhood it rejoiceth greatly in, and hateth especially the Oak, yea, even to be planted in the place where the Oak was standing, and is pulled up, for there it dieth presently. The Olive tree may be grafted in the bud with that kind of grafting called the Scutcheon, and that of the thickest and strongest grafts that may be picked out of the Olive tree, as we will further show hereafter: but it were but a lost labour to sow it of his stones and kernels.  
The Olive tree is less subject unto vermin than any other, 
A marvelous thing about the Olive tree.  because of his strong ●auour, insomuch, that it is as good as a shield unto all other herbs that are about it: as also by his bitterness it killeth Coleworts, Lettuces, and other moist herbs which are sown in the same ground with it. Some hold (which is a marvelous thing) that the Olive tree groweth more fruitful and abundant in increase, if it be planted and looked unto by such as are virgins, 
Virginity. 〈◊〉.  and have not unlawfully abused their bodies, and other men's beds, or otherwise: and that therefore in some Countries the pla●ing of it is committed unto such youths as are certainly known to be chaste, as also 〈◊〉 ordering and governing of them, and that there they grow fair, and bring 〈◊〉 much fruit.  
You must gather them with your hand, when you are got up into the tree by a ladder: 
The gathering of Olives.  you must not hurt the branches, for that might make the Olive three barren: it must be done in November, when they begin to change their colour, and are very black: this time must be fair, and not rainy: yea, and if it have reigned sometime before your gathering, you must see that it be dried up again very thoroughly. Som● gather their Olives after another fashion: They beat them down with long slender Poles, or Perches of Reed, not of Wood, and are careful not to strike against them for fear of beating down some of the branches, together with the fruit: but such manner of gathering Olives is not good, because the Olives beaten down, or strucken, do wither incontinently, and do not yield so much oil: put also unto this discommodity, that other; which is, that the tree is bruised, and many of his branches broken, which is a great hindrance in the years following.  
Furthermore, Olives are gathered for two ends, either to make Oils, 
olives serve to make Oil of, and to serve as Table.  or to sent as dishes at Banquets, to the end that they may provoke appetite: notwithstanding, we must not think that all sorts of Olives indifferently do serve for these 〈◊〉 uses; for the greatest, for the most part, are better for Banquets, and the less to 〈◊〉 Oil out of. But those which are intended to be reserved for Banquets, must be carefully preserved with salt Brine, or salt Vinegar, or Oil, or the grounds of Oil, or with Cure, or the dross of Grapes, or Honey, or Verivice, in manner as followeth.  
They must be gathered with the hand, having got up into the tree with a ladder, 
The gathering of Olives to serve in Banquets.  in fair weather, when they begin to be black, and are not as yet thoroughly ripe: than afterward to spread them upon a hurdle of Oziers', and there pick and cull the● out at your pleasure, putting aside all such as are spotted, corrupted, or very small, and reserving only those which are gross and great, fashioned like an egg, full, fast, having a long and slender stone, a close pulp, or flesh, and in good quantity. This done, they must be cloven in four places, or without any such cleaving, be put whole into an earthen pot, and salt Brine or Verivice powered upon them, or else Honey with Vinegar and Salt, or Oil, with Salt beaten small, or else with Wine new from the Press, or such other liquor as hath been already spoken 〈◊〉. Some put in the bottom of the earthen pot, under the Olives, or into their 〈◊〉, the leaves or ribs of Penyryall, Min●s, anise, Mastic tree, Oil tree, 〈◊〉, Rue, Parsley, Fennell, and Bay tree leaves, and the seeds of Fennell, 〈◊〉▪ and Rue. Finally, you must keep the vessel well stopped, and put it in some C●llar to keep: but he that would keep Olives a long time, must change his 〈…〉 everse quarter of a year.  
As concerning Olives to make Oil of, 
The gathering of Olives to make Oil of.  they must be gathered when they are somewhat more ripe than those which are to be preserved, and when as there are many of them become already black, but yet not so many as are white: in other respects they must be gathered in such manner as we have said that the others should be gathered, that is to say, with the hand, and when it is fair weather, except it be those Olives which by tempests and winds have been blown to the earth, and such as must needs be gathered, as well because of wild, as ●ame and house beasts. There must no more be gathered at one time, than may be made into Oil that night and the day following: for all the fruit that is gathered in a day, must presently be put upon the Milles, and so into the Presses. But before that they be put into the Press, they must first be spread upon hurdles, and picked and culled: as likewise, that their 〈◊〉 and waterish liquor may run out a little, and spend itself; for it is a great enemy unto the Oil: insomuch, as that if it remain, abide, and stand with the Oil, it spoileth the taste and savour of it. And therefore in this respect, when sometimes the quantity of Olives is so great, as that there want Presses and workmen to dispatch them, you must have a high and well-raysed floor, where you must provide partitions to keep asunder every days gatherings: and these partitions, in the bot●●me, must be paved with Stone, or with Tiles, or Squares made somewhat sloping, that so the moistness of the Olives may convey itself along the channels which shall be there provided. And thus much concerning the preparing of Olives to make Oil of: it remaineth now to speak of the making of Oil; but we will reserve that for the end of the third Book, where we will make a large discourse of the making of Oils.  
Finally, there is a very astringent and binding faculty in the Olive tree: for the decoction of the leaves in a Clyster doth stay the flux of the belly: 
Flux of the belly.  the juice pressed from the leaves, with white Wine and Raine water, doth stay all manner of fluxes of blood: the liquor which droppeth from the green wood of the Olive tree when it is burning, doth heal the Itch, 
Flux of 〈◊〉 Itch.  Ringwormes, and Scabs. 
〈…〉.  olives yet green and unripe, do stir up and provoke an appetite, being eaten, and cause a good stomach, but they make the body costive, and are hard of digestion. Ripe Olives do overturn the stomach, and make boilings therein: they cause also headache, and hurt the eyes. As concerning the virtues of Oil, we will speak of them in his place. See more of the Olive-tree in the third Book.  
Pistates 
〈◊〉.  require as great toil and diligence about them as the Olive-tree, and would be sown about the first day of April, as well the male as the female, both ●oyntly together, or at the least one very near unto the other, the male having the back turned to the West: for being thus joined, or near neighbours one unto the other, they bear better and greater store of fruit, especially if they be sown in a fa● ground, and well aired: and there you may graft them at the same time upon themselves, or upon the Turpentine tree, notwithstanding that some do grafted them on the Almond tree. They may in like manner be set of Plants; and the manner of planting them is thus: You must make Pits sufficient deep in some place where the Sun shines very hot, and choose new shoots of the tree which are in very good liking, and ●hese bound together, put into the Pits the second day of the month of April, afterward bind them together from the earth up to the boughs, and cover the roots with good dung, watering them continually for the space of eight days. And after the ●odie of the Tree is three years old, you must lay open the Pit near unto the root●, ●nd set the body somewhat deeper in, and then cover it again with good dung, to the end, that when the Tree shall be grown great, it may not be overblown with ●●eat winds.  
This Tree was rare and hard to be come by in this Country, before the most reverend Lords, Cardinal du Bellay, and Reue du Bellay, Bishop of Mants, brethren, and 〈◊〉 worthy of eternal memory for their incomparable knowledge, alone, and 〈◊〉 all other Frenchmen, had brought into this Country the knowledge, not only of 〈◊〉 which were altogether unknown unto us, but also the ordering and figure● of strange Herbs and Trees, the fruits whereof we are greatly in love withal, and do highly commend; notwithstanding, that as yet we do scarce know themselves▪ But surely herein this whole Nation is bound to acknowledge an everlasting 〈◊〉 unto them for the same.  
The fruit of Pistates (as A●icenne saith very well, not sticking at the scruple and doubt which Galen casteth in the way) do comfort the stomach, and nourish 〈…〉 and this is the cause why they are prescribed them which are lean and worn away with sickness, and which desire to be strong and mighty in performing the act of Venery.  
Citron-trees, 
Citron-trees.  Orange-trees, 
Orange-trees.  Limon-trees, 
Limon-trees.  and Citron-trees of Assyria, 
Citron-trees of Assyria.  require 〈◊〉 like manner of ordering, by reason of their like nature, whereunto, in respect of 〈◊〉 great tenderness and incredible daintiness, it is needful to give great heed▪ 〈◊〉 otherwise there is no hope of reaping any profit or pleasure of them. And for as 〈◊〉 as they are best dealt withal, and found to prosper most, when they are gotten 〈◊〉 grown great from some other place (it being so difficult a thing, and exceeding toil, to make them break the earth, and grow upon the seeds in this Country) I will make a brief discourse concerning whatsoever is requisite for the 〈◊〉, planting, removing, and governing of them in our Country and Grounds. And therefore to speak (in the first place) of the manner of transporting of them, 
The manner of transporting Citron-trees, etc.  〈◊〉 must think, that these Trees get no good by changing their place, but that they would do a great deal better in their natural and native soil and ground, when they were first planted, sown, or grafted, than to be removed else whither. Notwithstanding, if it please the Lord of the Farm to procure them from 〈…〉 must do it in the Spring time rather than in Autumn: because even as in 〈◊〉 the wood thereof groweth hard and solid, being ripe, and for that the ●appe 〈◊〉 to comfort it with his warm moisture, by reason of his approaching cold; so i● the Spring time, on the contrary, they begin to bud by and by after that they are 〈◊〉 and planted, and bring forth leaves, yea and flowers, if the Plants be great and strong enough.  
The way to transport them, 
Taken 〈◊〉 of the remembrances of Monsieur Nicot, sert from Portugal unto 〈◊〉 mother, and to the Cardinal of Lorraine.  is in such sort to ●it the roots with ●lothes or 〈…〉 that you may bind therein unto them so much of the earth, from which they 〈…〉, as may defend them from being hurt either by the Wind or Sun: and having thus done, to fit them further with Barrels, or Sere-clothes, the better to keep 〈◊〉 from all the injuries of the air, as also from the rain, and to cause them to be ●●●ueyed upon Horses, Carts, or Wagons: so soon, even the same night that they shall come to the place where you would set them, you must well advise and 〈◊〉 they be altered (which will be known by the change of the leaves and bark) 〈◊〉 then to provide for that accordingly: for in such case you must take away the earth, and temper it soft anew, water them, cut them, and take away the blasted or 〈◊〉, until such time as the pits where you intent to set them, be seasoned in such sort 〈◊〉 manner as shall be said hereafter.  
You shall in the day time view well your ground, 
Ground fit for these Trees.  and see that it be a good substantial black, open, tender, sweet, light, fat, and clean earth, without any 〈◊〉 stone whatsoever, near unto the Sea coast, if it be possible, where moisture 〈◊〉: and furthermore, that it be easy to be stirred, to the end it may drinks in 〈◊〉 water in abundance where you mean to set these Trees. For these Trees 〈◊〉 much watering, if the water should stand above the earth, and not sink 〈◊〉, the roots would become sick, discoloured, and by little and little would look the 〈◊〉 colour of pale, black, or blue. If the earth be not easy to be stirred, you 〈◊〉 cover it with Horse dung very well rotten, or else with Ox or sheeps dung, 〈◊〉 by this means it will become easy to be pierced or stirred. The place where 〈◊〉 are to be planted, must be open upon the Sun, a high place, and sheltered 〈…〉 the quarters from whence frosty winds do blow, but principally the 〈◊〉 wind, which is always most contrary unto those Plants. It must be also open upon the South (because contrary to the nature of all Trees they feed upon this 〈◊〉, and starve through that of the North) and a little upon the West, in such sort, as that they may be guarded on the back part, and both sides, but specially the Citron-tree, which is the most tender of all the other. For which considerations, it will not be amiss to set them near unto some wall; of a convenient height, to the end they may have a rampart against the Northern parts: and for the more certainty, to make them a hood and flankers of Bay trees, for the increase both of the beautifulness, as also of the profit of the same: for some hold, that the company of the Bay tree doth keep the Orange tree from frost. These Bay trees shall be planted in double chess, that so the thinnest places of the first may be amended by the thickest places of the second: but and if you have not Bay trees to do it withal, than you may take Cypress trees. And here you must learn, that Orange-trees love not the company of any other tree but of the forenamed, and of the Myrtle-tree. The best of all, and most assured for profit, were to plant the said Orange-trees, Citron-trees, and other such like Trees, in half Barrels or Vessels, of earth made for the purpose (they being the chief pleasures of Princes and great Lords) or else in Cases, that are wide below, and narrow above, builded of cloven boards, very well joined and fitted together, in such sort, as that no shoots may grow through them: for the earth, by reason of the oft watering of it, doth not cease continually to cause them to put forth and break out one way or other. But that such watering may be conveyed in best sort for their growth, it must be provided and brought by some low conduit and passage, and the surplusage carried away by some such cock as is used in Lee tubs: and such, or the like Vessels, must be made to carry into any place whatsoever a man will: for seeing that these Plants do die, if they be touched never so little with frost, as being most tender and dainty of their natural inclination, it must be looked unto in Winter, after that they are well covered and compassed about with straw, or the stalks of Gourds (for by a natural contrariety they are given to let and hinder the frost from hurting them) that they be conveyed upon small Wheelbarrows into vaulted Caves, and when Summer is come, to return and bring them back again into the full and open Sun, to be nourished and refreshed by the heat thereof. Then having found out such a place in the Garden (as we have spoken of) there shall Pits 
Holes, or Pits.  be cast with distances betwixt: and whereas the Orange-tree doth shoot out his roots deep into the earth, you must cast the said Pits a good fathom deep, and a fathom and a half in compass, which shall be well broken and made soft, that so the root may rest and spread itself at pleasure: which Pits shall grow narrower by little and little towards their top, and where they are to embrace and close in the foot of the tree. These Pits, to do well, should be kept open a year, or thereabout, if it were possible, for the well seasoning of them, which by many Sunshines, and many Rains, would be effected: but there may more speed be made with them, either by covering the places of the said Pits with well rotten dung and new ashes, which never were wet, and watering it with a little water, if the time and season be not rainy, or by filling up the said Pits with Wheat straw, or with small Vine branches, burning it all, and afterward watering the ashes which shall remain, if the season be dry, and without rain: for within eight or ten days after this preparing of it, the said Pits will be well seasoned. About the end of the same time, you must again break and soften the earth of the seat of the said Trees, and the sides thereof, and lay into them a finger thickness of dung, and again, upon this dung, the like thickness of good mould, and then upon it to set the Tree, in the very same aspect of the Sun, if it be possible, that it stood in before the taking up; that is to say, that every part of the tree stand upon the same quarters of the Heavens that it did before: for otherwise it would not serve, if the ●ide beholding the North before, should now behold and stand upon the East or West. And this observation is of great moment: for as much as they which fail in this, do oftentimes see their Trees dead, or else (notwithstanding whatsoever other means used) bringing forth very late and untimely fruit, with like untimely growth and blossoming, which they would not have fallen into, if they had been see again after the manner they stood, before they put forth 〈◊〉 bud 〈…〉 of the earth. And this disadvantage likewise happeneth unto them, which 〈◊〉 planted their Trees in Pots or Cases, use to carry them into houses and under 〈◊〉 in the Winter time, and out again at the Spring, without an●e ragard●ed in them after the same si●uation and state of standing wherein they stood the 〈◊〉 before.  
Thus the Tree being seated upon the ground in the like aspect of the 〈…〉 it was, you must dress it about the foot with a leveled bed of good earth, or the thickness of half a foot, and trample it down: and again, upon this, 〈…〉 bed of the same thickness of good made earth, and for want thereof, with 〈◊〉 newly mixed with good dung, and to tread and trample it down, and thus by 〈◊〉 of the one and the other to continue till the Pit be filled up even with the 〈◊〉 swarth, and then to water it. All these said and several works shall be ended before the full of the Moon, and the better, if it be in the increase of the day, that 〈…〉 about nine or ●enne a clock in the morning: For some hold, that if these things 〈◊〉 done in the full Moon, that then there would grow Worms and Ants 〈…〉 body and bark of the Orange tree. Being thus planted, you shall order and govern them both in Summer and Winter in manner as followeth: In Summer 〈◊〉 shall be watered every three days, morning and evening, and ofter too, if the 〈◊〉 of the heat do require it: For the Orange tree, above all things, doth 〈◊〉 water, and standeth in need of two buckets of water at the least unto every 〈…〉 three root; and therefore the Gardiner's are happy in this case, which in their 〈◊〉, or not far off, have water at commandment, because commonly they 〈◊〉 both more fruit, and that also more beautiful and fair, and better seasoned. Such 〈◊〉 water them, must beware of touching the stocks or trunks of the tree, or else the 〈◊〉 therewith, but rather that they cast it a pretty way off, and that round about, that so it may suck in and sink down equally unto and upon the roots: And to this 〈◊〉 you shall make a little furrow, digged some three fingers deep round abou●, and into this you shall pour your water, and when it is sunk, you shall fill up the 〈◊〉 again. In Winter the care and labour is the greater, in keeping them from being tainted of the Frost: and therefore, so soon as the Frost shall begin, you shall 〈◊〉 them in good time, about the first of October, with good store of boughs, held up with props, or else to make for every one of them a lodging of Mass, with a 〈◊〉 in it open unto the South. Some use to cover them with Cork, and it is a 〈◊〉 good covering for them. Some, as hath been said before, remove them into 〈◊〉 under the earth, carried thither upon little Wheelbarrows, and fitted of 〈◊〉 or Cases, But which of these courts soever it shall be that you shall take, you must always see, that their tops and outsides be at liberty, and not pinched of due 〈◊〉 by that which covereth them, and that this coveret be not taken away till 〈◊〉 be past. It is true, that before you cover them, or set them in vaulted caves, you must see, that they be not wet any manner of way: for if the cold should seize upon them in that pickle, both the tree and the fruit would be easily spoiled by the 〈…〉 that, this witness would cause the flowers and fruits to corrupt and rot when they were under their covert: but good and wise gardiner's, before they co●er these 〈◊〉 do take from the Citron trees (being the least able to endure cold of all the rest) 〈◊〉 the flowers, buds, and tender boughs of the same. You must beware that it 〈◊〉 not into their lodging or place of covert, especially upon the thaw of Snow, 〈◊〉 Snow water is more hurtful unto them than any other. Likewise, if any 〈◊〉 of Snow or Sleet come thwart their lodging, or that any trade wind do bring it 〈◊〉 them, you must shake it off from their branches, and take it from the foot of 〈◊〉, for it would scorch them. And therefore, to meet with these inconveniences, if 〈◊〉 be any cleft or hole in the covering, you must make it up close, and stop it well 〈◊〉 dung, or wispes, so as they may be taken out when it is a fair and clear weather, 〈◊〉 that the Sun shall cast forth his beams, that so it may shine upon the 〈…〉 dispel the ill, corrupt, and infected air, and take away and dry up the 〈◊〉 moisture rising of the continued shadow: and then again, when the Sun goeth down, and falleth off, you must stop them up again, that so the cold may not take hold upon them. It will not likewise be amiss to make a fire there, during the extreme cold times, of good dry Wood, or Coal, because the heat thereof would be great, and continue well, without working any annoyance unto the plants, either by his flame or smoke: and this to be most chiefly performed in the behalf of the Citron-trees, which are most subject unto the cold of all other, the cause being, for that they have in them greatest store of juice and substance; as on the contrary, they are least subject to cold which have least juice and substance in them. Again, you may not be too hasty in uncovering of them, upon some show and promise of gentle, meek, and fair weather, because the cold oftentimes feigning itself to be gone, returneth again in more vehement manner than before, threatening the kill of them, only it will be the best and safest to open some board or window of their lodging, that so the tree● may enjoy the present heat of the Sun for certain hours. In the time of the covering of these new translated trees, you must not forget to renew them at the foot a cubit height with good earth, enriched with good rotten dung, and that to lie round about the said foot the breadth of a good fathom: and this will serve and stand in stead, in case that by extremity of cold the body of the tree should be frozen, to refresh and repair it again from below, where the frost shall not have pierced it; notwithstanding, if in such extraordinary cold seasons you cover and lay over their former covering with other dung well rotten, you shall preserve the said Orange trees. Their grafts (whereof we are to speak hereafter) are a great deal more tender and more easy to be broken by the cold and frost, and therefore they must be covered at the foot, and laid high with earth, and as it were cloaked or hooded, and double covered and clothed, as hath been said, and that a great deal higher, that so it may not be pinched in the place of the setting in of the graft. But and if the cleft, or other receipt made for the setting in of the graft, be so high, that the said provision and defence cannot conveniently be applied unto it, you must then cover such chase with thick new cloth, being well wooled, or else with straw, and to tie the one or the other fast to, by wreathing it about with one of the breadths of a Mat, and stay it up with a prop, if need be. In hot Countries, as Spain and Portugal, it is held as an approved opinion, That by how much the more Orange trees are watered in Winter, so much the less subject are they to frost; because their water is either out of the Well, or fresh drawn from some Fountain, or of water broken out of the earth, and made warm with the Sun, or with the fire, and for that it is drunk up all into the earth: but I fear me, that it would not fall out for well done, if so be that in this cold Country one should take that course: notwithstanding, if you will use the same order, you shall do it either by the help of the foresaid Sun beams, or by a pipe of Lead, laid good and deep in the earth, a far off from the root of the tree, pouring of the said water into it, that so it may descend and reach unto the roots: but so soon as you have thus powered in your water, you must stop very well and cover the said pipe with earth and dung, that so the cold air may not run along it unto the roots, for so they would be frozen. They must be under-digged and cast at the foot from month to month, if the season will suffer it, and the earth made light and soft, mingling it with dung, and watering it as hath been said. And for the better preserving of the branches of these plants, and keeping of them in their strength and force, they must be cut every year, more or less, according as the good and expert Gardener shall judge it necessary, in as much as these trees, being both dainty and precious, do require a very careful regard to be used in this cutting. It must not furthermore be forgotten to take from them continually all manner of superfluity, filth, and grass, growing at their foot, or elsewhere; and likewise thorns or pricks, and that with the hands, or some other cutting iron: And if any branch, through ●rost, or otherwise, grow dry, pale, or black, you must cut off the dead part at the Spring in the decrease of the Moon, in fair weather, and calm and temperate, and upon the putting of it forth again, and this must be done with a Garden Sickle or Knife well sharpened, and the cut must be well 〈◊〉 together, and covered over, that so it may put forth branches again. You must also bow the boughs as shall be necessary, and to raise some higher, and pull some lower, as occasion shall require: cut the ends and sprou●s which put forth at the tops of the tree: take away those that grow too high, to the end they may be proportioned in an equal measure of growth: for these trees, especially the Citron tree, growing in any great height, and having any great store of boughs, do neither bring 〈◊〉 so much nor so good fruits, as when they are otherwise fitted and freed from their vn●necessarie boughs: and further, if need require, to se● some store of p●les to hold up the boughs. If notwithstanding all the pain and preservation spoken of before, they fall now and then into mislikings and diseases, than you must bury at their 〈◊〉 some sheeps horns: for some are of opinion, that by these they are maintained is ●ound estate and good plight.  
And thus much as concerning the ordering of these Trees, 
The ●itting of Citron and Orange trees of Plants.  when they be brought out of other Countries: but as for those which we procure to grow and spring out of the earth here in this Country, we must know, that they grow either of 〈◊〉, boughs, grafts, or ●eeds. But to speak of these particularly, the Orange tree groweth not, but very hardly, either upon shoots or grafts: for having a very hard 〈◊〉, it hardly taketh root. It is true, that some use to prepare a Plant of it in such manner: They pick and prune from an Orange three bough his sprigs and 〈◊〉, plant it the small end downward, wrapped in a Linen cloth, having within it 〈◊〉 dung that is very new: and of such plants have been seen to grow Orange trees, growing indeed lower than the other, but having a well spread and large 〈…〉 yet it is better to sow it, 
To sow Orange trees.  so that it be in a good soil, notwithstanding it be long before it bring forth fruit: but he that will help that, and cause it to hasten to bearing, must graft it. The manner of sowing all these sorts of trees, is, first to prepare and manure the ground very well with Horse dung about the month of May, or else with Ox or sheeps dung, and to mix therewith some Wood ashes, or which were better, some Cucumber ashes: then making pits in the said ground, of the breadth of half a foot, to put three seeds together, and the sharp end upward, and the higher part of the seed toward the earth: after this, they must be oft watered with 〈◊〉 water, or with sheeps milk, for so they will grow better and sooner. And yet 〈◊〉 not, before you sow them, to lay them in steep in cows milk that is warm: and if you desire to have them sweet fruit, put to the liquor wherein you steep them, 〈◊〉 Sugar cand●e.  
You shall plant their shoots after the same manner, in a well husbanded and 〈◊〉 ground, as also their boughs and grafts, about mid May, setting the great ends upward, and filling the pits with ashes made of Cucumbers. These bring forth 〈◊〉, and the middle part of the apple will be sweet, if the body of the tree be pierced with a Piercer in the month of February, and that there be made therein an oblique and sloping hole, which must not go through, and from out of this the sap is let distil, until such time as the apples come to be form, and then you must stop up the said hole with Potter's clay or mortar: or else give a slit in the thickest branch of the tree, and in the place where you have given the slit, make a hollowness of the depth of a good foot, which you shall fill with honey, and stop up with mortar, 〈◊〉 fear of rain and of the heat of the Sun: when as the tree hath drunk in all the ●on●y, you shall put in more, and water the root with urine: in the end, you shall 〈◊〉 off all the little shoots which shall put forth of the tree, letting those alone which shall grow upon the slit branch.  
At the same time Orange trees may be grafted chiefly upon the Pom●- 〈◊〉 stree, 
To graft Orange grafts.  for upon this they thrive marvelously (especially the Orange tree) both in goodness, greatness, beauty, and thickness of such fruits as they bring forth, in respect and comparison of those which they bring forth when they are grafted one 〈◊〉 another: that is to say, the Orange upon the Citron, or the Citron upon the Orange tree. They may be grafted likewise upon themselves, as the Citron-tree upon the Citron tree, and sometimes upon the Pomegranate, Pear, Apple, and M●lberrie tree, but seldom betwixt the bark and the wood, but upon the head of the trunk or body of the tree, cut off near unto the root. In the grafting of them, you must make choice of the fairest grafts which may be found, as ●o graft a good Citron tree upon a better. The Limon grafted upon the Citron, doth bear fairet fruit than the Citron grafted upon the Limon, because the Citron tree is a great deal more nappy and full of juice for to make nourishment of than the Limon tree, Citrons and Li●●ons, grafted upon an Orange tree, do bear more fruit than upon their own ●●umpe and body, and are not so subject unto the cold, because they enjoy and participate so largely of the Orange three his properties and qualities which consisting of a hard wood, without sap, doth resist the cold a great deal the more. 〈…〉 way to graft them, is by cleaving the stock, and then it must be done in April, or in March: or by way of crowning; and that must be done in May: or by cutting a ●ound hole in the bark of the tree, and this must be done in july. When they be grafted into the bark of the tree, you must cut away whatsoever is superfluous, or more than needeth, of buds or sprouts which are not grafted, and withal, take away all the shoots which grow thereupon afterward. When they are planted, you shall ●ot suffer any weeds to grow there about them, 
Gourds a friend unto the Citron.  except it be the Gourd, whereof they are refreshed, if it grow near unto them, as being much succoured by them, and protected from the cold; as also for that the ashes thereof sown and cast about ●he roots of Citrons, do make them more fair and fruitful: And se●ing that the Citron tree is very fruitful, and bears a heavy fruit, after such time as it hath brought forth his fruit, you must gather the greater part, and leave but a few remaining, and so the remainder will prove very fair ones, and a great deal the better.  
The Orange tree will never freeze nor die with a cold wind, nor yet with the frost, if it be grafted upon Holly, being an approved thing: but then indeed the fruit will not be so natural as that of the others.  
Citrons, 
To keep Citrons etc. long.  Oranges, Lemons, and Syrian Citrons, must be gathered in the night, with their leaves, in the change of the Moon, not before they be ripe, but when the Orange is of a golden colour all over, if you purpose to keep them long: and you must not tarry till they be become pale before you gather them. You may keep them fresh and uncorrupt all the year, if you hide them in heaps of Barley, or Millet: or else if you anoint them over with plaster well tempered: or if you close them up in vessels every one by itself. You must not in any case lay Citrons near unto hot bread, for it would make them not.  
To have Oranges of a mixed nature, 
Oranges of a mixed nature.  and as it were half Oranges, half Citrons, you must about the beginning of March cut a sience or branch of the Citron tree, whiles it is yet young, of the thickness of three fingers, and plant the same in a convenient time, giving it all his orders and best helps of husbanding: at the end of two years, or thereabout, when it is well taken, and betwixt March and April, you shall sow it of a finger within the earth, and closing the cut fast, you shall graft, by way of cleft, a graft of a young Orange tree thereupon, as of some two years old, proportionable and suitable unto the Citron tree in thicknesses afterward you shall rub and anoint the said cut, and cha●e or cleft for the receipt of the graft, with the root of the herb called Aron, and you shall cover it well with a good cap, after the manner of other grafts, putting therewithal unto the foot thereof well rotten dung, or the ashes of Gourds: after that, you shall lay it about with good earth, a reasonable height, and underprop it, till such time as it shall grow great and strong: but know, that the graft must be taken of the side of the Orange tree which standeth towards the East, and it must be done in the increase of the Moon and day, for so it will prosper more effectually.  
The Citron 
Citrons.  will be red and sweet, if it be grafted upon a Mulberry tree, 
Citrons of 〈…〉.  and will grow in such form & after such manner as a man will have it, if before it be grown to his bigness, any way it be closed up in a frame or mould, cut after the shape you would have it 〈…〉 may grow 〈…〉 quantity therein. By the 〈…〉 it be put into a vessel of earth, or glass, 〈◊〉 it be fully grown, it will 〈…〉 fashion of the vessel, and become as great as the vessel: but, in the 〈…〉 is have air, you must make some small holes in the vessel.  
The fruits of these Trees are alike differing, 
The difference betwixt Orange, Citron, and Limon trees.  both in colour, disposition, 〈…〉 for Oranges have a more yellow and golden rind, a sour or 〈…〉 sour and sweet together, being round as an Apple, and fitter for the Kitchen 〈◊〉 for Medicine. The Limon hath a longer shape, a paler rind, a sowre-tast, and is good for the Kitchen, and in Physic, to cool, cut, and penetrate. The Citron is long, 〈◊〉 the fashion of an egg, the rind thick, yellow without, sour, good for 〈◊〉 and preservative medicines. Syrian Citrons are twice so great as 〈…〉 fashioned like Cucumbers, and the rind an 〈◊〉 thick.  
The leaves of the Citron three do cause a good smell amongst clothes, 
The leaves of the Citron tree. The juice, seed, and 〈◊〉 of Citron trees.  and 〈◊〉 them from the fretting of Moths. The rind, juice, and seed of Citrons, are all of them very sovereign against all manner of Poison, and danger of the Plagues 〈…〉 also that of the Limon. And for this cause there may a whole Citron and 〈…〉 boiled in Rose water and Sugar, until such time as all be consumed away to 〈◊〉 juice, and after to use every morning, to the quantity of one or two 〈…〉 this decoction, in the time of the Plague. The rind and juice of Citrons do procure a sweet breath: the rind preserved heat●th the stomach, and helpeth dig●●●●▪ The juice pressed from the rind of an Orange, is quickly set on fire: 
A sweet breath.  it 〈…〉 by his great subtleness, through the glass, even into the Wine that is 〈◊〉 therein. The juice of Lemons killeth S●abs, Itch, and Freckles, and taketh away the spots of Ink out of Cloth. The same distilled through a Limbeck, maketh 〈◊〉 countenances smooth and beautiful, and taketh away all filthiness from all the 〈◊〉 of the body: being given to children to drink, it killeth the Worms which are in their bodies. If one bring the Limon near unto the fire, the thin juice that will come forth, 
Redness of the face.  doth cleanse the faces of young girls, and taketh away red pimples i● the same, as also other manner of spots like unto them. Likewise, the juice of 〈◊〉 distilled in a Limbeck, besides that it helpeth and polisheth the countenances of women, is furthermore good to take away, 
Warts.  out of the face, and other parts of the body, all white Spots, Warts, and other such like things. The juice of a Limon is of such virtue, 
To soften pearls.  that if you strain it twice or thrice, and then wash in it whole Pearls, and afterward s●eepe them in it, and after lay them in the Sun, within five or six days they will become so soft as honey, so that you may make any shape with them that you will. Furthermore, the juice of Lemons is so corrosive, as that if you steep in it a piece of Gold some certain hours, 
To diminish Gold.  you shall find it diminished, and become light: and as much will fall out, if you stick a piece of Gold in a Limon. See more of 〈◊〉 matter in the third Book.  
The flowers of Oranges are preserved with Honey or Sugar, and those are very cordial: therewith likewise is made a very precious water, of rare and singular sweetness, which is called the water of Nafe. 
The water of Nafe.   
Pomegranate trees crave a hot or temperate air, for they cannot bear fruit 〈…〉 cold Country: and albeit their fruit be of one of these three tastes, as sweet, sour, 〈◊〉 both sweet and sour, notwithstanding, all manner of Pomegranates do crave 〈◊〉 and the same air, ground, and manner of ordering. They maintain themselves 〈◊〉 good state in all manner of ground, whether it be far, or strong, or gravely, or 〈◊〉, or sandy, foreseen that the sand be somewhat gross and moist. They refuse not 〈◊〉 situation of any ground, be it hill, valley, or plain: yea, they refuse not to grow well in stony, dry, and rough grounds, for a little nourishment doth content them: And for these causes they need not to be so carefully husbanded as the former; and 〈◊〉 rather, because they will grow if they be but pricked down, and do well bear either to be planted or grafted. Further, if you will take the pains to pick and 〈◊〉 them whiles they are young, and in due time, the fruit will be a great deal the bigger, and of a better fashion: but it must be looked so, that they be planted upon 〈◊〉 South Sun, but never upon the East, nor yet upon the West, for this quarter doth most hurt them, as well as the Vine. Note notwithstanding, that the young branches which you shall cut off from them must be taken when the tree hath put forth his buds, and not before (which is contrary to the branches of other trees) as also that the sciences, with bark and all, be of the thickness of the helue of a knife. And before that you plant them, you must make sure and close both ends of them, and anoint them with Swine's dung, which is more familiar unto them than any other, and then lay them overthwart or cross in the earth. they delight in a ground that is no● lean, nor moist, but indifferent fat: and they grow the more easily and fair, if there be planted and set by them the Sea Onion, or especially some Mulberry tree. The time to plant them, is from after March until May: betwixt the same times it is good to graft them upon themselves, but to better success upon the Myrtle tree, wherein they delight greatly. The Citron tree, the Willow, and the Mulberry three are not so good, howsoever that sometimes they may be grafted upon them.  
The manner of grafting them, is to put into the body of the tree the graft of the Pomegranate tree, 
To graft Pomegranate.  so soon as ever it shall be cut off from it, and after to pour upon it some oil, and to plaster and cover it with earth: and as concerning the graft, it must be taken from the Pomegranate tree after it hath budded, after the same manner that we have said of the branches. Furthermore, the crave to be often watered when the Sun is in Libra.  
Pomegranate trees, by mighty rains, 
Pomegranate trees losing their flowers.  excessive dews, and great fogs, do easily lose their flowers and fruits before it be ripe: but to prevent this mischief, they would be planted near unto some wall, and have their boughs bowed downward, to the end they may not so easily take wet, which is so noisome unto them. They endure clefts and chaps in their bodies, without any danger: and therein they are like unto the Figtree and Vine. If the Pomegranate tree bring forth sour, or scarce sweet fruit, you must water the roots thereof with Swine's dung and man's dung, 
Sweet Pomegranates.  mixed with old urine: or temper a little Beniamine with wine, and therewith to bathe and wash the top of the tree, or to spread upon the roots Asses dung, and after to cover them and water them with man's urine.  
The seeds of the Pomegranate will be white, 
White Pomegranate seeds.  if the roots of the tree be compassed about with Potters and Fuller's clay, and one fourth part of Pla●ster, 
A fruitful Pomegranate tree.  for the space of three years. The barren Pomegranate tree will become fruitful, if the body thereof be often washed with ashes and lees. The Pomegranates will become red, 
Red Pomegranate.  if the roots of the Pomegranate trees be often watered with lee, or covered with the ashes of Acorns.  
The Pomegranate will grow gross and thick, 
Thick Pomegranate.  if you put much Swine's dung at the foot of the tree: again, look how much more of this dung you put there, by so much the more sweet will the great sour ones become. Pomegranates will have no seeds, if you take away the greater part of the sap of the boughs of the tree, 
Pomegranate without any kernels.  and lay them in the ground all shivered, and after that they have take, cut that part of the Plant which spreadeth furthest, and hath already put forth his buds. Pomegranate trees will be fruitful, if you stamp Purslane and Spurge together, and therewith anoint the body of the tree.  
Pomegranates will not break nor open upon the tree, 
Open Pomegranates.  if there be three stones put at the root of the t●ee when it is planted: but and if the tree be already planted, then near unto the tree roots you must plant the Sea Onion. But indeed, all these helps, and such other, do but little prevail: and therefore it were better to plant or graft them only which will not bring forth a fruit that will break when it cometh to ripeness. The Pomegranate tree will not fall his flowers, 
Pomegranate flowers.  it the roots be watered every year thrice with old urine mixed with as much water.  
Pomegranates will keep and continue, if you dip them in fair warm water, 
The way to keep Pomegranates.  and take them out again by and by: or else if you put them apart in dry sand, or in a heap of corn in the shadow, so long as till they become wrinkled: but yet better, if when they be ripe, and yet hanging upon the tree, you writhe the small bough a little, 〈◊〉 the start by which the Pomegranate hangeth: or else lay Pomegranates in 〈◊〉 clay tempered with water, and after dry them in the Sun. It is good likewise 〈◊〉 lay them in dust, or scrape, or sawing of the Poplar tree, the Holm tree, or the Oak, in a new earthen pot, and within it to set them in order, in manner of 〈◊〉, and then afterward to cover the pot, and lute it very well. But whatsoever way 〈◊〉 take, the principal end must be to keep Oranges in a cold and dry pla●e▪ and 〈◊〉 they be gathered with their stalks, as also with their little branches, if possibly it may be done without hurting the tree, for this helpeth much to keep them long. They must likewise be gathered in the old of the Moon, so that they be then 〈◊〉 very dry, and not being wet from above: and then, after that, to keep them ● day 〈◊〉 two in the Sun, their flowers lying downward: then, after that, to clo●● them 〈◊〉 in a pot very well stopped, and well pitched or ●eared, that the air may not get in▪ 〈◊〉 do cover them and work them over very thick with Potter's earth, very well beaten and tempered, and when it is dry, than they hang them in a cold place: and wh●● they will eat them, they steep them in water, and take away the earth. Others do wrap every one of them alone by itself in hay or in straw within cases. The 〈◊〉 of Pomegranate trees do drive away ven●mous beasts: and this was the cause why men in ancient time were wont to put the boughs of Pomegranate trees both v●de● and above them in their beds.  
The Plane tree 
The Pla●● tree.  is more commended for the beauty of his leaves and shadow, than for his fruit: it groweth of shoots and sciences drawn and taken from the tree, and planted in a very moist ground, and such as is near unto some Fountain or Riu●●▪ and yet besides this, it delighteth to be warred oftentimes with neat Wine, and sometimes with men's Urine, to help it to shoot up and grow high, and to put forth larg● and ample branches, and long leaves, for to make the better shade. In this Country we cannot see many fair ones. I remember, that I have seen one at Basil in 〈◊〉 Peter's place, betwixt the height of fifteen or sixteen cubits, under the shield and shadow whereof, the people betook themselves, for their refreshment, during the time of great and scorching heat. Some make dishes of Plane tree wood, to 〈◊〉 pain and wring in the belly, being applied thereunto. You must beware of the dust which hangeth upon the leaves: for being taken into the body, by drawing in of your breath, it hurteth the rough artery and voice, and in like manner, the ●ight and hearing, if it fall into the eyes or ears.  
The Nettle tree is well enough known in Languedoc and Prou●n●e, 
The Lot● or 〈◊〉 tree.  especially in a borough near unto Mompelier, called Bontonnet: it groweth in a fat ground, well man●red and toiled, open to the South or East Sun. The wood is good to make Flutes, Cornets, and other Instruments of Music: it is good also to make handles for Knives and Swords. The fruit is very much desired at the Tables of great States, of his great sweetness, and most pleasant and delightsome smell which they find in it that do eat or smell to it. Likewise, some do press a Wine out of this fruit, being stamped and beaten, which is very sweet, and seemeth like unto other new pressed sweet Wines, but it lesteth not above ten or twelve days.  
The Mastic tree 
The Mastic tree.  delighteth in moist places, and is planted after the first day of February: it beareth fruit thrice a year. The leaves, bark, and wood in decoctions have power to restrain, strengthen, and comfort. And this is the cause why it is used to make Toothpicks thereof.  
The Turpentine tree delighteth in a low and moist ground, and withal, in a 〈◊〉 and warm air, open upon the Sun. The leaves, bark, and wood, have the 〈◊〉 virtue that the Mastic tree.  
The juiube tree, 
The Iui●be tree.  and others, as well foreign as growing in our own 〈…〉 further to be seen and read of in the third Book.   

CHAP. LV.  
Of the two particular Gardens situate or lying at the end of the Kitchen Garden, and of the Garden of Pleasure.  
THe Kitchen Garden, and the other of Pleasure, being of the largeness above declared, may have reserved out of them, two or three acres, for the profit of the Lord of the farm, as for Madder, 
Madder.  Wo●d; Tasel, Line▪ and Hemp. And we may also add unto these, Saffron, albeit that all these things, even as well as pulse, if it be a free and kind ground, do well deserve 〈◊〉 have every one his several field by itself, and to be tilled and husbanded after the ●anner of corn and pulse.  
For Madder therefore, it is meet that there should be appointed out four or five ●eres of ground in a place by itself, which must not lie far from the water, but in 〈◊〉 free and not in a strong mould, and yet not too light: which hath had his three or four arders with the plough, or (as indeed is best) digged and si●ted: notwithstanding that the sifting of it be a longer piece of work, and of greater cost, it being used to be cast and tilled with thicker raisings of the earth, and smaller clouds than is ●ont to be in the casting or digging of a new vineyard. 
The difference betwixt the vine and the Madder.  For this plant hath his proper and particular seasons to be dressed and planted in, as well as the vine: but in this they differ very manifestly, that the one is an herb, and the other a shrub, and as it were a knot to many trees: the one dieth yearly (and there is nothing of it 〈◊〉 request but roots for to make good colours of) but the other lasteth and continueth at the least twelve years in good liking and livelihood: of which, the first six is for growth, and a little for bringing forth of fruit, and the later six, for whole, ●●mple, and entire profit, the danger of hail, washing away of the grapes, when the ●ines be flower by much rain and frost; being excepted; unto which in like ma●●er Madder in subject, and oftentimes more than the vine, because of his tenderness. This prehemencie it hath, that the vine being frozen, cannot be recovered, but Madder may be either set or ●owne again, as also Woad, the special husbandry of such as dwell in Provence, and the wealth and commodity of Dyers of Cloth or Wool, with what colour soever it be. It may be sown or planted: but indeed being sown it yieldeth scarce at any time any great store of increase: but if you will sow it, then bestow the like quantity of the seed thereof upon an acre, as you are wont to do of Hemp, and that in the month of March, upon the tops of hills well battilled and ●manured: thus the seed being cast into the ground, and the same well incorporated with harrows of rakes, there is no need of any other labour but keeping of it clean from hurtful weeds, until such time as the said Madder be ready to be gathered in September for to take the seed of it.  
The choice of the roots which you intent to set and plant, must be out of the country of high Provence, being more Easterly and cool, and as for the sight and taste of them, they must be more yellow, thick, and stringed, coming near unto the colour of the true Provence Orange-tree, very bitter in taste, and in seething (for the trial of it) more red and full of juice, that is to say, not so dry and withered. The time to plant, is from March be ended unto mid-May, and as for the best and most profit to be expected from it, it is not to be attained or come by, till after the two first years after the first planting of it: and withal, you must make a sure defence about your ground against the coming in of cattle; for there can no greater hurt happen unto it. In Italy they use not to take up the roots of Madder, till after they have continued ten years in the ground, either set or sown: but they cut the boughs of it every year to have the seed, and after they cover the roots one after another, laying two finger's depth of earth upon every one, the measure b●ing ●●ken from his chief and principal, to the end the frost may not hurt them, and that so the roots may grow the thicker: after the eight or tenth year, they pull up the roots, drying them in the Sun, and afterward when they would grind or press them, they do further dry them in a great Oven made for the purpose, and so press them under a Millstone, and this is called the fine Madder. Thus they have found by exp●●ence, that look how much the longer they delay the gathering of the root, so much the more Madder have they every year, and that fine, which is more than if they should take up the roots every year. You may both sow it and plant it in the sam● place, where you have taken it up, or which is better, sow that place for the nex● two or three years following with wheat, because it will bear very fair and great store thereof: in as much as the field wherein Madder hath been sown, is ●ade much fairer and better thereby, as whereof it may be said this ground hath rested itself, seeing the root hath done nothing but brought forth boughs, for seed, and that the leaves falling from them, do as much feed the ground as the ground doth the roots and boughs.  
But Autumn being come, and when you see that the herb beginneth to look● yellow, and to lose his natural colour, you shall draw it out or pull it up with the spade or pickaxe, and shall strip the roots from their leaves, which you shall cast upon small heaps to dry, for the space of three or four days, if the weather be such as it should, or else six or eight days in a rainy and moist weather: than you shall cau●● them to be taken up, dusted, and scraped, that so they may have none of their hairy strings at them: and when they are thus made clean, you shall keep them whole, or ground into powder either gross and great, or more fine and small, either for your own use or for the sale.  
Madder is in this one thing much to be marveled at, 
To colour the 〈◊〉.  in that it colour●●h his urine that shall but hold it in his hands: and which is more, it maketh the bones and flesh of those cattle red, which have been fed with it some certain time: some say, that the powder of it is so penetrative, and so taketh up the nostrils, as that it in●●nimeth and killeth many in a few years. 
To procure the 〈◊〉.  The decoction procureth urine, and th● terms of women, and coloureth eggs red that shall be boiled with it. The 〈◊〉 because they are rough and stiff are good to scour brass vessel.   

CHAP. LVI.  
Of Woad.  
AS concerning Woad, it is tilled in a field, and requireth much labour, 〈◊〉 as the Navets or Turnips, though there be no part of it in request but the uppermost, and that which is furthest off from flowers and stalks: it doth not fear frost, rain, or extraordinary cold: Indeed it doth not crave any long rested fat ground, but a strong ground, and such as may be said to be in good plight, rather than an indifferent and light: it groweth better also in ground●, which have laid fallow three or four years before, or which have been Medo●ground two years before, than in grounds which have been well tilled▪ which 〈◊〉 clean contrary unto Madder, which craveth as much help, as the ground oppointed for wheat or vines: yea and it craveth the rest of soil, and set from one year to one: for otherwise the roots when they are set, do degenerate oftentimes and mi●●●rie, losing their force and goodness. And whereas Madder doth fat the gro●●d, Woad doth make it lean, and therefore it must not be sown in a lean gro●●d, where it evermore groweth but little, and where it proveth almost nothing wo●●●; but rather in a ground that is well manured before it be sown, as also renewed wi●● dung when it is to be sown. But the best approved ground of all other to sow woad in, is that which hath lain long swarth, and hath seldom been broken up 〈◊〉, wherein you are to observe, that in the ploughing up of such grounds▪ you must turn up a great and a deep furrow, laying them broad and flat 〈…〉 that the seed may be thoroughly well covered, and that the swatth rotting underneath and above the same, may be as a warm and comfortable manure to make it flourish and increase. Being sown of seed, it must be diligently harrowed, to the end it may be well covered and incorporate with the earth, and when the planes have put forth their leaves the height of two fingers, you must weed and dig it about mid-Aprill▪ or somewhat later, according as the time hath been fair or rainy: then shortly afterward you must gather the leaves: and they being gathered, you must weed and digs the feet of the said roots 〈◊〉 left void of their leaves: and this must be continued ●uerie month, that is to say, june, julie, August, and Sep●●mber: in such sort, that 〈◊〉 as the leaves are gathered from foot to foot five times, so they must be digged 〈◊〉 the earth cast as oft, and that so soon as the gathering of the leaves is past: and this labour of digging is ordinarily to be seven ●●mes gone over, that is to say, the fi●e times now spoken of, and the two first, which are before any gathering of the leaves do fall. The manner of gathering them is in this so●t: When the leaves begin to be coloured about the edges, and not in the midst, you must take them from plant to plant in your hand, and break them off in such manner from the root, as that it may seem and show as though one had cut them away with a hook, and after that, to lay them in order in the shadow, that so the Sun may not harm or injure them.  
The manner of making Woad. 
To make wood.  Under your Mill, which would not be as some use a Millstone, for that crusheth out the sap and juice of the Woad too much, but a Mill made of strong timbers the compass of a large Millstone being hollow or d●●uided on● outside from the other, and running circular or round, and these outsides shall be bound together both in the midst by the drawing axletree, and also at the outmost Verdges, by strong places of iron made broad and flat, with reasonable rebated edges, and these plates shall be at least three foot in length, answering to the full breadth of the trough in which the Mill shall run, and this Mill must be 〈◊〉 about by a horse. Now the leaves (as aforesaid) being ●●rewed in the trough under the Mill, you shall grind them as small as may be, till they come to be as it were all one substance, which may easily be done, by oft turning the Woad over and over as the Mill runs, which one must continually do with a shovel, than the Woad being thus sufficiently well ground, you shall stay the horse, and tak● all the ground Woad out of the trough, and then fill the Mill with fresh Woad again, and thus do till you have ground all you▪ woad, which being finished, you shall forthwith mould it up into great round balls, as big as a culuerine bullet, or twice so big as a man's fists, and these balls you shall place upon fleakes or hurdles made of small wands, pent-housed, housed, or covered over to keep them from the rain, but all the sides open in such wise, that the Sun or Wind may have full power to pass through the same, and these hurdles shall be moun●ed one above another in many heights and degrees, and your Woad balls shall lie thereupon without touching one another till they be thoroughly well dried, then at the later end of the year, which is towards November, you shall break those balls against, and put them under the Mill, and grind them as before, and then taking it from the Mill, you shall lay it in great heaps in some cool vault kept for that purpose only: and when upon this laying together upon heaps it shall begin to take heat, it must be turned, and in turning watered, until it be sufficiently moistened: for as too much water drowneth it, so too much heat in the heaps doth burn it: thereupon you most pile it upon heaps not high but long ones, and stir it every second day, so long as till it become cold, and yet after this, to put it abroad every forth or sixth day, while it be thoroughly cooled indeed. And this work must be very carefully performed, for otherwise the woad would roast itself, and prove not any thing worth, which being so ●●immed and ordered as it should, it is left in some cold and paved place, until the time of the selling of it, and look how much the longer it lieth in heaps in this ●ase, by so much it becometh the better and finer. The country men of Tholouse, in whose country there groweth great store of Woad, do not grind their. Woad-balls into 〈◊〉 but gather it together by great vessels full, and put under the Millstone to 〈◊〉 out the waterish parts of it, and then they make up the remaining substance 〈…〉 like lo●ues, which they dry and rot afterward, by laying them in the 〈◊〉 heat of the Sun in Summer time, and then they cast these lumps into their 〈◊〉 where they put their Wool to be died, a blue, black, or other colour, as it best pleaseth the Dyers. The leaves thereof made into a plaster, do 〈◊〉 ●●●●stumes, and heal wounds new made, they stay fluxes of blood, heal the wild 〈◊〉, and the ulcers which run over the whole body.  
Also the leaves of Woad thus ground, are excellent to kill any itch, 〈◊〉, or other r●islike either in men or children, also it is most excellent for the di●●●● is 〈◊〉 called the Farcie, and cureth it very suddenly.   

CHAP. LVII.  
Of the tassel.  
THe tassel (called also Venus her bathing tub, because it keepeth 〈◊〉 drops of water (being by nature as all the other Thistles are, hot and dry) in the lower part of the leaves, close by the stalks, to refresh and water itself withal) serveth greatly (in respect of his head) for the use of Clothworkers, both to lay the Wool of their new clothes so much●● is 〈◊〉, as also to draw forth so much as lieth loose out of order amongst the rest: and it is 〈◊〉 serviceable or more unto Cap-makers, after that the Cap is spun, woven, 〈◊〉, and scoured with soap, Walkers-earth, or other scouring earth: Now he that will 〈◊〉 profit by this herb, must make choice of a good fat ground, well 〈…〉 tilled with two, three, or four arders, and well harrowed: and then after 〈◊〉 it with the best seed that possibly may be ●●und, and that very thick, and when 〈◊〉 hath shot one of the earth as in the beginning of May, then to make it clean, 〈◊〉 weed it with the hand, and in june and julie to dig it, if need be, in the end of September you must gather the heads that have flowered the first year, le●●●●● the rest to grow for to be gathered the year following, at such time as they shall be 〈◊〉 flower. The heads cut off, the plants must be planted anew in a well tilled ground, putting all the root into holes, from one to another (which is all one with the 〈◊〉 ring of the Radish) and trampling the ground upon them very orderly and 〈◊〉 and furthermore, to dig them when they begin to prick and put forth branches●● in March, April, and May: and to cut them which are cankered or 〈◊〉, and so unprofitable; that so the juice of the earth may be fed upon by those only which are good and serviceable. And whereas at the time of their flowering they begin 〈◊〉 flower on high on the head, and so downward till the whole head be 〈…〉 flower being once fallen, you must cut off the head either evening or morning, 〈◊〉 half a foot of stalk thereunto. Furthermore you must not forget, that they must be set or sown in furrows, that so water may have an orderly course to fall to the 〈◊〉 of them, and give them a continual refreshment, and not to sow them in any 〈◊〉 place but such as is reasonably watery: for too much moisture maketh the 〈◊〉 the head thereof (which is the thing of most importance) more low and short, and of less commodiousness. You must not gather or bind them up in bundles, 〈◊〉 a dry season, towards the month of October at the furthest, and not any 〈◊〉 earlier than the later end of September. Some gathering it do leave it at the 〈◊〉 to dry in some place by itself, because it is subject unto fleas or lice, and other 〈◊〉 vermin, which causeth the small ●oot that should hold up the head to fall dow●● others do put ten or twelve of them in little faggots together, and so hang 〈◊〉 standing one a pretty deal from the other in the shade or wind, and not in the 〈◊〉, or in any moist place. Some dry them in the South Sun, turning them twice or thrice, and after hanging them by pairs in order upon poles.  
The tassel is to be commended in this point, for that in the midst of the head thereof, after it is well dried, there is found a little Worm, which being hung about the neck or applied unto the wrists, doth heal the fever quartain: it assuageth likewise the great ache of impostumes which grow about the nails, being applied whereunto.   

CHAP. LVIII.  
Of Saffron.  
AS for Saffron, the best Farmers, and such as are most cunning in the ordering of plants, do make very much and highly esteem of that which is called Bastard Saffron, and of the common people termed Parrot-seed, being the same that old writers call Carthamus: the plant is of no use, the 〈◊〉 excepted, which purgeth phlegmatic humours, or else feeds Parrots, which are dainty and fine mouthed. This plant when it is grown up being well husbanded 〈◊〉 ordered, beareth certain little thick heads, like the heads of Garleeke, and in 〈◊〉 midst of it a flower which one would say were Saffron. This good it doth, 〈◊〉, that it enricheth and maketh fat the ground where it groweth: likewise it ●●●ueth no great food or maintenance, neither leaveth it any root in the earth after it 〈◊〉 gathered that may put forth or take any acknowledgement of, or do any harm ●●to the soil wherein it grew. There is every way as much profit in tilling of this herb, as there is in Anise or Fennel: when all is said, a good Farmer will make profit of every thing, and there is not (as we say) so much as the Garleeke and Oni●on, which he will not raise gain of, by selling them at fairs, most fitting for their ●●me and season, and so help himself thereof and fill his purse with money.  
The ordinary Saffron, serving for sauces, painting and making of colours, is a ●●hing of toil and of profit, as may be learned and easily understood by the inhabitants of Tourain, Provence, and Portugal, where the same grows exceeding abundantly: It is planted like cammomile in the Spring, upon heads, four fingers off one from another: but it must be in a free and well battilled ground, not very far, nor very lean, but open to the Sun: it must be well trodden down with the feet, when it shall let fall his flower: but when it buddeth and putteth forth, it must be left ●lone to nature's work. At the time of the gathering of it, you must have linen ●loaths to draw it out of his bell evening and morning: and after dry it well in the shadow of the Sun, and ●ouer it with clean linens, make it clean, and taking away his white, purge it, that so it may be free from all filth, and fit to be kept in a dry place well covered, or in some vessel close stopped: and leaving in the earth the Oni●●ns or heads of the Saffron, with a good quantity of Grapes, or of the dross thereof 〈◊〉 it cometh from the press put unto them, you shall take them up in the month of March when they have brought forth fruit three years, and dry them in the Sun, ●eeping them after in some place that is not moist, that so you may plant them again 〈◊〉 some other place and ground that is well tilled, as hath already been delivered at ●●arge in the five and thirtieth Chapter. 
〈…〉.  Some are of judgement that it is nought for a 〈◊〉 to use Saffron much, and that it is a special venom unto the heart: but howsoe●●er this be true, the profit of it is great: and therefore commodious and requisite for 〈◊〉 Farmer, which would not that his ground should be unprofitable unto him. See ●ore about in the place aforenamed concerning Saffron.   

CHAP. LIX.  
A brie●e and short reniew concerning Pulse.  
I Will say nothing of the Nau●t, nor of the two kinds of 〈◊〉 of which, the great and round one is for them that dwell in Lymosin, 〈◊〉 and Provence; and the long one (which they call 〈◊〉) for France and other places: as in like manner I will make no mention of Mustardseed, Millet, Panic, and Cummine; neither yet of great wild 〈◊〉, Lupins, Lentils, and Fenugreeke: which notwithstanding are all pulse and ●eed of profit and commodity for the household, as having reserved them for the 〈◊〉 garden, planted at the end of the kitchin-garden: I will content myself in this place 〈◊〉 admonish the good Farmer, that for the bringing of the ground into some kind of occupation during the time of his rest, and after that it hath been employed in bringing forth better corn, it will not be amiss to sow therein either 〈◊〉 or 〈◊〉 fores●●ne that the ●eed, after the pulling up of the plants, be so well and thoroughly gathered and carried away, as that the ground may be quite rid and 〈◊〉 of the same, for otherwise in time there would be nothing to be found amongst this seed but wild Coleworts, D●newort, and other noisome weeds: and in deed pulse 〈◊〉 make as much for good husbandry, as the corn that is good for to make 〈…〉 pottage is in continual request for the household, in what house soever it be. 〈◊〉 make a 〈◊〉 of making bread of Millet, as is to be seen in some places of 〈◊〉 but it is not but when great necessity driveth them to it. But howso●●er 〈◊〉 be, 〈◊〉 peason, fiches, and fetches, are not of less request or inferior in taste unto great 〈…〉 lupins, cummine, fenugreek, and lentils: and for the proof hereof, I will 〈◊〉 to witness the people of Aruernia, Lymosin, Savoy, and Dauphine, for the 〈◊〉 whereof (not to speak further in this place of any other thing whatsoever, that may be as it were superfluous) we will refer you to learn the whole 〈◊〉 in the 〈◊〉 of tilling of seeds and pulse in arable grounds.   

CHAP. LX.  
Of remedying of strange accidents that may happen unto Herbs.  
THe Herbs either sown or planted in the gardens before spoken of 〈◊〉 not hurt only by hail, 
〈…〉  lightning, thunder, frosts, fogs, blash●●●, and other harms happening by the courses of seasons, but also they 〈◊〉 annoyed, by reason of waist and destruction brought upon them 〈◊〉 little beasts, as Grasshoppers, Weazles, Caterpillars, house and field Rats, 〈◊〉 Moules, Pismires, Flies, Gnats, Bats, Wall-lice, Fleas, Greone-flies, Horse- 〈◊〉, Frogs, Snails, Adders, and such like, which mischiefs you must be 〈◊〉 full to meet withal, that so you may not lose your labour about your garden, 〈◊〉 frustrated both of the profit and pleasure that might rise and come thereby. And to speak generally of the preventing of these inconveniences, it is good, according to the counsel of Columella, to steep the seeds for a certain time in the juice of 〈◊〉 madame, or to mingle with the said seed some ●oot, or else to water them with 〈◊〉 wherein soot hath been tempered: but it is better to speak of these things particularly.  
Generally against all such beasts as do hurt gardens, it is good to 〈…〉 place of the Garden as where you think these beasts do most abound and keep, the paunch of a Sheep, full of dung, as it cometh out of the sheeps belly, and to cover it with a little earth, and within two days you shall find all these beasts gathered together into this place: before you have done thus twice or thrice, you shall be provided of the means to kill and root out all these 〈◊〉: know then, in a word, what be the necessary remedies for the avoiding of such accidents.  
Against Hail, 
Against Hail.  ancient men were wont to set the whole compass of their ground about with white wild Vine, or else to fasten unto the top of a high post an Owl, having her wings spread.  
The Lightnings and Thundering will do no harm, if there be buried in the midst of the Garden a kind of Toad, 
Against Lightning.  called a Hedge-toad, 
A Hedge-toad  closed up in a pot of earth. Others do hang in the midst of the Garden, or at the sour corners thereof, the seathers of an Eagle, or the skin of a Seal. Others plant many Bay-trees round about the Garden. It is true, that to break or dissolve the Thunder, accompanied with a great thick cloud, threatening hail, there is nothing better than to ring the bells, as is used to be done in hot Countries, and to send forth the roaring sounds of the Canons, as is wont to be done at Sea: or else to set on fire some heaps of Weeds, or stinking and rotten Seeds.  
There is nothing more hurtful or dangerous for herbs than Frost, 
Frost.  which cometh when Snow and Ice are thawing. And for to preserve your herbs from this inconvenience of cold, you must spread all over the ground great store of straw, and ashes withal about that: for by this means the heat of the earth will be preserved, and the frost hindered that it cannot enter.  
If you conceive that your herbs are like to be hurt by mists or fogs, you must get together in divers places of your gardens divers heaps of tender twigs and straw, 
Against Mists and Fogs.  or of weeds and shrubs pulled up in the same place, and after to set them on fire: for the smoke thereof doth correct and clear the duskish and cloudy air.  
Against blasting, 
Blasting.  which is a corruption happening to herbs and trees by some evil constellation, there is nothing better than to burn with the dung, the right horn of an ox, in such sort, as that there may on every side be caused a very great smoke: for this smoke will drive away and resolve the evil quality of the air which is the carrier of this malign influence: or else it will be good to plant in di●er● places of the gardens, divers Bay-tree-boughes, for the blasting will fall all upon them.  
To preserve seeds from being eaten of birds, you must s●atter round about your garden's wheat or barley sod in wine, 
Against Birds.  mingled with hellebor: or else, water and s●eepe the seed in the decoction of ●ray fishes, boiled in fresh water, assuring yourself, that look what groweth of such seeds, will be free from all danger of these fowls: or else water your seed with water and the l●●s of wine: or else ●ca●er throughout the gardens, some boiled leeks, for so soon as they shall have swallowed thew, they will be easily taken up with your hand. Some put ten cry fishes in a vessel full of water, which they cover and set out in the Sun for the space of ten days, afterward they 〈◊〉 the seeds they would sow with this water twice; once before they be sown, and the other eight days after that they are sown. By this means the seeds will not only be kept safe from birds, but also from all other manner of beasts.  
To take away all harm which may come by little beasts, 
Against little 〈◊〉.  it will be good to dry, upon the skin of a Tortoise, all such seeds as you intent to sow in your Gardens: or else to plant in divers places of your Gardens some Mints, especially amongst your Coleworts: or else to sow amongst your potherbs some Cich-pease, or Rocket, or to fill the ground of your Kitchen Garden with Goose-dung, tempered with salt ●rine, or else to sow the seeds in the first quarter of the Moon.  
New Oil lees, or the foot of the Chimney sown all about in your Gardens, 
Against Snails.  is good against Snails.  
To keep away Caterpillars, you must water your herbs with water wherein have been steeped the ashes of the young shoots of Vines: 
Against Caterpillars  or perfume your herbs and trees with quick brimstone. Some steep● the seeds in the 〈◊〉 of fig tree 〈◊〉 and to kill the caterpillars, do cast upon them the ashes themselves: others like it better to plant a great onion called Squilla, or else to burn ●oad-stooles that grow out of the nut-tree: or else some great store of garleeke without any head, to the 〈◊〉 that by the strong smell which sh●ll 〈◊〉 thereof, they may die.  
Columella maketh mention of a certain and approved remedy in this 〈◊〉 Caterpillars, which is, 
women's 〈◊〉.  that when they will not be driven away by other mea●●, to 〈◊〉 a woman ba●e footed, having her terms, her bosom open, and 〈◊〉 about her ears, to walk three times about the quarters and alleys of the hedges, or 〈◊〉 of the garden. This done, you shall see the Caterpillars fall upon the earth, from the herbs and trees bearing fruit, neither more nor less, than and if by shaking you beat 〈◊〉 the rain or water from a tree: but in the mean time there must be care bad that this be not done at 〈◊〉 rise, because that then every thing in the garden would 〈◊〉 and pine away.  
If you water the fleas or lice with strong vinegar, mingled with the juice of henbane, wherein the water of hemlock shall have boiled, 
Against 〈…〉.  or with water 〈◊〉 Nigella hath been steeped: or with the decoction of mustard-s●eed; they will die shortly.  
Gnats will be killed if you lay 〈◊〉 in sleep, 
Against 〈◊〉.  and sprinkle the water about the garden: or if you make a perfume of Galbanum, or of Brimstone, or of 〈◊〉 or of ox-dung. If you would 〈◊〉 away flies, make a perfume of Colo 〈◊〉, or water the place with water wherein it hath steeped.  
To gather together all the Pa●mar-wormes and other like beasts into one place to the end you may kill them, 
Against the 〈…〉.  you must spread in the place, especially where they 〈◊〉 bound, the g●ts and 〈◊〉 of some sheep newly killed, the same made 〈◊〉 clean, but still full of filth and dung: then two days after, you shall find them all come together unto the entrails.  
For to kill Weazles, you must steep Sal-ammoniack and Wheat together, 
Against 〈◊〉.  〈◊〉 sow them near the place where the Weazles haunt, for by this they will 〈…〉 killed or caused to run away if they eat it: Some say, that if you catch a 〈◊〉 cut off her tail and cod, and let her go again alive, that afterward there will be 〈◊〉 more 〈◊〉 in that place.  
Aunt's will she away if you burn those which you take, or if you anoint the 〈◊〉 of the tree which they use, 
Against 〈◊〉.  with oxegall; or with the de●●ction of Lupins: or 〈◊〉 if you burn in the garden wild cucumber: or if one clay over with white or red 〈◊〉 the tree where they are: or if there be put at the mouth of their hole, some 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉- stone together.  
You shall kill worms, 
Against 〈◊〉.  if you perfume their holes with the smoke of oxt- 〈◊〉 if you water them with pure lee. You shall make them come out of the ground if 〈◊〉 water the place with the decoction of the leaves and seed of hemp: or if you 〈◊〉 in the ground where you see great store of worms: it is true also that you shall rid your ground of them, if you ●are your ground during the time of great heat, 〈◊〉 than you shall ●ind them in great numbers upon the face and uppermost part of 〈◊〉 earth, and so you may gather them into bowls to give them to your 〈◊〉 which thereby will become fat, and lay great store of eggs.  
You shall kill snails, 
Against 〈◊〉  if you sprinkle them with the new l●●s of oil, or with the foot of the chimney.  
Grasshoppers will do no great hurt unto herbs, 
Against Grasshoppers.  if they be watered with 〈◊〉 wherein Wormwood or Le●kes, or Centaurie hath been stamped: 〈◊〉 kill them, you must boil bitter lupins, or wild cucumbers in salt brine, and 〈…〉 therewith, or else burn a great sort of Grasshoppers in the place from 〈◊〉 would drive them, for the smell of the smoke doth kill them: but and if you 〈…〉 them altogether out of your gardens, you must hang up some Bats upon yo●● highest trees.  
You shall drive away field-Rats, 
〈…〉.  if you cast in the canicular, or dog- 〈…〉 of hemlock into their holes, together with hellebor and barley meal: or 〈◊〉 you shut the mouths of their holes with Bay-tree-leaves, to the end that when they would come forth, they may be forced to take those leaves in their teeth, and so by the only touching of them they are killed. Or if you mingle amongst their meat such as you know them to be delighted in, quick silver, tin, or burned lead, black hellebor, or the 〈◊〉 of iron: or if you make a perfume of the bodies of their kinds: or if you boil beans in any poisoned water, & so lay the said beans at the mouths of their holes, which upon the smell thereof will quickly run unto them.  
You shall also kill Rats and Mice with paste made of honey, coperas, 
Against Rats and Mice.  and stamped glass mixed together, and laid in places where they haunt most.  
Moules will never cast in those gardens where the herb called Palma Christi doth grow either of it own accord, 
Against 〈◊〉  or purposely sown: likewise you shall either kill them or drive them away, if you lay at their holes mouths a Walnut filled with chaff, brimstone, and perrosin, and there set it on fire; for by the smoke that will come of this nut, the Moules will be killed, or else run away: or if you lay in divers furrows about the garden a small ball of hempseed, it will be a let to keep that there come not any into those grounds out of other, and withal will drive away those which are there already. There are three ways to take them: the first is to stand as it were upon your watch about Sun rise, near unto the place where they have lately cast up the earth; for this is ordinarily the very hour that they cast in according to their custom, and thus may you throw them very easily out of their holes with a pickaxe or spade. The second way is, by causing water to run into the hole where they have newly digged; for when as they once feel the water, they will not stay to 〈◊〉 forth and save themselves upon some green turf or other, and there you may ●●ther take them alive or kill them. The third way, Take a live one in March, when they are a bucking, and put the same into a very deep and hollow basin at night af●●er Sun set: bury the said basin in the earth up to the brims, that so the Moules 〈◊〉 easily tumble into it, when they hear the captive cry in the night time; for all such as shall hear her (and this kind of cattle is of a very light hearing) coming ●●eere to their food, they will into the basin one after another; and by how many more go in, by so much will they make the greater noise (not being able to get out again) ●●ecause the basin within is smooth, ●leeke, and slippery. Some lay garleeke about ●heir holes, or onions, or leeks, and these make such a smell as that they either drive ●hem away, or kill them.  
All manner of Serpents are driven away with the perfume of Galbanum, 
Against 〈◊〉.  or of hartshorne, or of the root of lilies, or of the horn of a goats claw, or of hyssop, or brim●●●●, or pellitory, or an old shoe-sole. It is good also to plant in some part of the ●ardens an Elder-tree, or an Ash-tree; for the flowers of the Elder-trees by their ●●inking smell do drive away Serpents: and the shade of the ash doth kill them: 〈◊〉 like sort it fareth with the pomegranat-tree, whose shade (as we have said before) ●●riueth away Serpents. It is good likewise to plant some one or other bough of fern 〈◊〉 the garden, because the only smell thereof doth drive them away.  
You shall drive away scorpions, if you burn some of them in the place whence 〈◊〉 would banish them: or if you make a perfume of verjuice mixed with Galbanum, 
Against 〈◊〉.  〈◊〉 the fat of a goat: or if you plant in your garden some little Nut-tree.  
The perfume of ivy will cause the Reremouse to abstain flying in your garden. 
Against 〈◊〉.   
Frogs will hold their peace and not cry any more, 
Against 〈◊〉  if you set a lantern with a 〈◊〉 light, upon the side of the water or river, which compasseth the garden. If you 〈◊〉 in any corner of your garden the gall of a goat, all the frogs will gather 〈◊〉 and so you may easily kill them.   

CHAP. LXI.  
Of the Honie-Bee, the profit rising thereof, and of choosing a place to set them in.  
But if the greatest part of the profit of a farm depend and hang of 〈◊〉 keeping of cattle, I dare be bold to affirm, that the 〈◊〉 thing that can be kept about a Countrie-house is Bees. Indeed 〈◊〉 is 〈◊〉 pa●t●es and care to be taken in choosing, gathering together, holding, 〈◊〉 watching and keeping of them clean in their hives: but withal, 〈…〉 great, rare, and singular a commodity have we as the wax which we enjoy by 〈◊〉 Bees: yea what say you to honey itself, that their admirable work, and no 〈◊〉 profitable and pleasant for the use of man? Let it not then seem strange unto you, if we advise the householder to give care and be careful to keep Bees about his 〈◊〉, and therewithal teach him in a few words, what should be the ordering and governing of them and their hives, and withal at what time and hour it is good ●●●●ther honey and wax.  
The householder therefore shall first make choice for the keeping of Be●● of some fit and secret place in his Garden of Pleasure, in the bottom of some 〈…〉 it be possible, to the end they may the more easily rise on high to fly abroad to 〈◊〉 their food, as also for that when they be laden, they descend the more easily downward with their load. But let us see to it especially, that the place be open to 〈◊〉 South Sun, and yet notwithstanding, neither exceeding in heat not in cold, 〈◊〉 temperate: and that the same by hill, wall, or some other rampart be defended 〈◊〉 winds and tempests, and so also at that they may fly their sundry and 〈…〉 for to get diuer●●●ie of pastures, and so again may return to their little cottages laden with their composition of honey: and again in such a place, as wherein 〈…〉 great quantity of Thyme, Organie, Savoury, ivy, Winter Savoury, wild 〈◊〉, Rosemary, Sage, Corneflag or Gladdon, Gilloflowres, Violets, white 〈◊〉, ●●ses, flowre-gentill, Basill, Saffron, beans, Poppy, Melilot, Milfoile, and 〈◊〉 sweet herbs and flowers, wherein there is no bitterness: and in like 〈◊〉 ●●●●cient good ●●ore of trees of good smell; as Cypress trees, Cedar-trees, 〈…〉, Pine-trees, Turpentine-trees, juie-trees, Masticke-trees; and also, fruit-trees, as ●●mond-trees, Peach-trees, Peartrees, Appletrees, Cherrie-trees, and other 〈◊〉 besides all this, marvelous great store of herbs, and those of the rarest and 〈◊〉 known, and withal such as grow in well tilled grounds and pastures, for these 〈◊〉 them to grow rich in good wax, as the wild Radish, the wild Bell flower, 〈◊〉 Succory, and black Pionie: and besides these, wild Parseneps, and garden ●●●●neps and Carots. Broome and the Strawberrie-tree are not altogether good 〈…〉 make honey: the Elme-tree causeth them to have the flux of the belly, as also the 〈◊〉 males or spurges Box maketh honey of a bad smell, and which troubleth their 〈◊〉 that eat it, and yet notwithstanding profitable for them which have the Falling- 〈◊〉. But if at any time you shall chance to have any of your stocks to 〈◊〉 or to die, by what chance soever it shall be, you shall then by no means 〈…〉 combe● more than cleansing them from all manner of filth, and take of the 〈…〉 honey you can get, damask rosewater, and the juice of Fenell, and 〈◊〉 ve●e well together, then with a bunch of Fennell dipped in the same, first 〈…〉 combs very well, and also rub the hive within therewith, lastly rub the 〈◊〉 whereon the standeth, with the same that you did the hive, and you shall be 〈…〉 ●ured that the first swarm that riseth either in your own or in any other man's 〈◊〉 (if it be not above a mile or two from you) will knit (without any other 〈◊〉 king) in that stock.  
The place must be closed in with a very strong hedge, or else with good 〈◊〉 for fear both of beasts and thieves: for kine and sheep do eat up their flowers, and ●eat the dew off from the flowers, whereof the Bees should load them, and which is so well beloved of the little pretty birds, yea and that also, which falleth down at the break of the day in fair weather, and is purified on the leaves and flowers of the plants, herbs, and wild trees: but of all tame beasts, there is none that doth so damnify these little pretties' wretches, as Swine and Goats: for the Goats wast their food, and jump against their houses, yea and oftentimes beat them down: the Swine besides the wasting and eating up of their food, rubbing themselves against the hives, do overturn them and the seats whereon they be set: sheep in like man●er losing some of their locks of Wool upon the hedges, are cause that the ●illie poor Bees now and then become entangled therein, when they labour to get their ●●od, and so leave their carcases for a pledge: hens likewise have a gluttonous ap●●●tite towards them: Serpents also do sometimes take up their Inns in their hives: 〈◊〉 to take away this casualty at once and for ever, you must plant Rue round about 〈◊〉 in good quantity, in as much as venomous beasts cannot by any means abide ●●his herb.  
Callamint also is very good to be planted for the same purposes near unto the ●●ues, so is also the hea● be ● Angelica or Gentiana, but above all things you must be ●●●●full to make your hives exceeding warm, that is to say, of what stuff soever ●●●ey be made, you shall on the outside daub them better than two fingers thick with 〈◊〉 and Cow's dung mixed together, and over them a warm coat of long Rye●●aw, covering the hive from the top to the bottom, and hanging some what below 〈◊〉 stone.  
Their place also must be far off from the dunghill, common draughts or issues, 〈◊〉, marshes, fens, dropping, dirty, and miry places, which might hurt them 〈◊〉 ill smells, and for that th●●e pretty beasts are deadly enemies to all filthiness ●●d uncleanness: but rather let their place of abode be near some ●●all brook of ●●ter natural and of itself continually running, or by art in some channel, that will 〈◊〉 along the water drawn out of some well or fountain, and this rundle must 〈◊〉 by the edges stones or boughs of trees for the bees to light upon.  
But whatsoever the place is, whether in the garden of Pleasure or elsewhere (al●●it we have assigned this to be one of the fruits of pleasure to be gathered in the gar●●n of Pleasure) it must not be hemmed in with high walls on every side: and yet if 〈◊〉 fear of thieves, you were disposed to raise them the higher, than you must pierce 〈◊〉 wall some three feet from the ground, and work it with small holes, for the bees 〈◊〉 through at, and some twenty or thirty paces off to build some little house, if 〈◊〉 be so disposed, for him to dwell in who hath the charge of looking to them, and 〈◊〉 also to put his tools.   

CHAP. LXII.  
Of the fashion of the Hives, and the manner of setting them for Bees.  
A Place and standing for Bees being thus appointed, the next thing is according to that fashion which may be most convenient for the Country to make hives. Some think, the best are those which are made of quarters of sawn boards, wide enough, but not very long: others you must have 〈◊〉 long and narrow, that so you may have two sorts of hives, that is to say, great 〈◊〉 small ones: the great ones, for such as are to be employed in the making of Ho●● and the other, which are the little ones, for such as are to swarm and cast: the said 〈◊〉: being fitted together with nails, but yet so as that one or two of the boards may be lifted up when the honey is to be taken, or the said hives to be 〈…〉 the hives which are best and most convenient next unto these, are those which are made of Bark and of Cork: and next unto them, those that are made of 〈…〉 and Sallowes, such as we see in this country: the worst are those which are made 〈◊〉 baked earth, for they s●ald with heat in Summer, and freeze with cold in 〈◊〉. I find those nothing convenient which are made of dressed straw, or of 〈…〉 the one is very subject to the fire, and the other cannot be translated or 〈…〉 one place to another, if need should require. Yet those of straw may 〈…〉 ind●●ed and embraced if they be well looked unto, because the Bee-gard●● 〈…〉 within the danger of the fire; only the worst fault they have is this, that 〈◊〉 very apt to breed within them, and to destroy the honey as it is gathered, 〈◊〉 withstanding in such places where wood is scarce, they are not to be 〈…〉 in the cold countries, because of all ●●ues they are the warmest. There are also other hives which are made of splinted wands of hassel or such like 〈…〉 they are esteemed the best of all other, and are indeed the sweetest, safest, and 〈◊〉 to work in; provided, that they be tr●●med, daubed, and thatched as it 〈◊〉 said: Now again in your hives is a great care to be taken touching the 〈◊〉 of them, for although the ancient allow but a cubit wide, and two in length, 〈◊〉 a cub●● and a half not amiss in the bottom, and two and a half in length, for 〈◊〉 largeness of a have (if it be not too unreasonable) never doth hurt: and wh●●●s some use to make two sorts of hives, a greater and a lesser, if you make but one 〈◊〉 and those large ones, it will be ●●●rie way as good, for you shall many 〈…〉 to enlarge your hives, but very seldom or never to straighten them, for all 〈◊〉 curios●●●e itself can speak against them that be great hives, is but only this, 〈…〉 is long in casting, and casteth seldom, whereas, on the contrary part, the 〈…〉 small hive casteth more soon, and far o●ter, yet this is most 〈…〉 swarm taken from the large hive, is better than two swarms taken from the 〈◊〉 hive, being both more strong a●d more able for their work, and a great 〈…〉 better able to endure Winter, nor is it the number of stocks which 〈…〉 but the quantity of the honey.  
Moreover, they must be wide beneath, and narrow above, they 〈…〉 wide, and two cub●●s high, drawn over and dre●t on the outside with 〈…〉 mingled together, that so they may continue the longer: Neither 〈…〉 made as some are flat at the top, and shallow, but ascending pyramid wise, 〈…〉 smaller till it come to the top, for thereby it both sheddeth off the rain, much 〈◊〉 and maketh the frames of the Bees a great deal stronger. These hives 〈◊〉 cross-bar within with cloven sticks very well rubbed with sweet flowers, 〈◊〉 the which the Bees must fasten their combs; and these crosse-barres must be 〈◊〉 places of the hive, that is, ne●re to the top, and near the bottom. 
The setting of hives.  They must be 〈◊〉 upon boards fitted for the purpose, and that near unto some brickwall, but 〈◊〉 it, that so there may be space for one to go about them and make them cleane●●● 〈◊〉 e●se you may set them upon some vault of stone or of brick, to the height of 〈◊〉 foot, and as mu●h in breadth, laid over with mortar on every side, and 〈…〉 ●o the lizards and serpents, and other noisome cattle, may not get up and 〈◊〉 ●ther for to hurt them.  
But the best and safest manner of setting of hives, is to drive three strong 〈◊〉 to the ground, so as they may stand of one even and just height, and about 〈◊〉 and a half above the ground, then upon these stakes you shall lay a fair 〈…〉 using-stone that may reach every way half a foot or more beyond the 〈◊〉, and upon that stone you shall set your hive, for by that means neither 〈…〉 〈◊〉 vermin shall get to annoy the hives.  
Moreover, the hives shall be so set, as that there may be a distance 〈◊〉 one and the other, to the end that when need shall require, to look 〈…〉 for the making of it clean, or any other thing, there may not any occasion 〈…〉 to shake or rogge upon the other, nor yet disturb the adjoining 〈…〉 greatly fear when they are touched, lest their workmanship of 〈◊〉 (which is 〈◊〉 weak and easy to be spoilt) should be stirred or broken. The 〈◊〉- part, whe●● they go in, must be hanging somewhat forward, that so there may not any 〈…〉 fall into it: and when as any, by hap, shall fall in, that then 〈◊〉 may not ●●ay, 〈◊〉 find that as a ready way out: And for this cause the Hives must be covered with small coverings and shelter, besides the shade of leaves and boughs made 〈…〉 mortar of earth for a band; and this will ●exue against the cold, snow, 〈…〉, although heat do not so much hurt unto Bees as cold. Also you shall 〈…〉 binding mortar daub the Hive as close as may be to the stone, that if 〈◊〉 happen to fall thereupon, yet it may by no means sink into the Hive, but 〈◊〉 fall off, and shed upon the earth. And therefore behind the Bees as they 〈…〉 must be some building, or else at the least a wall, which may be unto them in stead of a 〈◊〉 bank against the North wind, and withal, may keep the Hives in a 〈◊〉 warmth. And furthermore, Hives, though they be thus defended and 〈◊〉 from the cold by this building, yet they must be turned upon the East in Winter, rather than upon the South (because if they were turned toward the South, they would be laid fore upon by excessive heat in Summer.) to the end, that in the morning the Bees, for their earlier coming forth, may have the Sun hot upon them, for their better wakening; whereas otherwise, the cold would make them heavy and slothful: and therefore the holes by which they pa●●e and repsse, must be 〈◊〉- little, that so they may not give place for the entrance of much cold, and they will be sufficient great, if to be there may but one Bee pass. Again, by this means it will be provided for, that neither the venomous Stellion, nor the villainous Beetill, neither yet the Butterflies, shall possibly enter to rob the Hives and Honeycombs. And moreover, according to the quantity of Bees in the Hive, you must make in the same hatch two or three holes, one somewhat distant from another, that they may pass in thereby, as also for the deceiving of the Lizards, which would, by reason of their watch, kill them as they came forth, if they had but one hole in all. It is further meet, that the shelter under which the Hives shall stand, be well appointed for little open windows, which you shall, stop in Winter with Paper windows, or Tiles, and that in such order, as that they may be easily opened when the Sun shineth, and shut after that the Bees are returned home into their Hives: and yet there must be holes in the said Paper lights, that so they may pass forth along at their pleasure whither they are disposed. Yet this is a curiosity seldom or never used amongst 〈◊〉 masters: and therefore, in mine opinion, if you keep them close, without any more than their ordinary doors to pass in & out at, it will be best: and these do●●● would be made of a fine thin board, or a piece of an old worn trencher, cut in this manner 

  and so fixed into the bottom of the Hive, on that side on which the Sun most commonly riseth: and all these doors you shall keep open from the later end of April till September: but after, which is the dead time of Winter, you shall close them up, and keep but one open at the most, and that no bigger, than a Bee may well pass through the same.   

CHAP. LXIII.  
Of what qualities and conditions the Bees must be.  
I Will say nothing in this place of the engendering of Bees, as whether it be by the coupling of males and females together, 
〈…〉.  as we see in other kind of creatures, or by the corruption and rotting of the 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 of the body of a young Bullock (whereof Virgil speaketh) which are knowledges not greatly belonging to the Husbandman; because, 〈◊〉 ●red, he findeth them in his Hive without any further industry: yet for 〈◊〉, it is doubtless, that Bees are bred of Bees, either of their blowings, or some other 〈◊〉 of their generation: but the first is most likely, because the first combs 〈◊〉 Bee frameth, she filleth with her young, before she labour for honey, and these 〈◊〉 are at first but little bigger than flye-blowes, white and long, and so 〈…〉 produceth a shape, which taketh life in the comb, and then departeth thence▪ 〈◊〉 laboureth amongst the other Bees: yet being straightened in the Hive, and 〈◊〉 room to lodge their honey in, as soon as the warmth of Summer cometh in, th●y with one consent depart the Hive, and seek out some other place wherein to 〈◊〉 their labours: and these are called the swarms, or increase of young store, which the elder stocks bringeth forth. But letting pass these digressions of the works 〈◊〉 ●●ture, I will describe them as they are already engendered; as, what be the prop●●●●● of such as are fit and like to make good honey. There are many sorts of Bees: for some are of a golden colour, clear, shining, and bright; others blackish, rough and hairy some great, some small; some thick and round; and others spa●e and long; some wild, and some tame. But and if you would buy or gather together 〈◊〉 out of the Forest, to take their honey from them, look and take good heed that they have the marks following; as, that they be little ones, somewhat long, not hairy nea●, golden coloured, shining and sparkling as gold, spotted above, gentle and loving: for the greater and longer that Bees be, the worse they are; and if they be 〈◊〉 they are nothing worth; notwithstanding, that their choler and malice is easily helped, if that otherwise they be well marked and fruitful, by seeing themost: for in your oft going to them, they become tame. But because one cannot learned to 〈◊〉 and know if they have all these marks aforesaid, if he see them not: if you buy them, before you cope for them, 
〈…〉 that is to be 〈…〉.  you must open the Hives, and see whether they be well replenished, or not: and if you cannot look up higher into them, than you must go● by guess and aim, and consider if there be good store at the mouth, and 〈◊〉 you hear a great noise and huzzing within; and further, if they be all 〈…〉 at rest: in putting your mouth to the Hives mouth, and blowing a good blast 〈…〉, you may perceive whether there be many, or few, by the noise which they will presently make when they feel the breath. Or where you shall make doubt of 〈◊〉 these former signs, there you shall take the Hive from the stone, and poise it 〈◊〉 your arm, and according unto the weight so you shall chaffer for it: because if you see it is well replenished with Bees, and also very heavy, than you may assure 〈◊〉 self it is an excellent Stock, rich both in cattle, Wax, and Honey, and so consequently worth your money: but if it be light, though it promise never so many 〈◊〉 yet it is but casual: for either the swarm fell late in the year, so that they 〈◊〉 time to get their provisions; or else the year was unnatural, and too moist, whereby they could not work; or else the Swarm was weak; any of which will hardly 〈◊〉 out the Winter following: and in that respect the buyer ought to be very ●●●●full of his purchase. Now it is an old received opinion amongst old 〈◊〉 (how true I leave to your i●dgement) That those Bees prosper best, which are 〈◊〉 given, or come by chance: Truly I would not persuade any friends of mine 〈…〉 get Bees at this reckoning, to go to higher rate, for sure the ●asinesse of the 〈◊〉 makes the profit to much the greater, and in that respect the saying is true, but 〈◊〉 weatherwise, I am fully persuaded. Others are of opinion, that stolen Bees thrive 〈◊〉 but I would have no man believe it: for I never knew profit in dishonesty; 〈◊〉 is it possible that there can be any blessing given unto an act of so much wrong, 〈◊〉 the taking away of another man's goods cometh to: yet this hath been an old received opinion, and for knowledge, not for practise, I relate it. It is good to 〈◊〉 them as near unto your abode as you can, and not in other Country's 〈…〉 your dwelling place: for the change of their Pastures, Air, and Country, 〈◊〉 stonish and amaze them: beside also, the further they are carried, the more they 〈◊〉 pained in their Hives. But and if they cannot be got, but by seeking 〈…〉 them, you must convey them, betwixt place and place, some other way that by highways, and that the rather in the Spring than in Winter, as also very 〈◊〉. for fear of shaking them. It will be good to take them before day, and to carry them away at night upon his neck, or rather it is better that two men should bear them: for in the day time they must be let rest, and have given unto them some sweet liquor, that so they may have to feed upon, though they be kept within. And when they are brought to the place of their abode, you must not open them until the next day at night, to the end, that after they have rested all night, they may be the fitter to come forth peaceably in the morning: although yet it were better not to alter or change any thing about them for the space of three days, but to stop up the mouth with some thin cloth, until the Sun have shone, and in the evening after to open them.  
There is no such careful heed taken in the choosing of those which are given, 
Choice of Bees which are gathered in the Forests.  nor yet of those which have been taken or gathered in the Fields or Forests, although I could advise men to the contrary, seeing the charges and pains are as great about the bad as the good. Notwithstanding, when one gathereth them, it is not possible to make such choice as he would: and therefore he must be content with that which cometh next to hand; and yet not to be negligent to purchase and get the best that may be come by, and to take good heed not to mingle the good and the bad together, for so the bad would dishonour the good, and there would be a great deal less honey, because of the bad and slothful ones which are mingled amongst them. The gathering of them shall be after this fashion: When you have found any place, by which great numbers of Bees do pass (which is commonly in Woods and Forests where Herbs do abound, and Trees of sweet smell, near unto some small River or Fountain) you shall use all diligence to find out the place of their rest and abode, which you may easily learn after their having been at water, whether it be near or 〈…〉, by the place whither they torn: then afterward, in the beginning of the Spring, you must take Balm and Thyme bruised, with other such like herbs which Bees love, and therewith anoint your Hive so thoroughly, as that the smell and juice thereof may stay behind: after that, you shall make the Hive clean, and sprinkle it with a little honey: and having thus handled it, you shall set it down in the Woods or Forests, near unto the Springs, and when it is full of Bees, you shall carry it home. And thus much of gathering swarms of Bees.   

CHAP. LXIIII  
Of the manner of governing Garden Bees.  
THe Lord of the Farm, or Farmer, having provided Feeding, Grounds, Hives, and fit places for Bees, as also having bought or gathered good store of Swarms to replenish his Hives, shall be careful to afford them a more diligent and attentive kind of government, and ordering, than any ouer●eer or governor of other cattle doth allow unto the said Ca●●ell under his charge: the cause is, for that the Bee is more discreet and industrious than any other kind of living creature: yea, seeing she hath a kind of wisdom coming near unto the understanding of man, therefore she looketh for a more careful manner of usage and carriage towards her from them that are her governors, and therefore cannot abide them to be mockers, ●●uttish, or negligent, for they cannot abide to be ●●ggardly or filthily entreated. It must therefore be his condition that shall have the charge of them, 
〈…〉.  to consider their manners, and manner of living, and accordingly to frame himself thereunto in the best sort that may be. They have a King whom they obey as their Sovereign in all things, accomplishing and fulfilling whatsoever he shall give them in charge, whether it be to go forth, or to return home, or to stay within: and they attend him always in companies wheresoever he be: they comfort him if at any time he be sick, and do keep about him if he cannot fly: not out of them is negligent and slothful, but every one ready and quick to any kind of work. Some of them gather the Roses, and bring home what they get of flo●●● and sweet smelling leaves, unto those which stay within the Hive making Honey: others are busy in making Combs, and building of little Cabins; some make honey, and others attend other matters and vocations: some lay to their hands to the softening of Wax, and temper it so well, as that making thin leaves thereof, they therewith build up and frame them Cells and Cloisters: others with great 〈◊〉 do sunder the gross and drossy substance, and make ready a place for 〈…〉 of Honey. Some of them with their pain and diligence do keep clean the 〈◊〉, which notwithstanding are never defiled by any of their own dung, for 〈…〉 flying abroad they avoid their excrements in flying. Some there are which ordinarily do nothing but keep watch and ward, to the end, that to the uttermost of 〈◊〉 power they may withstand whatsoever thing may annoy and hurt them. They 〈◊〉 out such as die within the Hives: but when their King is dead, they stir him not from his place, but crowding one upon another's back about him, it seemeth that they lament and mourn, as they make show by their noise and humming, and that 〈◊〉 vehemently, as that if their keeper do not look unto it, and take him from under them, they will suffer themselves rather to die for hunger, than they will forsake him. To be brief, every one of them is so diligent at his work, as that they cannot 〈◊〉 it, that any one should be in their company that should not be occupied in 〈◊〉 something: and this is the cause why they drive away the Drone, which will 〈◊〉 work, neither is good to any thing else, but to waste the honey, and 〈◊〉 it. They hate, above all things, evil scents: they never fly against the light, nor unto 〈…〉 or blood, or fat, but content themselves with leaves and flowers only, which 〈◊〉 sweet smelling juice. They take delight in pleasant and goodly Songs: wh●●●● 〈◊〉 cometh to pass, that if they be scattered abroad, they will be called together at this delightful ringing of some Basin, or small Bells, or in hitting the hands in a soft and easy sort one against another. To be brief, their fashion and manner of 〈…〉 it were) wonderful in nature: but giving over all further describing of them, 〈◊〉 will content myself in delivering the conditions and duties required about 〈◊〉 ordering and governing.   

CHAP. LXV.  
The order of governing Bees all the year long.  
Whosoever he be therefore that hath the charge and oversight of the Bees, must be careful first of their pastures (whereof we have made mention before:) than he shall diligently look unto their Hives twice or thrice a month, beginning at the Spring, and continuing till November: 〈◊〉 there is not that time in the year wherein they stand not in need of something: and if they be well ordered, they will continue ten years. They must be opened about the month of March, and the Honeycombs made clean with a very strong and solid feather, when as they cannot be come by with the hand, that so, wha●●●●● filth is gathered there in the time of Winter, may be cast out, and the Spider's 〈◊〉, which spoil all the Combs, may be taken away: afterward he shall smoke 〈◊〉 all with Ox dung burnt; for this dung, by a certain affinity, is grateful and well liked of Bees. But in the mean time, before he handle the Hives, he shall be well ●●uised, that the day before he have not had to deal with his wife; that he have not been drunken; and that for the present he come not near unto them, without being washed, made clean, and well appareled: in like manner he must 〈◊〉 from all meats that are of a strong smell, as are all salt meats, and soused 〈◊〉, and all things being strong of scent, as Garlic, or Onions, or such like things: and chose, let him carry in his mouth something that hath a good smell, for by this means they will love him so well, as that he may handle their Hives at his pleasure, and the little pretty birds will never hurt or annoy him. At the same time (in as much as then they begin to multiply and increase, and to cast their swarms, which so soon as they can fly, desire nothing more than to fly away, and not to abide with the old ones, and much less to become subject unto them) it will be meet to keep watch very diligently, and that from after the morning tide is past, till two hours after noon, that so they may not fly unto some other place. Wherefore if you can discern and spy out their Kings, 
Kings of Bees.  it will be good to take their wings from them, if they make show of themselves oftentimes, and seem as though they would fly together with their company; as also to cast dust upon them, or else water, for by these ●eanes they will be kept from going away: so that then they will not go out of their own yard, nor out of the limits of their own kingdom; neither will they suffer their troop to go far from them: or else it will be good, after that they are come forth, to astonish and occupy their minds with the sounding of Basins, or of the ●●ards of broken Pots, ringing forth softly, in as much as by how much you ●ound the stronglier, by so much they mount the higher into the air, and stray the further off: but and if it be a gentle and low sound, they in like manner do stay and keep themselves near at hand and below. And if they proceed to fasten themselves upon the next branch of the tree, as a 〈◊〉 of Grapes do hang upon their branch, you must gather them with your hand, or with a trowel, into a basket anointed with 〈◊〉 of swee● Balm, or some drops of Honey, and after set it on the row with the other baskets: or else, to make a shorter dispatch, he may cut the bough or branch of 〈◊〉 tree, and put it very softly into all these Bees, which are within the dressed Bas●●● or Hive, the mouth of the same having been first sprinkled with Wine: Then, ●●ter this, it must be set upon a board upon the ground all an end, the upper part be●●ng kept to close, as that the Bees may go in no where but at the place which is open underneath. But and if this swarm of Bees, or little Birds, be got into any hole or 〈◊〉 of the bowl and body of a tree, then carry thither a Hive well anointed in e●●●rie place, as also at the hole or mouth, with very sweet smelling herbs, and draw 〈◊〉 over this hole and entrance of hollowness, to the end you may invite them to a 〈◊〉 with the delightsomeness of this smell, and with the better contentment to g●oe in to abide and dwell there. If they rest themselves in a place where you cannot ●●me to them with your hand, and such a one as is withal somewhat vn●●●●t to be ●ealt with, then take a pole, and tie to the end of it a Hive sprinkled with good Wine, and hold it near unto this clew of Bees, and thus they will not fail to go ●●to it: then carry them near unto the Hives, for no doubt but they will go up and 〈◊〉 themselves in a short time. Or else, which is the best, he shall hold, all rea●●ie, a new Hive to receive them, when he seeth that the young Kings shall be ●●me forth with their young train, which within a day or two will all be come together at the mouth of the old stock, and show by sufficient signs and tokens, ●●at they are desirous of some place of their own, and peculiar unto themselves: 〈◊〉 then if he do give them one, they will rest contented therewith, and abide ●●erein.  
It is to be known when this young host will come abroad, by the noise and humming which they will make in the Hive three days before that they purpose to come abroad, as if a camp of warlike men would rise up and remove: and for to know ●hen they make this noise, he must lay his ●are at evening to ●uerie Hive, that so he ●ay hear the noise and humming, when they make any.  
And yet indeed this noise and humming is sometimes a sign and token of some ●●ght or strife raised betwixt them and some other swarm: 
〈…〉.  which must be well pre●●●ted; for otherwise by such civil wars and deadly fights all the whole troop ●●d company will quickly be overthrown and brought to nothing. This intended ●●ombat is taken up with a bowl of cute or boiled wine 〈◊〉 unto them, or else some honeyed wine, or other such liquor, which by his sweetness is familiar to Bees, 〈…〉 will appease their furi●. But yet and if you perceive that these skirmishes are not 〈◊〉 ended, 
To kill the Kings of the Be●●.  you must make haste to kill the Kings of the Bees, which are the cause of such seditions and tumults. The manner to kill th●m, is to observe when the whole 〈◊〉 cometh out of the Hive, and is already ●●●led upon some bough of some tree, and then to mark if the whole swa●e of Bees do hang after the manner of a 〈◊〉 of Grapes upon the branch; for and if they be ●o, it is a sign that there is but one Ki●●● or and if that there be more, that yet they agree amongst the●●selues, and there●●● you shall let them alone till they be in their Hives. But and if the whole troop be divided into many clewes, or round bunches, you need not then doubt but 〈◊〉 there are many Kings, and that they do not agree together. And then where you shall ●ee them gathered most on a heap, and in greatest troops, there you may search and look for the King, anointing your hand with the juice of sweet Balm, or with Honey, that so they may not she away when you shall touch them; and seek thus amongst them until you have ●ound the King, which is the author of all this 〈◊〉 whom you must kill and cast out. And thus you may di●●●ne and find out the Kings from the commons: The Kings are somewhat greater and longer, 
The marks and signs of the Kings of the Bees.  their legs 〈◊〉 strait and high, their wings less, but of a fair colour, and neat, smooth, and polished, without hair and stings, except perhaps you will say, that a certain gro●●● and thick hair which they have upon their bellies is their sting, wherewith notwithstanding they never sting to do● any harm. Some Kings are found to be blac● and hairy, and ghalliy to behold, and these are of the worst sort of Kings, and must therefore be killed, notwithstanding that they move no war, nor stir up 〈◊〉 coals amongst the young swarmed brood. Thus you see there is no case-to be 〈◊〉 with marveling, when you behold these small birds to be so be●●●ced and enraged with love towards their King, that for to de●end him, they willingly cast and expose their own lives into open hazard against all his enemies which come to 〈◊〉 him, besides other incredible obeisance, which they let not continually to 〈◊〉 unto him.  
The Hives that shall be made ready to receive the new swarms, must be rubbed with the herbs before named, and sprinkled with drops of Honey, the more 〈◊〉 to cause them to keep therein. At this time of the Spring it likewise som●●● cometh to pass, that by reason of the hardness of the Winter past, or of 〈…〉 ●ase and sickness, there is great wan● and scarcity of Bees in old stocks, and this 〈◊〉 be remedied by putting a new swarm into that Hive, and killing the young 〈◊〉 that so his subjects may content them●●●ies to live peaceably under the old. But 〈◊〉 if you have not a swarm, than the next way is to put the troops of two or three 〈◊〉 diminished stocks into one, bedewing or sprinkling the same before with some 〈◊〉 liquor, and after to shut them up in the same Hive, and fet something within it for them to eat, until they be well wont unto it, and so to keep them three days 〈◊〉 up, giving them only a little fresh air at some●●all and little holes. And if it come to pass, that the King of the old Hive, which we shall have le●t alive, do die, 〈◊〉 you must choose them another King from out of the other Hives (where there be 〈◊〉 nigh) and give them him to govern. And in case that means to do this do fail, 〈◊〉 that there be not any purpose or inclination to take new swarms from other 〈◊〉, you must then break down all the little chambers and lodgings of their 〈◊〉, Kings, to the end that the young swarms, which shall be together in the old 〈◊〉, may not betake themselves to their first haunt, and still abide and continue vnd● 〈◊〉 old, but their new King and Captain: and this they must of necessity dot, be●●● compelled through want of their natural and chief Governors, and by 〈◊〉 themselves with their Ancients.  
In rainy weather, continuing, long, Bees not being able to go out of their 〈◊〉 to seek pastures, and to bring home food unto their young brood, you must not 〈◊〉 to help them with some provision of Honey, until such time as they shall be 〈◊〉 to she abroad to get their own living, and to work their Honeycomb of: for otherwise you shall quickly make an end of them, as it hath been oftentimes seen to come to pass.  
All the Summer they must gather Honey (whereof we will speak hereafter) and at the same time, every ten days, their Hives must be opened and smoked with Ox dung, and afterward be cooled, by warring the empty parts of the Hive, and ●asting thereinto cool water: and likewise be made clean, and all grubs taken out of them, if any be therein: and after this, let them roll and tumble themselves upon the flowers: and then you must not take any thing from them, that so you may 〈◊〉 annoy and become redious unto them too o●t, and so cause them to fly away in despair. In some fair day, about the end of Autumn, you must make clean their Hives, looking that it be ho● also and calm: and if at this time there be found ever a Comb ungathered, and not pluck● away, which sometime was lean and thin, you must not therefore kill the Bees, as many do: but rather, to save them, you must sprinkle it with a brush dipped in honeyed water, or in milk, having driven them together on a heap with the smoke, keeping them close and shut up after this in their Hive: for all the Winter you may not open nor touch them, but keep them close within, till the Sunbeams break forth again for their comfort, and that well covered, stopping without, whatsoever cliffs and holes, with Mortar and Neat's ●ung mingled together, in such sort, that there be nothing left open, but only a way for them to pass in and out thereat: And also this must be carefully looked unto, tha● although their Hives do already stand under covert, yet that further, they be covered again with stubble and boughs, and so much as possibly may be, kept▪ ●●om Cold and Winds, which they fear and abhor more than any other thing. You must foresee likewise, that neither Rain nor Snow may do them hurt: and 〈◊〉 make provision of store of the juice of sweet Balm, honeyed water, sugared wa●●r, milk, or other liquor which may be ●it and convenient for them; in which liquor you must steep pure and clean Wool, whereupon the Bee sitting, may suck●●ut the juice or liquor that is therein. And to the end that they may not endure hun●er in the Winter, and that they may not need to eat the Honey up that they have ●ade, and which is left untaken from them, it will be good to give them, at the doors 〈◊〉 their Hives, in little pipes or troughs made of Reeds, Elder, Iron, or Led, so ●●repared, as that the Bees may not drown themselves when they go about to ●●rinke, some dry figs, stamped or te●● pered in water or boiled Wine: It will be ●ood likewise to give them some Raisins out of the Frail, stamped and sprinkled ●ith water: or else some Corans, stamped with very good Wine, and boy led toge●●her: or else some dry Apricots, stamped with Honey, and mixed with boiled water: 〈◊〉 of Pancakes made of very ripe Corans, of the best Figs and boyard Wine mixed together: or else to cast amongst them, in at the door of the Hive, some sweet liquors, with Sirings, as Milk, and especially Goat's Milk, 〈◊〉 the best of all the rest, to bear out the scarcity and poorness of the time, vn●●ill the Spring approach.  
In the Combs there are found Drones like unto Bees, but greater, which (although they be unprofitable, because they gather no food or sustenance, but eat ●p that which others bring in) yet do serve for some thing; for they hatch the ●oung brood, whereupon come the small Bees: and therefore you must not kill ●hem all, but keep a certain number of them, to the end that the Bees may not ●row ●●onthfull and idle.   

CHAP. LXVI.  
Of the remedies of the diseases that Bees are subject unto.  
THe Bee is subject unto the Plague, 
The diseases of Bees.  in which case there is no more ●●●●raigne a medicine for them, than to carry them far off. Again, they are troubled with the flux of the belly in the beginning of the Spring, when the spourges are in the flower, and the Elme-trees bring 〈◊〉 their seed, where they are given to feed greedily, and with great stomachs, as 〈◊〉 fasted all Winter: and they be so desirous to eat of these new and young flowers, as some folk are to eat of new Apples; and thereupon they die quickly, if it be not speedily foreseen: in such sort, as that in some places of Itali●, where the 〈◊〉 do● grow upon plants, the Bees cannot continue or endure long. For this cause, you 〈◊〉 quickly help this flux of the belly with the rinds or seeds of Pomegranate powned and ●●arced, and afterward mixed with Honey, and sprinkled with good 〈◊〉 Wine: or else with Damask or Languedo● Raisins dried, powned, and mi●●ed with good sweet Wine, or with honeyed water, wherein hath been boiled Rosem●●●: or else with figs of Marseilles, which have been boiled a long time in wat●●: all these give them in pots or pipes of wood, to the end they may eat and drink thereof.  
Bees are sometimes sick, when as eu●rie year continually there is great s●ored flowers: for the Bees thereupon labour rather to make great store of Honey th●●●nie young Bees; and so it cometh to pass, that many die of excessive toil and travail: and further, because those which remain are not supplied with young and new store, they likewise die all of them. Wherefore, when in the Spring time the meadows and fields are filled with flowers, it will be good every third day to 〈◊〉 up the places whereat they g●e in and out of their Hives, leaving only af●●● little holes, but such as the Bees cannot get out at, that so they may be 〈◊〉 from making of Honey; and that so also, when they perceive that they cannot fill up 〈◊〉 their Waxen chambers with Honey, they may apply themselves to fill 〈…〉 young Bees.  
If Lice or Grubs, 
Lice and Grubs.  which are engendered of the filth in their Hives, do 〈…〉 you must smoke them with a bough of the Pomegranate or wild Figtree.  
They fall into a Consumption, 
Heat, or Cold.  and become all dried away, after having endu●●● very great heat or cold. And it is evidently perceived: for it is often seen●, that 〈◊〉 beareth out of the Hive the body of another that is dead, and that some of those 〈◊〉 are within, and alive, become all pensive and sad, after the manner of a gen●●●● mo●●ning: which when it happeneth to them, they must have meat made of Honey boiled and beaten with Galls, or dry Roses.  
You shall stay the brawls betwixt swarms, 
Fight 〈…〉  if you cast upon them some 〈◊〉 dust, or boiled wine, or honeyed wine, or other like liquor, which by his 〈◊〉 common and familiar unto Bees.  
The Bees that are cruel and rigorous, 
〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 Bees.  will become tame and gentle, if you 〈◊〉 go amongst them oftentimes.  
Sometimes there is such store of honeycombs made, 
Corrupted Combs.  as that for want of 〈◊〉 stand empty: whereupon it cometh, that they rot and destroy the Honey by 〈◊〉 rottenness; and the spoil of the Honey causeth the Bees to die. For to rem●die● this you must put two swarms into one Hive, or else cut away the putrified Comb●● 〈◊〉 a very sharp and well whe●●ed tool.  
The Butter●●es, 
A●ain? Butterflie●.  which use sometimes to hide themselves in the Hives, and 〈◊〉 the Bees, will themselves be killed, if when Mallows are in flower, and they abrading in great quantity, there be set amongst the Hives, in the night season, a high and narrow mouthed Tinne-pot, with a burning Light in the bottom of 〈◊〉 for presently all the Butterflies will hasten and fly thither unto the light, and flying about it, will burn themselves: for they cannot easily, from a narrow bottom, fly right up, neither yet shun and avoid the light, in getting themselves far off from it, seeing they are forcibly kept within a narrow scantling, the pot itself being not wide, but narrow.  
To kill Drones, which doing no good, 
Against Dr●●es.  devour the Honey: When it shall be near night, water the coverings of some vessel, which you shall se● neer●e unto the Hives, with water; the Drones will all of them fly unto those coverings to cool themselves and quench their thirst, which they have gotten by eating too much honey, and then it will be an easy thing to kill them: and as for ●●inging of you, you need not fear it, for they have no sting at all.   

CHAP. LXVII.  
Of the manner of gathering Honey.  
FOr the gathering of Honey, about which there is so much labour taken continually, 
The gathering of Honey.  it is chiefly effected at three several times of the year, as shortly after the Spring, all the Summer, and in the beginning of Autumn. But there cannot any prefixed day or certain time be appointed for the same, seeing it dependeth of the finishing of the Combs: for and if you draw-them out before they be thoroughly wrought, the Bees grow malcontented, and cease to work any more, by reason of the thirst which they endure. The time of gathering Honey is known, by the Bees their no more making of a great noise, but ●●rning the same into a soft and low buzzing: as also, if the holes which are above in the vessels be stopped with Wax: if the Bees drive out the Drones, which are like unto Bees, but a greater beast, and altogether unprofitable, and without taking of any pain; for they gather no food, but eat up that which others bring in. The hour of taking the Combs, is commonly in the morning, for it is not good to disquiet and trouble them in the heat of the day: and this must be done with two iron instruments or knives; the one whereof must be long and narrow, for the cutting away of the Combs; and the other, for the scraping away and pulling out of the filth that shall be fallen into them. It will do well to moisten these two tools oftentimes in water, that so the Wax may not stick unto them, and that the Bees which shall be abiding within, may not be hurt. The vessels may not altogether be emptied, and so all the fruit taken out, but there must be left remaining (as it were) the tenth part, or (as others say) the fifth part, as well in the Spring, as in Summer; but in Autumn two parts must be left, and the third only taken, for by this means you shall not much discontent them: and withal, you shall leave abundantly behind for them to eat and feed upon. The gathering of Honey most commonly used, and most reasonable, is but to take the most ripe Combs, and those which are best perfected, and withal, of them but two thirds. If the Hive be half full of Honey, than there is but the half of that to be taken away: and if it be under half full, then there must be taken from it with discretion proportionably. Furthermore, you must make them come forth with the smoke of Neat's dung, or of a Wolves bladder, or Galbanum or wild Mallows; and with the juice of this herb must he be anointed which shall gather the Honey, to keep him that he be not stung: or to make him bold, let him take a mask with a part of Spectacles set in it to give him light to see, and let him also ha●e a Linen cloth, close writhed about his neck and head, and gloves upon his hands, for to geld and handle them to his good contentment: or, which is better, let him have a Linen hood to compass and go over his whole face, made of a most fine and close-wrought Kall, like unto Network, for by this means a man shall see at his pleasure that which he goeth about to do, and yet be free from the danger of the Bees stinging. But notwithstanding that you take from the 〈◊〉 their work of Honey and Wax, yet you must not kill them, nor drive them 〈◊〉 away, if it be possible, but to keep them for to draw yet more profit out of them afterward: and when as yet there is no hope of good of them by reason of their 〈◊〉 even than you must not use any ungrateful 〈◊〉, in stead of 〈◊〉, and ●ur●he●ously massacre them. In the Country of Tuscanie, in remembrance of the bountifulness of this poor cattle, it is forbidden upon a great penal●● to kill Bees, so long as possibly by any means they may be kept alive. It will be good therefore, for their safeguard, at such times as their Combs are to be gelded, 〈◊〉 them in such sort, as that they may withdraw themselves safely into some 〈◊〉 toward the midst of the covering of their Hive, and not to come forth or 〈◊〉 you shall make them come forth, the covering of their Hive taken away, and a 〈◊〉 to the mouth of the Hive, and after smoking the Bees from underneath, for so they will betake themselves into the said sack, which must be fast tied and laid upon the ground, until that the Honey be taken away at leisure. After this, the Hive or 〈◊〉 must be see to the mouth of the sack, and the covering put upon it again, 〈◊〉 so the Bees may return and enter into their house again, to begin their work 〈◊〉 or else see near unto the Hive which you mean to geld, another empty Hive, which shall be perfumed and hung about with sweet smelling herbs, and it shall have 〈◊〉 hole in the cover as big as one's hand made round, to the end that Bees may 〈◊〉 at it, having made an end of the building of their Combs, even to the top, and downward more than the half part of the Hive: by this means you shall take away, at ease, such Honey as is in the Hive, and not lose any part of it, seeting that it may be taken forth at any hour that you are disposed, without hurting of the Combs, and without molesting or troubling of the Bees, in smoking of 〈◊〉 cause them to gather together upon heaps into some corner, or else by 〈◊〉 them to fly some whither else. The Combs being taken away, shall be carried to the place where you mean to make the Honey, and stopping the windows of 〈◊〉 place, preutent the coming of Bees thereinto; for they will busily seek the 〈◊〉 that they have lost, and, if they find it, waist and consume it. And ther●●●●, to cut off all means of entrance for them into this place, you must there raise 〈◊〉 which may drive away them that shall assay to come in. And this smoke would be made of green Wood, wet Hay, Rosemary, or such like, which sendeth 〈◊〉 sharp and piercing fume.  
Now, though this be the opinion of the ancient Bee-masters, yet 〈◊〉 hath taught us in these later times, that it is much better utterly to kill and 〈◊〉 those stocks from whom you intent to take your Honey, than thus to rob 〈◊〉 for it is certain, that these Bees, thus spoiled of their wealth, and wanting 〈◊〉 flowers, and other means whereby to renew their stores again, doc forthwith become robbers themselves, and spoil all the neighbour-hives which are 〈◊〉 them; as also they breed a civil war and much slaughter amongst other 〈◊〉 and therefore it is better utterly to destroy them in this sort; either at the closing of the night, when the Sun is set, and 〈◊〉 Be come home, you shall 〈◊〉 the Hive from the stone, and souse it into a sow of water, and there let it 〈◊〉 all the Bees are drowned, and then take out the Honey and the Wax: or else 〈◊〉 Fusse-ball, or some sharp smoke, smoke them to death, and then take their 〈◊〉 and dispose it at your pleasure.   

CHAP. LXVIII.  
Of the making of Honey and Wax.  
YOu must make your Honey the same day that you have taken out your Combs, although they be warm and somewhat hot. 
To make Honey and 〈◊〉  And for the doing hereof, the Combs must be set one against another in a Willow or Ozier basket, wrought very clear, and fashioned like an Hippocras bag, after that you have once cleansed away from the Combs the feed of young brood, and all manner of other filth: and when the Honey shall be run through the basket into a basin that shall be set under it, you must put it into an earthen vessel, which must for some small time be left open, till it have done boiling and casting forth of his froth by staying in the same: this done, the pieces and lumps of Combs shall be taken out of the basket, and pressed, and there will Honey come out of them, but not so good as the former, which must be put by itself, that so the pure, and that which is indeed very excellent, may not be corrupted thereby. After that the remainder of the Combs is thoroughly pressed out, and washed in sweet water, they shall be cast into a Copper vessel with some water, and so set upon a soft fire to melt. This Wax thus melted, shall be strained, letting it run out into water, and then being melted again, with water you shall make it up into what form you will.   

CHAP. LXIX.  
of the marks of good Honey.  
THe good Farmer maketh gain of every thing, and by whatsoever he can perceive necessary for the enhancing of his house. Now I dare boldly affirm, That there are few things found about a Country house, which are of greater increase and advantage than Honey. Again, we see what traffic the Spaniards make with it: who, through the barrenness of their Country, having no other means to enrich themselves, do keep a great number of Bees, to make much Honey of them. In like manner do the in●●abitants about Narbone; who send amongst us great quantities of white Honey, which we make serve for our use. But I would advise such as make a traffic whereof, that they would not gather ani● Honey but that which is good: for the ●abour and cost is no less to nourish and keep bad Bees, than to keep those which are good.  
The marks therefore of good Honey are, 
The mark● of good 〈◊〉  that the Honey be of a yellow colour, pleasant smell, pure, neat, and shining in every part, sweet and very pleasant to the taste: and yet notwithstanding this, having a certain kind of acrimony, or sharpness: of an indifferent consistence betwixt thick and thin, hanging together in itself, in such sort, as that being lifted up with the finger's end, it keepeth together in ●aner of a direct line, without any breaking asunder; for it should argue itself to be either too thick or too thin, if it should not hang together, but break, or else to have some other unequal mixture: It must not be long in boiling, and yielding but small store of scum when it doth boil: above all it may not exceedingly smell of Thyme, though some (as I myself do know) do greatly esteem of such. And that which is gathered in the Spring, or Summer, is much better than that which is gathered in Winter. White Honey is not of less goodness than that which is of a golden yellow, so that there accompany it the other marks of goodness, 
〈…〉  such as that is which the Spaniards and men about Narbona do● send unto us, being very white, and 〈◊〉 firm and hard, and therefore better, without all comparison, than any other 〈◊〉 of Honey.  
Honey the newer it is, 
New Honey▪ Old Wint.  the better it is, clean contrary to Wine, which is more commended when it is old than when it is new. This also is to be marked in Honey 〈◊〉 as Wine is best at the mid-Caske, and Oil in the ●op, so Honey is best towards the bottom: 
Honey is best at the bottom.  for by how much Honey is more firm and heavy, so much it is the 〈◊〉 as being the sweeter.  
The use of Honey serveth for many things: it prolongeth life in old folks, 
The virtues of ●oney.  and in them which are of cold complexion: that it is so, we see, that the Bee, which is 〈◊〉 little creature, ●eeble, and weak, liveth nine or ten years by her●eeding upon Honey. The nature of Honey is to resist corruption and putrefaction: 
The term of the Bees life.  and this is the cause why Gargarisms, to cleanse and mundify the ulcers of the mouth, are 〈◊〉 therewith. 
The dis●●lled water of Honey.  Some make a distilled water of Honey, which causeth the 〈◊〉 is fallen away to grow again, in what part of the body soever it be.   

CHAP. LXX.  
The manner of preparing divers sorts and divers compositions of Honey.  
THere is such excellent virtue in Honey, as that is preserveth and defendeth things from putrefaction and corruption: which is the cause, that when any are disposed to keep Roots, Fruits, Herbs, and especially juices, it is ordinarily accustomed to conserve them is Honey: whereupon it cometh, that we use these names, Honey of 〈◊〉, Roses, Rosemarie-slowers, Damaske-Rai●●●●, Myrtles, Anacard●●, bugloss, and such like, which are made with juice and Honey; of which only we will 〈◊〉 in this place.  
The Honey of Violets, 
〈…〉  Roses, bugloss, Mercury, and Rosemari●●flowers, 〈◊〉 all prepared after one sort: Take of the juice of new Roses a pound, of pure 〈◊〉 Honey, first boiled and 〈◊〉, ten pounds, boil them all together in a Cauldron upon a clear fire: when these boil, add unto them of new Roses, yet 〈◊〉, cut in sunder with Scissors of shears, four pound; boil them all until the juice be wasted, stirring them often with a stick: this being done, strain them and put 〈◊〉 in an earthen vessel for to be kept, for it is better and better after some time. Otherwise, and better, and ofter used: Stamp in a Mortar new Roses, add like 〈◊〉 of Honey, and set them in the Sun the space of three months, afterward strain them, and boil the liquor strained out to the thickness of Honey. Otherwise, 〈◊〉 equal parts of Honey, and of the manifold infusion of new Roses, boil them all 〈◊〉 the consistence of a Syrup; look how many times the more double the infusion of the Roses is, by so much the Honey of Roses will be the better: and this same is 〈◊〉 most fit to be taken at the mouth, as the first and second are for Clysters. Or 〈◊〉 take new raw Honey before it ever boil, or having but lightly boiled, and 〈◊〉 thereto some quantity of sweet water, red Roses that are new, and newly 〈◊〉 in the shadow, their white taken away, and a third part of Honey, put them all together in a glasse-vessell, or earthen one, well glassed, which being close stopped, shall be set in the Sun, and stirred every third day: and thus you may fitly prepare Honey of Roses and Rosemarie-flowers a great deal better than after any of the 〈◊〉 ways.  
Honey of Myrtles is made with a pound of the juice of Myrtle-tree, 
〈…〉  and 〈◊〉 pound of Honey, all boiled together upon a small fire.  
The honey of damasks raisins is thus made: Take damask raisins cleansed from their stones, 
Honey of 〈…〉  steep them four and twenty hours in warm water, and after boil them to perfection: when they have thus boiled, strain them through a strainer very strongly, and after that, boil them again to the thickness of 〈◊〉.  
Mel Anacardinum is thus made; Stamp a certain number of the fruit Anacardia, 
Honey of the fruit Anacardia.  and after let them lie to steep for the space of seven days in vinegar, but on the eight boil them to the consumption of the one half; afterward strain them through a linen cloth: the juice that is strained out, must be boiled with like quantity of honey.  
The manner of making honeyed water: Take one part of honey, and six parts of rain water, 
Honeyed water.  put all together in a little barrel, well pitched and s●opt above, that 〈◊〉 no 〈◊〉 at all may enter in at it: afterward, set it out in the hottest weather that is, as in julie, but out of all rain, and leave it so about 〈◊〉 days, but with such prou●●o as that you turn the barrel every eight days, to the end that the Sun may work on all sides of it. To make it more effectual, and of greater virtue, it will be good in quincetime, to mix therewith the juice of quinces, in such quantity as that there may be for every pound of honey, a quarter of a pound of juice of quinces. Some before they put the honey and water together into the barrel, boil them together upon a clear fire, or upon coals without smoke, they scum the hon●e, and boil it to perfection, which they gather by casting an egg into it, which if it swim above, than the honey is sufficiently boiled, but and if it sink, than it is not boiled enough.  
The Polonians, Musco●●es, and Englishmen, 
A wine made of 〈◊〉 and water.  do make a drink having the 〈◊〉 of a honeyed water, which is far more pleasant, and more wholesome than many mighty wines, and it is called Mede. They take one part of honey, and six parts of rain, river, or fountain water, they boil them together, and in boiling them, take off the seum very diligently, and continue the boiling till the half of the whole be consumed: being cooled, they put it up in a wine vessel, and after add unto it ●ix ounces of the barm of ale or beer, to make it purge and boil up, and withal they hang in the vessel a nodule or knot full of 〈◊〉 pepper, ginger, grains of paradise and cloves: also they cast into the vessel a handful of Elder-tree-flowres: they set the vessel in the Sun in Summer time, for the space of forty days, or in Winter they set it in some cave under the ground. This kind of honeyed water is very so●●●aigne against 〈◊〉 agues, 〈◊〉 dispositions of the body, diseases of the brain, as the falling sickness, apoplexy, and palsy, in which cases wine is forbidden.  
The country men of Provence, 
〈◊〉 of honey.  and the Italians, do● make marchpanes of honey and almonds after this manner: Take white honey three pound, and three whites of eggs, beat all together with a wooden pestle in a basin, till it grow unto the colour of milk: afterward see the basin upon a fire of coals, stirring all together very carefully with the pestle, till such time as it become somewhat thick: then put thereto sweet almonds stamped and fried, such quantity as shall be needful for the making of it of some good consistence: being yet hot, power it our upon some marble or polished table: make up your marchpaine thereof, and it will be singular good for them to eat which are in a consumption, as also to procure spitting.   

CHAP. LXXI.  
Of the marks of good Wax, and the manner of preparing divers sorts of Wax.  
GOod Wax must be of a very yellow colour, 
The 〈◊〉 of good Waxy.  smelling sweet, far, light, pure, 〈◊〉 close, neat, and purified from all filth. It is the ground of other Waxes, called artificial, as being by art made into divers colours, as black, red, green, and white Wax.  
Black Wax 
Black wax.  is made with ashes of burnt paper; green, 
Green wax.  by putting 〈◊〉 unto it; red, 
Red wax.  by putting the root of Alkanet unto common Wax, or the powder of Cinnabrium; but white Wax 
White wax.  is made many ways, but for the most part, after this sort and manner: Melt Wax in some vessel ●it for the purpose, afterward 〈◊〉 it from all manner of superfluities through a strainer; being thus strained, 〈…〉 a soft coal fire, in a great skellet or vessel of copper, to keep it liquid and in 〈◊〉 close thereby you shall have one or two great barrels, made after the manner of 〈◊〉 ●ubs, full of water newly drawn out of the well, in which you shall wet 〈…〉 that are round, flat, and half finger thick, fashioned like round coue● or 〈◊〉 of pots, and in the midst they shall be made fast to a little stick or wooden 〈◊〉 manner of a grasp, by which one may handle them: you shall dip the same (〈◊〉 well wet in water) in the vessel where the Wax shall be melted, and p●e●●●ly after you shall pull them out full of Wax; and put them in the water ●ubs, where the 〈◊〉 will abide, that shall have cleaved unto them: you shall gather this wax together, and spread every piece by itself upon hurdles covered with linen cloth, in the 〈◊〉 heat of the Sun, in the month of julie, and upon these you shall leave it till it become white. In the mean time, while it shall thus lie in the Sun, if it happen 〈◊〉 the heat of the Sun be so vehement, that it melte●h the wax so sp●ed upon the hurdles, you must water and sprinkle it often with cool water, & by the same mea●● also defend it from the Bees, which will fly thither from all corners to 〈◊〉 out the honey. Otherwise, boil the wax in water so o●t, as until that you see it 〈…〉 it this manner of whitening wax is not so sure, nor of so easy charges as the 〈◊〉, for the often melting of the Wax, doth waste it very much: but the drying of it in the Sun, bringeth no great loss, as you shall best find after proof and trial made.  
To make ●earing candle: Take two pound of new Wax, a pound of good 〈◊〉 and a quarter of a pound of turpentine; mix them, and make searing Wax.    
The end of the second Book.   

THE THIRD BOOK OF THE COUNTRY FARM.  

The Orchard, or Green plot.  

CHAP. I.  
Of the differences of Orchards, or Green plots, and the enclosing of the Fruit-Garden.  
THere are three sorts of Orchards or Green plots, the one (otherwise called an Arbour) contrived with great banks, and this is pointed out and provided in a field covered with green grass, and a fountain in the midst of it, and wrought-into deuers plain and even plots and branches, consisting of lo●ts, which are sustained and borne up with carpentry or frames of timber, under which a great number of people may sit covered over head. Of this sort I have seen at Basill and 〈◊〉 other places in Germany: and, to ●it a place for this manner of green plot, it 〈◊〉 requisite that it be cleansed from all manner of stones and weeds, not so much as 〈◊〉 roots left undestroyed; and for the better accomplishing hereof, there must boy●●ng water be powered upon such ends of roots as s●aying behind in the ground candiot be well pulled up, and afterward the floor must be beaten and trodden down 〈◊〉 mightily; then after this, there must be cast great quantity and store of turfs of earth 〈◊〉 of green gra●●e, the bare earthy part of them being turned and laid upward, 〈◊〉 afterward danced upon with the feet, and the cannoneer or paving-beetle lightly 〈◊〉 over them, in such sort as that within a short time after, the gra●●e may begin 〈◊〉 peep up and put forth like small hairs; and finally, it is made the sporting green 〈◊〉 for Ladies and Gentlewomen to recreate their spirits in, or a place whereinto ●●hey may withdraw themselves if they would be solitary and out of ●ight.  
The second sort of green plots is that which our ancient Frenchmen, who first ●●rote our Roman discourses and histories, have taken and used for a place of 〈◊〉 for Princes, and was called in ancient time after the manner of a sojourning 〈◊〉 abiding place, 
The 〈◊〉 place.  but now by the name of a beautiful prospect. Which beside the ●●ately building singularly contrived in partitions, 
The beautiful prospect.  diversity of works, and most ●●aire windows, compassed in with goodly water ditches, ●ed from continual run●●ng Springs, doth contain an ●●ner and base Court with gardens for pleasure and fruits, with underwoods', warrens, fishponds, and whatsoever goodly and beautiful thing is wont to stand about princely palaces.  
The third sort of green plots, is that which we intent to trim up in this place, and it may supply the place of the fruit garden, for a house respecting and looking to thrift, and to keep a household for husbandry: such a one as we have here 〈◊〉 to furnish and set out every way well appointed, and in which we are 〈◊〉 to regard profit, joined with a mean and moderate beauty and co●●●nesse, than any unnecessary ●umptuousnesse.  
Therefore to go on in our designed course and intended plot, this place requires, 
The Fruit-garden,  that next after the kitchen and flower gardens, with their appurtenance, we make ready and trim up a green plot for fruit trees, containing in it as much ground as both the other gardens, and that without any manner of other a●●eys of 〈◊〉 beewixt it and the gardens, or in the midst of itself, than such distance and spare, as must of necessity be betwixt the trees, and whereof we will speak more 〈◊〉, and without also whatsoever other husbandry, grass, or other things, whereof you might hope to make some pro●it underneath, whether of hay, or any such other thing which would grow there: for the fruit tree would not have his sustenance purloined or kept from it, by the ●●lling of other plants which might be ●eared about it, neither doth it crave to be kept wa●me in Winter time, but only tilled and ordered according to his seasons, because that otherwise it would yield no profit unto the owner thereof.  
The situation of the orchard would be upon some hill top, or some little hill, rather than in a plain ground: for besides that such seats have better air, more pleasant and delightsome for contentment of contemplation and view, and divers other allurements which will there offer themselves; the tops of hills are yet more apt to contain greater number of fruit trees to be planted therein, than the plain gro●●● possibly can: for such as stand in plains, if they be planted any whitneere, do annoy one another with their shade: the other on the contrary side (according as it 〈◊〉 more and more from the foot) causing every tree to overlook his fellow, taketh away the discommodity or inconvenience of such overshadowing one of another. It must also be planted somewhat more upon the North than upon the South quarter, that so it may minister matter of rejoicing to such as shall behold it out at the windows in his beauty and jollity: Indeed if it be planted upon the South, it 〈◊〉 more open upon the Sun, whose heat is very requisite for fruit trees, but then 〈◊〉 would not stand so fair for prospect: beside, that it would be offended and 〈◊〉 of the dust and filth of the threshing floor when the corn is thresh●, if in case it should stand near unto it.  
In any case let it not stand upon the northwest quarter because it is a mo●● deadly enemy unto all sorts of plants, but principally of flowers, which it singeth as if a fire had passed that way, and the cause, is, for that it cometh from the 〈◊〉 side, and taketh part with the North, which is very rough and sharp, but yet not so dangerous as that northwest wound which bloweth once a year, chi●●ly 〈◊〉 the Spring, and spoileth the cher●●e-tree-flowers and the vine more than any of the 〈◊〉 Whereupon there arose this Latin verse, Vae tibi galerna, per qu●m sit clausa 〈◊〉 In any case let not the ground whereon you plant your orchard be marshy or 〈◊〉 terish, for the fruits growing upon such grounds are not well relished, neither 〈◊〉 will they last long▪ it must likewise be enriched one year before that it be cast and digged, to make any nursery there, either of seeds or steckes, and after it hath 〈◊〉 the second time digged and d●●ged, or marled, you must let it rest & digest his dung and marvel: and in like manner pick out the stones that are in it most carefully▪ And as concerning the natural disposition and goodness thereof, it must be ●at in handling, black in colour, and which murleth easily in breaking and stirring it with your fingers, not being hard, clayey, chalky, or sandy. Yet if it be so that the situation of your Farm lieth in such a soil as is marshy and waterish: for 〈◊〉 man cannot make choice of his abiding; and it is a braver reputation to the Husbandman to make a barren earth fruitful, than to make a fruitful ground pleasant: therefore (as ● said) if your ground lie low, and be much sub●ect to wet and rottenness, you shall trench it divers ways, almost in the manner of a Labyr●th, cutting one ●rench into another, in such wi●e, that the water may have a descent of falling away into some Brook, River, or other Dike, which as a Sewer may carry away the wet, and keeps the Orchard dr●●: and also you shall bring from some other Grounds, Lakes, or Ponds, great store of earth, mud, and other compass, wherewith you shall raise and heighten the banks between the trenches, in such ●ort, that they may remain and be far from the danger of washing or overflowing of any water: and these banks you shall stake well with strong Oaken stakes on every side, and plant great store of Oziers' also about them to maintain and hold up the earth from falling. Then as soon as you see these banks firm, and beginning to grow to have a green swarth upon them, you shall plant your fruit-stocks, of every several kind, upon the same, and without all doubt they will prosper and grow there as well as in any ground whatsoever, as may be seen in divers places both of this and other Kingdoms.  
The enclosure or defence unto the Orchard shall be either a hedge of Quickset, which is in truth the most pleasant and convenient, though yet the wall be more profitable, as being more strong, and built in less time, which also being planted and handsomely dressed, affordeth not much less pleasure than the hedge: or else if you like it better, a ditch cast about it, with a Quickset hedge set upon the raised side thereof: but in this according as the sufficiency and revenues of the Farm will bear it 〈◊〉: yet always provided, that it be out of the way of the cattle, and where no man 〈…〉, except he enter in at the gare●● and granted, that the wall is the surest kind 〈◊〉 defence, as also the strongest, most profitable, and perfected in least time. Besides, the wall, of all other ●ences, is most needful for the Orchard, as well for the strength, indur●ance, and safe keeping of the same, as also for the great profit which cometh thereby to all manner of fruit which is planted, and plashit up against the same, chiefly in those cold countries where the Sun is not altogether so violent, nor so ready to 〈◊〉 as in these our 〈◊〉 ●oyles of France, for it is most certain that by planting any dainty or tender fruit close to a wall, and spreading his branches open against the same, which with loops of leather, or felt, together with small nails, may easily be done, ●a●●ning every principal branch and material twig to the wall, it will doubtless put ●orth as early, flower, knit, and ripen, being in a cold and hard ●oyle, as if it were in the war●nest and fertilest earth which doth best of all agree with its nature, as may be seen daily both in the cold and barren countries of France, as also in other kingdoms much more Northerly and less beholden to the Sun's warmness. And herein you shall understand, that the principal fruit trees which delight to be planted against a wall, are pe●ches, apricots, nectaryas, all ●orts of sweet plumbs, ●herries, olives, almonds, and such like, for the reflection of the Sun cannot beat or play upon them too much, they are so infinitely in love with the same. And in as much as the Orchard is altogether dedicated and appointed for the matter of planting, grafting, and transplanting of trees in it: we will assign out certain places wherein the nursery of seeds and the other of stocks may conveniently be appointed: which nursery of seeds shall be as a well furnished shop to afford new store of plants, to furnish the orchard at all assays and times of need.  
We will first sow our nursery of seeds on that side by which we go into the Orchard, 
A brief of 〈◊〉 which shall be 〈◊〉 of in this third Book●.  and close unto it the nursery of stocks, where shall be planted wild ones, reproved from out of the seed nursery, to be afterward grafted upon in their time and season▪ On the other side, we will plant fruits upon nut kernels, and transplant and gra●● them after divers ways. In those parts of the two great void places where they are sundered the one from the other with a great path, we will according to their kinds, ●ute out and set out great trees: and at the end of them, we will prick out ozimek, so as they may for their better growth receive refreshment from some small brook or wa●er course.   

CHAP. II.  
Of the seed Nursery, that is to say, of the planting of Trees on Pippins or Seeds.  
Certain it is, that Trees grow and spring out of the earth, either without the work and industry of man, or else by his ●oyle and skill painfully employed: of such as grow by the skill and industry of man, some grow of seeds, that is to say, of kernels, commonly called Pippins, or of other seeds, as of Nu● kernels, cherry stones, plum stones, etc. being thrust into the ground: othersome of shoots and small twigs, branching from the root at the 〈◊〉 of the Tree, having their nourishing roots, and drawing fibres from the full grown roots of the Tree, or else of themselves. Some grow of buds and blossoms, as ●●●●ces: or of young branches, or of boughs: some of the multiplying of branches, if especially the Tree be yet young and pliant: others are gra●ted one upon another. We will first entreat of the making of them grow in the seed Nur●●rie of their seeds, and so in order afterward we will entreat of other means of making Tre●● to grow.  
For the ordering therefore of your ●eed Nursery, and furnishing of it with Peartrees, Appletrees, Quince-trees, and others growing of seeds, you shall cause to be digged good and deep, a great quarter in a good earth and cherishing ●ould: and that if it be possible a Winter before you sow them, to the end it may thereby become well seasoned, and you shall almost mix amongst it half as much dung as the earth comes to that you turn up, that so it may ripen and rot with the 〈◊〉, and so be kept in great ridges, unto Cider time, which is in September and October. At which time take the dro●●e of the said fruits as it cometh out of the press, or a little after, so that it be before the seeds be rotten or corrupted, and chase and wipe them very well betwixt your hands, then lay flat and square your plot or quarter, and 〈◊〉 good and close, and make it out into borders of the breadth of four sector thereabouts, and making paths, by casting up the ●ould betwixt ●uerie two, to the end th●● they may be wed upon the one side and the other without treading upon them. This being done, sow your dross there in such sort as that the earth may therewith be lightly covered, and then afterward cover it again with the earth which you have cast up in making of the paths or hollowed furrows betwixt the said bord●●, and rake them over afterward, that so the dross of the Apples may be well broken and spread, not lying together on heaps. This is an excellent way for the sowing of much ground, and a great deal of seed, because if one pippin come up of a 〈◊〉, yet the husbandman's labour is saved, and his profit sufficient: but in case where such plenty is not, but that a man must ●rom an Apple or two get all the seed ●e must ●ow, or that by chance lighting of some few especial pippins, whose like ●●ockes ●e is desirous to be master of, in this case you shall by no means bestow them into the earth thus rude and carelessly, because it is to be understood that the kernel of the Apple is a pleasanter and more sweet seed than any other whatsoever, and thereby inti●●th worms, and such like creeping things, sooner to devour and eat them 〈◊〉 any other: therefore to keep them from that miscarriage, and to make them take soon, you shall take a common garden pot, such as you use to plant Gilliflowers in, and filling it with fine mould within three fingers of the brim, lay in your seed, and then 〈◊〉 upon them other fine mould till the pot be full, and so let them stand where they may receive both Sun and Rain till they sprout, and be grown at least half a foot above the earth: then having dressed a piece of earth, and manured it well for the purpose, you shall take those young plants, together with the earth and all which is about them, and place them orderly in the new dressed ground at least 〈◊〉 foot distance one from another, and these also you shall place in comely rows, so 〈◊〉 every eye may distinguish the several alleys that passeth between them: Other ways there be also of sowing of pippins, as on the banks of ditches new cast up, or else amongst the quickset, or in small ●urrows digged and turned up for the purpose, and such like, but yet none is so certain as this already rehearsed.  
Otherwise; dri● the for●said pippins, and keep them to the Winter following, and afterward about the later end of November, or the beginning of the Spring, ●●ow them in manner as hath been ●aid, without casting up any earth out of the passage ●urrowes betwixt the borders when you shall measure them out: but rake them in a little with your rake, and thr●w thereupon good store of thorns and boughs very shortly after you have thus sown them, that the hens or hogs may not do● them any injury. When the pippins are put forth of the earth, and grown for the space of a year, take away the thorns, and weed away all the weeds from amongst them as oft as you can, and suffer not any one to grow up in height with them, for fear that when you shall come to pull up a stiff and strong grown weed, you pull not up therewithal the little pippin and seed of the Tree. Water them if the Summer shall fall out dry, and begin to weed and lop them, to acquaint them with the hedgebill, and to keep them still so bare of branches, as that their sap may be employed wholly in the making of one fair and lusty body and stock, and not many: afterward, pull them up toward Winter, before they have begun to blossom, to transplant and remove into the nursery of stocks. To cause them to shoot and put the sooner out of the earth, you must steep their kernels in water or milk, for the space of two or three days. And you are here to understand, that the 〈◊〉 of the Mulberrie-tree doth not grow so ha●●ly, or bring forth so good fruit as the seed of the Figtree.  
For to sow the Elm, you must gather his seed before the tree be covered with leaves, 
To sow the 〈…〉.  which is in the beginning of March, at such time as it beginneth to be yellow: afterward, they must be dried two days in the shadow, and after that sown in a sufficient firm ground an inch deep, and watered often, if there fall no rain.  
The Bay-tree must be sown a foot deep in the ground, and four seeds togeg●ther: transplanting and removing it a year after into some other place: and in like ●ase you are to deal with all such like seeds, whether they be of Cypress trees, My●●●● trees, or others.   

CHAP. III.  
Of plants coming of stones.  
FOr your plants of stony kernels, as of Olive-trees, 
The setting 〈…〉. , Cherrie-trees, Plum-trees, Almond-trees▪ Peach-trees, Chestnut-trees, Pomegranat-trees (if so be that Pomegranat-trees be rather to be reckoned amongst them which have stone-kernells, than amongst the other which have the soft kernels) Apricots, and Date-trees; you must dry the stones, as they come fresh out of their fruits, which you mean to set in the ground at such time as the Sun is not v●●ie sharp, and in the shadow thereof: and see that it have been s●eeped in milk or water three or four days before, and then thrust it into the earth. But this must not be done but in the beginning of Winter, that so they may first break forth in the Spring; for and if you put them into the earth before Winter, they may also sprout and put forth before it come, and so finding them young and tender when it cometh, may prevail against them to kill them, they not being able to resist the rigour and rough●●esse of the cold and frosts. But and if for your avoiding of 〈◊〉 labour, you will gra●t them in their nursery, that is to say, in the place where you first 〈◊〉 them, and where they have put forth, without removing of them to any other place, than se● in every hole, three, four, or five stones: and if all of them spring spring up and take root, yet you must let none but the fairest stand and 〈◊〉 to gra●t upon in the place, and as for the rest, they would be pulled up and removed into some other place.  
In what season soever it be that you set your stones, 
Ground for the 〈◊〉 of stones.  yet see to it, that the ground be good, and digged very deep, but put much small dung amongst it, either alone, or mingled with dust gathered out of the high ways, and see them three fingers within the earth, and half a ●oot one from another, watering them three times every mon●●●, especially in Summer when it falleth out dry, and weed them once a month. Especially see they be set in a fair soil, and open upon the Sun, if so be you would 〈◊〉 a well-●ed and pleasant-tasted fruit: for otherwise, if you set them in a shadowed place, though it be of a good soil, indeed the fruit may be fair to look to, but 〈◊〉 enough to eat. When the stones are set, and have taken sooting, and are become 〈◊〉 what prettily fed, pull them up about Aduent which you mind to transplant, and break off the points of their roots, and strip them of all their branches, before you set them down again in their new appointed standing: and know, that a double remove doth make the wild to become free conditioned and better, bringing unto them great advantage.  
And as concerning particular properties belonging into every stone, 
Grea● and gross● Nuts. Peaches. P●●●●-plums. Almonds. Chestnuts. Apricots.  and how it must be set, it is to be known, that gross Nuts, all manner of Peaches, wild Figged, Almonds, Chestnuts, small Apricots (but especially and most singularly well the branches) becometh free and reclaimed, being set of a stone, foreseen that they find as good and as fair a soil, as the trees enjoy from whence the fruit of the said 〈◊〉 were taken.  
The stone of the Peare-Plum-tree must be set in a cold place, a foot deep in the ground, the point downward, every one a foot from another, and this in November in high places, and in januarie in low places.  
The stone of the jujube three 
Iu●ub●-tree.  must be set after the manner and fashion of the stone of the Peare-plum-tree, but it is long and slow in growing out of the earth.  
The stone of the plum-tree 
Plum-tree.  must be set a fat ground, a foot deep, and that in November and February, and they are to be removed the same time of the yea●● making their holes and pits neither too wide, nor too deep.  
The stones or nuts of the Pinetree 
Pinetree.  must be set in cold places, in February and March, or about the fall of the Pineapple, or shortly after, in pits well digged and of a good mould: the apple may not be broken by violence, or with any 〈…〉 to get out the kernel, but you must attend till it be opened, and set upon 〈◊〉. And the Pine-nuts must be steeped three days before you set them, and then you must set seven together. Some lay them in little baskets, and cut them when they are sprung up. They need no remove, but and if you do remove them, you must look● in the taking of them up, that you hurt not the chief and principal roots.  
Small nuts 
Small Nu●s.  and plums of all sorts, peaches 
Peaches.  the small and great, 
A●●trges.  and great abricock, 
Great Apricots.  in whatsoever good ground and pleasant soil their kernels be set, yet they grow not altogether like unto the fruit of their trees whereof they were gathered: and therefore they delight rather to be grafted upon their young stocks.  
The stone of the Date, 
The Date stone.  which bringeth forth the Date-tree, must be set the great 〈◊〉 downward, two cubi●● deep in the earth, and in a place enriched with Goa●s 〈◊〉, and the sharp side upward: it desireth to be watered daily, and that there should 〈◊〉 year be salt sown about it, and withal it must be removed.  
The seeds of Lemons, Citrons, Oranges, Assyrian Citrons, and such like, as 〈◊〉 been said in the second Book, must be pricked down upon beds well prepared & 〈◊〉 about the month of March, & the sharpest end downward, half a ●oot 〈◊〉 from another, and a finger and a half deep in the ground: they love to be much 〈◊〉 after, when they are grown a foot high, remove them to the foot of some wall, op●● upon the South: and in Winter, when the time is hoary, cover and favour th●● in such manner as we have spoken of in the second Book. As much may be said of Pomegranate kernels, and bayberries, as you may understand by the second Book.  
Pistaces 
Pinnaces.  do require greater diligence and delight to be sown; as well the male as the female, in a very fat ground and well ●ared, the back turned to the East, and this abou● the first day of April: and at the same time of the year you may gra●● them upon themselves, notwithstanding that some do grafted them upon the almond-tree.  
The peach stone would be set presently after that the fruit is eaten, 
The Peach plant.  there remaining still some small quantity of the ●lesh of the peach about the stone: and for the longer lasting and keeping of it, it loveth to be grafted upon the Almond-tree.   

CHAP. FOUR  
Of the nursery for stocks.  
IF you would have a beautiful and pleasant fruit of your trees, it is not enough that you should only sow or set your seeds or stones in a good soil, but it standeth you as much upon to remove them after one year into another place: for this translating of them doth so delight them, and revive their vigour and spirits, as that they yield more pleasant leaves, and a 〈◊〉 ●ed and liking fruit. For and if you will bestow this favour upon wild 〈◊〉, you shall find them to become of a gentler nature, and far more excelling 〈◊〉. Wherefore when the Trees which shall have sprung up of seeds or stones, 〈◊〉 or sown, shall have come by some little nourishment, and grow in the seed 〈◊〉, take them up upon a new Moon, at night, with as many roots as possibly may be; and if it happen that any of them be spoiled or broken, cut it: look unto it al●●, that you do not pull it up when the Northern wind bloweth (for this wind is an enemy unto new set plants) and set them again presently, lest the roots should spend themselves, it must not be in a hot, or cold weather, nor in an excessive wound, nor in rain, but at such time when it is calm and very fair, choosing rather a cloudy day, than when the Sun breaketh out hot, and the Moon being in her 〈◊〉: but and if you should not have the leisure to remove them so soon; or and if you would send or carry them somewhat far, bind them up in their own earth mingled with dung, and make it fast thereto with woollen cloth or leaves. When as you take them up, mark what part standeth upon this or that quarter, to the end that you may set them down again upon the same quarter and coast of the heavens, for and if in removing them you set them in a contrary ●oyle and situation, in respect of the heavens, they will not thrive so well: and that is the cause why those that buy new plants, most diligently inquire in what manner of ground they stood, and what aspect of the Sun they were most open unto, that so they may set them down again in such like ground, and in the same aspect. True it is, that this observation seemeth too ceremonial unto me, and exceeding hard continually to be kept, seeing we buy trees at Paris sometimes to plant, whose first situation we do not know, neither can we learn, and yet notwithstanding being planted, they cease not to thrive and prosper. And again, what cause is there of any such ceremony, seeing the Sun which is the nursing father of all plants, doth visit every day all the sides of the Tree, and that the ground wherein it is planted, is no less nourishing upon the one side than upon the other? These things weighed, about the third of December, you must lay flat another plot, and make a furrowed quarter, where you shall lodge according to the order of a hundred, the small wildings, which you shall have taken up out of the ●eed nursery, cutting off the end and beards of all their roots, and which may be in any place about their slender little stocks, and that in a good ground, yea much better if it be possible than that is of the seed nursery. It is true, that the furrows must be made according to the goodness of the ground, & the nature of the tree: for in a clayey or hard ground, you must make your furrows the depth of three cubits: in a watery and marshy place, of three feet 〈◊〉▪ Some plants, as the Ash and Olive tree, grow better in the upper face and top of the earth, than in the depth and lower parts of the same. Set in order your young ●●●dings in the said furrows half a foot one from another, and there cover them, and leave the space of a foot betwixt one furrow and another, that there you may make paths to go● about weeding with ●ase, and pass betwixt every two furrows. When thus your wildings are set, you must cut off their stocks close by the earth, and fill up the paths with dung, without ever going about to hide or cover the pla●●● in the earth, and so soon as they grow, they must be well wed round about, and 〈◊〉 from weeds, and underdigged, or lightly digged sometimes in S●mmer round about, not coming over near the roo●s in any ●ase: and they must be wa●●●d also on evenings, when it hath been a very hot day, and when they have put forth ●●●ces for one or two years, then going over them all, leave not more than one 〈◊〉 to every plant, and let it be the ●●eekest, best liking, tallest, and comeliest of all the rest, cutting the other off close by the stock. As these ●●●nces shall grow on so 〈◊〉 pick off clean from them the small superfluous wood growing upon them upward, and even close also unto the stock: and this must be done in March, or April, and then must some small prop or stay be pricked down at the foot of every wilding, for to ●●rect and guide it by, tying them both together with wreaths of gra●●e, but 〈◊〉 mo●●e or some soft thing betwixt them, that so the hardness of the prop may not gall it when it shall be grown thick. And thus you shall order and husband then till the time come when you must remove them▪ if rather you make not choice to gr●●● them upon the place as they stand. When through forgetfulness you shall have 〈◊〉 your wildings or planes grown up of feeds for two or three years untaken up, 〈◊〉 must furrow them as hath already been said, but with deeper digged furrows, and th●● you shall not break the roots so much: and it will be ●it and convenient to cut off their branches upward, as occasion shall require.  
There are found kernels of pears or garden apples that have been gathered 〈◊〉 trees that were sometimes wild ones, 
Fruits growing of grafts do 〈◊〉 keeps a better form and f●shi●● than the other coming of plants.  or grown upon trees, which have already 〈◊〉 oftentimes grafted, which bring forth very straight trees, and also of comely wood, as if they had been grafts from the beginning, not having any pricks or 〈◊〉, to argue them ●uer to have been wild. Such young trees if you will remous them 〈◊〉 they are, or plant them out of their nursery, without other manner of grafting them, they will not fail to bring you good fruit for the taste and eating, as also to 〈◊〉 Cider of, but the best fruit doth always come by grafting: for the fruit coming upon grafting, doth always retain a better form, and groweth more and more kind, and withal much the greater: 
Fruit coming of a 〈◊〉 p●ant.  but that which groweth of a kernel doth chaung● 〈◊〉 oft as the tree is changed which beareth it. And besides you must note, that 〈◊〉 all trees which have a strong fruit, grow better of kernels than of boughs▪ ye● so it 〈◊〉, that a late ●eed doth bring forth but an ill-favoured plant, especially the said ●eed being put besides his familiar and well pleasing ground.   

CHAP. V.  
Of Plants, Sciences, and Shoo●●.  
THe little sciences of Cherrie-trees grown thick with hairy 〈◊〉, and those also which grow up from the roots of the great Cherrie-trees, 
Plants of cherry 〈◊〉 upon 〈◊〉.  being removed, do grow better and sooner than upon stones: but then they must be taken away and planted whiles they are young, 〈◊〉 whiles they be but two or three years old: for when they are grown thick they thrive not so well: again, if you stay till they be grown gro●●e, in removing of 〈◊〉 you must then ●op them, and strip them clean of their branches, setting their great end in the earth the depth of a foot, and after treading down the earth, and pricking down withal at the foot of every plant a little stake to hold them fast, and to let the winds and whatsoever other thing from harming them. But especially you must see that you cut not sciences at any other time than in Winter: for that moisture and coolness (during the time of Winter especially) is a means to conserve and keep them, and thereupon also they grow and bring forth their fruit the better afterward.  
The Mulberry tree 
The Mulberri-tree.  groweth after the same manner of little sciences, although the best way of planting it be by taking a twig thereof from the great branches which are cut from the old tree, of the length of a foot, and setting it good and deep in the ground, and that in such sort, as that the ground may cover it, three or four fingers, and this done, you must see that in Summer it be watered diligently.  
F●●berts in like manner do grow of small shoots, which grow forth of the roots of good Filbere-trees 
Plants of Filberts.  that are well rooted: these sciences must not have their branches cut off when they are removed, except they be grown great and full of branches: but three years after that they are removed, if they do not prosper and grow fair, you must cut them close by the ground, and they will put forth a bush of straight sciences, very smooth and neat, and of these you may choose whether you will suffer the fairest only, or all together, to grow up and continue.  
The sciences of the Olive-tree which you intent to transplant, 
Plants of the Olive-tree.  must be long and fair ones, and full of gross and thick moisture, so as that they may be taken and grasped in the hand, and the bark thereby nothing hurt. They must be drawn over with dung mixed with ashes, the head and the foot, and after laid in the earth, as they were upon the Tree, the lower end more downward and into the earth, and the higher end more upward and looking into the air, for else they will not take at all: and this must be a general observation in transplanting of all manner of sciences.  
The sciences of a well stringed root of a good plum-tree not grafted, do yield, being transplanted, 
Plants of Plumme-tree●.  a fruit no whit inferior unto that of the chief and principal plum-trees, from which you have ●aken them. But and if the old plum-trees be grafted, you must also take grafts and graft them in other plum trees, or wild cherrie-trees, or upon ●oure Cherrie-Trees, and not to ungraft sciences to transplant them.  
Garden plums and hartlike cherries do not grow naturally, 
French 〈◊〉.  being planted of sciences, but desire rather to be grafted of grafts.   

CHAP. VI  
Of pricking down or fastening in the earth of small or great branches.  
SPrigs or plants taken from boughs or branches do grow more speedily, and come to better perfection, than the ●eed of kernels, or the setting of stones, especially if it be put a little besides his own ground and soylie, and of this sort are figtrees, quince-trees and pom●gran●t-trees.  
When a man is disposed to prick down some small sprig of a Mulberry, Fig, 
The 〈…〉 of sprigs of Mulberry, Fig, 〈◊〉 Pomegranate, and Plumme-tre●●.  Quince, cornel, Pomegranate, and Plum-tree, or many sprigs of all these kinds, and their divers sorts, he must cut them off betwixt the first of November, and the later end of December, or a little after: and he must see that these his sprigs be fair and well favoured ones, having a sound bark, full of little eyes, and as thick as a stick, or thicker. He must choose such as be straight and full of moisture, consisting of one only rod, and of young wood, as of some three or four years old, and that they have also as much old wood as they have young: and they must be sharpened like a stake for the value of the length of half a foot, but the bare must be left on upon one side, that their end which you mean to put into the ground, must be writhe and steeped in water: or else you must cleave it a little in quarters, and make it stand wide open and gape, with a bean in the cleft; or else some 〈◊〉 little small stone put in the midst thereof, and so prick it down in the earth a foot d●●pe: or else let it in a little-boxe of pease full of water, and so put them all into the ground together. The branches must be gathered upon a tree that is a good handful thick, and hath borne fruit: they must likewise be very ●ound, and they may be watered with a pipe, which goeth down unto the root. Observe and mark 〈◊〉 the place, nature of the soil, and aspect or situation of the tree from whence you have gathered the branch, to prick it down on the same side, the like soil and the same situation, and lay upon it some Elder-tree, if so be that you would not have it 〈◊〉 shoot up into a tall tree, but to continue always low: the branches being such, they will take the better, and not break in the gathering.  
To plant the Figtree after the manner of the Genowais, 
To plant the fig tree after the manner of the 〈◊〉  which shall bear fruit within three years after (and it may be thus planted all Summer time) there must be taken a Figtree branch that hath borne fruit two or three years, and that 〈◊〉 having leaves and fruit upon it or not: it must be sharpened and cut biace, and pricked thick about that end which shall be set into the ground, and afterward planted in a pit half a foot deep; in such sort as that the top of it may abide above the ground with three or four of the little eyes, and be cou●●ed with straw for 〈◊〉 days, and watered every one of those six days: afterward let it be uncovered, because by this time it will have put forth, and in the end of the year, towards the month of February, you must cut off that which is put forth close by the earth, and after that 〈◊〉 will shoot so mightily as that it will bear fruit the second year.   

CHAP. VII.  
Of the manner of making Sciences for to plant.  
FOr to make Sciences of divers sorts, which you may plant and set ●●●●ding as you shall have need, cut in the Winter some great tree, if it begin to be yellow, or wax bleak and pale, and whereof you 〈◊〉 have increase: saw off some stocks of the thickest branches into ●●●choons about the length of a foot, and make a furrow in some very far ground, and of that depth as that you may set your truncheons in them endwaies, the earth cast upon and courering them some three or four fingers, and providing that being thus 〈◊〉 in this furrow they may stand half a foot one from another: cover them well and water them in Summer if there be need, and weed them very well: its space of time they will put forth sciences, which you may remove when they have taken root●●● two or three years: but and if they have not as then any roots, set them good and deep into good earth, that so you may cause their roots to grow. And these sciences will p●● forth other which will likewise serve. Mark it, that all trees that put forth 〈◊〉, if you cut them in Winter, they will shoot out abundance of sciences, all which will be good to be planted.  
The barbary, 
〈…〉  red corant, and goose-berrie-trees, are planted likewise in Winter upon sciences that come out of their roots, and they must have some hairy 〈◊〉 but and if they have no roots, there must some be procured to grow out of them.   

CHAP. VIII.  
Of planting of shoots of a years growth.  
PRopagating or planting of Trees is fittest for such as have been planted of sciences, and such as do put forth sciences and small shoots from their roots: for this causeth them to bear a more beautiful fruit, and more abundantly, and more durable, because they attract and draw a greater quantity of juice out of the earth. For this cause, Plum-trees, Cherrie-trees, Pomegranate-trees, and all other Garden-trees, that are wont to be grafted upon wild ones, would be propagated or planted: for in as much as the wild one doth not draw such and so much juice as the grafted tree doth require, it is necessary that it should be planted. As and if a sweet Cherrie-tree should be grafted upon a wild Cherrie-tree, or one that beareth very sour Cherries, such a Cherrie-tree would not continue and last long, neither indeed will it bear any sweet Cherries, if it be not planted a year or two after that it is grafted: and the reason hereof is, because the wild Cherrie-tree draweth not juice enough to cause the tree to grow, and withal, the juice which it doth draw, is not so familiar or fit to bring forth and nourish sweet Cherries.  
There are four sorts of planting or propagating: 
To plant 〈◊〉 manner of ways.  as in laying of shoots or little branches, whiles they are yet tender, in some pit made at their foot, as shall be said hereafter: or upon a little ladder: or in a basket of earth tied to the bottom of the branch: or in boaring a Willow through, and putting the branch of the tree into the hole, as shall be fully declared in the Chapter of Grafting.  
There are likewise di●ers seasons for to propagate in: 
The time of propagating.  but the best, is in the Spring and March, when the trees are in flowers, and begin to grow lusty. The young planted sciences, or little grafts, must be propagated in the beginning of Winter a foot deep in the earth, and good manure mingled amongst the earth, which you shall cast forth of the pit wherein you mean to propagate it, to tumble in upon it again. In like manner the superfluous sciences must be cut close by the earth, when as they grow about some special imp which we mean to propagate, for they would do nothing but rot.  
For to propagate, you must dig the earth round about the tree, that so the roots may be in a manner half laid bare; afterward draw into length the pit on that side where you mean to propagate, and according as you perceive that the roots will be best able to yield and be governed in the same pit, so use them, and that with all gentleness, and stop close your sience in such sort, as that the wreath, which is in the place where it was grafted, may be a little lower than the sience of the new wood growing out of the earth, even so high as it possibly may be. If the tree that you would propagate, should be somewhat thick, and thereby the harder to ply, and somewhat stiff to lay in the pit, than you may cut the stock almost to the midst betwixt the root and the writhen place, and so with gentle handling of i●, to bow ●owne into the pit the wood which the grafts have put forth, and that in as round a compass as you can, keeping you from breaking of it; afterward, lay over the cut with gummed wax, or with gravel and sand.  
If there be many sciences and imps in the plant which you would increase, multiply, and propagate, and that all of them by hap or casualty do break in propagating of them, the remedy will be, to set the tree strait up, and to cover the roots again with the earth that was about them before, and which you had taken away, and then to cut all the broken sciences a little under where they are broken, and to lea●e them so until another year, when they shall have put forth new shoots, which the Winter following you may propagate: but and if of all those sciences there remain some one not broken, go forward and propagate it, cutting close by the ground some of the writhen place, and of those shoots which are not broken. In propagating of them, see that you lay good quantity of the sciences of your branches into the pit, couch them there very round, covering them with the earth which you cast up in making the pit, after that you have first mixed it with good fat ●ould, and tread it down by little and little above, and look that none of the said sciences do rise again after you have so trodden them down. This being done, 〈◊〉 right up all the ends which shall come out of the earth, and that so high as you can, and to 〈◊〉 them rest for three or four year before you furrow them, even until the 〈…〉 taken earth, and be already become full of hairy strings: you must prickestickes about them, for to handsome them, taking heed that you break them not. Three or four years after you must do the earth from them, and that in the beginning of Winter, and having cut in sunder all the branches that have put forth vain 〈◊〉 together with the stock, that is above the writhen place, you may plant every one of them where you please, to abide and continue there for ever: not but that you may leave some one of them still standing in the same place, if it be fit and good 〈◊〉 it, and then you may not pull from it his hairy roots, as you do from the other. If these plants of grafts be grown thick already, and full of branches, then when you ha●e taken them up, you must cut off the brauches before you plant them, and then 〈◊〉 they have been removed, they are free and reclaimed, and all those which shall grow of them afterward, will also become free and reclaimed. Again, if you would prepare the stock from whence you propagated your sciences, and 〈◊〉 it 〈◊〉 after that you have cut off all his arms, let it alone with his cuts and grafts, and out of those cuts it will put forth other sciences, of which you may make other free and reclaimed trees propagating them, and taking them up at the end of three or four● years. No sciences are propagated, 
Sciences fit for propagation.  but such as have no roots of their own, for and if they had roots by themselves, than they should be taken up and planted again with the spade, and not propagated.   

CHAP. IX.  
Of grafting young Plants, and other Trees of divers sorts, divers ways and at divers times.  
ALthough the transplanting and propagating of trees maketh them and 〈◊〉 fruit both very fair and great, yet grafting doth excel both them in this kind; for by grafting, not only wild trees are flattered and overcome, and those which were barren, made fruitful; those of an ill ●aft, become delicate; the late bearing, bringing forth an early fruit; and those which were 〈◊〉, to be late; but also the fruit growing thereby, are fairer and better fed: add 〈◊〉, that grafting doth oftentimes bring forth and beget trees and fruits of great admiration; as we ●ee in Apples, Pears, and many other fruits, which do alter both in colour and taste by the skill and cunning showed in grafting. Furthermore it causeth, that not only one kind is changed into another, and that divers ●ruits do agree together, and that upon one tree; but that strange and foreign trees do come unto us, and 〈…〉 conveyed unto other Countries.  
There are five principal sorts of grafting: There is one way to graced in the 〈◊〉, that is to say, betwixt the wood and the bark; and this is but in trees that are 〈◊〉 and of a good age, having a hard and firm bark: There is a second way to grafting a cleft, that is to say, upon a stock that is cloven; and this must be used in young 〈◊〉, for old ones do not easily admit any cleft in their stock: The third way is to graft in a whistle, or pipe; and this is by taking the bark of one tree, cut in manner of a p●pe, to be fastened to the bough of another tree: The fourth is to graft the 〈◊〉 in manner of a soutch●on: And the fist is also to graft in the bud; bu● of these in 〈◊〉 in his proper and fit place. Before we go about to graft any thing, we must consider whether the ground or country be fit for Pippins, or stones, and what trees are best laden there.  
The best is to gra●t the same kinds together, although grafts and buds may take as well in trees of divers kinds, but then such grafts come not to so good an end, seeing it is impossible, that two differing sappes should agree, suit, and carry themselves so well in all points the one toward the other, as and if it were in 〈◊〉 that are 〈◊〉, of like sort: Add hereunto, that the fruit doth retain and follow the nature of the tree whereupon it shall be grafted, rather than the graft, and so, after a sort, becometh degenerate and estranged from his own nature: which maketh me, that 〈◊〉 regard not the grafts which are wont to be made upon Elmes, for the fruit that groweth thereon, doth keep the taste and favour of the Elm, which is not verse toothsome: and yet I set less by the grafts chat are grafted upon the Colewort stalk, or the white Thorn, or Gooseberrie tree, Vine branches, Rose trees, or such like: for besides that such grafts are nothing durable (as being made upon a subject of a more feeble and unfirme nature than the graft itself which is set to them, wherefore the contrary course is that which is to be followed at all times in grafting) the fruits that come thereof, will be either of no ●ast, or else very unsavoury in the eating. Notwithstanding, although the hardest and most solid young plants be to be preferred in the matter of grafting: yet so it is, that if you graft in young stocks of a soft and moist nature, as upon the Poplar and Beech tree, and such like, the graft will grow the sooner, but there is not any profit arising: and such grafts are not dealt in by any but by gardiner's, which either affect curiosity or deceit, as desiring to have grafts often, rather than for any thing else. It were better therefore to graft in trees of the same kind, or else if you should graft in trees of divers kind, yet to choose those which 〈…〉 unto the nature of the graft, which is the commanding party, and whereunto the plant should very nearly assist and be commanded by, notwithstanding that it is the feeder of the other. And in any case you must graft the trees that bear timely fruits upon others that bear timely fruit, and the late fruits upon the late fruits.  
And although that by the assistance and help of grafting, men bring in infinite members of monstrous things as well in trees as in fruits, mingling divers kinds together, yet we must not think, that we may graft all sorts of grafts indifferently upon all sorts of trees: for neither will the Oak admit the Pear tree, nor the Fig tree or Olive tree: and on the other side, the Pine tree, Fir tree, Cypress tree, or generally any other kind of tree that yieldeth Gum, Oil, Liquors, Pitch, or Rosin, will not admit the conjunction or grafting of any tree upon them, as Plu●arch teacheth in his second book of Tabletalk, because they are fat, and cast out an oily humour, which (as all other sorts of oils) is enemy to all manner of plants: insomuch, as that there is no readier a means to kill such a tree as you would have to die, as likewise Bees, than to anoint them with oil: add further, that the trees which yield the Petroline, have so thin a bark, as that they cannot procure any firm or 〈◊〉 footing or means to receive the sap, or to incorporate themselves with the grafts, which should be set into them, as it falleth out with all wood which hath a very moist and soft bark; for thereby is hindered the growing of the graft unto the parts which are under the bark. I add yet further, that as men and women which are very fat, do not beget or bear children, because that spending the greatest part of their nourishment in the grossness of their body, they leave no profitable superfluirie to make seed of; in like sort, trees which drop Pitch and Rosin, spending all their substance and nourishment about the making of themselves great and thick, they accordingly grow tall and thick, but they bear no fruit at all, or else but a very little, and that late in the year before it come to his full ripeness: wherefore it is no 〈◊〉 for a stranger, not to be able to live there, where the homebred is scarce able to feed and maintain himself. Trees that have a very hard and solid wood, as Box and such other, or which have a very tender bark, are not fit for grafting: for the one by reason of their great tenderness, cannot hold the graft fast and close enough, 〈◊〉 the other through their great hardness do wring and choke the same.  
It is good to graft about the beginning of December, or somewhat later, 〈…〉 januarie, 
The time of grafting.  according as the weather is inclining unto coldness, or otherwise, especially Hart-Cherrie-trees, Peartrees, and such as bear early fruit. As for Apple- 〈◊〉 and Medlar-trees, it is better to stay till from the end of januarie unto the beginning of March, at such time as they begin to bud, for they are not so forward as the other▪ And at the same time also it will be good to graft the thicke-growne young 〈◊〉, betwixt the bark and the wood, with late grafts, or such as have been 〈◊〉 ●o the ground. All months are good and ●it to graft in, whether it be by graft 〈…〉 months of October and November excepted: but the graft is commonly 〈◊〉 in Winter, as hath been said, at such time as the sap riseth up into the 〈…〉 they begin to bud, for then the grafts do grow and take a great deal 〈…〉 may graft likewise in April and May, if the gra●●s be full of little eyeless, and that they have been kept buried, and their tops out of the ground in cold and 〈◊〉 places. It is true, that the time of grafting must be measured and judged of, according to the country and quality of the Region; for in a cold Country▪ it must be later, and earlier in a hot: notwithstanding, to speak generally of all 〈◊〉, the fittest time to graft, is from the first day of February unto the first 〈…〉 May, taking regard to the nature of the plants: for such as have most juice, 〈…〉 grafted; and those later which are the drier, the Pomegranate and 〈…〉 which although they be dry, will notwithstanding be grafted 〈…〉 in the year.  
It is certain, that grafts must be gathered in the decrease of the Moon, to be grafted at the same time of the old of the Moon, or else in the new, or when you shall think good, always foreseen, that the grafts be gathered in the old of the Moon, even all the grafts that may be. It is true, that the graft and the bud do take better in the new than in the old of the Moon, for the Moon is the 〈◊〉 of sappes, as of all other juices, marrows, and humours, or moist things; which sappes run betwixt the plant and the graft, and bind the one to the other, being of more force and power in the new of the Moon than in the old: by the like reason there is a precept to be observed and kept in the matter of grafting, forbidding to graft, the wind blowing at South, because such winds are sharp and drying. On the 〈◊〉, shoots must be cut in the end of the Moon, if so be you will have them to bring forth much more fruit: for being cut at this time, they have their sap drunk 〈◊〉 with settled abode, and by being notched only, they do not spend themselves so much as when they be cut off, their sap then being in his full course and 〈◊〉. Notwithstanding we try it daily by experience, that the gathering and grafting of grafts may be done at any time of the Moon, as we will declare hereafter.  
Some hold them for the best days to graft in, which are the next three or four● days before and after the increase of the new Moon: but their reason taken from the sap binding, and joining together of the grafts with the plants, and from the dominion and rule of the Moon over the said saps, doth shut out the first part of that opinion: it being certain and true, that the weaker the Moon is, so much the 〈◊〉 also are those inferior bodies which she hath power and government of. To graft upon the wild stock, 
To graft upon a wild stock.  hath more hold, and is more durable than that which is 〈◊〉 upon the reclaimed tree: but the fruit of the reclaimed tree is of a better taste, as likewise the fruit of the graft will be which is grafted upon a tree which blossometh and flowreth at the same time, and hath a living and moist bark, and the reason thereof is very apparent.  
It is used to graft in the bark from mid-August, unto the beginning of Winter, and also at such time as the Western wind beginneth to blow, 
To graft in the 〈◊〉.  being from the seventh day of February, unto the eleventh of june: but there must care be had not 〈◊〉 graft in the bark in a rainy season, because it would wash away the matter of joining together of the one to the other, and so hinder it.  
It is usual to graft in the bud in the Summer time, from about the end of May until August, as being the time when the trees are strong and lusty, and full of sap and leaves, 
To graft in the the Scutcheon, or Bnd.  as in june and july: that is to say, in a hot Country, from the midst of june unto the midst of july; but in cold Countries, unto the midst of August, after some small showers of rane. And if the Summer be so exceedingly dry, as that some trees do detain and keep back their sap, than you must wait till that it be returned, and then to graft thereupon so soon as the grafts are gathered, without having any regard either unto the new Moon, or to the old, whether it be in grafting in the stock, or unto the stock. It is true that is spoken, that we can never have hope of much fruit by grafting in the new of the Moon, but in the old, beginning the first day of the full of the Moon.  
You may graft in the Cleft, without having regard unto rain, 
To graft in the Cle●●.  when the time is good and cool, as from mid August unto the beginning of November, for the cap and warming stuff which is laid unto those grafts, do put away the waist and spoil which the rain and blasting would otherwise bring upon them. It must likewise be considered whether the tree use to bear timely fruit, or not, and so to fit it with a graft of the like condition and quality. Again, the time and season must be considered whether it be forward, or backward; for the seasons are not in all years governed and carried by an unchangeable and unvariable line and measure, for either they are more forward or backward, and participate oftentimes one of another's quality. And in all the sorts of grafting, it is a singular thing, and of great preservation for the graft, to keep the plants with cows dung mingled with straw.  
As concerning the particular time of grafting, 
To graft in the 〈◊〉.  it is better to graft at the evening than in the morning, and nearer unto the roots than unto the boughs, because by how much lower the graft is set, by so much the greater strength and force it receiveth from the moisture of the earth.  
The furniture and tools wherewith a grafter should be furnished, when he is disposed to graft, 
Grafting 〈◊〉.  are a Basket to lay his grafts in, Clay, Gravel, or Sand, or some such Earth as is strong, to draw over the Plant where it is cut or cloven, and for the joining of the Graft unto it: Moss, Woollen clothes, or barks of Willow, for to join and tie upon the lute or earth before spoken of, that so they may keep both it and the graft fast: and Oziers' to tie again upon the barks, to keep them firm and fast: gummed Wax to dress and cover the ends and ●oppes of the grafts newly cut, that so the rain or cold may not hurt them, neither yet the sap, rising from below, be constrained to return again unto the shoots: a Handsaw or little Saw to saw off the stock of the Plant: a little Knife or Penknife to graft, and to cut and sharpen the grants, that so the bark may not pill or be broken, which often cometh to pass when the graft is full of sap: you shall cut the graft so long, as that it may fill up the cleft of the Plant, and therewithal it must be left thicker on the bark side, that so it may fill up both the cleft and other incisions, if any need to be made, which must be always well ground, neat, burnished, and without all rust: two Wedges, the one broader, for thick trees, the other narrower, for the less and tender trees, but both of them of Box, or of some other hard and smooth Wood, or of Steel, or of very hard Iron, that so they may crave less labour in often making of them sharp, and they must serve to fet wider the cleft of the Plant: a little Hand-bill, to set the Plant at more liberty, by cutting off some of his superfluous boughs, having a handle or helm of Inorie, or Box, or Brasill, or some other Wood which is very hard.  
Trouble not yourself with marveling at them who graft their trees so soon as they have planted them, or very shortly after: for the young plant which can attract & draw but weakly and at hand any substance for itself, will hardly bestir itself in such strong manner as to feed both the graft and itself, and therefore the graft cannot but dry up: and again, in very deed the poor plant hath injury enough to be taken up from out of his place, and to be removed to another, without heaping upon it this new or double charge▪ and therefore it would not be till a year after that it hath been transplanted, and then the next year it will bear fruit; for it never thrives well of his grafting, if it thrive not the first year: and when as it hath sped thus ill-favouredly, 〈◊〉 will be best to cut it off, and grat● it again, but lower.   

CHAP. X.  
How to choose, gather, and cut Grafts, to graft in the cleft, stock, and rind.  
YOu must choose your Grafts of shoots that are a year old or two as the most (especially if you would graft them upon old trees) which are very new, and so thick as one's little finger, full of sap, having grosle and ●hicke set eyelets, one of them being near unto another, for else they will not bear fruit so plentifully: They must also take some part with the old wood, that is to say, part of that which was a sience the year before, and part of the new, that is to say, of the present year, so that it must be a piece consisting of two several years: and you must, if it be possible, gather them from on high, even from the top, or at the least from the midst of the tree, and not of the lowest and thickest of the boughs of Fruit-trees: and they must be in their sap, and taken from that side of the tree which standeth upon the South, for the East is not so 〈◊〉 and convenient for us in this cold Country. They must also be grafted in the same situation and goodness of soil that they enjoyed when they were gathered; for 〈◊〉 you graft them in the contrary to either of these, it will fall out with them as with plants, so unadvisedly transplanted or translated out of a hot Country into a cold. Notwithstanding, we daily perceive, that such ceremonies are of small effest, seeing that the Sun, which is the Nurse-father, visiteth every day all the sides of your tree, and that the Earth, wherein it is planted, is not less nourishing on the one side 〈◊〉 on the other.  
You must not gather your Grafts to plant, at such time as the trees begin to flower, especially if the trees whence they be gathered be timely fruit, as Cherry-trees, Plum-trees, Medlar-trees, Almond-trees, Peach-trees, and such like: but the time together them, is about the four and twentieth of December, and not sooner, for then the trees are full and well slcred of a mild and sweet humour. But and if you should be constrained to gather them sooner, whether it be upon occasion to carry them from one Country to another, or such like, stay at the least till October, at which 〈◊〉 the leaves will be fallen from the trees. The men of ancient time observed and made great ceremonies (as some do as yet) in gathering of Grafts upon the ending of the Moon, and for the grafting of them presently after the change: but we find by experience, that upon all manner of days they may be gathered and grafted, in what quarter soever the Moon is found in, as well for Fruits of stone, which are more difficult to graft, as also for those of Seeds, or Pippins, which 〈◊〉 more easy.  
If you purpose to keep them after they be gathered, 
To keep grafts  especially such as you mind to graft in the bark (for such Grafts may be gathered without eyeless about the month of October) stick them down in the ground at the foot of a tree, lay 〈◊〉 in a pit of half a foot depth, cover them well with earth, marking the place so, 〈◊〉 that you may be sure to find them when the time of grafting cometh. Some 〈◊〉 them in earthen pots well stopped and covered, which afterward also they bury in the ground. But and if you would carry them far, you must prick their ends in a Turnip that is new gathered, for by this means their natural juice and hu●●e will be preserved: or else wrap them about with earth, and with a cloth, or other thi●●, that they may be fit to be handled, as that they may be grafted, and not dried ●ay by the wind and force of the Sun: or else shut them close betwixt two 〈◊〉 or Reeds, putting them thereupon in honey. Some, the better to keep them, lay them betwixt two Tiles, near unto some River, and covered well with earth. If they be sent you from afar, look that you go not about to graft them, before you have first sleeped them a certain time in water, somewhat to refresh their juice, and to set in strength again their feebled and appalled force.  
For to gather them, 
To gather grafts.  you must cut them off betwixt the old wood and the new, in such so●t as that there be some of the old wood under one of the old eyelets of the graft▪ and so also, as this eyelet or little eye may be behind the graft, when it shall be set out of the cle●● of the plant: but and if this eyelet or little eye be very small, than it were better to cut it away. You may make of one long graft two or three truncheons, of which also you may at any time make very good grafts, and so let go that other with party woods, beginning at the greatest eyelet of the same, and making incision close under it, to fit it, for to be set in the stock.  
In cutting your graft, 
To cut grafts.  make incision upon the one side and upon the other upward on high: let it be well taken down and squared, that so it may the better close to the stock of the plant: and likewise, let it be so flatted, as that by measure it may be all one in length with the elest of the plant, when it is put down into it; and yet it is not required, that it should join close with the same in all places.  
When you cut the grafts of hart-Cherrie-trees and Plum-trees, 
To cut the grafts of hart-●herrie-trees and Plum-trees.  do not flat them so much as you did the others, for they have a thicker and greater pith, which you must beware not to come near unto, neither upon the one side, nor upon the other, save only that at the e●ds they must be very flat. And further, if the same incision be not made for the taking down and diminishing of any more than one side, it will be better than and if it should be so ordered also on the other side, and cut bias, as wedges are which are made for to cleave wood withal; and so at the end you should take down both sides, after the manner of the head of a Spear.  
In cutting your graft, you must look well, that you raise not the uttermost bark from the wood, and that withal, you leave it thicker than that which is on the other edge within.   

CHAP. XI.  
Of the preparing of the young Plant whereon you mean to graft.  
NOw when you have chosen your Graft, you must likewise make choice of your Plant: which, that it may be a fair one, must be right and straight, round, not wreathen, of a beautiful colour, a sound, near, and smooth bark, without knots, very flourishing and moist, and of a tree that hath borne fruit. It must also enjoy the like good soil and situation it did before in the place where you gathered the graft, if it be possible: it must bud and blossom at one and the same time, to the end that the new sience may take the more easier footing and kinder nourishment there. And if in case the Plant were wreathen, join the graft cunningly unto it, and be sure, that in fitting of it you make them both join well together, and ever matching the grossest Plants with the grossest Grafts.  
And in as much as the Plants are very little, therefore you must cut them low and near unto the earth, and that rather with a Knife than with a Hook or Saw. Some say, that a Saw doth so shake and loosen the bark, as that afterward it doth not take so easily with the graft: but that makes no matter, because neither the bark nor wood do ever take with the graft; but the skin or bark, which groweth and swelleth up from the foot of the tree, is that which coupleth itself unto the graft, worketh all, and by itself increaseth, making a body of the said foot; not that the sawed wood doth join itself with the said graft, but abideth dead. If it be of the thickness of a ●inger, or thereabout, you must cut it to the length of a foot, or half a foot, from the earth, byas-wise, like the fashion of a Goat's foot, for to cleave it and for therein only one graft.  
If it be as thick as a cudgel, cut the stock round with a Saw up on high, a foot or two from the ground, to put two good grafts into the cleft thereof: of which afterward you shall cut away the least and weakest when they begin to bud.  
If the plant be as thick as an arm, cut it likewise round some two or three foot high from the ground, for to cleave it and set therein three grafts, two in a cleft, and one betwixt the bark and the wood, and that upon the side that b●h the most room.  
If it be as thick as a leg, or more, cut it four of five foot high from the ground, and cleave it cross, and set therein four grafts: or cleave it with one only cleft, and graft two in the cleft, and two betwixt the wood and the barke● or, which is better, graft them all betwixt the stock and the bark, when the sap shall be up, for the wood of such great plants doth pinch and wrinch the graft mightily, if you put not a wedge of green wood into the cleft.  
After that the plant is cut either with a Saw or with a Knife, cleanse the wound either with a little Saw-knife, or with some other thing: then make it plain with a knife that is clean, and not infected with any evil smell; and again make it clean again the second time, that so it may not be infected any manner of way with theyron, because the sap of the tree may be corrupted by it: then choose out the best place in all the stock to fasten your graft unto, without any care of making the cleft, on what side soever it be. I speak this, because it pleaseth some to affirm, That the tree ought not to be cloven on that side that the wind standeth, at such time as they go about to graft it. It is true, that and if the wind should prove great, and with all as northeast, that then you must turn your back upon it, and stand betwixt the wind and the cleft, at such time as you are sitting and putting in your graft; because it is sharp and scorching, very dangerous unto all sorts of plants, as also fruits, of what condition soever they be, but chiefly when they are blossomed.  
Before you make wide the cleft with your wedge, bind and tie with two or three turns about with a wickar, drawn very strair, your tree foot upon the place where you intent to make your cleft, that so your tree foot may not cleave too far: which is oftentimes the cause that grafts take not, the cleft being so open, that it cannot 〈◊〉 shut again and grow together, and so by that means breatheth out whatsoever it hath of life in that place, and both the graft and the foot do thereupon also per●●● but this happeneth oftest in Plum-tree stocks and branches of trees, because they are more subject to cleave thus than any of the other sorts. Great trees, and such as yet go beyond the forenamed measures, cannot be grafted by a cleft in the stock, b●t very well in the branches, as we see accomplished in great Appletrees, and wild Peartrees, for they would be rotten before that the grafts could shut and close up the wound in the stock.  
If the small branches be dry and without any sap, you must cut their stocks or arms: and after two or three years, when they have put forth new sciences, graft the best, and cut away the feeble and starved ones. And afterward, when the grafts 〈◊〉 put forth very well, you must strengthen and underprop them, or else wrap them one within another, and tie them with wood amongst, for fear that the wind should break them: or else if it be a good and well reclaimed tree, let new sciences grow 〈◊〉 of it. And this thing we see much practised in Normandy, Bretaigne, and other Countries, where they esteem of Apples and Pears to make Cider of.   

CHAP. XII.  
To graft in the cleft.  
THe manner of grafting in the cleft, 
To graft in the cleft.  that is to say, in the stock, being cloven, is proper not only unto trees which are as great as a man's leg or arm, but also unto others which exceed these in greatness. It is true, that in as much as these trees cannot easily be cloven in their stock, that therefore it is expedient to make incision in some one of their branches, and not in the main body, as we see to be practised in great Appletrees and wild Peartrees, and as we have already declared here before.  
To graft in the cleft, you must make choice of a graft that is full of sap and juice, but it must not be till from after januarie unto March: and you must not thus grafted in any tree that is already budded, because a great part of the juice and sap would be already mounted up on high, and risen to the top, and there dispersed and scattered hither and thither into every twig; a news nothing welcome to the graft. You must likewise set down and resolve not to gather your graft the day that you graft it, but ten or twelve days before: for otherwise, if you graft it new gathered, it will not be able easily to incorporate itself with the body and stock where it shall be grafted; because it will come to pass, that some part of it will dry, and by this means will be a hindrance in the stock to the rising up of the sap, which it should communicate unto the graft for the making of it to put forth: and whereas this dried 〈◊〉 will fall a crumbling and breaking, through his rottenness, it will cause to remain a cavity and hollow or void place in the stock, which will be an occasion of the like inconvenience to befall the graft: and on the other side, the graft being as yet new and tender, might easily be hurt of the bands, which are of necessity to be tied round about the stock, for the keeping of the graft firm and fast. You must furthermore take heed, and see, that the tree whereupon you intent to graft have been transplanted and removed from out of your stocke-Nurcerie for a long time before, that so you may assure yourself, that his roots are long since well insea●oned, and have fully taken with the earth, and thereby also hath sufficient store of sap and juice,  
When you are minded to graft many grafts in one cleft, see that the incision made upon their ends be alike great: which if you look not to, it may happily come to pass, that the cleft of the stock shall be forced wider on the one side than on the other. You must likewise foresee, that the grafts be of one length, or not much squaring; and it is enough if they have three or four eyelets without the wrench.  
When the plant is once sawed and lopped of all his small sciences and shoots round about, as also emptied of all his branches, if it have many, than you must leave but two at the most before you come to the cleaving of it: then put to your little Saw and your knife or other edge-tool that is very sharp, cleave it quite through the midst in gentle and soft sort, first tying the stock very sure, that so it may not cleave further than is need, and then put your wedges into the cleft until such time as you have see in your grafts; and in cleaving of it, hold your knife with the one hand, and the tree in the other, to help to keep it from cleaving too far; Afterward, with the same hand wherewith you held your tree, put in your wedge of Box, or Brasill, or Bone, at the small end, that so you may the better take it out again when you have set in your grafts. If the stock be cloven, or the bark loosed too much from the wood, 
The sappes of the graft and stock must be 〈…〉 the other.  then cleave it down lower, and set your grafts in, and look that their incision be fit and ●erie justly answering the cleft, and that the two sappes (that of the graft, and the other of the plant) be right and even set, the one against the other, and so handsomely sitted, as that there may not be the least appearance of any cut or cleft: for if they do not thus jump one with another, they will never take one with another, because they cannot work their seeming matter, and as it were cartilaginous glue, in convenient sort and manner, to the gluing of their joints together▪ You must likewise beware not to make your cleft overthwart the pith, but somewhat aside.  
The bark of the Plant being thicker than that of the graft, you must set the graft so much the more outwardly in the cleft, that so the two sappes may in any 〈◊〉 joined and set right the one with the other: but the rind of the plant must be 〈◊〉 what more out than that of the grafts on the cloven side.  
To the end that you may not fail of this work of imping, you must principally take heed, not to over-cleave the stocks of your trees: but before you widen the cleft with your wedges, bind and go about the stock with two or three turns, and tha● with an Osier close drawn together underneath the same place where you would have your cleft to end, that so your stock cleave not too far, which is a very usual cause of the miscarrying of grafts, in as much as hereby the cleft standeth so wide and open, as that it cannot be shut, and so not grow together again, but in the mean▪ 〈◊〉 spendeth itself, and breatheth out all his life in that place, which is the cause that the stock and the graft are likewise spilled: and this falleth out most oft in Plum-trees and branches of trees. You shall also be very careful to join together the rinds of your grafts and the plants, that so nothing may continue open, to the end that the wind, moisture of the clay, or rain, running upon the grafted place, may not 〈◊〉 in. When the plane cleaveth very straight, there is not any danger or hardness 〈◊〉 sloping down the graft, if you leave it somewhat uneven or rough in some, places, that so the sappes both of the one and other may the better grow and be 〈◊〉 together.  
When your grafts are once well joined unto your plants, draw out your wedges very softly, lest you displace them again. You may leave there within the cloven some small end of a wedge of green wood, cutting it very close with the head of the stock: or else so soon as your wedge is drawn out, put some small chip of green● wood upon the cleft of the plant. Some cast glue into the cleft, as it were to 〈◊〉 and glue together the sappes of the two substances. Othersome sprinkle into it Sug●●, or powder of Cinnamon, or some other such spice, or some sweet smelling liquor, and withal dip the ends of the grafts in honey, or in some other sweet and 〈◊〉 quor, hoping that by this means the fruits of the trees will retain the taste thereof. But howsoever it is, cover the cleft of the grafting all about with gravel or sand 〈◊〉 on like a causey: or else with gummed wax, which is better to cover withal 〈◊〉 the former, or any other thing that can be learned: and that the cleft may be very 〈◊〉 filled, it must be laid on two fingers thick, or thereabout, that so neither wind 〈◊〉 rain may enter or get in: and you shall cover it over with Most, or Ryestra●, 〈◊〉 Bark, or the thin rind of the Elm, prepared with a little earth, and 〈◊〉 of old Woollen clothes, or the bark of Willow, and tie them on very straight with small Oziers'; but in binding them, take heed that the wreaths do not shrink to the one side or the other: and if you have not clay, than arm and cover over, as hath been said, the said clefts with gummed wax: and for want of both these, mingle small hay and the earth of the place where you graft in manner of lome or mortar. When thus you grafts shall be well wreathed, ●asten some small boughs about them, for to keep and defend them.  
Furthermore, 
To graft in by as like to a Goat's soot.  if the stock of the plant whereupon you intent to graft, be 〈◊〉 so thick as your graft, you shall graft it after the fashion of a Goat's foot in 〈◊〉 manner: Make a cleft in the stock of the plant, not direct, but bias, and that 〈◊〉 and even, not rough; then apply and make fast thereunto the graft, with all 〈◊〉 bark on, and answering unto the bark of the plant: this being done, cover 〈◊〉 place with fat earth and moss of the wood, tied together with a strong band. 〈◊〉 to the end that the tree may not be hurt either of the winds, or other things, 〈◊〉 down, near unto it, some pole of wood, for to strengthten and bear it 〈◊〉 They are greatly to be blamed for their fault committed, who having fair wild uses or others (the fruit thereof displeasing them) do cut them verte low, having fair branches above, and a body of the thickness of a man's leg, and there graft them, when as five or six years will scarce cover the wound that they have made by such their kind of grafting: whereas they might with as much eale have grafted upon the branches of the same, and then they had not been above a finger thick, and would have grown better, and brought more profit; because that and if you have four branches, you may make as many grafts thereof, and these will bear fruit the second year.   

CHAP. XIII.  
Of grafting in the ends of branches.  
FOr to graft at the end of such branches as have goodly new wood, and great sciences on high, although the tree have been grafted before, and that it be as yet not thoroughly grown, take grafts of what sort of tree you will, and cut some of the sciences off from the high parts of the tree where you mind to graft: and if the grafts should be thicker than the sciences, then graft them after the manner of the Goat's foot, as hath been said already of small Plants. And if the sciences be of the same bigness with your grafts, then cut them between the old and new wood, or a little higher or lower, and cleave them a little, and cut the graft of the like thickness to the sience which you have cut off, making but a short incision, and reserving the bark upon both sides, and looking that both the sides be of equal thickness: then set your graft, thus fitted, into the cleft, and that so, as that the barks of both sides the graft may stand even with the barks of the branch. And for these grafts, it is enough if every one of them have one good eyelet or two about the wreathing; for to leave them any longer, would not be good: and you must wreath and wrap them in earth and moss, and cover it over again with Woollen clothes, and tie them unto the same very strongly, as hath been said.  
Also by this means you may procure, that one tree shall bring forth divers fruits, so that they be not such as the situation of the Country and quality of the Air do refuse and reject: as I have seen sometimes at Padua, in the Garden of Messire Gabriel, where one stalk of a tree hath borne fruits of divers sorts. And there is nothing that should hinder or let us in this Country from doing the like, if it be not (perhaps) that in some places the favourable furtherance and mildness of the air is not so correspondent and answerable.  
Moreover, if you will graft little Plants in this manner, see that they be of the same thickness of the grafts, and graft them near unto the earth, as some three fingers off, or thereabouts.  
This manner of grafting at the ends of branches, must be done in trees whose branches have been formetly cut off, by reason either of some great want, or else too great abundance of sap: and that there be put forth of their stock some new shoots, which three or four years after may be grafted after the manner we have spoken of: Thus Columella teacheth us to graft the Olive-tree upon the Figtree.   

CHAP. XIIII.  
To graft betwixt the wood and the bark.  
IT is usual to graft betwixt the wood and the bark, when trees begi●●● put up their sap, as about the end of February, and after until April, for then the bark parteth better from the wood: and chiefly this manner of grafting is used in thick plants, which cannot easily be eleven in the midst, either cross, or otherwise, and in the stocks and branches of trees that have a thick and fat bark, as Figge-trees, Plumme-trees, Peartrees, and Chef●x, trees. The grafts that are thus to be grafted, must be gathered and kept long before, as we have already said, lest peradventure we should not meet with trees of late bears about this time, which have not as then budded, and of which there may be grafts gathered without buds; such as is the short-legged or short-stalked Appletree, and such other like.  
In this kind of grafting, the plant must be sawed up on high, and the grafts our afterward, as hath now already been said before: but the incision of 〈◊〉 grafts 〈◊〉 not be of any great length or thickness, but the bark must be taken away a little 〈◊〉 the end of them, and fashioned after the manner of the head of a spear, and as thick on the one side as on the other: afterward the stock must be very well cleansed, to take away the roughness and unevenness of the Saw, with a very shap 〈◊〉, that so the grafts may grow close thereunto: then thrust in a sharpe-pointed knife, or some Scissors of Bone, or ivory, dipped enough betwixt the bark and the wood of the plant, and so much, as that when it shall be drawn out, the cut and fitted end of the graft may inter therein, and that the graft may join unto the stock when it shall be fet therein: this being done, it must be covered and wrapped well with 〈◊〉, or other strong earth and moss. After this manner you may prick in many graft about your stock, according as the thickness of it will bear. After this manner are Apricots grafted, and Appletrees, Almond-trees, Peach-trees, small Peach-trees, Figge-trees, Pear. Plum-trees, Chestnut-trees, Peartrees, and young and little Plum-trees, being the thickness of a little finger, and the thickness of an arm, as also all such 〈◊〉 have their bark somewhat slender and tender; for in thick trees, which have 〈◊〉 bark very hard and thick, this cannot well be used, except it be upon some of 〈◊〉 branches, which have a daintier bark and better disposed for the doing hereof.   

CHAP. XV.  
Of grafting in a Pipe▪  
THe manner of grafting in a Pipe, as also that of grafting in the 〈◊〉 after the manner of a Scutcheon, is very forward in bearing fruit, 〈◊〉 weak and cast to be hurt, because it is borne up only by the streng●● of the bark▪ and therefore it must not be practised in any trees, 〈◊〉 such as are full of sap, as the Figtree, Olive-tree, sweet Quince-tree, 〈◊〉 Peach-tree, Abricot-tree, juiube-tree, sour Cherrytree, Cheery-tree, and 〈◊〉- tree, and not at any other time, than after the beginning of April upto the end of june; or if the time be not too hot, in july, August, and September: but such grafts are not profitable, neither yet coming so soon to perfection, as those which 〈◊〉 grafted in the cleft.  
Choose therefore in a fruitful tree that is full of sap, a very fair branch that is full 〈◊〉 eyelets, from whence cut with the point of a knife that is very sharp, a piece of 〈◊〉 fashioned like a Flute, at the least three fingers and a half, long, having one eyelet ●ound and entire. Then do as much upon some branch of that Tree whereupon you mean to graft the same, in such sort, as that the bark which you take away from the place to be grafted, may be of the same breadth, length, and situation or aspect of the heaven, that that is which was cut down from the place where the graft grew, and it must likewise have one sound and entire eyelet as well as the other. When you shall fasten it unto the place, beware that the bark which you shall fasten, be not were or moist, and that it do answer and fit the window, whereout the bark was taken, and that in such sort, as that the eyelet in the bark to be grafted, may answer justly upto the knob which remaineth ●ound and undeminished in the wood, and that this knob go into the eyelet, of the pipe-like bark, which you are about to graft. By this means all will agree very well together, neither will there be seen any chinker, gaping, or rise, betwixt the commissures and joins of the two barks. This done, bind and wreathe above and below the said grafted bark with a band of very dry hemp, being without any manner of moisture, that so the bark may cleave to the better, and take the sap of the tree the sooner: but still you must look to it, that your band do not touch the eyelet, or pinch the bark too hard, for this would keep it that it should not take, and neither the bark, nor the band must be we.  
The Chesnut-tree may be grafted after this manner, and profit more by it than any other Trees, because the bark thereof is more ap● to fashion after the form of a pipe, than the bark of any other Tree. This way is long in working and taking, and withal nothing sure or certain: and therefore I would counsel the Gardener to trouble himself but little at all with it.   

CHAP. XVI.  
Of grafting in the bud after the manner and form of a Scutcheon.  
FOr to graft after the manner of a Scurcheon, you shall not vary and differ much from the manner of grafting which is after the fashion of a flute or pipe, save only that the Scutcheon-like graft having one eyelet as the other hath, yet the wood of the Tree whereupon the Scurcheonlike graft is grafted, hath not any knob or bud, as the wood whereupon the bark is grafted in manner of a pipe: wherefore in both the sorts of grafting, we may follow the form and order which followeth.  
In Summer when the trees are well replenished with sap, and that their new sciences begin to grow somewhat hard, you shall take a shoot at the end of the branches of some noble and reclaimed Tree, whereof you would ●aine have some fruit, and not mai●ne it of his old store or wood, and from thence raise a good eyelet the tail and all, thereof to make your graft: but when you choose, take the thickest and grossest: divide the tail in the midst before you do any thing else, casting away the leaf (if it be not a Peare-plum-tree,) for the Scutcheon grafted of a Peare-plum-tree, would have two or three leaves) without removing any more of the said tail: afterward with the point of a knife that is very sharp and will cut well, cut out of the bark of the said shoot, the pattern and resemblance of a Scutcheon or Shield, of the length of a nail, in which there is only one eyelet higher than the midst, together with the residue of the eaile which you have left behind: and for the lifting up of the said grafted in Scutcheon, after that you have cut the bark of the shoot round about without cutting of the wood within, you must take it gently with your thumb; and in pulling it away, you must press upon the wood, from which you pull it, that to you may bring the bud and all away together with the Scutcheon, for and if you should leave it behind with the wood, than the rest of the Scutcheon were nothing worth. You shall find out if the Scutcheon be nothing worth, if looking within it, when it shall be pulled away from the wood of the shoot, you find it to have a hole within, but more manifestly, if the bud be stayed behind with the wood in the shoot, when it ought to have been in the Scutcheon. Thus your Scutcheon being well raised and taken off, hold it a little by the tail betwixt your lips, without wetting of it, even until you have cut the bark of the tree where you would graft it, and look that it be cut without any wounding of the wood within, after the fashion of a 〈◊〉, but somewhat longer than the Scutcheon that you have to set in it, and in no place cutting the wood within.  
After you have made incision, you must open it and make it gape wide on both sides, but in all manner of gentle handling and entreaty, and that with little 〈◊〉 of bone; and separating the wood and the bark a little within, even so much at the Scutcheon is in length and breadth, you must take heed that in doing hereof you do not hure the brake. This done, take your Scutcheon by the end, and the 〈◊〉 which you have left remaining, and put it into the incision made in the tree, listing up 〈◊〉 the two sides of the incision with the said little Scissors of bone, and cause the said Scutcheon to join and lie as close as may be unto the wood of the tree (being 〈◊〉 hath been said) in weighing a little upon the end of the rind so cut, and let the upper part of the Scutcheon lie close unto the upper end of the incision or bark of the said tree: afterward, bind your Scutcheon about with a band of hemp, as thick as the pen of a quill, more or less, according as the tree is small or great, taking the same hemp in the midst, to the end that either part of it may perform a little service in wreathing and binding of the said Scutcheon, into the incision of the Tree, and it must not be tied too straight, for that would keep it from taking, the joining of the one sap to the other being hindered thereby, and neither the Scutcheon no● yet the hemp must be moist or wet. And the more justly to bind them together, begin at the backside of the tree, right over against the midst of the incision, and from thence come forward to join them before, above the eyelet and tail of the Scutcheon (crossing your band of hemp so oft as the two ends meet) and from hence recurning back again, come about and tie it likewise underneath the eyelet, and thus cast your band about still forward and backward, until the whole cleft of the incision be covered above and below with the said hemp, the eyelet only excepted and his tail, which must not be covered at all; this tail will fall away one 〈◊〉 after another, and that shortly after the engrafting, if so be that the Scutcheon will take, Leave your trees and Scutcheons thus bound for the space of one month, and the thicker, a great deal longer time; afterward look them over, and if you 〈◊〉 them grown together, untie them, or at the least cut the hemp behind, and le●● them uncovered, cut also your branch two or three fingers above, that so the imp may prosper the better, and thus let them remain till after Winter, about the month of March and April. If you perceive that the bud of your Scutcheon swell and come forward, then cut off the tree three fingers or thereabout about the Scutcheon: for and if it should be cut off too near the Scutcheon, a● such time as it purtech forth his first blossom, it would be a means greatly to hinder the flowing of it, and cause also that it should not thrive and prosper so well: after that one year 〈◊〉 past, and that the shoot beginneth to be strong, beginning to put forth the 〈◊〉 bud and blossom, you must go forward to cut off in biace wife the three fingers 〈◊〉 the top of the tree, which you left there when you cut it in the year going before, 〈◊〉 hath been said. When your shoot shall have put forth a good deal of length, you must stick down there even hard joining thereunto little stakes, tying the● together very gently and easily, and these shall stay your shoots, and prop the● up, letting the wind for doing any harm unto them.  
In this sort you may easily graft white Rosetrees in red Rosetrees, and red Rosetrees in white Rosetrees, to have Roses of divers sorts upon one and the same Rose-tree. You may graft after the same manner two or three Scutcheons, provided that they be all of one side: for they would not be equally set together in height, because that so they might all become starvelings: neither would they be one directly over another: for the lower would stay the rising up of the sap of the Tree, and so those which were above should consume in penury, and undergo the foresaid inconvenience.  
You must note, that the Scutcheon which is gathered from the Sience of a Tree whose fruit is sour, must be cut in a square form, and not in the plain ●ashion of a Scutcheon.  
It is ordinary to graft the sweet Quince-tree, bastard Peach-tree, Abricot-tree, jujube-tree, sour Cherrie-tree, sweet Cherrie-tree, and Chesnut-tree after this fashion: how beit they might be grafted in the cleft more easily and more profitably, although that divers be of a contrary opinion. As thus for example:  
Take of the grafted of the sweet Quince-tree, and bastard Peach-tree, of the fairest wood and best fed that you can find growing upon the wood of two years old, because the wood is not so firm and solid as the others, and you shall graft them upon small plum-tree stocks, being of the thickness of ones thumb: these you shall cut after the fashion of a goat's foot, you shall not go about to make the cleft of any more sides than one, being about a root high from the ground, you must open it with your small wedge; which being thus grafted, it will seems to you that it is open but of one side, afterward you shall wrap it up with a little moss, putting thereto some gummed Wax or Clay, as hath been said before, and bind it up with Oziar, to ●eepe it the surer, because the stocks is not strong ynongh of itself for to hold it, and you shall furnish it every manner of way, as others are deal withal. And this kind of grafting is more profitable, and sooner grown up than that which is done in the form of a Scutcheon.   

CHAP. XVII.  
Of other sorts of kinds of grafting upon all sorts of Trees.  
YOu may graft in the bud, by taking up the bud of a young shoot or plant, and putting it with a little bark in the place of another, which you shall have pulled from the Tree, whereupon you mean to graft, binding it there above and below in manner as hath been said of the Scutcheon-like graft, and this may be done at the same time, and upon the same trees.  
You may graft all manner of grafts, upon all manner of trees after this manner: Make two pits, four foot every way, and the one hard by the other, in the one of these plant an Olive-tree, and in the other a Figtree, or any other such like sort of Trees as shall best please you: when the Olive-tree hath taken root, you shall bow down such plants of the same as seemeth upto you the fairest of the rest, and bind them to the foot of the said Figtree: this being done, cut away all the other plants of the said Olive-tree, except they be such as you mean in like manner to graft: then cut down the Figtree, and make smooth and even the cut: after this, clause it in the midst with a wedge, after which scape both the sides of the ends of the sciences of the Olive-tree, such as the Tree beareth, and put them in the cleft of the Figtree, in such manner as that they may reach through, afterward ●ome the said cleft of the Figtree on the one side and on the other with tough ●ome, and tie fast within the stock of the said Figtree, the said plants, in such sort as that a man cannot pull them away. Thus three years after, the Figtree and Olive-tree will grow together, and the fourth year when they are well grown, you shall cut and uncouple the plants of the said Olive-tree from it, as is done in propagating, so they shall seem not to appertain any longer unto the Olive-tree. This manner of grafting is very usual in the Country of Man's, where I remember I have tasted of a grape which had the cast of a nut: because the vine that bore this grape, had been grafted into a nut-tree, and after that manner that I have now spoken of.  
To graft in a Canon, 
To graft i● a canon.  Flute, or Cornet, is thus performed: You must raise a long Gun or Canon having two or three eyelets, from oft a new and reclaimed plant, that is a finger thick or thereabout, and cleave it easily the whole length of it: after, you must raise of the bark of some branch of a plant, of the like thickness, a Canon of the like length to the former, and in place of this later, you must make fast the foresaid Canon of the said bark of the new branch, as forward and close as it can be set, and the superfluous bark of that wherewith there is nothing intended to be done, is bestowed upon this thus grafted to defend it: after this, it is tied above and below the eyelets so carefully, as that they may not be hurt, than you must cut away the wood which is above the root, and work it over with gummed wax all along the seams, and at the end.  
To graft in the body of a Tree is thus: 
To graft in the 〈◊〉 of a Tree.  You must pierce the stock of a Tree with a wimble even unto the pith, and afterward cleansing the hole of the wimble 〈◊〉 well, you must by force put a graft thereinto, which hath two or three eyelets within, and then after that close up the hole very sure with wax.  
To graft upon a Willow, 
To graft upon a willow.  or Colewort: Make in the pole of a Willow, or stock of a Colewort, two holes, reaching to the marrow or pith, either half a foot from the other, set therein as it were by force even in either of them, a graft of such fruit as you yourself will, having their barks seraped off, and this in such fo●t as that the holes be stoup all of them therewith: after this, you must stop the same holes very will with Wax, pricking down the said pole within half a foot of some water, after such a manner as that the grafts may be three fingers under the earth, and at the end of the year when it hath taken root, cut the plant in pieces, and plant every graft where you yourself will.  
Thus you may graft in the Crown: 
To graft in a Crown.  You must cut oft the body of a great Tree, rather than a little or thin one up on high, but yet it may not be old, though it may have a hard bark rather than a soft and thin: afterward, you must open it up above on high, in three or four places, in the cut of the bark of the said stock: which done, you must with the helue of a penknife of bone being very sharp● pointed, put into every one of those opened places a graft, gathered from the most Easterly part of his own Tree, than you must stop and cover well with to●gh 〈◊〉 or clay the wound that is above, and lay a good cap upon it, so as that neither the rain may be able to wash and corrupt it, neither yet the air to dry and chinker it: after this, you must tie the Tree with a chord or band near unto the place where the Tree was sawed of●, that so it cleave not, than you must thrust in your wedge betwixt the bark and the wood, after which, it remaineth that these grafts be 〈◊〉 to set round about the body of the Tree, one distant from another, no less than four fingers: then, for the shutting up of the matter, taking away the chord or girth, you must tie the bark with a company of Oziers', being of that length as that they may go about the body of the Tree three or four turns and doubles, that so by this means the grafts may be guarded, and stand fast against the winds and whatsoever other violence: and against the body of the Tree you must set a stake or prop, for to beat it up and stay it, taking away all the shoots that are about it: because that by how much the number shall be the less, by so much the more will the sap proout the strength and growth of boughs.  
Some do grafted in a Sience after this manner: 
To graft in a 〈◊〉.  They make way into the Tree, and that to the very pith thereof with a penknife, and after grafting a plant therein, stop it up close with Wax. Otherwise, and the likelier, some take a sience of one joy●●, and writh it, afterward taking from it his joints and bark, and so graft it upon a sheet as thick as itself, and it taketh quickly.  
To graft in a morsel, 
To graft in a Morsel.  you must take in the month of March a piece of the thickness of ones thumb, and sufficient broad and long, together with the eyelet and sience belonging thereto, and so very speedily graft it altogether upon the branches of another Tree, cleaving the bark into three or four, and fastening it thereto very close and straight, and unto the head of the stock, if so be that the morsel go into the bark of the other, without hurting of his own bark: it being thus grafted, will take without any other thing or preparative: notwithstanding it would do no evil to put tough ●ome or earth tempered thick upon the said joint, and to tie it well with some little piece of Woollen cloth about the morsel, not touching the eyelet in any case. In june and july you may graft in this manner on high upon branches without using of any band thereto: and when this morsel hath well taken, some do use to cut off that part of the branch that is above.  
Some graft upon poles after this manner: 
To graft in poles.  with a French wimble they pierce a pole of Willow, or other white wood in many places, but with this caveat, that the holes be half a foot one from another: afterward, they put in these holes thus pierced great store of shoots of such Trees as they are disposed to graft, and thus they set them in the ground, in such sort as that nothing but the end of the shoot is seen: alter which, if so be they take, the pole is broken, and they removed into other places.  
Some there are that make imps of Peartrees and Appletrees in a green lath of witch-bazell, where they put their grafts, betwixt the bark and the wood, and going afterward to choose a moist place, therein they bury the said green lath half a foot deep, leaving the shoots a foot long, of which they gather some imps, which they cut away, as also the band of the lath where they are grafted, and transplant them 〈◊〉 other places, where it liketh them best: but this is not counted the surestand most infallible way.  
In Normandy likewise they make plants of sprigs and new branches growing up from the ●eet of the Peartrees and Appletrees, these they cleave in four quarter's and in the midst of them they put the end of a Barley care, or else a Bean, and 〈◊〉 reported by that means to breed good and natural trees, without any other ma●ner of grafting of them: but I am of opinion, that neither the Beans not yet the Barley do any good for the helping of them to take root, because that commonly ●uch s●ockes as are planted do not put forth root at the end of the foot, but higher, 〈◊〉 almost even at the top of the earth, there being the most nourishing part of the ●arth.  
Some put young branches and sprigs into the ground, yea and the thin rinds of ●lum-trees, which afterward take root, and thereupon they plant apricots, but this commonly happencth in a moist, good, and fruitful soil.  
Some do ordinarily plant stocks of the Garden-quince-tree, and graft Peartrees thereon, as also Appletrees and great Peaches, the fruits whereof taste as if they ●ere Peach-plums, but they must be grafted half a foot within the ground, because ●hey never have any fair trunk, and being grafted thus low, the graft will put forth ●oots of itself, which will make it endure and continue the longer time.  
Some have likewise found out a way to graft the vine, 
To graft the vine.  which is a very singular ●nd profitable thing, for having a vine that is not of a good plant, you may by graf●ing of it, soonet come to have fruit, than by pulling of it up, and planting another 〈◊〉 the place.  
Some graft upon the foot of a plant, which is a great fault, because that at the most ●rom thence they cannot gather abo●e two or three imps, putting things also in adventure, as well by reason they are not sure that they will take, as also because that the ●ranch is not strong enough to defend itself from the wind. Notwithstanding seeing that the vine taketh root of itself, you may make a trial what it will do by graf●ing it upon a branch after this manner:  
Make a great pit, like as if you would bury some Tree, then make your choice from the foot or stock of some vine which pleaseth you not, of certain branches ●hich you shall find fit and meet to receive grafts, wh●ther they be new wood, or of two or three years growth, cut them off and cleave them some three or four finger, even up unto some joint: then sharpen the other branch which you mean to graft, and stick it in the cleft of the other, joining together the rind of the cloven one 〈◊〉 every side, in such sort, as that they may seem to be but one, wrapping round above some moss, and after binding it up with some packthread, or else with Ozie●●, 〈◊〉 well. Having thus done, prepare a place where you will set it, and lay don●● your your graft, after the manner and fashion that you use in propagating: then lay allied Horse dung, not thoroughly rotten, upon the place where you have joined the 〈◊〉 branches. By this means, of one Vine-stocke you shall make many, turning in the earth upon your grafts of the stock of the Vine, as is done when one layeth Vines in the ground. Afterward acquaint your grafts with little stakes, as is used in propagating, and these imps do thrive and grow as well as the propagated, and 〈◊〉 fruit as soon.  
You may likewise make the like kind of grafts upon Pomegranat-trees, Nut-trees, Rosetrees, and other such like low and little trees.   

CHAP. XVIII.  
Special observations of grafting, planting, and sowing of Trees, for to have exquisite fruits thereof.  
IF you graft a graft that bringeth forth a late fruit, 
Forward or late fruits.  upon a tree that bringeth forth an early fruit, the graft will bring forth an early fruit in his kind: as and if you graft a Peach upon a reclaimed Mulberrie-tree, it will come two months sooner: The same will come to pass, if you graft upon a Vine stock, or a black Vine upon a Cherrie-tree, or a Medlar-tree upon't Goose-berrie-tree, or reclaimed Mulberrie-tree. The cause of this hastened 〈◊〉 is the nature of the tree whereupon you have grafted, which being the only 〈◊〉 to the graft, and being of a timely fruit in respect of the nature of the graft, doth 〈◊〉 and bring forward the fruit. On the contrary, if the tree be of a late fruit, and the graft of a timely, the graft will afterward bring forth late fruit in his kind: and staying after his due and wont time, as if it be an Appletree upon a Quince-tree, 〈◊〉 Apples will prove to hang on the tree till November, and will take so much after the nature of the Quince-tree, as that they will keep two years. By how much the 〈◊〉 you graft upon a tree of the same kind and condition that the graft or bud is Appletree upon an 〈…〉 an Appletree, a reclaimed one upon a reclaimed one, or a wild 〈◊〉 upon a wild one: by so much the fruit becometh greater, and is of a better razed, as hath been said.  
Graft one Appletree upon another, 
The graft of the Appletree.  and likewise in Goose-berrie-trees and reclaimed Mulberrie-trees, and you shall have fruit all Summer time, till the beginning of November.  
To cause fruit to grow that shall be half Peach and half Nut, 
Half Peach and half Nuts.  take an eyelet of the one and of the other, and cut them as near the eyelet as you can, both the one and the other, and scrape their buttons a little; then joining them, bind them also very and together, and after cut away their tops: the fruit growing from these, will be half Peaches and half Nuts.  
You may make one fruit to have the taste of four fruits of his kind after this 〈◊〉 Take four shoots or grafts of four differing sorts, 
One fruit having the razed of many fruits.  but of one kind of tree, as of four sorts of Peartrees, or Appletrees: As for example; of the Appletree take the short stalked Apple, the Globe Apple, sharp tasted Apples, and Apples of Paradise (because that the shoots or grafts must be of one sort of trees) tie them very well together, in such sort, as that their bark may touch one another: afterward cover them with glue, or with sand, or some ●at earth, so close, as that they may seem to be all 〈◊〉 put them thus in some well digged ground that is full of manure, that so they may take root: the fruit that will grow upon these, will have the taste of four sorts of apples. It proceedeth of the same cau●e if you take two grafts, the one of a sow●e appletree, and the other of a sweet, and coupling them together so close and nee●e, as that they may seem to be one only; use them as before, and look as the grafts were, so will the apples be. In like manner if you couple, join and close together in such close and fast manner two small figtree boughs, the one of a black figtree, and the other of a white, and so set them, and after that they have put forth and blossomed, tie them again, to the end they may incorporate and grow together, making but one stock, the figs that come there of will have a red flesh on the one side, and a white on the other. Some to work the like effect, do put into some linen cloth the seeds of two sorts of figge-trees, and having tied them very straight, dig them in the earth, and when they are grown up, they remove the figtree which is grown up upon them.  
Some do likewise make grafts to bear half Pears, and half Apples, cleaning one Apple-tree-graft, and one Peare-tree-graft, and after joining the one half of the one to the other half of the other, and tying them close together, and ●oming the joints and seams very well with Gum and Wax mixed together, in such manner as that the water cannot find any entrance at their joints, and when this is done, they graft this double graft upon the stock of such a Tree as shall fall for their purpose: But you must think that this manner of planting is very hard to bring forth fruit. Wherefore they which take pleasure therein, must be contented with two sorts of grafts, and not to plant them, but rather to graft them upon another Tree of the kind of the said grafts, binding them close together, and sharpening them very ●itly for the purpose at the lower end, in manner as if they were but one only graft.  
If you hollow the branch of a Cherrie-tree taking away the pith, 
Cherries without a stone.  and after set it again, it will bring forth fruit without any stone: or else thus better: cut off a young Cherrie-tree within a foot of the earth, cleaving it also even to the root, take out the pith both of the one side and of the other, afterward join them together again, and tie them close with a straight band, and a year after that this Cherrie-tree hath taken, grafted therein a graft of a Cherrie-tree which never bore fruit, and the fruit which cometh of such a graft, will be without any stone. Otherwise, cut off from such stone-fruit-tree as you desire, a graft which may be easily bended: sharpen it on the two ends, and graft it likewise on the two ends upon two parts of the Tree, make close the two grafted places with the moss of fat ground, and tie them carefully with a band: the year following, if you see that the two ends of the graft have taken some force and strength from the stock, putting forth some buds, than cut the graft asunder in the midst, and take clean from it the thickest sprig that it hath, and let the other grow, and it will bear in his due time fruit that hath no stone. The same will come to pass, if you propagate the ends of the smallest boughs of the young Cherrie-tree, plum-tree, or other stone-fruit-tree, and after that you see that they have taken root, if you cut off the thickest and fairest twig, and let alone the leanest and slenderest. The reason and cause of this is, for that the stone cannot grow, if the tree lack his pith, but in the tops and ends of little boughs there is no pith: therefore the fruit that cometh of them, whether they be planted or grafted after the manner that hath been said, will have no stone, even no more than that which groweth of trees whose pith is taken out.  
If in the vine, 
Laxative fruit● Fragrant fruit. Colour●dfruits. Fruits having the virtue of trea●le. Wine against the bivings of 〈◊〉.  figtree, cherrie-tree, or appletree, you cleave a branch which hath borne fruit, and take the pith out of it, putting in steed thereof some laxative or soluble thing, and binding it well and straight, you shall make the fruit laxative, according to the nature of that which you have put in: and if you put therein some sweet smell or pleasant colour, the fruits will smell of and show the same: and if you do this in a rose-tree, the effect will appear in the rose: and who so shall put ●●tacle or my thridate in the vine, wine made thereof will cure the bitings of serpents, and not the Wine only, but the grape, vinegar, branch, and ashes of the branch, will be good against all manner of biting of venomous beasts.  
To graft speedily, take a graft of one knot and writhe it, and take away the 〈◊〉 with the kno●, and after invest and deck up therewith some shoot that is of the like thickness with the graft, and it will take.  
To graft a Vine upon a Vine: 
To graft a vine upon a vine.  you must cleave it as you do other Trees, 〈…〉 to say, even to the very pith, and afterward putting the graft into the cleft, you must stop it up with Wax very well, and tie it about very close: but you 〈◊〉 observe, that it is no fit time to graft the vine, except it be in the month of Febr●●rie in warm places, and in March in cold places, and that when the Wineshed▪ death a kind of thick liquor, and not thin like water: the like may be done in May, and in the beginning of june, when the sap or juice of the 〈◊〉 is all fallen, but in the mean time, you must keep the grafts that you would graft in cold and shadowed places, that they may put forth buds and spring. See more hereof above.  
To have plums of divers sorts all the Summer time, 
Plums at 〈◊〉 times.  and unto November, graft divers sorts of plums upon the Gooseberrie. bush, reclayined Mulberrie-tree, or upon a Cherrie-tree.  
To make Medlars, 
Peaches cherry, and madlar●, eating like spice.  Cherries, and Peaches, that they may be aromatic in eating and smelling like spices, and that they may be kept until new come, graft them upon the reclaimed and well husbanded Mulberrie-tree, as I have told you, and in grafting of them, wet the grafts in Honey, and put therein a little of the powder of small Spice, as of Cloves, Nutmeg, and cinnamon, and the fruit will have a taste of them.  
To cause Medlars to grow without stones, 
Medlars without stones.  and withal to be sweet as honey, graft them on Eglantine, and in the grafting of them, wet them in honey. But to have 〈◊〉 in their greatness two months before ordinary, and that one may be better than twenty others, graft them in a reclaimed Mulberrie-tree or a Goose-berrie-bush, and at the grafting thereof wet the graft.  
To have Pears of Augusta, 
Pears of Augusta Pears of Parm● made to be 〈◊〉 ripe.  of Parma, or of S. Rieule, a month or two sooner ripe than others, graft them in a reclaimed Mulberrie-tree, and if you would that they should endure and keep good until new, graft them upon a quince-tree, that they may come late, and on a reclaimed mulberrie-tree for them to come 〈◊〉.  
To have reclaimed mulberries early ripe, 
To me mulberries early and late.  graft the mulberry on the peartree, chesnut-tree, or goose-berrie-tree: and to have the late ripe, as towards November, graft 
The time of grafting them.  them upon the medlar or quince-tree. They must always be grafted in the 〈◊〉 crease of the moon, and yet better three or four days before the first quaner, for how many days the moon is old when it is grafted, so many years will it be 〈◊〉 the Tree b●ing forth fruit, as we have touched before.  
To have nuts without shells, 
Nuts without shells.  you must take a keruell which is very found and not any whit hurt, and wrap it in wool or the leaves of a vine, or in planetree 〈◊〉, that it may not be eaten of Auts, set it thus enwrapped, and the nut-tree coming thereof will bring forth nuts without shells: the like may be done in alm●●d-trees, if you oftentimes put ashes unto the foot thereof, or unto the roots under the ground, and this also holdeth generally in all other fruits which have an outward shell if they be let in this order.  
To have great nuts, plums, and almonds, 
Nuts, plums, and great almonds.  take four stones of the foresaid fruits, and put them in a pot or other vessel full of earth, joining the one to the other as near as may be, and turning the pot and the bottom upward, make a hole in the said bottom, and the stones shall be constrained to put forth their sprout upon high through the said hole, and by this constraint the four sprou●s will join and incorporate themselves together in such sort, as that they will all make but one stock of a nut-tree, which according to his season will bear fairer nuts than any other trees of the same kind and nature. But for the more easier doing hereof, you must after the fruit is once shaped & fashioned, take away from the nut-tree, almond-tree, plam-tree, and such like, all the small and rascally sort of fruit which you shall find upon them, and so the juice of the Tree will give itself wholly to the remainder: which also by that means will be the better fed and nourished, as having bestowed upon them all the substance which was provided for the others that are taken away if they had not been gathered. Wherefore the case stands plain in the whole matter of nourishment, whether it be in things that have life, or those which are without life, that the starved or rascally sort doth come, by the juice his conversion and being turned unto the nourishing of other fruits which are greater: and it cannot be otherwise seeing the distributive virtue of the Trees being occupied about many, must needs have the less for every one, whereas when it hath but a few to feed, it dealeth the more bountifully.  
To cause an oak or other tree to continue green as well in Winter as in Summer, 
To keep an oak or other Tree green at all times.  graft it upon a Colewore stock.  
Write what you will in the eyelet of the figtree, 
Written Figs.  which you mean to graft, and the fig growing thereof will contain the said writing.  
The figtree will not lose his fruit 
That the Figtree loose 〈◊〉 his fruit.  if the stock be rubbed over with Mulberties; or if you cause it to be cast about with pits while the seven stars do appear, watering the foot with salt brine and water mingled together equally.  
The Cherrie-tree will bear a pleasant and sweet smelling fruit, 
The Cherrie-tree grafted upon a Pay tree.  and will not be subject unto the eatings of snails, caterpillars, and other small worms if it be grafted upon a bay-tree.  
The peartree that you will graft, 
The Peartree of sweet roses or musk 〈◊〉.  will bear a pear smelling like roses or musk if you cleave the graft which you mean to graft, and put into the cleft thereof a grain of musk, or a dried leaf of a sweet smelling rose, and so graft it. And the like may be done in other fruit Trees to have well perfumed and sweet smelling fruit: by this piece of cunning skill, Roses become to smell of musk, and the eyelets have the smell of cloves.  
It must stand for a general rule, that neither any graft after the blossom, as neither that which is laden with fruit, is to be grafted.  
If the white Poplar be grafted upon the Mulberrie-tree, 
White Mulberries.  it will bring forth white Mulberries.  
The Cherrie-tree will bear his fruit more early, 
Grap●s in the Spring.  and before his ordinary time, if you lay quick lime unto the roots: or if they be watered oft with warm water: some say likewise, that if you graft a black vine upon a Cherrie-tree, that then the vine will bear grapes in the Spring, the reason whereof we have set down in the beginning of this Chapter.  
Graft Citron-trees upon Pomegranate or Mulberrie-trees, and the fruit thereof will be of a red colour.  
If you would transform fruits from their natural shape, 
To fashion fruits after what shape that one will.  into some other diutrs and artificial shapes, put the said fruits when they begin to be some what big, betwixt two moulds of plaster or baked earth, within which there are portraiures of divers forts, cut and tie them sofely, for the fruits as it groweth will take the stamp and impression more and more: but in the mean time, you must convey air into the moulds at little holes: for else the fruit would rot within.  
The graft that is made upon the Alder-tree or Oak, bringeth forth a very strong Tree: but if it bear fruit, yet the fruit is of no savour or razed.  
To have Peaches or Almonds to grow with letters written upon them: 
Peaches or Almonds written upon.  after that you have eaten the Peaches or Almonds, steep the stone two or three days, afterward open it softly and take out the Almond, and with a brass pen or otherwise write upon the rind of the Almond, what you please, but do it not too deep, afterward put the Almond again into his stone, wrapping the said stone about with paper or parchment, and so plant it, and the fruit growing thereupon will be written and engraven.  
To make Peaches red: 
Red Peach●●.  seven days after you have set the Peach stone, take it out of the earth again, and within the opening of the shell put some Vermilion or Cinnabrium, and then set it again: It will fall out likewise after the same manner, if you graft the great Peach upon the red Rose-tree, or upon the Almond-tree, 〈◊〉 upon the red damask Plum-tree: you may also make the Peach of such other colour 
Peaches of one or other colour.  as you will, if according to the manner aforesaid, you put such colour as you would have it of within the shell of the kernel.  
To prevene that Peaches do not become withered and rotten, you must take away the bark of the stock of the Peach-tree, that so there may issue out from 〈◊〉 some small quantity of moisture, after you must draw the place over with m●tter, mixed with straw. Pierce the body of the Peach-tree below, and take away the pith, and fasten within it a stopple of Willow or Corneile-tree, and then you shall have Peaches without any stone. 
Peaches without stones.   
Pomegranat-trees will prove very fruitful, 
Fruitful pomegran●ts.  if you anoint the stock of the Tree with purcelaine and spurge stamped together.  
Of an Almond-tree that is hard and bitter, 
To make bitte● almonds sweet.  you shall make a soft and sweet, if you bore the stock even unto the roots which lie shallowest in the ground: and water them oft during certain days with warm water, before that it bloslome, and thus the Almonds that before were bitter will become sweet.  
To make good Muscadel: 
To make good Muscadel.  Take an iron wire and put it in the plant of a stock, which is cut with three eyes, using the means to have all the pith forth: after which fill up the said stock with Nurmegs, stopping it so therewithal that the water may not get in: and the roots that these three eyes shall bear will be Muscadel roots.  
That nut will have a ve. ie tender shell and a very thick kernel, 
Nuts with thin shells.  in whose foot, stock and roots there are put ashes.  
To cause a Nut-tree that beareth no leaves before Midsummer, 
A nut-tree bearing neither leaf nor fruit tiu Midsummer  upon Midsommers even to put forth both leaves and fruit together, and withal to have his fruit ripe and ready to care as soon as any other: fill a pot with green Nuts gathered the said Midsummer even, and make a hole in the bottom of the pot, that the water may run out, putting it after that upon the said Midsommers even into the earth. Plant the shoots that come of these, and you shall find the thing before spoken of.  
The grafting 
The grafting of Peaches.  which is performed to a graft upon a tree correspondent and 〈◊〉 to the nature of the graft, proveth of most beautiful growth, and most fruitful, and his fruit most durable: which falleth not out when this correspondency, synpadne and fellowship is wanting: and this is the cause why the Peach-tree though better being grafted in the plum-tree than elsewhere, and the Peare-plum-tree in the Almond-tree, and there continue a longer time.  
If the eyelet of the Peare-plum-tree, 
The grafting of the peaer-plum-tree.  and of the Almond-tree be grafted together, the kernel of the fruit which cometh thereof will be an Almond.  
The Plum-tree grafted upon the Almond-tree beareth a fruit like unto the Almond, 
Plums like to the almond.  and if it be grafted in the Nut-tree, the rind or husk will be like unto the nut husk or rind, but within it will be a plum. Again, if it be grafted upon a quince-tree, it will bring forth a fruit of a divers fashion, according to the nature thereof.  
Graft a Plum-tree graft or any other fruit trees grafted upon the figtree, and you shall have your fruit to grow without blossoming. 
Fruit without blossoms.   
Graft the grafts of an appletree upon a ●owre pear, and upon the Richardine appletree, and you shall have apples of a yel●●● or straw colour, 
Apples of a yellow colour.  and of the chesur-tree: & to have such as will last unto November, you must graft them upon a quinc●-tree, and other late trees, and so they will be for to keep two years.  
Take two grafts of appletrees, 
Apples of two 〈◊〉.  the one sour, and the other sweet, and join them close together when you shall graft them: the apple will razed both of the one and other favour, as we have said before.  
If any tree bring forth his fruit late, 
Late 〈…〉.  or if it be altogether barren and without fruit, and yet full of both leaf and wood: set in the midst of his main roots, 〈◊〉 else in the midst of his stock about Winter, a wedge of greene-wood, 〈…〉 year following it will bear fruit. The reason is, because by the means of 〈…〉, the sap and substance which wandered abroad and employed itself about the bearing of leaves and increase of wood, will draw in itself, and go a closer and nearer way to work, converting his service to the making of fruit.  
You shall have Cherries on many Trees which will be good to eat unto November, 
Cherries at all times.  if you graft the Cherrie-tree upon a reclaimed Mulberrie-tree, and upon a wild one.  
If you desire that the fruit of your grafts should increase in goodness, 
Sweet Medleys  and furpasse the taste of the common grafts as they are when they are grafted, you must first before you graft them, steep them in honey tempered with rosewater, so long as till they be thoroughly moistened, and then grafting them, draw them o●er afterward in steed of mortar with Virgins-wax, and other things fit to lute withal: if after this manner you graft Medlar-trees on Goose-berrie-bushes, and upon naturalised mulberrie-trees, and withal, in the grafting wet your graft in honey, you shall have a hastier or earlier and better fruit.  
Graft Chesnur and Calio●-peare-trees upon a Goose-berrie-bush, 
Fotward pears and late pears.  if you would have them to bear their fruit early: and upon the white thorn, for to bear it late, or else upon the sour peartree.  
To make apples red, 
Red apples.  you must water the tree with urine, or else plant Rosetrees near unto the Appletrees.  
Pears will have no stones, if at the first you pick away the stones and all other gravel from under them very carefully, 
Tears without stones.  making the ground where the Tree shall stand free thereof, and withal lay upon it at the roots being planted good store of ●i●ted earth, watering it afterward very diligently: but and if the peartree be already grown up, and become a perfect Tree, you must lay it open to the lowest roots, taking away all the stones and gravel that is underneath, and about it, and casting in the earth again which you cast forth abroad, but after that it hath been ●i●ted, and some dung put unto it, seeing that it be watered, after you have so cast in your earth.  
The pomegranate will become very red, 
Red 〈◊〉  if you water the pomegranat-tree with water and lee mingled together.  
The sour pomegranate will become sweet, 
Sweet pomegranate.  if you lay about the root of the pomegranat-tree the dung of swine, and water it with man's urine.  
Graft the graft of the Peach-tree upon the Quince-tree, 
Peaches and quinc●s together.  you shall have Peaches and Quinces together: likewise if you graft upon the Peach-tree, the graft of the Quince-tree.  
The graft of an Almond-tree grafted upon a Peach-tree, 
Peaches and almonds together.  or that of the Peach-tree grafted upon an Almond-tree, causeth the one tree or the other to bring forth ●oth Peaches and Almonds, whose rind and kernel also will be good to eat.  
To have a pippin or kernel to bring forth a fair fruit and timelier than any other grafted upon the same stock, 
To have 〈◊〉 fruit of a pippin or kernel.  take the branches of the Peartree or Appletree, and 〈◊〉 the lower end make little holes, but not clean through, and not within a hand-●redth one of another: they must be one right over against another, and have a grain 〈◊〉 two of ●alt put into them, and hereupon the branch laid in the earth with a few ●ats, cutting oft the end as is used to be done with grafts when they are grafted. If hereupon the branch take and wax green, it will bear a fairer and timelier fruit than ●ny other of that kind.  
To have red Apples, 
Red apples.  you must plant Rosetrees or Mulberrie-trees near unto the Appletrees. Or else set some stake in the earth near unto the Appletree, and there ●eere at hand set a vessel full of water, whereupon the Southern Sun beams may ●li●estly beat in such sort, as that the vapour which shall rise from the water may beat ●gainst the fruit: or else uncover the Appletree at the foot in the Spring time, and ●ater them sundry times with urine: coveting them again above ten or twelve days ●fter, and watering them with urine betwixt times.  
To make apples sweet, 
Sweet apples!  you must water the roots of the appletree with man's urine, ●herein hath been dissolved goats dung, and the lees of old wine.  
To have great cherries, 
Great cherries. A fruitful appletree.  you must often break the cherrie-tree.  
To have great quantity of apples, you must compass the stock of the appletree the height of a foot above the earth, with a plate of lead taken from the pipe of asp●●●, and when the appletree beginneth to blossom, you must take away this band of lead. This banding may be renewed every year, to make the appletree fruitful: the like course also may be taken with the peartree.  
To make a tree to bear grapes together with the fruit of his own kind▪ 
A tree bearing grapes and his wont natural fruit  Put the stock of a vine in the foot, and boring the tree clean through with a wimble, you shall at this hole put through the vine stock, in such ●ore as that there may be two joints remaining within the stock, and so much o● your vine stock at remaineth within the stock of the tree must be peeled, and the bark taken away, that so the substance of the tree and of the vine stock may more easily grow together 〈◊〉 this, you shall stop the holes of the said boar very close, both of the one side and of the other, to prevent all danger of water getting in, and at the end of three years, cut off the vine stock behind, thus your tree will bear grapes, and his own natural fruit, and both they will grow from the same trunk or body.  
Graft the graft of an appletree upon a peach-tree, 
Peaches.  and likewise the graft of a peach-tree upon a peartree; and on the contrary, and you shall have a strange fru●● called peach-apples, and peach-peares. And thus likewise standeth the case, if you graft (as hath been said) the graft of a peartree.   

CHAP. XIX.  
Of the time of planting and manner of transplanting of grafted trees, both great and small.  
SOme say, 
The 〈◊〉 time of plant.  that it is best to plant in the Spring Equinoctial (which is the time about the twelfth of March) because that trees at than time, 〈◊〉 root, and bud more readily, and put forth the sooner, especially 〈◊〉 places. The greatest part of this our country of France, 〈…〉 transplant trees before and after the four and twentieth of December, at which 〈◊〉 we see here in the city of Paris every Wednesday and Saturday great sale of 〈◊〉 sorts of trees: and yet in my judgement this is not the best time to plant and ●●●●plant, because that trees would not be washed nor wet about their fee●, in such 〈◊〉 as they are planted: but for the time before and after the four and 〈◊〉 of November (which is called the dead month) it doth nothing but rain for the 〈◊〉 part, as we have observed for this ten years space: and although this 〈◊〉 were cold, as some commonly report that for three weeks before this day, and thr●● weeks after, great cold do rule and reigns then if the cold be so great, how should it be but that the roots of the Trees transplanted, as also other plants should 〈◊〉, especially the earth being newly stirred, as is most evidently app●●●● in 〈◊〉. But the best time to transplant Trees, 〈…〉 autumn, because that in 〈◊〉 there is as it were a shadow of Summer, S. martin's▪ Summer, and in this time 〈◊〉 ●●●meth as though Trees would make a new Spring, as the blossoming of some Trees the same time doth seem oftentimes to persuade, and for that in this 〈◊〉 Trees 〈◊〉 root much better than in Winter, in which time there is nothing almost 〈◊〉. And if the case so stand as that it is fit for to plant great thick Trees, the 〈◊〉 must be made six months before, and that▪ because the earth should thereby be corrected, and as it were renewed by the ayte and hear, as husband 〈…〉 workmen know very well which turn their grounds before Winter, and all the time thereof let them lie thus tilled, then by a far stronger reason, you 〈…〉 it is much better to plant● trees 〈◊〉 Autum●●e than in Winter. But howso●●● it be, when you plant any thing in 〈◊〉, it must be done some five days before the end of August: and in high and dry places men plant at all times and seasons. It is good to sow or set the first day of the first quarter of the Moon: but the 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 17, and 18, it is not good. If you plant in the decrease of the Moon, the tree will yield the more profit, and fruit will grow the sooner thereupon; and by how much your planting falleth to be nearer unto the end and going out of the Moon, by so much the tree will be of a more beautiful growth, and becoming more fertile and fruitful: but and if you plant in the increasing and new Moon, indeed your trees will take better, and become more durable and lasting: they will spread in root, and wood, and leaves, but they will give over so much the more to bear fruit. If constrained by some necessity, you plant in the new of the Moon, than it will be best for you to break off the shoots that they shall thereupon put forth about the later end of the Moon, and then they will bear their fruits as others do. Notwithstanding, this limiting and bounding of the time of the Moon is not of such warrantise, but that the tree may be as profitable at all other times of the Moon, as well as either then, or else in the increase and new of the Moon.  
Some plant in januarie the plants that have the shank or foot of their shoots ●ut by as, as also the plant that is set of stones, and in a well tempered place: but in a warm place, men are wont to plant in the months of October, November, and December.  
Trees that have a gross thick root, are planted in October, November, and December: but the shoots or little branches are planted in March, when they are in sap.  
Trees that have a great pith, as Figge-trees, naturalised Mulberrie-trees, hazel, and such like, are planted without any root, from after mid September unto the beginning of November: but other trees which you would plant with roots, must be planted about the beginning of December, or very shortly after.  
Gross trees are transplanted from one place into another in the month of November, 
Gross or thick trees.  and they must be freed from Snails, and lopped and cropped before they be transplanted, for so they take the better, and put forth their sciences very powerfully: and if in taking of them up, or transporting of them, it happen that the bark of their roots be broken, you must draw the peeled and uncovered place over with good dung or earth, before that you put it into the ground again, and stir up the earth very well round about where you intent to let them down again, to the end that their roots may spread and seat themselves to their good contentment, without being pinched or straitened.  
Some do remove from after the beginning of November until March, when the trees begin to enter into their sap; for the sap once drawing up aloft, doth forbid all removing of the tree: and therefore, in such case, the sooner the better, that is so say, if presently after the leaves be fallen, which is in the beginning of Winter, you go about it; but in watery places it is good to stay till januarie and February: but nothing must be done this way when it raineth, or when the earth is wet; for it would so harden upon the drying, as that the roots would be oppressed and choked.  
The young grafts which you have grafted in the stocke-Nurcerie, 
〈◊〉 grafts,  or elsewhere, must be removed as soon as the grafts shall have closed up the cleft of the plant, as some are of opinion: but yet this is hazarded ware, the graft having not as yet taken almost any disposition or good liking of the sap of the plant, which being thus again removed, it half astonished and put out of the high way of his wellpleasing nourishment, and so beginneth to wither when it cometh to take a cast of his new dishes and provision: but and if you stay till the graft have put forth a fair branch, before you remove the graft, you shall shun the danger that might otherwise ensue.  
You must plant your trees again as soon as you have taken them up, 
To 〈◊〉 trees.  if no other weighty matter let you: but if you be put off from doing it, either because it is brought you from far, or upon some other occasion, you must, so soon as they be taken up, cover their roots with the earth from whence they were taken, new leaves, and slraw, that so the rain may not wash them, and make them afterward to 〈◊〉 when they become dry again; and to the end also, that the air and breath 〈◊〉 of the wind or of the Sun, or yet of the Moon, may not dry them and 〈◊〉 the moisture, which keepeth their roots in good hearr, and fit to grow, 〈…〉 things being very hurtful, but the rain the wor●e of the two.  
Sour Cherrie-trees cannot abide to be removed: for being transplanted, they will hardly put forth any sciences, especially if they have their chief and principal root maimed.  
Before you remove great trees, you must lop off their boughs very diligeraly, at hath been said: but as for little ones, you need not crop them, to take off 〈◊〉 of their heads, neither yet to take any of their boughs from them, if they have 〈◊〉 too bushy a head: If you desire to know a reason wherefore, it is thus▪ If you 〈◊〉 the head and tops upon trees when they are grown somewhat great and thick, they will still be lending of their sap upward, not looking to the feeding of the roots, for that the air attracteth the nourishment of plants: as may easily be proved by example, when there groweth any small tree under one that is very great, for there the small tree will not thrive so well as if it were abroad in the air, and 〈◊〉 under the shadow; and so that which hath his head cut off, will take root sooner than and if it were whole and untouched. But if the tree which you remove, exceed not the thickness of a great inch, you shall let it remain whole because young plants take root more easily than those which are old, and the reason is openly known.  
If the roots of the trees which you would remove, be much longer than is needful, you may take off the ends thereof in setting them down again, and that so much as may fit best for the hole wherein you mean to set them, for so by this mean they will not be stopped up of the sides of the hole, but will amast and draw moisture out of the earth for the nourishment of the tree a great deal more abundantly.  
When you remove any tree, you must lay his roots round about with 〈◊〉 earth, and take heed, that the weedy earth which you have digged or cut away 〈…〉 pit whither you mean to remove it, do not fall in amongst the roots, for it would put them in danger to be overheated: or else, that they growing up again, might diminish the nourishment of the tree. If it happen, that the earth which you 〈◊〉 taken out of the pit be full of worms, which might hurt the roots, than 〈◊〉 therewith some lee and ashes. When the roots have taken foot, trample down the ground as hard as may be, or else beat it with a Paviers beetle, watering it afterward if it be dry, or else not.   

CHAP. XX.  
Of the place and soil for Trees in general.  
THe principal point in growing of Trees, is to provide them of 〈◊〉 air and earth, because that these do cheer and season the●, and are the proper subject of their nourishment. And as concerning the earth, that is recommended into us, as to be had in regard and looked unto more than any thing else, as that it be such as is very murlie, temperate in cold and heat, and of a mean and middle sort of moisture and fatness, for such ground as exceedeth in any one of these things, is not so fit for any Fruit-tree. This is a rule to stand general in and for all Fruit-trees: but as for particular kinds of Trees, it is very well known, that every particular Tree craveth his several 〈◊〉 particular soil, whence it may gather fit and agreeable nourishment for it 〈◊〉, as Theophrastus testifieth. In like manner, one desireth a divers kind of placing and situation from the other. Wherefore the trees which crave the refreshment of having their stocks taken up, do commonly thrive better in valleys than in high places, as well for that their seat must not be altogether so drained of moisture as the higher places be, as also for that the moisture which is in higher grounds conveyeth itself and distilleth into the lower and hollow, whether it be rain or any spring rising from thence.  
In watery places you must not make your pit very deep, wherein you mean to plant your tree; but in dry grounds you must set them somewhat more deep: nei●her yet must you heap too much earth in upon those pits when you fill them up again, that so the rain may the better stay about them and water them.  
That which is commonly received, as that in good ground there grow good fruits, must be understood with respect had to the natural goodness that the fruit hath in 〈◊〉 self, if both the industry and skill of man to husband and keep it neat, and delisser it when any inconvenience presseth upon it, to dry and to season it so as that it may yield his fruit in due time, be not wanting▪ for these failing, the fruit will likewise greatly fail of his goodness, taste, and durableness, and so will falsify the general rule above named.  
Set down with yourself, to remove your trees into so good a ground, or rather better, than that from whence you took them up, having respect to other especial observations beside to be observed, according as will be required of the particular natures of every one. And if it is be possible, remove them into the like situation for the receiving of the Sunshine, unto they which they were first set and planted in: and that you may not fail hereof, mark their bark upon such or such a quarter, and set 〈◊〉 upon the same again in removing of it. But this observation (as I must confess) is not always kept, for the reasons above named.  
Also plant those of a forward Spring in a late soil, and a late soil in a hot ●round.  
The greatest part of trees do delight in the South Sun, and to be seated upon ●ome Sunny bank, from the Western wind, as being very contrary unto them, especially to Almond-trees, Abricot-trees, Mulberrie-trees, Figge-trees, and Pome●ranate-trees, but principally from the northeast wind, because it is sharp & swith●●ing, very hurtful for all sorts of plants, even to all fruits, of what quality soever that ●hey be, but chiefly when they are in blossom, and that because it bloweth from off ●he Sea, as also for that it is half North, which is very sharp, but not so dangerous 〈◊〉 the northeast: and some say, that this wind bloweth once a year, as in the Spring, ●nd that it spoileth buds, especially those of the Vine: unde versus; Vae tibi Galerna, ●re quam fit clausa Taberna. On the contrary, Chestnut-trees, Cherrie-trees that bear 〈◊〉 sour fruit, Quince-trees, and Plum-trees, do not much affect or sport and delight themselves either with cold or much heat.  
In watery places trees commonly grow great, and bear much fruit and leaves, but ●hey are not of any commendable relish, colour, or durableness: yea, they bear ●ruit commonly the year they are set, if they be accustomed to bear. Trees must be ●et the thicker in a fruitful soil.  
If you mean to plant trees in a cold place, and that yet the tree should not be hurt of the cold, you must plant them on the Sunny side of the bank, from the North, ●ut towards the South.   

CHAP. XXI.  
Of the place and time wherein every Fruit-tree delighteth to be sown, planted, and grafted in particular: and first of the Almond-tree.  
THe Almond-tree 
The Almond-tree.  delighteth in hot places, looking towards the South or East, or where the air at the least is moderate; as upon the tops of hills, or places near unto hills, that are somewhat stony and gravely, stony or marlie: in which places it doth not only flourish well, being planted, and blossom abundantly, but beareth therewithal great quantity of dry Almonds, as also hard and well-rellisht ones. But chose, if it be planted in a moist and watery ground, and cold place, it neither groweth well, not beareth fruit well, neither yet continueth long. The fit time for the setting of it, is about the Winter Solstice, which is the eleventh day of December, even unto the end of the same month, or somewhat after: for the plant of this tree being forward and early in putting forth buds, if it were planted in the Spring time, it might let slip and loosen the time of the year, which might be the fittest for the maintaining and comforting of his blossom. If you would have it to grow of the stone unbroken, and if I may so say, of his seed, you must let it be in januarie and all February, in such places as are temperate, or in October and all the month of November in places that are hat. And thus to cause it to grow of his fruit, you must take new Almonds, thick ones, having white shells, very porous and spongy, and lay them in steep for the space of twelve hours in honeyed water, and after this dig them in the earth four finger deep, the sharp end downward, and after to water them three of four times a month. It groweth also of shoots and sciences, but the sience must be taken from the top of the tree, full of pith, sound of bark, and cut under the knot. And as concerning the grafting of it, you must take the time of Autumn, for (as hath been said) this tree is a quick-spur and fore-rider: but and if you stay till the Spring time, you shall break it off when the sience is fully put forth. And for the choosing of graf●s that will take well, you must take them up on high, and on the top of the tree, and not from the midst, much less from below; and these grafts you may graft either in the bud, or in the cleft, and upon a tree of his own kind, or upon the peach or Plum-tree: indeed the Almond-tree that is grafted, is not of such growth, or so ●●●●full, as that which is planted.  
The good Farmer must plant and make grow great store of Almond-trees, 
The profitable Almond-tree.  seeing they are not chargeable to maintain, neither yet their fruit to keep, but rather of greater profit and lesser loss than any other, seeing that even under them Come will grow jolly and fair, the Almond-tree having but a few leaves, and those little ones.  
The barren Almond-tree 
The barren Almond-tree.  will become fruitful, and bear, if you lay open the roots in Winter: or else if you pierce some part of the stock close by the earth, and put through the hole a wedge of Oak, watering it about with man's urine.  
You shall make bitter Almonds sweet, 
Sweet Almonds.  if you lay round about the roots of the Almond-tree Swine's dung, and Urine, casting much earth upon it afterward, and this yearly: or if you bore a hole in the stock of the tree, and put therein a wedge dipe in honey: or if (as Pliny and Theophrastus say) you bore the stock through and through below, and let the sap run out.  
Of sweet Almonds you may make sour ones, 
Bitter Almonds.  if you let the beasts browse and crop off the first and tender branches.  
The Almond-tree will be free from all annoyance of fogs, if so be there be sm●ll gravel laid unto the roots before it blossom, and when it shall begin to blossom, then to take it away.  
You may have written Almonds, 
Almonds within printed letters.  if you break the shell of an Almond very finely, without doing any harm to the kernel, whereupon having written what you think good, wrap up the shell and kernel in paper, and so set it well covered with dirt and Swine's dung.  
Almonds are gathered 
The gathering of Almonds.  when their husks gape through the force of the Sun: and having beat them down, if you shell them altogether, and wash them in salt brine, they will become white, and will keep a long time, provided that before you lay them up to keep, you dry them in the Sun. Their husks will be easily taken off from them, if you spread them upon straw.  
The place to keep them well, 
The place to keep them in.  must be dry, whether it be Coffer, Presses, or Garner: and if the number be great that you would keep, you must see that the place have good store of air, and be lying open to the North wind.  
The bitter Almonds have power to resist drunkenness, 
Drunkenness.  as Plutarch witnesseth, of a certain Physician, which did use to drink out all comers, and not be drunken himself, and that by eating five or six bitter Almonds before he did drink: but they kill Hens and Chickens if they eat them. The bitter Almond bruised and rubbed or laid to the brows and temples, do appease the headache, and procure s●eepe, especially if you put unto it water of Vervain.  
The use of sweet Almonds is good for them which are troubled with clammy phlegm in their throat, 
Diseased 〈◊〉.  or which have weak lungs, and are subject to the gravel in the reins, or difficulty of urine, as also to restore nature's force, and to make men apt to venery. The gum of the Almond-tree doth quickly stay the spitting of blood: yea, the daily use sufficiently showeth how profitable this fruit is, for it serveth all the year long for the making of Almond milk, Pottage, Pennets, Marchpanes, and other such dainty devices.   

CHAP. XXII.  
Of the Peach-tree, Abricot-tree, Spanish Peach-tree, Peach-Plum-tree, bastard Peach-tree, and the small Peach-tree.  
PEach-trees are planted of their stone, setting it two fingers within the ground, and the small end thereof upward: it delighteth in sandy places, in dry places, and where the Sun hath his full force; but in cold, moist, and windy places it dieth presently, if it be not defended from ●he said inconveniences. You must set the stone with the sharp end turned into the ●round, and when it is in the earth, dig it, battle, and stir up the earth about it at ●he foot, at the least thrice a year: you must allow it dung, a fat soil, and a small ●ould, and that a little before Winter come, and especially Swine's dung, which ma●eth it to grow more thick than any other sort of dung or batling; by this means ●ou shall have good Peaches, thick ones, and fleshy. You must likewise weed them ●ft: after, when it is two years old, you must remove it, and lay it along in his pit, ●uen after the manner that they use Vines, letting one only bough stand out of the ●arth, which may grow to serve for the stock and body, and thus it will continue ●ong by reason of the great number of roots which it will have both to stay it as a foundation, and to feed it: but you must cut off the longest branch, and that which 〈◊〉 the straightest of all the other, which is the thing that would be diligently practised ●pon all fruit trees, because that it is the thing which keepeth them from bearing ●ore and abundance of fruit. It is not to be grafted out of itself, if you will have it excellent: howbeit, to make it last the longer (in as much as it soon waxeth old) it is ●ood to graft it upon a bitter Almond-tree, damask Prune-tree, or Quince-tree, but 〈◊〉 otherwise than scutcheon or flu●e-like.  
It must be watered at evenings in hot weather, with cool water, and sometimes with water mingled with the lees of wine, especially when it withereth and beginneth to fall away: as also to remedy it when it is in danger of fainting and drying, you must lop it and cut away all the boughs, as is wont to be done with Willows when they are headed; for by that means they become lusty and frolic, and to have as many boughs as they had before. It must also be s●ayed upon some Pole or Willow, because his roots be very tender, small, and not creeping far into the earth: likewise we see that the Peach-tree doth grow old and fall away incontinently.  
It beareth a divers fruit, as well in colour and taste, as in substance, and this diversity cometh, for the most part, of the ground, but principally of the husbanding of them. And that it is thus, the Peach-trees that are planted or grafted upon Vines, bring forth Peaches of a better taste and more solid substance: the Peach-tree grafted upon a Mulberrie-tree, bringeth forth Peaches that have red flesh: the Peach-tree grafted upon a Nut-tree, doth bear Peaches with husks like Nuts, whose tree is but small, and hath leaves like unto the Almond-tree, and a reddish flower. It is true, that such a tree may become such a one of itself, as we see infinitely in France. The Peach-tree grafted upon an Almond-tree, beareth Peaches which have a kernel like unto the Almond, but the rind and the flesh like unto the Peach.  
There may as much be said of Apricots, 
The Abricot-tree.  called of the Latins Praeocia, or Armeniaca; of Spanish Peaches, Medlar-tree, bastard Peach-tree, and small Peaches, which are kinds of trees agreeing much with the Peach, all which are very tender in frost, especially the grafted Abricot-tree, and it continueth not past half the time of the Peach-tree: all of them are subject to be spoiled of the cold, snows, frosts, and fogs, which happen after that they are blossomed: but to keep them from these dangers, it will be good to graft them upon the Quince-tree or Almond-tree: all of them will bear great fruit, if when they blossom they be watered with Goat's milk. Concerning the particular virtues of the Peach-tree, see more above in the nineteen●● Chapter of this Book.  
The flowers of the Peach-tree are excellent good against melancholy and the worms, 
Melancholy. Worms.  if you make syrups thereof of seven or eight infusions to be taken fasting. The gum of the Peach-tree is taken with good success in the spitting of blood with the water of Plantain or Purcelane: for the cough and difficulty of breathing▪ with Hydromel, or the decoction of Folefoot: for the gravel and stone with the 〈◊〉 of Radishes, Citrons, or white Wine, the weight of two drams. The leaves stamped and applied unto the belly, do kill worms: the juice thereof dropped into the 〈◊〉, doth the like: the kernels eaten, take away the wring of the belly: eaten to the number of six or seven in the beginning of meat, they prevent drunkenness: 〈◊〉 and boiled in vinegar to the form of a broth, and after rubbed in place convenient, they hinder the falling of the hair: stamped and made in form of milk with the water of Vervain, and ●ubd about the brows and temples, they cease the headache: the oil made by expression ceaseth the pains of the ears; and 〈◊〉, the Colic and Sciatica.  
He that hath regard of his health, must not use these fruits but as sparingly as he can possibly, and fasting rather than otherwise, because they corrupt easily in the stomach: but above all things, they may not be eaten dipped or steeped in wine▪ because wine correcteth them not, as some think, but rather causeth that their 〈◊〉 pierceth the more suddenly and easily into the veins. The Peaches of Corbeil●●● counted for the best, having a dry and solid pulp, and somewhat red, not sticking or cleaving any thing unto the kernel. The Romans made great accounted of the Peaches which they called Persica Duracina, 
Spanish Peaches.  as do also the Britons: The least dangerous, least subject to be corrupted, and most pleasant, are the Apricots; which also some have left out of the number of the kinds of Peaches, and placed amongst the Plums, as well because of their pleasant smell, as for their harmlessness, and 〈◊〉 both within and without they do rather resemble the Plum than the Peach. The oil pressed out of their kernel, is marvelous good against the Hem●●●● 〈◊〉 and swelling of ulcers, and is also used as a remedy against the impediments of the speech, and pain of the ears.   

CHAP. XXIII.  
Of the small Nut-tree or Hasel-tree.  
THe Hasel-tree (which is called the small Nut-tree of the small fruit which it beareth, or the Filbert-tree, of the great fruit that it beareth) groweth in any air or ground: but it best delighteth in a lean ground, that is sandy and moist, near unto waters, or in places that men use to water, because this helpeth them as well in the bringing forth of their fruit in great store, as for to make them endure long: add hereto, that they put forth and spring in such sort at the root, as that thereof one may set as many as he will in other places. When they are sown, they must be put two fingers under ground: but indeed they grow better of a plant that hath root, or of a shoot cut by as, and having old and new wood, as we have already declared in the sixth chapter. They are planted in October and November, in a warm and temperate place, or in February and March: and it is better to leave upon them some boughs when they are set, than to set them of one single rod, for so they bear the more fruit. They must yearly be digged anew at the Spring, near unto the foot, and round about, and their shoots all cut away, without leaking any standing, save three or four for to plant and make thick bushy shadow, and the same very neat and clean for height, not leaving any branch or bough after three or four fathom from the top. Wherefore, if they be oft lopped, picked, and pruned, they will grow the more straight, compact, and high, and will bear better and fairer fruit: but otherwise, if a man neglect them, they run out all their nourishment into wood and leaves, without fruit: Their fruit is called the small Nut or filbert. The filbert of hot Countries (where such trees are called Filberd-trees) is more round and fleshy than the French small Nut, and it is a fruit very easily dried and made yellow. But and if you would keep it fresh and white almost all the year long, shut it up close in an earthen pot, and set them in the earth; and when it is thus kept, it bringeth not so much annoyance with it as otherwise it would, for it naturally procureth drowsy headache and inflammation of the stomach. I know not by what observation of our ancestors this speech hath grown common amongst the people, That the year which yieldeth plenty of Nuts, doth also yield many marriages. Both the little Nut-tree, as also his fruit, have a certain contrary virtue against venomous beasts; for if you hang a cluster of small Nuts in any part of the house, no Scorpion or venomous beast will enter thereinto, but sly away presently. The Country people have likewise marked in all ages, that the Serpent, Lizard, or other venomous beast, dieth presently, having been stricken with a branch, staff, or rod of the Hasel-tree. And it is no marvel, seeing Nut kernels eaten with Figs and Rue do resist venom and the biting of venomous beasts. The best small Nuts and filberts and those which have red shells, and which are hardly broken. The raw shell finely powdered, and drunk with water of Carduus Benedictus, doth heal the pleurisy in the beginning thereof: being drunk to the quantity of two drams with red wine, it stayeth the flux of the belly, and the whites. It is true, that for the flux of the belly, and whites, ●he red part of the kernel which sticketh unto the shell within is a great deal better and more forcible. The filbert nourisheth a great deal better than the Nut, as being ● closer but not so fat a substance.   

CHAP. XXIIII.  
Of the Cherrie-tree, sweet Cherrie-tree, bitter Cherrie-tree, and the hart Cherrie-tree.  
IT is apparent, that common Cherrie-trees, sweet Cherrie-trees, bitter Cherrie-trees, and hart Cherrie-trees, are sorts of trees agreeing in many things, for they all delight to grow in a cold and moist ground, or else altogether indifferent, betwixt hot and cold; for a hot air they 〈◊〉 hardly endure: and so likewise they refuse to have any dung, because it over-heatech them, and is contrary unto them: and for this cause they must never be planted in a manured ground. Notwithstanding, if you so temper the dung, as that it may not be overhot for them, it cannot ●urt them to be dunged, no more than (as we will show by and by) to have unquenched 〈◊〉 laid to their feet, to has●en their fruit: but this is true, that if you dung them yearly, that then you shall not have them of any lo●g continuance. They delight rather to have their roots compassed with small branches, and the broken parts of their own sciences, or small lumps and gobbets cut from their own small branches, for in these they greatly rejoice and profit mightily, ●●uing them in stead of dung. You may either dig the kernel into the ground, and bury it, or else plant of the sciences near the tops of hills and mountains, whether 〈◊〉 be in a high or low place, in October, November, December, and januarie. You may graft them in November, or (according to Palladius) from the twelfth day of December unto the first of February. The best is to graft them in February and in March: albeit that it be the best cutting of all trees that yield gum, when the gum is not yet rising, or after it is quite gone down and returned from whence it rise. Lastly, Cherrie-trees never thrive so well, being nothing done unto but planted, as when they are gra●●ed: they delight to have their dried branches often weeded out from themselves, and the sciences growing at their foot: they delight also to be set in hole● and pits that are digged and cast, and to be often digged about. And if you would haste● and cause them to bring forth their fruit sooner, you must lay Quick lime to the foot of them, or else water their roots often with warm water; but then such fruit is 〈◊〉 altered and made worse, retaining but little of his naturally goodness: even as 〈◊〉 will prove and find by the hasty Cherries which the inhabitants of Poictiou send 〈◊〉 upon horseback.  
They may be grafted upon the Plum-tree and Corneile-tree, but best upon one of their own kind: in such sort, as that sweet Cherrie-trees being grafted upon 〈◊〉 Cherrie-trees, do bear a more soft Cherry than those are which grow upon sweet Cherrie-trees, grafted into sweet Cherrie-trees. Cherries grow fairest upon small Cherrie-trees, and more plentifully also than they do upon high and tall ones▪ Wherefore, who so shall graft the small Cherrie-tree upon the great, shall procure greater store of fruit, and more thick ones, such as are the wild Cherries, and also 〈◊〉 have more store of great boughs, than those trees have which do but as it were 〈◊〉 on the earth. In like manner, if when you graft them, you set the bud and the 〈◊〉 of the graft below, the boughs that grow forth thereupon will fall out after 〈◊〉 like manner.  
The Coeurs and Agriots may be grafted upon the common sweet Cherrie-tree, but better upon wild ones than upon garden ones. We must therefore acknowledge eight sorts of Cherries growing upon Cherrie-trees: that is to say, those which are properly Cherries, having a very short stalk & round apple, being also red, fleshing full of juice, sharp, and having a sweet kernel: wild Cherries, which have but a little flesh on them, but are red also on that side toward the Sun, and white on the other side, the stone clea●ing to the flesh: black Cherries, whose juice is so black, as that it coloureth the hands and lips: bitter Cherries, which are somewhat of a bitter taste, whereof they have their name: Guyens Cherries, so called, because their first original was in Guyenne; they are long ones, and many hanging together at one stalk; they are also very sweet: Piugarres, and these are gross thick ones, white, having a hard flesh, but sweet, and cleaving unto the kernel: Coeurs, which are like unto a man's heart, as well without as within their kernall, some do call these Cherries Heaumes, and the Cherrytree Heaumier, especially in the Country of Anjou: Agri●ts, which are ripe last of all, are sharp relished, and endure carriage far off, and they are also the same which are wont to be preserved.  
Of the special properties and virtues of the Cherry and Cherrytree, see the nine●●enth chapter of this Book, wherein is declared how the Cherry may be made to grow without any stone. If the Cherrytree be hurt of Pis●●ires, you must rub his stock with the juice of Purcelane: if it be too full of sap, you must make a hole in the principal root.  
Cherries how fair soever they be, yet they are of small nourishment, beget ●uill humours in the stomach, and worms in the body, and such are those especially which ●re called Coeurs. The sharp sweet Cherries are very delicate, fit to preserve with Sugar, as well for such as are found, as for them which are sick. The bitter Cherries ●re good raw, but better dry, and in sauces, pastes, and tart stuff. The sweet Cherries are chiefly commended, in that they make the body soluble, as the sharp or ●ager ones do bind it, cool it, and temper the heat of choler. The gum of Cherrytree drunk with white wine doth break the stone as well of the reins as of the ●ladder. The water of Cherries newly gathered being distilled with a gentle fire, and taken at the mouth in the quantity of half an ounce, doth put off the fit of the ●alling sickness; a thing very happily and with good success tried in many, as Manardus assureth us.   

CHAP. XXV.  
Of the Quince-tree.  
ALl Quince-trees, as well that of the Garden as the wild one, and of the Garden ones, as well the male as the female, desireth a cold ground, and especially that which is moist withal; notwithstanding that we have seen them as well to grow in the places lying open to the Sun, as at Con●lans, a place belonging to Monsieur de Ville-roy, near unto Paris, but yet indeed not far off from a River: and this kind of tree doth so much crave to have the company of moisture, as that if the time fall out dry, the necessity thereof must be supplied by watering of it: and if for want of moist and waterish ground, it be set 〈◊〉 a dry ground, or in a stony or clayey ground, it must then also be often refreshed with water, and must also be under-digged and laboured about the foot, that so the ●●●et of the night may pierce and sink down unto the roots, that so it may bring ●orth good fruit and good store thereof. When it is planted of roots, it growleth so well, as that the second year it beareth fruit: but it beareth not so soon, when it is planted of branches. It would be planted during the increase of the Moon, in the months of February or November. This tree is very commonly used to graft other trees upon, because they being grafted thereupon, do continue and endure longer, and bear a more delicate fruit, than if they were grafted upon trees of their own kind. The best time for the gathering of this fruit, is in the month of October, when that blasting comes, and it groweth to be of a golden colour, for this is a sign that it is ripe; and this must be in clear and fair weather, and in the decrease of the Moon: and then you must cleanse it from the mossy hoariness that is upon it, and lay them out orderly in the Sun upon hurdles.  
If the Quince-tree make any show of being sick, 
Quinces of divers colours.  you must water it with the ●●●lings of oil, mingled with equal quantity of water, or else with Quick lime and Fuller's clay tempered together with water. You may make Quinces of what fashi●● you will, if you teach them to grow in moulds of wood or baked earth. As co●●●●ning the means to keep them, we shall speak of that hereafter.  
The garden and reclaimed Quince-tree beareth two sorts of fruits, the 〈…〉 male, which is called the Quince Apple, the other the female, which is called the Quincesse, thus differing: the male is less, more writhled and wrinkled, drier, of a sweeter smell and of a more golden colour than the Quincesse: the wild Quince is very odoriferous, but of a very hard flesh. If you graft a male Quince-tree upon a female, or the female upon the male, you shall have tender Quinces, and 〈◊〉 as may be eaten raw, whereas the other are not fit to be eaten before they 〈◊〉 prepared.  
The smell of Quinces is contrary unto venom and poison: 
Venom.  also the Quin●● 〈◊〉 self doth comfort the stomach, stay the flux of the belly, and make men to 〈…〉 sweet breath. For which reason, wise Solon (as saith Plutarch) did 〈…〉 only the betrothed, but also the married women, that they should never lie 〈◊〉 their husbands, but that they should first eat of the flesh of a Quince. And yet notwithstanding, the woman with child, when she draweth near the time of her deliverance, may not use Quinces, although that in using of them in the time of her being with child, they will be some means of her bringing forth of a fair babe, So●● make a confection of Quinces, called Marmalade, which is very sovereign against the flux of the belly, 
The flux of the belly.  which is prepared and made in manner as we will show in the five and fortieth chapter; according unto which pattern, we may make a laxat●●● Marmalade after this sort: Take of Quinces cleansed from their Pippins, cut the● in quarters, but pair them not, boil them thoroughly in water, then strain them through a clean Linen cloth, and wring them out diligently, then boil them again with Sugar, putting thereto a sufficient quantity of Rhubarb in powder. This Marmalade purgeth very speedily, 
A laxative Marmalade.  and withal comforteth the stomach and the liver. In stead of Rhubarb, you may put some other laxative thereunto, as 〈◊〉, Agaricke, or such like. The Cydoniatum, or Marmalade of Lions, is 〈…〉 Scammony.   

CHAP. XXVI.  
Of Oranges, Assyrian Citrons, common Citrons, Lemons, and Pome-adams.  
THe Orange, Assyrian Citron, and Limon desire to be set upon the South or southwest wind: for being touched with such winds as are 〈◊〉 and moist, they become more abundant in juice, better coloured, and thicker: which is the cause, that the Seacoasts being haunted with 〈◊〉 said-winds, do abound with durable plants, and such trees bringing ●orth 〈◊〉 fruitfully; for others, set upon the North and northeast, are not thereby so 〈◊〉 fitted. Some make Nurseries of these kind of trees, sowing their seeds in 〈◊〉. They will affirm and give it out likewise, that they grow of sciences set and 〈◊〉 down in small furrows, or stuck down in baskets: and some do● 〈…〉 upon the stock near enough unto the root, and that in April and in May: 〈◊〉 some say, that they may be grafted after the manner of the Scutcheon like graft, 〈◊〉 the months of Summer, putting their pippins in a pot or basket near unto 〈◊〉 tree where you would they should be grafted or half swallowed: but the 〈◊〉 certain direction and instruction about these Trees, is that which is set 〈◊〉 in the second Book, and whereunto also we refer you for the same 〈◊〉  
The Pome-adam-tree is much to be esteemed, even of the best gardiner's, not in respect of his fruit (which indeed is more beautiful than profitable, in as much as it is ●●either good to eat raw, nor yet to preserve, but only fit to wash the hands, or else to 〈◊〉 in the hand) but to graft Citron-trees, Orange-trees, Limon-trees, and Assyrian Citron-trees upon, as we have said in the second Book, because they prosper ●●aruellously upon this tree, and bring forth very quickly fair and great fruit, especially the Orange-tree. We have entreated in the second Book, of the differences 〈◊〉 Oranges, Citrons, Melons, and Assyrian Citrons; whereunto we will further add, 〈◊〉 the Citron of Assyria is of a very good smell, but of little sweetness, or any ●●ther taste: and therefore it is usual to eat his flesh with salt or sugar, or with salt and ●●ineger. The Limon differeth from this kind of Citron, because the Limon is less, 〈◊〉 colour drawing toward a green, bunching out both above and below, after the ●●anner of women's nipples.  
As for Pome-adams, 
Pome-adams.  they are round, twice or thrice as great as Oranges, not ha●●ing a very thick rind, rugged, uneven, and having many clefts or chaps, vary manifestly appearing like to the prints of teeth. Some think they had this name given, ●f being the Apple which Adam did bite upon in this earthly Paradise. They are ●●ellished almost like Lemons, but not altogether so pleasant. If you cut it in the ●alfe, and season it with the fine powder of Brimstone, and after roast the same vn●●er the ashes, and rub therewith the itching body, or any part thereof, it will ●eale the same.   

CHAP. XXVII.  
Of the Figtree.  
FIgge-trees are either white, carnation, red, pale, or green; and some also be black. There are some that bear before the cold come; others are more late in their fruit: and again, of all these, some bear a small fruit, as namely, the white ones; and othersome a great and gross fruit, stan●●●ng out with great bellies, as by name the black ones, of which yet further there 〈◊〉 one kind that beareth long Figs, having almost no bellies, and these draw nothing near in goodness unto the great bellied ones, and those which are more short. All sorts, of Figge-trees love a hot air and country, a dry and stony ground, insomuch, as that it ceaseth not bearing of excellent fruit amongst the heaps of small ●●ones, provided, that there be good store of depth of earth to spread and sink ●owne his roots into at ease. Such a tree, as many others, is apt for hot Countries: ●ut he that would have of them to grow in cold Countries, must make choice of ●●ose which bring forth their fruit before the cold time of the year, and must cover 〈◊〉 with some shield in Winter, and compass it about the foot with fat ground, or ●ung of Oxen, or Asses, very well rotten, for otherwise it will yield him no pleasure. This tree is so full of pith, and his fruit so moist, as that if you water it, the fruit will not keep: but yet you may under-digge and dig it, to the end that the nights ●et may enter into it. You must take from it all dead and rotten wood, not suffering ●y it the water to find any standing upon the tree, for otherwise the fruit would not have any taste or savour.  
The Plant of the Figtree, which is of a branch or of shoots newly put forth, 〈◊〉 planted in October and November, in a warm and temperate air, but in February, March, or April, where it is a cold air: and yet the Genoese do plant branches all the month of August, as they are laden with leaves and fruit. As for the grafting of it, 
To graft the Figtree.  that may be done in April, as well in the body, or stock, as in the bark or rind. Some say, that the Figtree planted amongst Vines, doth it no annoyance, which is in some part true, because there is some 〈◊〉 and agreement betwixt the Fig and the Grape, and both their woods are full of thick pith; and Raisins or dried Grapes being wrapped in Fig leaves, do not only keep well and sound, according to their nature, but amend and become better 〈◊〉 in taste and smell: and in part false, because the Figtree casteth one such large branches and broad leaves, as that the shadow thereof doth hurt the Vine. There are some low dwarfish Figge-trees, like unto the Peach-tree, the fruit of which Peach-trees is somewhat agreeing with the Grape: so as that the Peach being 〈◊〉 into red wine, doth most highly content and please the taste; and these indeed 〈◊〉 do small harm unto Vines standing amongst them: but he that troubleth 〈◊〉 the Vine stocks with any kind of tree at all, shall do better than he which 〈◊〉 otherwise.  
If you desire to have low Figge-trees, and such as may be kept in 〈…〉 under your windows, to satisfy your desire with their pleasant sight; cut in the Spring time a shoot of the Figtree before it bud, writhe his top with your hand, set it, the writhen top down in the earth, and the end, where it was cut, upward, and out of the earth, it will put forth many small boughs all about the 〈◊〉 which will bear pleasant fruits, the tree continuing to remain always low. You shall have early Figs, if you water the Figtree with oil and Pigeons dung: and o● the contrary, late ones, if you take away the first buds when they are grown to be as big as beans.  
The Figtree the elder it is, the more fruitful it falleth out to be. It is very subject to be eaten of vermin, and the means to free it from this mischief, is to set by it some Onions: or else for to kill the vermin, you must scatter Quicklime, or 〈◊〉 old Urine, or the lees of Oil there about the place. It will not be cost soft to anoint the stock with the juice of Mulberries: or if you spread and loam it over with red Fuller's earth when it is a full Moon: or if you hang at the branches of it young Figs newly put forth. Furthermore, Figs will grow with letters upon them, and garnished with what shape you desire, it when you graft the 〈…〉 you write in the eye of the Figtree such proportion as you would ha●e that 〈◊〉 Figs should bear: and beside; without using any such curious course, 〈◊〉 delighteth to sport herself with this fruit, in such manner, as that she 〈…〉 an infinite number of figures and indented notches full of pleasantness to 〈◊〉, and these are tokens of the goodness of the Fig: for as it is very 〈◊〉, the 〈◊〉 doth constrain the skin to fall into wreaths, and to quarter out a thousand shapes. This is a marvelous thing, that although the fruit of the Figtree be very 〈◊〉, yet the leaves thereof are of a sharp and bitter taste. Likewise the wood being 〈◊〉, doth yield a sharp smoke, and the ashes a very scouring lee, and 〈◊〉 strong, because of his sharpness; as if the Figtree had bestowed and 〈◊〉 all the whole substance of his sweetness upon the Fig, and had le●t 〈◊〉 a 〈◊〉 for itself. This is also a marvelous thing, that the Figtree is not subject unto the Thunderclaps.  
We have oftentimes tried, that if you steep two or three Figs in 〈…〉 night, that such Figs eaten in the morning do cure the shortness of breath. 〈◊〉 milk of the Figtree dropped into the ear, killeth the worms therein. The 〈…〉 the Figtree rubbed, do provoke the Hemorrhoids. Look for a more ample discourse of Figs and the Figtree in the second Book.   

CHAP. XXVIII.  
Of the Appletree.  
THe Appletree which is most in request, 
The Apple tree  and the most precious of all others, and therefore called of Homer, the Tree with the goodly fruit, groweth any where, and in as much as it loveth to have the inward part of his wood moist and sweaty, you must give him his lodging in a fat, black, and moist ground; and therefore if it be planted in a gravelly and sandy ground, it must be helped with watering, and batling with dung and small mould in the time of Autumn. It liveth and continueth in all desirable good estate in the hills and mountains where it may have fresh moisture, being the thing that it searcheth after, but even there it must stand in the open face of the South. Some make nurseries of the pippins sown, but and if they be not afterward removed and grafted, they hold not their former excellency: it thriveth somewhat more when it is set of branches or shoots: but then also the fruit proveth late and of small value: the best is to graft them upon wild Appletrees, Plum-trees, Peach-trees, Peartrees, Peare-plum-trees, Quince-trees, and especially upon Peartrees, whereupon grow the Apples, called Pears manes, which is a mixture of two sorts of fruits: as also, when it is grafted upon Quince-trees, it bringeth forth the Apples, called Apples of Paradise, as it were sent from heaven in respect of the delicateness of their cote, and great sweetness, and they are a kind of dwarf Apples, because of their stock the Quince-tree, which is but of a small stature.  
The Apple loveth to be digged twice, especially the first year, but it needeth no dung, and yet notwithstanding dung and ashes cause it prosper better, especially the dung of Sheep, or for less charges sake, the dust which in Summer is gathered up in the high ways. You must many times set at liberty the boughs which entangle themselves one within another; for it is nothing else but abundance of Wood, wherewith it being so replenished and bepestered, it becometh mossy, and bearing less fruit. It is very subject to be eaten and spoiled of Pis●nires and little worms, but the remedy is to set near unto it the Sea-onion: or else if you lay swine's dung at the roots, mingled with man's urine, in as much as the Appletree doth rejoice much to be watered with urine. And to the end it may bear fruit abundantly, before it begin to blossom, compass his stock about, and tie unto it some piece of lead taken from some spout, but when it beginneth to blossom, take it away. If it seem to be sick, water it diligently with urine, and to put to his root Ass' dung tempered with water. Likewise, if you will have sweet Apples, lay to the roots Goats dung ●ingled with man's water. If you desire to have red Apples, graft an Appletree upon a black Mulberrie-tree. If the Appletree will not hold and bear his fruit 〈◊〉 it be ripe, compass the stock of the Appletree a good foot from the roots upward, about with a ring of a lead, before it begin to blossom, and when the apples shall begin to grow great, then take it away.  
Apples must be gathered when the moon is at the full, 
Gathering of Apples.  in fair weather, and about the fifteenth of September, and that by hand without any pole or pealing down: because otherwise the fruit would be much martyred, and the young sciences broken or bruised, and so the Appletree by that means should be spoiled of his young wood which would cause the loss of the Tree. See more of the manner of gathering of them in the Chapter next following of the Peartree: and as for the 〈◊〉 of keeping of them, it must be in such sort as is delivered hereafter.  
You shall 〈◊〉 frozen Apples if you dip them in cold water, and so restore them to their natural goodness. There is a kind of wild Apple, called a Choake-apple, because they are very harsh in eating, and these will serve well for hogs to eat. Of these apples likewise you may make verjuice if you press them in a Cyder-presse, or if you squeeze them under a verjuice millstone.  
Vinegar is also made after this manner: 
Vinegar.  You must cut these Apples into gobb●●●, and leave them in their pieces for the space of three days, than afterward cast them into a barrel with sufficient quantity of rain water, or fountain water, and after that stop the vessel, and so let it stand thirty days without touching of it. And then at the term of those days you shall draw out vinegar, and put into them again as much water as you have drawn out vinegar. There is likewise made with this sort of Apples a kind of drink, called of the Picardines, Piquette, and this they use in steed of Wine. Of others sorts of Apples, there is likewise drink made, which is called Cider, as we shall declare hereafter.  
An Apple cast into a hogshead full of Wine, 
Neat Wine. Mingled Wine.  if it swim, it showeth that the Wine is neat: but and if it sink to the bottom, it shows that there is Water mixed with the Wine.  
Infinite are the sorts and so the names of Apples coming as well of natures own accord without the help of man, as of the skill of man, not being of the race of the former: in every one of which there is found some special quality, which others have not: but the best of all the rest, is the short shanked apple, which is marked with spottings, as tasting and smelling more excellently than any of all the other sorts. And the smell of it is so excellent, as that in the time of the plague there is nothing better to cast upon the coals, and to make sweet perfumes of, than the rind, thereof. The short stalked Apple hath yet further more one notable quality: for the kernels being taken out of it, and the place filled up with Frankincense, and the hole joined and fast closed together, and so rosied under hot embers as that it burn not, bringeth an after medicine or remedy to serve when all other fail, to such as are sick of a pleurisy, they having it given to eat: sweet apples do much good against melancholic affects and diseases, but especially against the 〈◊〉: for if you roast a sweet apple under the ashes, and season it with the juice of licorice, starch and sugar, and after give it to eat evening and morning two hours before meat unto one sick of the pleurisy, you shall help him exceedingly.   

CHAP. XXIX.  
Of the Peartree.  
But the Peartree (being the most in request and precious (next unto the Appletree) amongst all the fruit-trees that are) is ordered for the most part after the manner of the Appletree, 
The Peartree.  although the wood and fruit of the one be more firm than that of the other, and that the Peartree bring forth his fruit late, as not before the end of Autumn, when as all the great heat is already past: notwithstanding you shall set it in the same ground with the Appletree: and in the first four or five years of his growth, you shall lay it open at the foot, a little before the end of December, uncovering it even unto the root●●, which you shall shave and trim with a knife bowed again: and in the end of Ia●●arie you shall cover it again with his own earth mingled with good made mould, keeping from thence forward his place well weeded, the foot very neat and clean, and the stock very well freed from entanglements of boughs so far as the hand can do it, and throughout very carefully cleansed from moss, snails, and caterpillars, husbanding and ordering the earth at the foot of it every two years at the beginning of Winter: for the fruit which the Peartree thus husbanded shall bear, will be both more fair and better relished, and keep longer. The Peartree that is planted in a lean, dry, chalky or gravelly ground, is but of a starved growth, bearing a sharp, small, and ordinarily a stony fruit. The kernels are sown in the Nursery, as those of the Appletree, but the hoped fruit is long in coming, and scarce attained throughout the whole life of a man, for it is far longer time in coming to perfection than the Appletree. It groweth also of a branch well chosen: and he that will have it so grow, must plant it in September and October in hot Countries, but in cold Countries in February and March, and in temperate Countries it may be done in either of the two times, as it shall best please him. But the Peartree that is most sure and likeliest to bring contentment of itself, is that which is grafted upon the young plant in the Nursery, and in such curious sort maintained and ordered, as hath been said, as also if it be removed some three years after, affording it a large and deep room in a good mouldering earth. It may also be grafted in a Peach-tree, Quince-tree, and Almond-tree, but yet better upon itself than upon any of these, for so it becometh of a better nature. It is known by proof, that the Peartree, grafted upon a Mulberrie-tree bringeth forth red Pears: and if it happen that your Peartree bring forth a stony Pear, you must remove the earth from the foot, and power in upon the roots every day, for the space of fifteen days, the lees of good old wine.  
Pears must not be gathered before the later end of Autumn, 
To gather Pears.  when the great heat of the year is past, because their moisture being weak, and in small quantity, the Sun suffereth not that it should come unto any good consistence, before such time as the air begin to turn and change into coldness: and therefore (saith Theophra●●us) this is the only fruit-tree that ripeneth his fruit best and soon in the shadow. Such gathering of Pears also must not be taken in hand but after that the Autumnal blasting and dew be fallen at the least three or four times upon them, because it strengtheneth them greatly, to their better enduring and lasting, and increaseth their goodness. But in any case they may not be gathered in rain, but rather in dry weather, being themselves well dried by the Sun; and that in gathering they be not hurt by any manner of means whatsoever, but to choose them one after another, by cutting them down with a good knife made fast to the end of a pole: or else to make them fall into a cloth spread underneath for the receiving of them, and in it separating the rotten, spoiled, or hurt, from amongst the fair, sound, whole, and unhurt ones, that so they may be laid up to keep in such sort as we will declare hereafter in his place.  
Although generally, and without saying any thing of any particular by way of comparison, the Apple be far fuller of juice, and for the most part more sound than the Pear, notwithstanding, if one should stand upon the taste, the Pear is commonly more pleasant and better relished, and more contenting and agreeing with one's taste, eaten in his season, raw, roasted, or preserved, than the Apple: wherefore I am ashamed, that men give not themselves to plant more Peartrees than Appletrees, seeing that besides the reasons alleged, the Peartree, of all other fruit-trees, is the fairest, straightest, and covering no whit so much ground with his shadow as the Appletree doth, bearing also his fruit almost every year, where the Appletree is but a journeyman, bearing one year, and not another.  
There is a drink made of Pears, 
Look in the Treatise of Perrie.  called Perrie, whereof we will speak: as also vinegar of wild Pears, as hath already been said of Apples.  
The Pear hath this special virtue above the rest, that the often use of the kernels should be marvelous profitable unto such as are troubled with the inflammation of the lungs; as also for them that have eaten many muhrooms, that they may rid their stomach of so great a load, there is nothing better than to eat Pears: for the Pear by his weightiness and astringent juice, maketh the muhrooms, eaten and lying in the bottom of his stomach, to descend and fall down from thence.   

CHAP. XXX.  
Of the Medlar-tree.  
Certain it is, that the Medlar-tree 
The Medlar-tree.  groweth into a thick stock: it endureth the cold air easily, and yet delighteth best in a hot or temperate air, and in a sandy and fat ground. It is planted either of roots or of branches, and that in November: and some sow it of stones in a ground mixed with dung: it will bear fruit in great quantity, if there be laid to the foot of it earth mixed with ashes. It may be grafted upon itself, or upon the Peartree, Appletree, or Quince-tree: and that it may be well grafted, and with good grafts, you must provide yourself of those, which grow out of the midst of the Medlar-tree, and not of the top: and it must be grafted in the cleft or highest● part of the stock, not in the bark, because the leanness of the bark would not be able sufficiently to nourish it.  
If you graft it upon a Quince-tree, the fruit will be very fair, and the reason is very manifest, because the stock which receiveth the graft, and nourisheth it, is given naturally to bring forth a thick gros●e fruit: and yet it will yield a fairer without all comparison, if you graft it upon the hawthorn, with which it is joined in exceeding familiar and friendly league, also the fruit that cometh thereof is more beautiful and plentiful: it may also be very fitly grafted upon any other thorn, itself being pricklie: if you graft the Medlar-tree upon any other Tree that is not of his own kind, the Medlar will have either no stones, or very few, or else very little ones. If the worms assail the Medlar-tree, you must water the stock with vinegar, or throw ashes upon it.  
Some hold it for certain, that the flesh, and especially the small stones of the medlar dried either severally and alone, or else together, made into powder, and drunk with white wine, wherein hath been boiled the roots of Parsley, do break and consume the stone as well of the reins as of the bladder. Look into the second book in the Chapter of Turnips, as concerning this remedy. You may make a cataplasm of dry medlars, cloves, white and red coral, and nutmeg, all incorporated with the juice of Roses, to lay upon the belly in the great fluxes of the same, and upon the breast for the spitting of blood.   

CHAP. XXXI.  
Of the Mulberrie-tree.  
MVlberries grow upon a certain kind of Tree which hath a firm wood, but a brittle fruit and leaves, it buddeth the last of all other Trees, after that the cold is overpassed, whereupon it is called by the name of sage or wise, witty, and provident; it putteth not forth his leaves till all other Trees be laden with leaves, if at the least you hasten not forward his budding▪ by giving unto it fresh and new dung in the new of the Moon of February. This Tree is of two sorts, the one white, because of the white Mulberries; the other black, because of the black or red Mulberries which it beareth and bringeth forth: which though they resemble one another in this, that both of them do put forth their leaves later than any other Tree, yet notwithstanding they are unlike in flowers, leaves, and other considerations. For the black doth not only bring forth a far fairer and better relished fruit, and that of greater abundance of liquor than the white: but it hath beside a thicker stock, and a greater and harder leaf, it groweth very hardly and with much ado being planted, and it is a great while in growing before it become great, and therefore is no shame that there are so f●w, it being so unapt of itself to grow being planted of plants and sciences, as also propagated and multiplied under the earth, with the stock that bore it, even as is used to be done with the white ones, which yet do grow infinitely every where, as well planted of shoots, and propagated, as sown: both the one and the other do love a hot air, or at the least a temperate, a ground that is fat, and well battled with dung, and labour at the foot, and to be kept clean from mos●e and caterpillars, and without any dead, wood. They are planted, especially the white, either of shoots or of roots, or buds, and that in October and November, even in like manner as the figtree. In planting of them, you must make them deep and large pits, and cover them with earth mixed with ashes: they may be grafted upon the chesnut-tree, appletree, wild peartree, cornaile-tree, elm, or white popler (and then they will bear white mulberries) and this must be in the cleft; and upon the figtree in the scutcheon-like graft: they may also be grafted upon themselves, and the one upon the other, as the white Mulberrie-tree upon the white, and the black upon the black, and that chiefly and principally after the pipe or flute-like fashion: in what manner soever you graft them, the grafts must be chosen of a good thickness, and from such Mulberrie-trees as bear fruits full of good seed and kernels. It would be but labour lost to sow them upon kernels in the nursery in this cold Country, for besides that but a few Mulberries have seed, yet those which have, do bring forth neither tree nor fruit almost that is any thing worth. But whatsoever it is, or in what place soever you plant, grafted of sow them, let it be far from houses, to the end that the infinite number of flies which flock thicker when the fruit is ripe, may not become tedious to the inhabitants, but yet let it be in such a place as that the hens may eat them when they fill down, because this victual doth fat and feed them very mightily. It buddeth the last of all Trees, as we have said, but for a recompense it becometh ripe by and by.  
The mulberrie-tree hath always been of great request and great profit in countries where cloth of silk is made, as at Lucks, gains, Almerie, Granado, Auignion, and afterward at Tours and other places, because the small worms making silk, are brought up and nourished of the leaves of this tree: which for the same purpose are carefully sought of them which do make account to draw silk into a fleece: whereupon it is come to pass, that there are to be seen in many places about the said towns of great Mulberrie-trees, as it were little wings of forests, the said Mulberrie-trees being planted after a just and due proportion and level of line, and most exquisitely maintained and looked unto by them which owe them: for from hence they reap large sums of money, selling the leaves yearly for the purpose before spoken of; for as for the fruit, they make no great purchase of it, because the Mulberrie-tree will not be robbed of his leaves, for so it would come to pass that it should not bring forth fruit, of the value of three half pence.  
The wood of the Mulberrie-tree is good to make chests, forks, and compasses of; and such other works as must yield and be pliant: it is also good about ships and boats.  
Mulberries must be eaten before all other meats, and that without bread, or else but with a very little, because if they be mixed with other victuals they do but cause them to corrupt: it is true that they cool and moisten very much, and do also loosen the belly.  
Mulberries put into a glass vessel well stopped and covered with their juice may be kept a long time.  
The juice of Mulberries half ripe mingled with honey of roses, is a singular remedy for the inflammations of the mouth and throat, as also for the putrified teeth and exulcecrated gums.   

CHAP. XXXII.  
Of the timely Peach-tree.  
But now to speak of the timely Peach-tree, 
The timely Peach-tree.  it beareth a very small fruit, but earlier than other Peach-trees do, and having his name thereupon▪ it is of a very good relish, and no way harmful, in every thing else it is like unto the other Peach-tree, both the one and the other delighting in cold grounds, and open upon the wind: they likewise crave no other manuring, than that of their own leaves, and content themselves to be planted three or four fingers deep in the ground: but and if they lie very much open to the force of the wind, they require either to have some wall, or else some other trees to stand in the forefront betwixt them and the wind to break it off. The timely peach craveth such a ground as the Plum-tree, and groweth either of the stone or of a plant. It is to be planted in October or N●uember, or else in januarie or in February. It may be grafted very well upon itself, or upon the plum-tree, peach-plum-tree, and almond-tree, and in dry times it must be oftentimes watered and digged: it craveth the like husbanding and ordering that the other peach-tree doth. See more above in the Chapter of the Peach-tree.  
If you fill up a great company of the new leaves of the timely Peach-tree, 
Oil of the flowers of the timely Peach.  or common Peach-tree into a glas●e viol or earthen pot, and after stop it and 〈◊〉 it well, so as that no moisture can get into it, and so set it a foot or two within the ground near unto some brook, or else in a heap of horse-dung for the space of a month, and after strain out the said leaves with a press, you shall draw a singular oil to temper the rage of agues, anointing the wrist of either arm, the temples, and back bone of him that hath the ague therewith, before the fit take him.   

CHAP. XXXIII.  
Of the Walnut-tree.  
AS for the Walnut-tree, 
The Walnut-tree.  it is a tree very common, and sufficiently known in all parts, so called by reason of the annoyance that it worketh others which are near unto it, as also the places where it is planted, men, yea and the very beasts: in so much as that it is proved by experience, that if a man do sleep under it, at his awaking he shall find a great heaviness in his head, and withal become so light and giddy, as that he will not be able to stir: yea the shadow thereof is so malignant, as that no good thing can grow under it, and the roots (as well as the shadow) stretching and spreading themselves far, do hinder and trouble all the ground where the same tree is seated and planted: so that it must not be planted in arable ground, but especially not in fat and fertile ground, but rather upon the North quarter by the high way sides, or elsewhere, so that there be no other fruit-trees by to take harm by it. This tree is for many causes to be gotten of the husbandman: in as much as it needeth no great dressing or provision for the maintenance of it, it suffereth and beareth injuries of those which oppress it, and yet nevertheless extendeth and yieldeth his fruit in liberal sort even with it own loss, it prospereth both above and under the earth, and there is neither leaf, fruit, shell, or gristle betwixt the kernel, but there may profit and commodity be raised of it, both night and day, as shall be declared in every of his particular properties. It especially delighteth in a fat, mouldrie, light, and (in a word) in a good corn ground, the husbandman likewise delighteth in such a ground: but the Walnut-tree refuseth no kind of air or ground, for it can very well endure to bear and suffer much. For the planting of it, you must make choice of such walnuts and trees as bear abundance of fruit, having thin shells, and a white, full, and thick kernel. And to make it grow, you may dig the nut into the earth, the pointed end downward, or else plant it of the shoots that are fair grown, 
To plant the Walnut tree.  and that in November, and throughout all December in hot countries; but in February and March in cold countries; and in temperate countries, in which of the two seasons you will. But such as would have it to grow of the nut in November and all December, must observe and see that the nut which they would bury in the earth for this purpose, be but a year old, of a fair● shell, sound, and dry: and, if it be in the month of February, or any part of March, the nut must be steeped, as some are of opinion, for four or five days aforehand, in some child's urine, or else (as I guess) in cow's milk: for the tree that shall grow thereof, will bear his nuts as little displeasing either in eating or in the oil thereof, as if it were the fruit or oil of sweet almonds.  
If you would have this tree to grow fair, 
To remove the Walnut tree.  and full of nuts of a good taste, you must remove it, but let it be possessed of the earth where it grew either of a graft or otherwise: and in removing of it, some find it not good that the small roots should be cut away as it is used in other Trees: both because the Maister-rootes do gather footing and strength thereby, as also for that being as it were relieved by such shoots, would become more strong and more able to pierce the earth, and to suck and sup up greater quantity of the moisture of the same. I could be of mind, that when it is removed (which must not be but when it is two or three years old) there should be taken from it at that time whatsoever surplusage and surcharge of roots, even so many as may be termed bastard or by-roots, and not of the master or main ones: for as for the cutting off of the ends of the great roots, 
Pits to set the Walnut tree in, or to remove them into.  that is done but for the opening of their mouth, that so they may the better suck in the moisture and juice of the earth (if one may so speak of the new nurse which you have appointed and assigned it.) In respect of his pits and holes whereinto you remove it, they must be digged of a great depth and wideness, and be well stirred round about, and set distant thirty or forty foot one from another, that so it may the better spread forth his branches, which are wont to cover and occupy a great deal of room round about it: and if they should be any nearer one unto another, their boughs would grow one into another, whereas they crave to have their sides free and open. And this is the reason why they should be planted upon the borders of grounds lying upon high ways: for by this means the great compass which their branches take, do not hurt seed grounds, or not above half, and by this means the looking-glass wherein the husbandman may behold such hindrance and disadvantage as might come by scarcity that year, shall not be far off from him or his hinds, 
A sign of plenty or otherwise by the Walnut tree.  who hold it for certain, that great store of Walnuts doth prefage great spoil of corn. To set a Tree of some other kind amongst them, is no more profitable than to lay the inheritance of some base and mean fellow, betwixt the domains of two great noble men: for the Walnut-trees which are naturally great spreaders in the earth with their great roots, 
Walnut-trees must stand alone  will rob it and eat it out of food and sustenance even home to his own doors, and covering it above will take from it both the Sun, and the liberty of the air. But in as much as the things of this world are so framed, 
The Oak an enemy to the Walnut tree.  as that there is nothing which hath not his enemy, you must beware of placing the Walnut-tree either upon seed or plant near to the oak, as also not to set it in the place where any oak hath stood at any time before: because that these two Trees have a natural hatred one unto another, and cannot couple or sure together.  
The Walnut-tree is grafted in February upon itself, 
The grafting of the Walnut tree  and upon the Plum-tree in a cloven hole: howbeit, the Walnut-tree doth not profit much, or thrive, when it is grafted upon any other tree than upon itself, because it abhorreth the company of all other trees. It must be digged about, that so it may not grow hollow by reason of the grass. It must be removed in hot and dry places in October, when the leaves are fallen, and yet better in November: but in cold places in February and in March▪ and at either time in temperate places.  
This is a marvelous thing of this tree, 
The beaten Walnut-tree becometh fruitful.  that the more it is beaten yearly, the more fruit it beareth the year after following, although the boughs be bruised and broken: for which cause good farmers are careful to geld and weed out some of the boughs of such a Tree, and withal do make great and di●ers incisions with some edge-tool in the stock of the tree.  
If you cast and spread ashes sundry times, 
Tender walnut shells.  and oft at the root, and upon the stock of the tree, the nut will have a more tender shell, and a more brittle kernel. It will grow fairer, and bear fruit sooner, if you strike a copper nail into it even to the midst, or else a wedge of wood. It will not let drop any unripe fruit, if you hang at some of the branches, or tie upon his roots white mullem, or some rent and 〈◊〉 fustian taken out of a dunghill.  
Walnuts will grow without shells, 
Walnut without shells.  if you break the shell without bruising the kernel, and afterward wrap the said kernel in wool, or in the fresh leaves of the vine, and so put it into the earth. If the Walnut-tree displease you in respect of the harm it may do unto his neighbour trees, you may cause it to die, and presently dry away, if you strike into the root thereof a very hot nail, or a wedge of Myrtle-tree-wood, or if you put beans to his roots, or a cloth dipped in the 〈◊〉 of women.  
Walnuts must be gathered when they begin to cast their rind, 
The gathering of walnuts.  and when they are gathered, they may not by and by be laid up, but first dried in the Sun.  
The profits that the Walnut-tree yieldeth unto his master are infinite: 
The profit of the walnut-tree.  for of it he may gather to make excellent preserves, taking his nuts about Midsummer: it yieldeth wood for the kitchen, by being lopped of dead boughs, wherewith it is oftentimes troubled: 
The wood.  but in cutting off this dead wood, care must be had not to cut it off round, because it would be a means for to make way for the rain to enter in, and the wet of the night would settle therein, and in tract of time rot it to the heart, but it must be cut biace, and with a ridge, that so neither rain, nor the wet of the night may get in, 
The rind, shell, kernel.  or rest upon it. It giveth a rind which is good for the things spoken of hereafter: it affordeth shells, which make good ashes: it affordeth a kernel to be served at the table, serviceable in the kitchen, and in lamps: and furthermore, of the dross of the kernel some make candles, in such countries as where the oil is much in request, as in Mirebalois, and thereabout: it affordeth a gristle betwixt the two halves of the kernel, 
The gristle of the kernel.  which being dried in the shadow (after that the kernel is once perfected) and afterward made into powder, and drunk with a 〈◊〉 draft of red wine, doth by and by assuage the pain of the colic: as also, the fruit coming of it, when it is worth nothing but to make refuse and outcasting of (as the nut grown old and all hoary) ceaseth not notwithstanding to do good service: for and if you burn it lightly, or squeeze it out easily with a hot yr●●, the oil that then will come forth of it, is singular good to take away blueness of strokes, whether about the eyes, or elsewhere in the face or other part of the body: the old 〈◊〉 serveth also for other uses as shall be said by and by. 
The wood of the walnut-tree.  The wood of the walnut tree is good and handsome to put in work, when you would make any fair and 〈◊〉 work, because it is listed and smooth of his own nature.  
The small buds of the walnut-tree (called of he Latins juli) appearing in March, being dried, and after powdered and drunk with white wine, the weight of a French crown, are exceedingly good in the suffocation of the matrix. The oil of the nut drunk to the quantity of five or six ounces, doth cure the colic: if you mix a little quick lime amongst the oil of nuts, it will make a singular lineament for the swellings and shortness of the sinews. The old oil of walnuts cureth the falling of the hair called Tinea.  
If you pill off the green pillings of the walnuts, 
The rind● of walnuts.  and cast them into water, and after cast this water upon the ground, there will grow from thence great store of worms, good for fishers: if you boil the pillings in a cauldron after they be fall●● from the Tree, as opening of themselves, and rub any kind of white wood whatsoever with this water, it will turn to the colour of the Walnut-tree, but more fair and beautiful.  
Some steep the bark of the roots of Walnut-trees in vinegar, 
The bark of Walnut-trees.  and after lay it upon the wrists of such as have the ague. This draweth out all the heat of the ague: but it swelleth the skin of the wrist.  
Some make a sovereign mithridate 
Mithridate.  against the plague (as we have said in the chapter of rue) with two old walnuts, three figs, twenty leaves of rue, and one grain of salt.  
The walnut closed up in a hen or capon set to the fire to roast, 
The boil 〈◊〉 capon.  causeth the said hen or capon to be the sooner roasted.  
The distilled water of unripe Walnuts, 
Tertian agues.  gathered about Midsummer, is singular good to drive away tertian agues, if one take about some four or five ounces of it.  
The Walnut either new or dry (but yet the dry somewhat less) is of hard digestion, causeth headache, and hurteth the cough and short breath, and therefore it must be used sparingly: steep whole walnuts, pillings and shells and all, in a sufficient quantity of water, until such time as that their shell be sufficiently softened and moistened, and that the kernel may be peeled easily from the thin film that covereth it over, as it falleth out in green walnuts: this done, take the kernels so peeled, and let them steep in a pot well covered in very good Aquavitae; give two days after, two or three of these kernels whole to a woman that cannot have her terms, for the space of eight or nine days before her accustomed time of having her terms, and that in the morning, and after that she hath purged. This medicine hath never a match in provoking of the terms that are stayed, and it is a thing well proved. And as for the manner of keeping and preserving of them, we will speak in his fit place.  
If the same day that you have been bitten of a dog (which you doubt to have been mad) you put upon the biting an old nut well brayed, 
The biting of a mad dog.  and after take it away, and cast it to a hungry cock or hen, if the same eating it die not, it is a sign that the dog which did bite you was not mad, but and if it die, than it is a sign that he was mad, and therefore the sore must be looked unto as is meet within three days.   

CHAP. XXXIIII.  
Of the Olive-tree.  
NOw we come to speak of the Olive-tree, which is for the most part small, thick of leaves, and round, for there are some sorts also that have great branches dispersed here and there out of order: both the one and the other sort are contented with a shallow ground, for in many places they grow upon the thin green swarth or turf that covereth the rocks, & upon the ground hanging upon the sides of some great steers; thus you may see how the olive-tree disposeth of itself every where, how unfitting and unlikely soever that the ground be, provided that it have a warm air, and Easterly or Southerly wind at command. He that would carefully appoint it out such a plot, as the vine would require, might err in many places: for the olive-tree is not so much to be regarded in respect of his soil and seat at the vine, for it contenteth itself with a great deal less than the vine will. If you give it ground that is good and fat earth, and the Sun and Winds, which it delighteth in, in other places, doubt not but it will do as the Spaniard, who pleaseth himself with as good as nothing, when he knoweth not how to amend himself, or do better, and performeth his service therewithal: but if he come where he may but have the smell of it, he is stuffed as full as the greatest 〈◊〉 in all Lymosin: so the Olive-tree being once seized in his tallance of a good piece of ground, contenteth itself, and beareth fruit handsomely. As concerning the planting of it upon the North in hot Countries, and there searing it upon the tops of mountains, or lesser hills or upon the South in cold Countries, these are but troubles and pains without any great foundation: for as concerning cold Countries, there is no talk to be had of growing of Olive-trees in them; and as concerning hot Country's, there is neither taking nor leaving of quarters or coasts in respect of this tree.  
The Olive-tree doth increase itself by shoots which it putteth forth at the soot● for being pulled up unhurt, 
To plant the Olive-tree.  and planted elsewhere, they grow up very speedily. And to prepare them a fair place to grow in, you must dig them pits where you mind to set them, a year before hand, of four foot depth: and if you cannot have holes made ready for them so long before, but must be constrained to set them down in new digged ones, than you must season and purify the said holes, by burning of the leaves and some small branches of the Olive-tree therein, or else some straw at the least; for the fire drieth up the evil juice of the earth of the said hole in the same manner as the Sun should have done by little and little all the year long. Some would, that it being pricked down of a branch, it should not be set in so fat a ground, because the oil would not be so excellent, as and if it were planted in a ground betwixt fat and lean, and that not without appearance of truth. But whether it be planted in the one or the other, it will be husbanded every year for the space of a great circle round about the foot: for indeed, he that tilleth and dresseth his Olive ground yearly, doth a great deal better than he that doth not. In any case it would not have the roots scanted of liberty, but to spread and lie at large. And if you bestow any manure upon it, being the thing it loveth well, then bestow upon it Goats or Horse dung well rotten, and that after you have digged it about the foot, to the end that the dung may mingle well with the earth so digged. After you have once set it, remove it not thence for the space of four or five years: neither then must you dare to be so bold, if that it have not gotten a stock as thick as a man's arm: and taking it up, take up therewithal the green turf of the ground where it stood, and whereunto his roots stick fast, and when you set it down, give it the like situation for coast and quarter that it had before.  
You may graft it upon itself, 
To graft the Olive-tree.  and it will bear more thick and kinder fruit: or el●e upon the wild Olive, but then the profit is not like, as when it is grafted upon the garden and ●ame one. The Italians graft it upon the Vine, boring the Vine-stocke near unto the earth, and putting into this bored hole a small Olive branch, that so it may take near at hand, and at the first offer, both the nourishment and vinie quality of the stock of the said Vine: along the which must be set a stake or thick prop to help it to bear up the weight and burden of the graft when it is great, and these Olives will taste both of the one and of the other, and become as it were vined Olives. Such a proof is not to be misliked, in as much as the variableness of nature is showed thereby, which is content to suffer herself to be drawn to bring forth a apparel fruit or second hermaphrodite, by the coupling together of two natures in one: but the end of such experiments turn not to profit, neither for the preserving of the Olive, nor for the drawing of oil Omphacine, nor yet any other, for which ends God ordained and gave us the Olive-trees. And to speak the truth, the mingling of kinds and differing roots of Trees, (if it be not according to, and jumping with the natural virtues of them both, and according to an agreement in some good measure of perfection, and yet furthermore well and thoroughly allowed and approved by reason:) becometh rather a monstrous birth, and an enforcement of nature, than any profitable imp either for the health of man, or for the saving and sparing of itself. Hereof are sufficient witnesses, I know not how many sorts of Apples, Pears, and Cherries, this jumbled together by offering force unto nature without judgement or reason: and but that they become somewhat admirable unto the eye, they yield no profit unto the body of any man, more than to drain his purse dry: except there be advised judgement in making choice of that thing and way which may be both for the advancement of the yearly profits of his ground, and for the good preservation of his health. But leaving off these discourses, let us return again to the Olive-tree, which hath both more beauty in itself, and more profit for the master, if it be contained in a reasonable sta●●●e for height, and spread itself abroad, than and if it should shoot up and become very long and tall. For if it exceed the height of ten foot and a little more, it is abated and hindered in the putting forth of so many blossoms as it would, and hath his boughs crushed in pieces which grow up at that pitch, when the wind bloweth strong, and thereupon also it casteth his fruit in untimely sort, even when it is very full. For this cause in many places there are some found which perforce do turn downward such boughs as grow so high, not regarding their standing out like bosses and bunches, provided that they be low and lurkingly couched: because that being so trussed up, they are free from storms and tempests, and abound the more in fruit: and if yet the Olive-tree would be climbing higher, than you must cut off such aspiring boughs or branches▪ and this must be done after the gathering of the Olives is past. It is true that the Olive-tree must be eight year old, before you reform it in the boughs growing over high, by cutting them off with a saw: but as for the shoots putting forth at the foot and along the stock, you must not refuse the cutting of them off how young soever they be. The profit coming both of the one and the other, is, that it aboundeth more in fruit: and this is the cause why some commonly say, That he that husbandeth and ordereth it with care and taking of pains about it, helpeth it forward in the bringing forth of his fruit; as also he which manureth it, as it earnestly craveth: but he that cutteth down some boughs off from it, compelleth it by all manner to means to become fruitful; seeing the nature of the Olive-tree is such (as Quintilian saith) as that it being cut off and made bare of boughs and high mounting tops, it spreadeth rounder and broader, and putting forth more boughs, doth also bear the more fruit, because the property of the Olive-tree is to be rank either in boughs or in fruit. It happeneth sometime to the Olive-tree, that it bringeth forth but one only bough exceeding all other in beauty and height: when this falleth out, it must be cut off without delay, for this is a sign that the tree in space and time will convey all his whole workmanship that way, and will leave nothing for any thing else; and upon this, will barrenness come in the end. And whereas the Olive-tree craveth to be left bare and thin of boughs, and then beareth more fruit, yet if the boughs be stricken down with poles when the Olives are beaten down, it groweth much worse, and goeth backward, forsaking and for●lowing his former fruitfulness. So that hereupon you see, that in gathering of Olives, you may not beat them down with poles, but rather you must have ladders borne up upon a Goat's foot, to lift you as high, as that you may gather the Olives with your hand. There are some Countries where the Olive-trees do rest and give over bearing for one year after that they have borne, and then the year after that they bear out of all measure, as in Portugal, and the oil that is made of those is good in the highest degree. You must in any case look to the inconveniences and harms that the Olive-tree is subject unto. 
Olive-trees full of Moss.  Many times in dry or moist places Olive-trees are spoiled, and become all overgrown with moss, which must be taken away with one tool or other: for else the Olive-tree will neither abound in leaves nor fruit.  
Sometimes the Olive-tree, although it be fair, 
The barren Olive-tree.  yet beareth no fruit, and then you must boar through the stock with a wimble, and put in good and deep the graft of a green bough of a wild olive-tree, or of some other olive-tree that is fruitful, and that upon either side of the hole: then afterward, to close up both the said holes with mortar mixed with straw, and the tree as a new made thing wit become fruitful by the grafting in of this graft. Others in such case do uncover the root, and renew the seat that it standeth in▪ Again, it may be remedied, and the foot not uncovered, with the lees of unsalted olives, with man's urine that is old, or with the stale urine of hogs.  
It falleth out many times that the fruit is spoiled and lost by the naughtiness of the ground where it is planted: 
The fruit spoiled.  and then it must be thus remedied. The Tree must be uncovered very low at the ●oot round about, and quick lime put into it, more or less according to the greatness of the Tree, for a little tree craveth but a little. The Olive-tree sometimes beareth much fruit or flowers, and notwithstanding by a secret disease that is in it, it cannot bring them to a good end to ripen them: when th●● happeneth, the stock must be uncovered round about, and the lees of oil mixed with sweet water afterward applied thereto.  
Sometimes the Olive-tree becometh all withered, 
The withered Olive-tree.  and falling into a consumption, which thing may happen through worms or other vermin which spoil and eat the roots, and the remedy is to water the foot with lee of Olives. It sometimes also falleth out that the fru●t of the Olive-tree falleth before it be ripe: for a remedy whereof, take a bean that hath a weeule within it, close up the hole with wax: afterward take a green turf from near unto the root of the Olive-tree, and put the bean in it, and so cover it with earth, and the fruit of the olive-tree will not fall.  
Above all things, you must keep olive-trees from Turtle-doves, stars, and other such like birds which are exceedingly given to ●●corishnesse. As concerning the Olive-tree and olives, you may see more at large in the second book, and of the oil in this third book.   

CHAP. XXXV.  
Of the Date-tree.  
COncerning the Date-tree, 
The Date-tree.  it hath much a do to bear fruit in this courtrie, but and if it bear, yet it is very late: it craveth to have a hot air and country, or at the least well tempered, and the fruit which it beareth, is ripe before the Olive-tree be good. It delighteth in a light, sandy, and untilled or champain ground: and it is a plant either for April or May, to be planted of a small plant with the root. The stone is set new in October, and there must ashes be mingled with the earth where it is planted: and to make i● grow and bear goodly fruit, it must be watered often with the lees of wine. Look in the second book.  
Who so is careful of his health, let him not eat any Dates, or else as few as possible he can, because they cause the headache, obstructions, wring in the belly, and in the stomach. And yet notwithstanding this, they stay the flux of the belly, and put into gargarisms, they cure the frettings and cankrous ulcers of the mouth.   

CHAP. XXXVI.  
Of the Chestnut tree.  
Leaving the Date-tree, we come now to treat of the Chesnut-tree, which groweth very great, high, and thick, differing but a little from the walnut-tree, it beareth a profitable fruit, and hath not his like, whether you respect the shape, his nature, or the nourishment it yieldeth 〈…〉, as is to be seen in Awergne, Savoy, Perigu●ux, and Lymosin, and especially in Lyonnoyse and Daulphinie, where the great chestnuts grow: in which countries, especially in Parigord, the greatest parts of the forests are of chestnut-trees, & an infinite 〈◊〉 of people live not of any other thing but of this fruit, eating it sometimes boiled, sometimes roasted, sometimes made into bread, sometimes into broth with 〈◊〉, sometimes in meal baked after another sort. Likewise, nature seeing the profit 〈◊〉 redounded unto men from this so profitable a fruit, hath fenced and armed it with strong harness and such mighty armour, as that it goeth for proof both against the tooth of the beast, and beak of the birds, so long as it is kept within his uppermost cote and prickly covering; yea, and furthermore, under his rind and pilling, when it is taken away, with another rind that is good and hard, and with another that is more soft and fine, for the better preserving of it. This tree pleaseth itself with such a ground as is lying upon the North, and being moist rather than dry, or standing upon the South, for as much as it loveth the shadow better than the open Sun, the valleys better than the mountains, a soft ground better than that which is hard and massy, and a light ground, and yet not a sandy or clayey. To have good store of Chestnuts, it is better to sow them than to plant them, and that in a well digged and stirred ground, being also neat and well batled, and that in the month of March, ●etting them in the earth a foot deep, the sharp end upward, four or six of them together, taken out of great and ripe Chestnuts, and every hole distant from another the space of a fathom; and two or three years after to plant them in some other places, forty foot asunder every one from another, and that in respect of the great compass which they take with their branches on every side. If you would have it to grow of a branch, it must be such a one as hath root: for to make it grow of itself, by pricking down into the earth some sience, it will never be. Wherefore the most certain way is to make it grow of the fruit itself, pricking it down into the earth, as hath been said: notwithstanding it may be propagated or multiplied, burying and sinking some of his new shoots in the earth. It taketh likewise, if it be grafted in the cleft or in the Canon or Gun-like graft, and that in March, April, and May, upon itself, or upon the Beech-tree, or upon the Willow, but it then ripeneth very quickly, and beareth a fruit of a sharp and unpleasant taste.  
Chestnuts must be gathered in Autumn, 
The gathering of Chestnuts.  and kept till their rinds be become of a very bay colour, and cast out their fruit. Howbeit, if one would keep them a long time, it were better to beat them down with poles whiles they be green, and not to tarry till they fall to the ground, for those will not keep above fifteen days, if they be not presently dried in the smoke.  
The manner of keeping Chestnuts, 
To keep Chestnuts.  is to cover them with common Nuts; for the common Nut hath power to dry and invade the excrementous moisture of all things whereunto it is applied: or else to gather them reasonably ripe in the decrease of the Moon, and to put them in a cool place in sand, or in some vessel; but let in stand continually in the cool, and so well stopped, as that no air may get in, for otherwise they will be spoiled and rotten in a short time.  
The fairest, best fed, and most pleasant Chestnut of all others, is that which groweth in the Country of Lyonnoise, and are called great Chestnuts of Lions; or else I know not as yet from whence they have taken their name. But howsoever it is, besides the profit of the nourishment and sustenance which the Chestnut yieldeth, the Chesnut-tree is of great use to make Vessels of, as Cask to put wine and other drinks into, to build Bridges withal, as also Conduit-pipes, Pillars, and infinite other things about Buildings, Engines, props for Vines, Pales and Rails for Parks, Gardens, and other such places.  
The leaves of the Chesnut-tree, 
The leaves of the Chesnut-tree.  after they be fallen, are gathered up before any rain come to touch them, and serveth for litter for cattle; which being thus turned into dung, serveth to manure withal. Many use them to fill featherbed-ticks withal, and call them mockingly by the nickname of Parliament-beds, because the leaves make a noise when you lie down upon them, when you rise up from them, or when you move yourself any manner of way to or fro.  
The ashes of the wood of Chesnut-tree is not good to make lee of, 
The ashes of the Chesnut-tree. , because it spott●●h and staineth the Linen so mightily, as that such stains will never be got out.  
Chestnuts with vinegar and barley flower applied in manner of a Cataplasm unto women's breasts which are hard, do make the same soft: stamped with salt and honey, 
The hardness of 〈…〉.  they are applied unto the bitings of mad dogs: the rinds or skins thereof are put many times in lees, which are made to colour the hair yellow: their red inward rind, which lieth next unto the white kernel, being drunk the weight of two drams, stayeth all manner of fluxes of the belly, and of blood, as also the whites of women, with equal quantity of ivory. Chestnuts, in as much as they be windy, they provoke men to lust: being eaten excessively, they cause the headache: they swell and harden the belly, and are of hard digestion: such as are roasted under ashes, are less hurtful than the raw or boiled ones, especially if they be eaten with pepper per and salt, or sugar.   

CHAP. XXXVII.  
Of the Pinetree.  
THe Pinetree craveth a sandy, 
The Pinetree.  light, and stony ground: and therefore it groweth willingly in outcast and contemned plots, such as there are many of by the coasts of the main Sea. It is planted in the month of October and November, and it is not to be translated till after that it hath been three years planted, and then it must be seated in a well digged place, and in an earth well manured with Horse dung. This tree hath a nature contrary unto the Walnut-tree, because it causeth to thrive and prosper whatsoever is set under the shadow of it: again, it is not so cumbersome as to keep away the Sun and the wind from the things that join next unto it, or under it. The Pine kerns (for to be kept) must be put in new pots full of earth, together with their shells.  
Such as have weak lungs, or are grown lean by some long sickness, must go a taking of air into the Forests, where there are good store of Pines, because such air is very profitable for them. Their kernels steeped in warm water, to take away their oily quality and sharpness, being often eaten, do cure the ache of the 〈◊〉, the ache of the back, the palsy, benumbedness, trembling of the parts, weakness of the lungs, shortness of breath, ulcers of the lungs, ulcers of the reins and of the bladder, the scalding of the urine, and make fat such as are lean and wasted, 〈◊〉 up lust in such as languish and are weak unto the work● of venery. They cure the gnawings of th● stomach, taken with water of Plantain, or juice of Purcelane. The new Nuts of the Pinetree distilled in a Limbeck, make a singular water to take away the wrinkles of the face, and to stay the excessive great growth of women's breasts, if you apply a Linen cloth steeped in this water upto them. Set in the second Book.   

CHAP. XXXVIII.  
Of the Plum-tree.  
AS for the Plum-tree, 
The Plum-tree.  it is a common and ordinary tree, agreeing with 〈◊〉 Countries of whatsoever conditions: howbeit the Damask Plum-tree is more cheerful, and pleaseth itself better in a dry Country and hot air than it doth elsewhere. The Plum-tree will grow easily, and increase infinitely: for and if it be once brought into a plot of ground, in a short time it seizeth itself upon the whole place: and if it be planted on the one side of a wall, it will leap within a short time after upto the other side of it, and so placeth the wall in the midst. It desireth not to be dunged, because the dung maketh the fruit to mould or rot, and easily to fall down: but it would be oft digged at the foot round about, as f●rre as the compass of his roots stretcheth, and watered in dry weather. It growth upon a stone buried a foot deep in the earth that is fat, and that in November or February, having steeped the said stone for three days space before you sow or set it in lee, or longer in a composition of Cinnamon water, if you would have it to yield any aromatical smell: or else of a mere plant, having a root in a pit a little digged, because it graspeth not much ground with his foot, but yet it must be good and light and easy to be pierced round about, for the affording of an easy and plentiful seat unto it. It groweth also in prosperous sort, if it be grafted after the Scuti h●on-like fashion, either upon itself, or upon the sweet Cherry: or else in the cleft, and that besides the two former, upon the Appletree, Almond-tree, Peach-tree, and Ceruise-tree: of all which sorts of grafts, that is the best which is upon itself, or upon the sweet Cherrie-tree; for all the rest are but means to cause the Plum to degenerate from his nature, and to become bastardly, as well in their shape as in their taste. The fittest time to graft them, is in February or in March, and then rather in the stock than in the bark.  
There is a certain kind of scab which doth take hold of it, and that either by letting the gum to stand and hang about it, and to wax old, which it casteth forth, or else by reason of the mos●e which it gathereth, and for that cause it would have his gum taken away at the beginning of cold weather, and the mos●e rubbed off with a rough Linen cloth, or a mos●e rubber of Horse-haire, and this at all times.  
There happeneth likewise unto it an vindisposedesse through the fault of the Gardener, 
The Plum-tree out of frame.  not casting the ground about the foot, or cutting off the rotten and corrupt wood; whereupon it turneth in and rolleth itself up into small balls, sometimes in one place, sometimes in more: and this is a disease which being neglected, doth spread itself in the end all over the tree, from one end to another, and bringeth it wholly to destruction: and therefore so soon as you shall see the sick tree in this sort to crumple and run upon heaps, you must cut off very clean all the boughs thus diseased, whereof it would be murdered and killed, even to the sound and whole branches, and withal to order & husband it in all good sort about the foot, to the taking away of this evili humour, which in this manner crooketh and causeth to turn round his wood.  
There happeneth also sometimes, 
The languishing Plum-tree.  by reason of some secret cause, that it so languisheth, as that it giveth over to bear fruit: for the putting of it in heart again, you must lay open his roots, and cast upon them the lees of oil mingled with water, or else the stale of oxen, or man's urine, or cast upon the roots the ashes of Vine branches thoroughly boiled.  
All Plums in general are cold and moist, more or less, the sweet ones less, the sour and sharp ones more.  
The sweet Plums have virtue to loosen the belly, 
Laxative Plums.  and yet they will purge more strongly, if at such time as when the Plum-tree is young, there be taken from it some part of the pith of the stock, or else one of his boughs, and the place filled up again with Scammony. They will in like manner procure sleep, 
Sleeping Plums.  if you put into the said emptied places the juice of Mandrakes, or Opium. Sharp and tart Plums are given to stay the belly. 
Plums of Brignoles.  There is great account made in Provence of the Plums of Brignoles, by reason of their pleasant taste. In France throughout, and every where else, there is a special account made of Damask Plums, which are of three sorts, the black, red, and violet colour, all of them proving very excellent in the Country of Tourraine, for from thence are sent, throughout all France, of them dried, which are used at all times. The Plums of Pardigoine are likewise greatly esteemed, by reason of their plumpenesse and pleasant taste. Furthermore, Dates are very rare and scarce in this Country, namely, those which come near to the Dates of other strange Countries, which are more pleasant relished than any other. Some likewise make account of Rhemish Plums dried, by reason of the pleasant tartness and sharpness which they have.   

CHAP. XXXIX.  
Of the Pomegranate-tree.  
COncerning the Pomegranate-tree, 
The Pomegranate-tree.  it requireth little husbanding, 〈◊〉 yieldeth small delight to the sight, by reason of his ill-favoured branches and boughs; save so long as it is bearing his fruit, before it come to perfect ripeness, and yet put out, quartered, and as it were laid open to th● show, out of his coat and covering, this tree is the most delightsome to behold of all others: the frame and fashion of whose flower and fruit being well considered, i●● work of Nature right admirable: there is not that rain, that scorching heat of th● Sun, nor yet almost that fading and decaying old age, which can cause it to forego his goodly show of Rubies: and yet notwithstanding, how famous a thing soe●er it be, it groweth without any dainty or delicate handling and looking to, and that sometimes at the foot of a wall, sometimes in the midst of a heap of stones, and sometimes amongst the hedges by high ways sides. It is true, that it craveth a hot Country, and where it may not be debarred of the Sun: and if it happen to be set at any time in a fat ground, it maketh his best advantage of it, being in this respect like unto the Olive-tree, whereof we have spoken before. And if it be in such a Country as i● fit for it, you need not to think either of the digging or under-digging of it: for it reckoneth not of seeing itself set in a great heap of stones, as neither to break cross-wise through a ruinous wall, neither ceaseth ●t for any such thing from bringing forth his good and pleasant fruit: but in cold Countries, where it hardly groweth, it would be digged and husbanded about the foot twice a year, that is to say, in Autumn and in the Spring. It will grow either upon roots, or of grafting in the cleft, and that upon itself, about March or April: but and if you will plant it upon som● branch that hath roots, you must choose such a one as is a handful thick, and make it a delightsome and fine moulded pit. Some would have it thrust into the earth with a stake by it, as is usual in setting Willow plants, but I cannot find that this way of thrusting it down thus into the earth, doth prove to any good. The Pomegranate-tree will not lose his flower, if when as it is flowered you compass the flock about with a ring or hoop of Lead, or with the old slough of an Adder.  
The wine of Pomegranates 
Pomegranate wine.  is made of this sort: You must take the ripe kernels clean and free from their skins, and put them in the press, where they must be pressed by and by. Some strain them through bags made for the purpose: some 〈◊〉 them to be put into vessels until it be well fined; in the end they power oil vpo● them, that they may not corrupt or grow sour.  
The Pomegranate Apple put in a pot of new earth, well covered and 〈◊〉 with clay, set in an Oven, and in the end so well parched, as that it may be made into powder, than such powder taken the weight of half a crown with red wine, doth help th● party marvelously that hath the bloody flux. The innermost flowers of th● Pomegranate made up in conserve with Sugar, have an incredible force to stay 〈◊〉 manner of fluxes of the Matrix, whether white or red, taken in the quantity of 〈◊〉 an ounce, with the juice of sour Pomegranates, or red wine, or water wherein 〈◊〉 hath been quenched; as also to stay the bloody flux, the shedding of nature, th● flux of the guts, or of the stomach. The kernels of sour Pomegranates dried, made into powder, and after mingled, the weight of an ounce, with a 〈◊〉 of fine powdered Frankincense, and two drams of this powder taken every morning, do stay the whites.   

CHAP. XL.  
Of the Ceruise-tree.  
THe Ceruise-tree, 
Th● 〈◊〉- tree.  as well the male as the female, delighteth in a cold, moist, and mountainous place, but in a hot and plain place it thruieth not. It must be sown of the stones: and some plant it of shoots in February and in March. It is grafted in the end of March and April upon itself, upon the Thorn or Quince-tree, and upon the Peare-maine-tree, in the bark or stock. It must be often digged and watered: and let him that can conveniently, lay dung unto the foot of it, mingled with ashes, and that in very deep pits.  
cervises are gathered in Autumn before they be ripe: they are gathered by handfuls tied together: or else they are orderly laid upon straw to ripen them: for otherwise they are not fit to be eaten, because of the harshness.  
The wood of the Ceruise-tree is very solid, close, and hard, and therefore in great request to make Tables of, and other house implements, as also to make goads and whips for Neat-heards.  
There is wine made of cervises, 
The flux of th● belly.  as there is of Pears. cervises have force to restrain fluxes of the belly: and for this cause they may be dried in the Sun before they be ripe, and afterward used.  
He who hath sometimes been subject unto the biting of a mad dog, or otherwise, must not sleep or rest under the shadow of the Ceruise-tree: for if he do, it will hazard him to cast him into his former madness again: Such is the force of the Ceruise-tree, to raise up, renew, and revive a qualified and appeased madness.   

CHAP. XLI.  
Of the Corneile-tree.  
AS for the Corneile-tree, 
Of the 〈◊〉- tree.  which the Latins call Cor●us, (so called, because his stock is of such knotty and solid wood, as that it seemeth to be horn) as well the male as the female, delighteth to be planted in a fat and sandy ground: and as for other things, it would be planted or graf●ed after the manner of the Ceruise-tree. In any case it must not be planted near unto where Bee-hives stand, neither suffered to grow there of itself: because that the Bees having once tasted of the flowers thereof, fall into a flux of the belly, and die thereupon presently: but the contrary falleth out in men, who by having eaten of the Corneile-tree berries, or of the conserve made of the flowers or fruit thereof, do fall suddenly into a costi●enesse. The fruit of this tree is long and ●ound, fashioned like an Olive, and is not ripe before Autumn, and then it becometh of a red colour, or the colour of Wax. This fruit containeth in the pulp of 〈◊〉 a stony bone. Some make of the pulp or flesh a confection like unto 〈◊〉 with Sugar, and it is very singular in bloody fluxes, and the staying of women's terms.   

CHAP. XLII.  
Of the juiube-tree.  
THe juiube-tree is a tree that is very rare, 
Of the juiube-tree.  and seldom seen in France, but much in the country of Provence, especially about Dupon●, S. E●prit, and in Languedoc. This is a tree of great reach and compass bot● for his height and breadth, and naturally it loveth to be in hot Country's, not so much seeming to regard the soil wherein it is set: likewise in many places of the said Country it is seen in turning ways and public places. But and if you would have it to grow in cold Countries, you must not so lightly regard it ● 〈◊〉 you must see that it be seated in a good fat ground, and manured with Pigeons dung▪ and joining to the side of some wall, whereby it may have the reflex of the South Sun, of which you must look to give it the full fruition before all other things. Sometimes it groweth of kernels, three or four of them being put into the earth together, and their sharp ends downward, the holes must be a foot deep, and heaped full of cows dung mingled with ashes of Vine branches, and that in April i● hot Countries, and in May in such as are cold. And when it is once grown up, and become somewhat strong, which will be about the term of eighteen months, or two years after, than you shall remove it into some other place, with such observations as have been delivered concerning others, and concerning the Country, 〈◊〉 it shall fall out, hot or cold. Some likewise plant it of the root, when it riseth up into shoots, which have small threddie and hairy roots, losing and pulling them up gently, together with some of the principal roots of the tree, for fear of parting them and their threddie roots, planting them in pits prepared some fifteen days before, in a light ground, and that in March. As concerning their sciences, to ma●● them grow, it is not so certain a thing, as that it deserveth the troubling of one's head about it: but for grafting of it in the cleft, either upon itself, or upon the Medlar-tree, or upon the Quince-tree, you may if you will: but grafted upon itself, the juiubes will be more gross and thick, and of a more pleasant taste, as generally all manner of fruit is, being grafted upon a tree of his own kind. Some will say, that it rejoiceth during the time of Winter to be compassed about with a heap of stones, and when Summer comes, to have them taken away: and that it craveth likewise to have Ox dung laid unto the roots of it: but in those Country's where there are such great store of Plants, this piece of service is altogether neglected, which notwithstanding is the means to cause great store of fair 〈◊〉 good fruit.   

CHAP. XLIII.  
Of the Bay-tree.  
AS for the Bay-tree, 
The Boy-tree.  it is very common, seeing it groweth in 〈◊〉 ground, 〈◊〉 overthwart the Conie-burrowes and heaps of stones. It groweth 〈◊〉 times from under the foundation of walls. It is likewise to be a Countryman in every coast and quarter, but yet his natural inclination and birthright is to be in hot Countries, or at the least temperate: And therefore being enticed over into cold Countries, it must be much made of and well welcomed whe● it cometh there: for indeed it must be planted in a fat, solid, and good soil of earth, near unto some wall, where he may have the South Sun to comfort hi● with a double comfort▪ and at the approach of Winter, it must be ma●●red, overcast, and covered with long straw in the strength of the Winter, or else well cased and wrapped about with Mats. It must also be under-digged for the first four or five years after his coming and bearing, and that in March and April. And yet, if notwithstanding all this pain and industry taken, it shall happen to be extremely and rigorously entreated of the frost, and that the lea●es shall begin to wither away, and the wood to wax black, than you must add more store of earth unto it at the foot, and strengthen it there, in the month of March, if that the cold put forth and begin to be dealing the same year: for the dung will have kept the roots and clasping gripes in force and whole untouched, and so it will not fail to put forth with speed new shoots and sprigs in abundance, which will be fit to multiply and propagate the Winter following in the said month of March, at which time the sap draweth up unto the bark, if so be that you desire to have great store. It taketh also of a branch, foreseen that it be set in a fat and black earth, which is moist. The time to set it of root, plant, or branch, is either in Autumn or in the Spring. It is sown in the same seasons a foot under ground, and four berries together: and when one year is past, you must plant it where you will have it abide. In any case you may not sow it or plant it near unto any of the Lattice-worke or climbing and running frames made for the Vine, much less near unto the plant itself, because that the Bay-tree is altogether enemy unto the Vine, as well in respect of his shadow, as of his heat, which draweth away all means of growth from the Vine. Look in the second Book.  
The leaves of the Bay-tree do preserve, keep uncorrupt, and make faster the Fish that is fried, especially that which is fried in oil, laying them by beds one upon another. They perform in like manner the same good unto dried Figs, Damask or Frail Raisins, if you strew of them amongst the said Raisins in the Frail.  
You must observe, as well in the leaves of the Bay-tree, as in those of the juniper and Elme-tree, that they being cast into the fire, do presently crackle, and that the cause of this is, for that they take fire before their superfluous and raw moisture be consumed and spent.  
The leaves of the Bay-tree dried and rubbed one against another, if there be put betwixt them a little powder of Brimstone, do cast out sparkles of fire, as doth the steel and the stone: in like manner do ivy lea●es. The boughs of Bay-tree stuck down in arable ground, do keep the Corn from mildew and blasting. Some ar● of opinion, that tempests and lightning will turn away from those houses and places where there are hanging any Bay-tree boughs, wherher it be at the chamber floors, or else at the doors or windows.  
The tender crops of the Bay-tree, boiled with flowers of Lavender in wine, do heal hardness of hearing, and noises in the ears, if the vapour be taken thereat with a funnel. The Vuula being fallen, is again restored to his place, if you lay the ●ayes of the Laurell-tree very hot unto the top of the crown of the head, with equal weight of Cummin, Hyssop, Organie, and Euforbium, mixed together with honey. The bays of Laurel powned with Wheat-bran, juniper-berries, and Garlic, heated in a hot frying-pan, sprinkled with wine, and laid to the flanks, do provoke the retained urine. If women with child, and near their accounts, do eat every night going to bed seven Laurel bays, or bayberries, they shall have a more easy travail and delivery.   

CHAP. XLIIII.  
What space must be left betwixt Fruit-trees when they are removed.  
THat you may fitly appoint the standings of trees, 
The greatness of trees 〈◊〉 to be considered.  and their distances one from another, in respect of the trees themselves, compared one with another: you must first consider the height, fullness of the leaves and boughs, and spreading of the same, according as every sort of tree doth ordinarily grow and attain unto: and besides the ordinary, how by place affording abundance of nourishment, the tree may exceed and surpass itself in height and breadth, for that fruit-trees would not be encumbered above head, or over his top, but would have the breathing and blowing of certain winds at liberty, and with sufficient space favourably to light upon them, and withal, the fruition and benefit of the Sun: in all which points, the unequal proportion of one tree unto another in height or breadth doth offer let and hindrance. And yet further, if they would have their wag and plying to and fro to be free, that so they may play 〈◊〉 liberty when the wind tosseth them, how greatly should the exceeding greatness of the neighbour trees disturb and trouble one another, if care and advise be not take● in the first planting of them? And therefore you must have regard and cast an eye about you for this cause, that so you may well and profitably appoint out your distances and spaces betwixt one and another: for in good and fat grounds, where trees may grow much, you must allow more space than elsewhere. And further you must note, that one tree planted well at liberty, whatsoever the place be of itself, doth fructify and bear a great deal more.  
If you mind to plant thick and gross trees all on a row, 
The space and distance betwixt trees.  and upon high ways, and against the hedges of fields, than you must leave them some five and thi●●e foot distant one from another: but and if you intent to plant many rows in one and the same place, than you must be sure to leave five and forty foot space betwixt every two, and as much betwixt one rank and another, that so the boughs of each tree may the more freely spread themselves every way upon their empty and vacant sides.  
As for Peartrees, Appletrees, and others of that bigness, if you plant only one row by the sides of your field-hedges, or elsewhere, it will be enough to allow twenty feet betwixt one and another: but and if you set two rows upon the hedge of your Garden allies, than you must allow them some five and twenty feet betwixt one and another every way square, in such sort, as that as well the alley as the spac● betwixt every two trees on either side may make a perfect square of five and twenty feet in every line: and if the distance allowed them be of less quantity, than it must be somewhat answered and helped, by not planting of them every one right over one against another, but as if you should wrap and lay them up one within another, to let the full and planted place of the one side stand over-against the void and empty of the other. Some would, that there should some small trees b● planted amongst those great trees which you thus set about the alleys for the times whiles they are in growth: but this would not do well, if either they should be suffered to continue there always (because it would break the rule and precept delivered before couching such course) neither yet if they should be taken up afterwards; and the reason thereof is, because they draw away and eat up the juice and nourishment of the earth, which should wholly be employed in growing and furthering of those which are intended for the enclosing and defending of the alleys.  
If you should go about to plant a whole Field, or quarter of your Garden, with great fruit-trees, such as before named, you must then set them checkerwise, and allow them betwixt twenty and thirty foot of distance the one from the other every way, that is to say, from tree to tree, and from row to row.  
Plum-trees, 
Plum-trees.  and other trees bearing stone-fruit, and being of the like size of bigness, will not admit under fourteen or fi●teene feet distance one from another in every row: but and if you will only plant two rows upon the sides of your garden alleys, than they need not above six foot distance square; but you must look, that this proportion, or whatsoever other that you s●t down to yourself, do ●ustly answer the proportion of the length of the place intended to be planted.  
Sweet Cherri●-trees 
Sweet Cherrie-trees.  and bitter Cherrie-trees do look to have allowance of distance betwixt ten and twelve foot: but and if they be to be planted upon the sides of the great alley of your garden, than it will suffice to allow them betwixt nine and ten.  
The lesser trees, 
Common, or the lesser sort of Cherrie-trees.  as Cherrie-trees, Quince-trees, Figge-trees, Hazel Nut-trees, and such like, are sufficiently allowed, if they be set distant betwixt eight and nine foot in your green Grassplot, or Orchard, and betwixt five and six in Alleys and Garden rows. When you would plant two rows, ei●her of them of several kinds of trees, than set the lesser on that side that the Sun falleth first upon, that so the shadow of the greater may not disadvantage them.   

CHAP. XLV.  
Other precepts about the planting of Fruit-trees.  
IF you plant Peartrees and Plum-trees one with another, it will be better to set the Plum-trees towards the Sun, for Peartrees do better endure the want and with holding of the same.  
When you shall take up a tree to plant it elsewhere, 
To 〈◊〉.  take a great circle ●ound about the foot, and raise together with the root as much of the earth cleaving ●hereunto as you can: for besides that thus the roots do not lose their bed, they find themselves otherwise also infinitely better contented, when they carry with them the earth alread●e reclaimed and familiar unto them, than and if they should be constrained in their new lodging to stoop and conform themselves to the earth which they ●hould there find. 
To water.  For as for watering of the roots, in pulling of them up to the raising up of the more earth therewithal, it is as good as nothing, but rather doth much ●urt, because that this wet earth being within the new hole, becometh stiff and ●ard, which cannot but greatly offend the roots of the tree removed: for the very remove doth astonish and blur them so, as that it maketh the points of their roots as 〈◊〉 were blunt, and to have their mouths stopped, so as that they can neither draw unto ●hem, or else go forward themselves: so that if they find not the earth of their new ●odging so light and crumly, as that they may pierce it without straining of themselves, and con●ey themselves any way, either the tree continueth long without ta●ing, or else it dieth right out. For the avoiding of which discommodity, you must ●ot either wet the new hole, neither yet the tree in removing of it, nor so much as re●oue it in a dristing time: and it is enough that the hole hath continued open before ●or the space of fifteen or twenty days, and hath drunk in of the dew and wet of ●he night. Of one thing you must take good heed, that you give it his just quarters ●f North, South, East, and West, as it had before, and that if you take it up from a ●laine ground, that then you bestow it in a plain ground again: and if you remove 〈◊〉 from a hilly place, into the like, or otherwise into a plain: than you must look that ●he seat wherein you set it in▪ be descended in like manner from the winds, both below ●nd on high, as it was in his first.  
You must not plant the tree● that have been browsed by cattle, 
Trees browsed wub 〈◊〉.  or have had their 〈◊〉 broken off; for they grow not so well, except you think it good to cut off the end of their tops and head, to see if that thereupon they will take and grow again. You may plant trees also without roots, 
To plant trees without roots.  if they have great piths, as the Figtree, ●ame Mulberrie-tree, Hasel-trees, and other such like.  
And as for the Pits wherein you mean to plane trees, 
Pits.  you must make them six foot deep in clayey places, but not so much in moist places: you must likewise make them roomethie and wide enough; for though the tree that you shall plant, should have but small roots, yet you must make it wide, that so there may store of good earth be cast in round about the root. 
To moist an earth.  And if the bottom of the earth where you make the pits be too so●t, then help it by putting to it some dry earth, or else stay till it harde● and breath out his moisture. 
Too hard an earth.  On the contrary, if it be too dry, or hard and ho●●ie▪ dung it and moisten it with water, letting it drink in of the same well and sufficiently: not that you should make it like a pool, but sprinkled or bedewed with water, therewith to cool it. Again, it is meet, that if your tree be old gathered, that they be watered and steeped at the foot two or three days. If any of the roots of your trees prove too long, 
The roots peeled.  or to have their bark hurt, than you must cut them off bias, and 〈◊〉 the side that is most unfurnished be under when the tree shall be planted, for there will small roots come forth round about the cut.  
It is a general rule, 
Small trees.  that before the removing of any manner of tree whatsoever, and especially if it be a tree grown up of kernels, if it be grown thick, for to 〈◊〉 off the branches of it first, and to leave nothing on it, except such sprigs as are not above a finger's length, or somewhat more or less, according as the tree doth require: and this is it which some utter in a proverb, 
A Prouerb●.  That he that will plant his father, must cut off his head: but as for small trees, which have but some one small wand or ro● put out of them, there is no need that such should be cut up on high, when they be removed. The stocks of the Nursery which you intent to graft, must be very well 〈◊〉 forth into branches before they be removed, as we have said before.  
And when you shall set down your trees in their pits, 
To give trees their ●it places.  you must free their roots from being entangled one with another as much as you can, and make them all 〈◊〉 draw downward, not suffering any one of them to turn their ends upward: and 〈◊〉 is not needful that they should be set so deep into the earth, for it is enough, that the roots be laid in so deep, as that the earth may cover them half a foot, or thereaba●●, if the place be not very scorching and stony: and you must not fill up your pit, 〈◊〉 leave a hollow round about the tree with some open passage or conduit, that so the rain water staying there, may be conveyed unto the roots of the tree.  
When your trees shall be spread in the pits, and the roots thereof orderly laid 〈◊〉 large, weigh down upon them easily with your foot, and after mingle well 〈◊〉 earth with a part of that about the pit, and strew this upon your roots▪ causing the smallest of it to fall down amongst them; but lay not the grassy side of the earth ●●wards them, for that might set them in too great a heat: you shall mingle the 〈◊〉 earth well with the other, and so fill up the whole pit. And if there be any worms in the earth that you shall put in, than you shall mingle some lee ashes therewith, to kill them, 
To kill worms.  because they might do hurt unto the roots. Afterward, when your pit shall be filled within half a foot, or near thereabout, you must tread down the earth 〈◊〉 upon and in the places about the roots, and it is far better if it be dry in that 〈◊〉 than for to have it wet.  
But and if you prick down or plant a tree of a prop, stake, 
The pricking down of trees.  stake, or pole without 〈◊〉, with a wooden beetle or mallet, make not way for it into his hole with another 〈◊〉 but let it make his own hole for itself, not leaving it such a depth of earth to pass● through, as that it cannot possibly enter without spoiling his bark: but when yo● drive in the stake, tie it in such sort at the upper end, as that it may not 〈…〉 driving.   

CHAP. XLVI.  
Of pruning, lopping, uncovering, and making clean of Trees.  
Slothful and negligent Hinds say, That a tree must never be touched after it is planted: but a good Husbandman saith, Be still doing one good turn or another unto the earth and the tree, and they will do the like to you again. It were true indeed, that to say that we may not touch the tree, would have some colour of reason, if it were to be understood of the not removing of it from his first seat, it being good, and according to the nature of the tree: but to say that we should not touch it at all after it is once planted, would be either to prove negligent, or else to be willing not to receive any fruit of his trees: for by how much you are the more diligent about it, and procure it the more good and pleasure, by so much the more increase will it repay you again: and he shall never have good or much fruit, that shall not be diligent in cleansing of his trees in Winter, and in the end of Autumn. 
To take branches from trees.  For as concerning the taking away of superfluous and bad branches, and picking of them, it is most certain, that a tree that busieth itself much to grow wood, must have his branches tamed about the beginning of December, by taking away of them so many as are superfluous, with the unnecessary wood, over tall and high boughs, and such as hinder it from making of many buds to blossom and bear flower: in doing whereof, you may not touch the principal branches. 
To make way for the Sun ●o come to the trees.  Again, you must free your trees of branches, and some part of the stock also, when it standeth behind others that take away his Sun, that so after such disbranching, and loss of some part of his stock, it may set afresh upon putting forth of new, and that so courageously, as that it may surmount and overgrow those which before did overtop it, and take away the Sun from it: for the ●ame reason, if the Sun enter not in forcibly enough amidst the branches of a tree, but that some are still shadowed, it cometh to pass, that those shadowed ones do ●ot bear any fruit; and therefore there is cause that it should be observed and mar●ed ever as it groweth, what branches there be that do over-shew and drown the other, and to take them out of the way when the leaf is fallen. You must likewise ●ut the boughs that look downward, or which grow crooked in the midst of the ●ree, as those which hinder the growth of it. This disbranching must be done in the decrease of the Moon, when there is not either excessive cold wind, or rain, ●nd that with a good cutting tool: and not in any case when the tree is in his blossoms, because that so it might come to pass easily, that they should dry away. Young grafts may not be too soon picked and pruned, lest they should become too frolic and lusty, putting up still in height, having but a feeble body to bear so great a head: and therefore they must be let grow strong about the foot before you do any thing unto them.  
It is like wise most certain, 
To take dead wood 〈◊〉 the tree.  that the dead wood of a tree doth cause other braun●hes for to die, and so by little and little the whole tree throughout: or else it keepeth ●he tree from growing and rising, 
What is meant by bourgening.  which is the same that we call bourgening. Then 〈◊〉 appeareth how necessary it is to take away all dead wood, and it may be done ei●her in Summer or Winter. This mischief haunteth old trees most, or else such young ones as the Sun hath come too fiercely against, 
Exceeding heat of the sun hurtful to trees.  in the place of their standing: or ●lse by some inconvenience of lightning, thunder, or tempest: or else of some veni●●ous beast lurking at the foot of it, having bitten and wounded some fibrous part of the root: or else by having had some of the branches tainted and wronged by the spade or pickax in the laying of it open at the foot, or multiplying of it by propagation. And if it be meet that that should be remedied that is above the earth; ●hen do that also which is under the earth, and with greater care and diligence: for the heat of the earth and dung doth engender vermin at the foot of the tree, which eat away the roots: or else sometime dung cast about it, doth minister such store of nourishment unto it, as that thereupon it is forced to put forth so great store of shoots and sciences, as that these do make it to miscarry, without hurting or taking any nourishment from any other of the trees: So that then hereby it appeareth, that there is need to dig trees at the foot in Winter unto the very quick of the earth, and take away from thence whatsoever may threaten any danger; and as for such number of sciences, to see them planted other where, whether they be of Plum-trees, Peartrees, Appletrees, or such other, and at the end of three years to graft them. And here it shall not be amiss to note, that the sciences of Hasel-tree being removed, bring forth the better small Nuts.  
In like manner, 
To order a tree in Winter.  the tree must have some recreation given it in Winter, after hi● great travel in bringing forth of his fruit, and that in this sort: as by opening the earth, and laying his roots bare, that so you may cleanse them, and that the rain and the snow may fat them, which especially and principally happeneth in nanie places that are hot, dry, and lying very open upon the Sun in his scorching heat. Furthermore, if the bark of the tree begin to dry away, showing signs of small store of nourishment within, that then you make fast unto the foot of the same tree some dead dog, or other carrion, 
A dead dog o● some other carrion made fast to the foot of the tree.  for to rejoice it withal, and some one or other scuttle full of good and small dung to lay about the foot of it: or on the contrary, lee ashes, if so b● that the ground be found too fat and full of worms.  
The age of the tree will make it to grow full of moss: and if it be young, 
The moss of trees.  than to● much moisture will make it mossy, as also too much dryness. This disease feedeth upon a tree, and maketh it lean, as the scab doth the beast: and we must not think, th●● this can happen by reason of the mos●e that is put about and above the wreath of the grafts. The remedy for this, is to lay it open at the roots, as hath been said heretofore: as also to make it clean in Winter with a knife of wood, or of bone, for fear that the moss continuing in peace, win the country, and in fine devour the whole tree.  
He that will have fair young trees, 
The time to dig and cu● off vnprofitabl● members from young trees.  must dig about them every month, and 〈◊〉 off unprofitable and noisome parts every of those times, after March and October, and so long, as until they be grown great: but when they are become great, they must not be digged ofter than thrice a year. In Winter, whether they be great or small, the earth must be taken from their feet, that so it may be mingled with dung and put into the pit again, to the continual retaining of necessary moistured and comfortable influence of the heavens, as we have said before. And in Summer, and when it is extreme hot, there must be kept and gathered a heap of cool earth about the foot of the said tree, to help it to avoid the heat and drought of the laid season.  
It is best to disbranch and prune trees, 
The fit time to pick an● prune trees.  when the sap beginneth to rise up into them, and when they thereupon begin to but and blossom in sign of approaching Summer, and this time most commonly falleth out about March and April. And in this business you must see, that you cut the superfluous boughs off dose by the stock, and the sap thereupon will by and by run out at the same cut: which thing cannot so happily succeed with them which cut trees in Winter. And to prevent that the thickness of the weighty and great branches may not rend the 〈◊〉 from the tree in falling, cut it first half a foot from the earth, and after goef forward to saw off the residue very close unto the tree, and lastly, cast the sawed dust upon the cut.  
If you disbranch and prune your trees in Winter, 
To cut d●wne branches fr●● old trees.  leave the stumps sufficient long to cut them afterward again in March and April: but and if you mean to lop and disbranch your great and old trees, to the end they may grow young again, whe● you perceive them to lose their lusty colour, and to begin to look yellow, than yo● must do it shortly after the first of November, as after that their leaves are fallen and before their sap put up again: and in cutting or sawing of these boughs, 〈◊〉 their stumps with the stock, that so you may gra●t upon them new sciences, some longer, some shorter, as the tree requireth, being 〈◊〉 in all your work to take away the most offending branches, that ●o the remainder may receive the more h●mour and substance.  
It the tree through age or otherwise become barren contrary to his wont custom, 
An old Tree fallen barren.  you must not cut off all his boughs, but those only that are dead. Likewise you must uncover his roots after the beginning of November is passed, and cleave the thickest of them, and put in the clefts some shivers of hard stone, and there leave them, to the end the juice of the earth may enter in that way: afterward, at the end of Winter you shall cover their roots again with good earth.  
When the grafts of three or four year old are broken, 
Grafts broken:  broused or hurt of cattle; or when as you see that at such age they increase not neither grow greater, than you must cut them again, and graft them more low or more high than they were. And after you have thus cut it, you may take the unthriving grafts, cut off and grafted them again, or some part of them in this new head, but somewhat deeper than it was before in the former; and let it also be well and close made up, even from the first setting of it into the stock: and when you have thus grafted the stock this second time, you must still leave remaining and not pull away the sciences which put forth of the plants so grafted, until you see whether the graftes do put forth new wood or no; for peradventure you might kill the plant, which yet being reserved and kept alive, you may graft again the third time, if the second should die or miscarry.  
After the graftes have put forth new wood, 
How to order graf●s af●er they ha●● put forth new wood  of some two or three foot length, if they ag●ine put forth sciences more than need, and those about the parts which you desire to cherish, and to bring to large growth, then cut away those superfluous sciences, and that very close, even in the year that the grafts were grafted, but let it be at such time as the sap is in the wood: likewise it will not be amiss to cut off some of the principal members of the shoots and grafts of the first year, if there be too much put forth, and to engraffed them in some other place: and about four or five years after that they have been grafted, and therewithal the grafts well and close grown to the plants; yet once again go over your former work, and take away after the same manner whatsoever you perceive of idle remainder: for it is enough for one tree to have one good member for to make his stock or body of, and especially those which have been grafted small upon a graft, and thus it proveth a f●●rer and better tree in the end. But and if the tree were grafted after it had been grown great, and that with many grafts, you may well afford it larger allowance, according as you shall find requisite and needful, for the better covering again of the clefts and cuts made in the plant.  
When your trees shall begin to grow, 
To order and ●andle Trees ● at are grow● up.  you must govern and guide them well for three or four years or more, namely until they be come to a good shape and fashion, cutting their top on high, and their small branches of superfluous wood, so long as till they come to the height of a man and more, if well it may be done, and dress them well, and set them in good order in their principal parts and members, and that in such manner as that one branch stand not too near unto another: neither yet that they may take hold one of another when they shall grow great: and some also must be cut away if that th● tree should be too thick of boughs within, that so the Sun may show his force by having passage and entrance thereunto.  
If it come to pass that trees being yet young do cease to grow in thickness, 
Trees giving over to grow.  you must cleave the bark of the stock in four all along, or else in five places, according as the tree shall be in thickness, and after that, in a short time you shall perceive it grow marvelously.  
You must take from trees the dry leaves, 
To take away the Caterpillars nests.  which have shut up within them the nests and eggs of Caterpillars▪ and other such like little beasts, which are given to consume, waist, eat, and spoil the leaves, tender parts, and fruit itself from off the tree: and beside, do oftentimes cause to dry away, as also to die the whole tree, especially peartrees, and appletrees, as being more subject unto this vermin, than the other sorts of Fruit-trees. And it is needful furthermore to rid the stocks of all galls and breaches which the Worms or Pismires have made there, because that upon these occasions might follow their death and ruin.  
Trees may be cut from the first of November unto the end of March: 
The time to cut trees.  and yo● are to give order, that there may no gashes be made of great depth: and if you cut off the sciences or shoots of the tree which bringeth forth no fruit, and that it be in the decrease and last quarter of the Moon, it will cause it to become fruitful. And when the tree which you have grafted, shall have grown great, you may take away his sciences, and leave remaining your grafts alone.  
For the matter of watering of trees, 
To water trees.  they must not be watered except in time of very great drought, and then not upon their foot and stock, but in compass about them: and this again must be moderately done, because trees desire to be moistened rather by amending of them with fat and well manured earth, than with water: also we see, that the fruits which grow in places that are not watered, are ordinarily more savoury, and keep longer, than those whose earth and soil is drenched with water, howsoever that sometime the dryness thereof be such, as that it doth hinder and keep the fruit from coming unto his perfect growth and accustomed greatness.  
If that trees sor some years together do bear more fruit than ordinary, 
Much fruit upon a tree.  insomuch, as that it is as much or more in number than the leaves, you must in such case rid them of the third or half part, in as much as those behind will not only grow fairer, but because also, that the year after it will bring forth more than and if those should be let alone, it would do.   

CHAP. XLVII.  
Of the curing of Fruit-trees.  
EVen as all things that draw their force and take their growth from the earth, have some perseverance of that which is good for them, as those things by means whereof they live: so they have certain special and particular diseases growing upon them by reason of things that are contrary unto them, as either old age, or want, or over great abundance of that which should nourish them. Wherefore it is no marvel if Trees and every one of them do now and then suffer inconveniences, and such as if they be not quickly helped and relieved, they will not fail to die.  
All trees which through force of wind or otherwise shall be cloven, 
Sliven or shivered trees.  shivered, or sliven, must be cured with mire, sheeps dung, and swine's dung.  
Weeds growing about trees, 
Weeds about trees.  do suck the nourishment of the earth, and they must carefully be weeded out, and the rind of the tree must be smoothed with a hedging bill, but not in overthwart manner.  
When a tree groweth not in thickness, 
The small and dwarfish tree.  and is long in putting forth of branches, and in rising on high, after that you have uncovered it at the foot, at such time as hath been said before, you must cleave asunder many of his roots, but those not of the chief and principal, and put unto them swine's dung mixed with other earths, and sometime power down in the place the lees of strong wine, round about the roots: likewise if it be grown exceeding mossy, than you must cleanse it of the moss, with a great wooden knife, taking heed that you hurt not the bark. And in Summer time when the earth is too wet, it will be good to dig the earth about the foot and roots of those trees, which were not uncovered at the roots in Winter, and to mix therewith some thing to better the earth withal, whether it be dung or some good mould from some other place.  
You shall make the barren tree fruitful, 
The barren tree.  if you hang amongst the boughs a bag full of the seed of Roses, Mustardseed, and the foot of a Weasel.  
The file is a diseases in trees that fretteth their barks: wherefore you must cut away this infection very neat and clean at the end of Winter with a very sharp tool, 
The f●le in trees  and after put upon the wound or cut the dung of Oxen or Swine, and bind it to with old clothes, and keep them also very close and fast with Oziers', that it being thus fastened, may continue a long time, even whiles the plasters can be kept on, and made cleave thereto.  
There are but a few trees but they are subject unto the worms, 
W●rme in trees.  and some more than others, as Appletrees, Peartrees, and all such as contain within them a sweet juice: some others less, as the Bay-tree, and others which bear sour and bitter fruits. Sometimes these worms grow of the oldness of the tree, sometimes of having taken a blow. Therefore against such worms as use to breed in the bark of the tree, in the place where you shall see the bark swelled or hoven, you must raze it with a knife, and pierce it even unto the wood, that so the infecting humour may issue out, and with some hook or crook you shall pull out the worms and rottenness that is within, and that with as much speed as you can: after this, put into and upon the cut an emplaster of oxe-dung or swines-dung mingled and stamped with sage and some quick lime, wrap it well and tie all fast, and there let it remain and abide so long as it can endure.  
The lees of Wine, 
The jaundice in trees.  or grounds of Oil, being cast upon the roots of the Trees that have the jaundice, or else are otherwise any way sick, doth them very great good.  
There breed in Trees certain small beasts almost like to Weevils', 
Weevils'.  and they are somewhat bluish or black, and certain of them have long and sharp pointed peakes or bills, these do great harm to grafts and other young Trees: for they cut off young sciences which are yet but tender, and put forth not past the length of a finger: you must at the height of the day, when you shall see them there, lay your hand upon them very softly without stirring the Tree: for they let themselves fall down when one goeth about to take them, because they cannot quickly betake themselves to flight, and if they let not themselves fall into your hand, then reach up and take them upon the sciences with your other hand.  
For Snails and Ants, 
Against snails and ants.  lay ashes or sawdust of wood, or the meal of lupins at the foot of the trees, and when the rain hath fallen upon it, stir it up again, and put also new upon it: otherwise, set certain small vessels full of water at the foot of your trees: or else power lees of wine round about them.  
When a tree letteth fall his fruit, 
The tree that looseth his fruit  you must compass his stock about with ivory, as it were with a crown, or else with a plate of lead, or, which is best, you must uncover the roots of the tree, and pierce them, and put into the hole the wedge made of the wood of a cervise tree.  
To hinder the rust from hur●ing of your trees, 
Against ●●sting of trees.  you must smoke them with straw in the Spring time, and that round about.  
When a tree looseth his flower, 
The tree that looseth his flowers.  or that the leaves do fall from it, you must uncover the roots, and lay bean straw wet in water round about them.  
The best is to look to Caterpillars in the time of Winter before that the trees be leaved, 
Against caterpillars.  and if you find any remnant or remainder of them behind, or their palaces or round gathered bunches, take them away with your Caterpillar crooks made for the purpose before they be hatched. Cut not the wood when you cannot come by them with your hand, or, as little as can be, and cleanse you trees well and thoroughly in every place, that so there remain not any eggs, then look underneath at the feet of your trees, and see that there be no young ones, which can spin, and have betaken themselves thither, and settled themselves betwixt the sciences and the roots. If there remain any clewes or round bottoms of them in the spring, or that some blasting or small rain hath bred some young ones, then mark at the height of the day, their repa●●e, in which place you shall see them together upon heaps, whether it be upon the arms of the tree, or upon the branches, from which you must either with old clothes, or else with some large and great leaves held in your hand, beat th●m and kill them every one, weighing hard upon them with both your hands, and oftentimes have recourse thither, and spy if you have not let some of them ●all unto th● ground; but beware there sp●rt nothing from them in your face: and to the end they may not breed any more, you shall tie and make fast the branches of the Sallow about the foot: These branches will serve likewise to make this vermin fall down stark dead. There breedeth likewise a little worm, which the inhabitants of Bou●deaux call Quayre, betwixt the wood and the bark, which eateth trees in such sort, as that it causeth them die. These you must kill with an iron wire, probing for them on every side of the tree.  
When a tree beareth too much, 
The over fruitfulness of a tree.  it must, after that it hath been uncovered at the roots, have divers of them (so they be not of the principal) cloven, and the water that is within them let out, if there be any at all in them: and this will be as good for them, or better, than letting of blood is for a man, for by this medicine the life of the tree is renewed.  
The sickness of the bark of the tree cometh of the moisture of the place where the branch is planted: and likewise on the contrary, 
The disease of t●e ba●●e of ●he tree.  trees become ●ame when they be planted in too dry a place. To keep tame young trees in the kernel Nursery, and to cause th●m to thrive the better, 
〈◊〉 trees.  they 〈◊〉 be covered a man's height with stubble, or with straw, but the covering must be borne up with poles laid long and cross-wise.  
To hasten and help forward a tree in his bringing forth of fruit, 
To hasten a tree his bringin● forth of fruit.  which is long before it bear any thing, you must make a hole with a wimble in the thickest branch of his root, without boring of it through, and in the hole which you have made, put a staff, and stop it up with wax, afterward cover the foot over again, and the tree will bear the year following.  
As concerning trees that have been lately planted, 
The dryness of a tree.  and begin to wither away, if you cause them to be digged and watered, you shall much help them: and withal, they must be kept from heat, in providing something which may make them shadow; and against the cold, they must be covered with straw.  
Swine's dung will kill worms: 
To kill worms that trouble trees.  as also men's urine put in the hole where the worms are; and quicke-lime in like sort: but and if the bark be hurt, then let it be cloven in many places, and likewise in the foot of the tree a little, in such sort, as that the humour may run out.  
The moisture oft times will cause worms to breed in fruits that have kernels: and therefore at such time you must pierce the tree with a wimble, 
The breeding of worms.  and that throughout if you do well, and as near the root as is possible, to the end that the humours breeding the worms may pas●e away.  
It Apples or any other such fruit fall from the tree, 
The falling of apple● from the tree.  cleave the root, and put in the cloven a great stone or a wedge of wood.  
It fruits grow upward, wash the foot of the Tree with Purcelaine water or vinegar; or power about it less of wine: or take two parts of Oyle-olive, 
Fruits rising upward.  and one part of black pitch, mingle them together, afterward anoint th●m, or put ashes to the foot of the tree, or ●lse some vessel full of water about it, or some hoop cut and anointed with Petroleum: or a little cord dressed over with swine's blood, wherewith quicksilver hath been mixed.  
To kill Ants from about a tree, 
To kill Ants.  you must uncover the earth about the tree, and put in place some chimney soot, and that a reasonable quantity. Take also of the sawdust of the Oak, and lay good store of it at the foot of the Tree, and the rain when it falleth will either cause them to depart, or else they will die: as for other accidents which may annoy and hurt trees, as hail, fogs, or mists, flies, frogs, and such other inconveniences, see in the second Book, and the sixtieth Chapter.   

CHAP. XLVIII.  
To keep and preserve the fruit of Trees, to be taken and eaten in their due time and season: and out of it.  
ALl such skill as man is to have, resteth not alone in the well ordering of the Fruit-tree, and careful maintaining of it; but the must know withal, the keeping and preserving of the fruit, either to sell it when the time is good and fit, or else for use of his household and family, especially in places where the most delicate and dainty fruits do grow, as in the country of Touraine, 
Tourraine the garden of France.  which for this and such other considerations, is called the garden of France: wherefore we will entreat briefly of the manner of keeping of fruits, and we will begin with the Almond.  
Almonps are ripe when they begin to cast the husks. 
Ripe Almonds.  If you wash them in salt brine, you shall make them white, and to endure long, but yet the more if you dry them also: if you see that it cannot cast his husk, lay it upon some straw a certain time, and shortly after it will cast it: to keep it long, lay it in a dry place where the South wound bloweth not.  
Chestnuts 
Chestnuts.  will be good to keep unto the Spring time, if you first dry them in the shadow, and after lay them in dry places upon heaps, or in vessels covered with sand: or and if you mingle them amongst common nuts, for by this medley they will be robbed of their excrementous humour. But chiefly to keep them long, you most gather them when they are reasonable ripe, in the old of the Moon, and lay them in sand in some cool place, or in some vessel well stopped. Some do spread them upon hurdles, or bury them so in sand, as that one of them touch not another. Othersome set them in ranks in baskets or panniars full of straw. 
Sound Chestnuts  You may try if they be ●ound, by casting them into cold water: for if they go to the bottom, than they are sound, but and if they swim above the water, they are corrupted and nought.  
Cherries 
Cherries.  will keep long, if you gather them from off the Tree before the Sun rise, and afterward lay them orderly in a vessel, having in the bottom of it a bed of Savoury: and that by laying a bed of Savoury, and a bed of Cherries, and a bed of Savoury, and a bed of Cherries, and lastly, a bed of Savoury, watering them with sweet vinegar. In like manner they will last long if you order them alter the said manner, covering them with Rose leaves in a barrel: they are likewise either dried in the Sun, or stewed in their own juice, and preserved with sugar to keep a long time.  
If you anoint your Citrons, 
To keep Citrons.  gathered with the leaves upon their boughs, with well tempered plaster, you may keep them sound a whole year: and if you hide them and cover them with barley, they will not rot: or if you do but close them up close in any vessel whatsoever: or else if you do but cover them with small straw.  
The Corneile-berrie (commonly so called) must be put in a bottle of glass which hath a wide throat, 
To keep the Corneile-berrie.  and when they are in, the bottle must be filled up with very good and liquid honey, or else with sugar in stead of honey: after this, the juice rising of this sugar wherein they are preserved, is a singular thing for the staying of the flux of the belly, and the procuring of appetite.  
To keep Quinces, 
For the staying of the flux of the ballie.  dip them in the lees of wine, or which is better, make them up in new earthen pots close shut, and put the same into vessels full of wine, or else dip them in the wine, and by this means the Quinces will remain fresh, and the wine a great deal more pleasant. Some keep them in Straw or Barley, or the sawdust of Wood, or Figtree leaves. Othersome cover them with leaves and loam made of potter's clay, and afterward dry them in the Sun: and when they would use them they break the clay, and taking out the quinces, find them such as they put them in. 
The malignant 〈◊〉 of Quinces.  Some put them all whole in honey. But note by the way, that you must not keep quinces in a house where there is other fruit, for what by their sourness, and what through their smell, they spoil and corrupt the other fruits which are their neighbours, or near unto them, yea the very grapes which one would keep.  
Figs will be always green and new, 
To keep green fadges.  if you put them in a pot full of honey well covered, in such sort as that they do not touch one another, nor yet the pot itself: or else if you put them in gourds, every one by itself, and hang the gourd in a shadowed place, where the fire or smoke cannot come: or if you put them in a glass pot well stopped with Wax. Dry figs will not corrupt if you lay them upon hurdles in an oven, after the bread is drawn out, and after put them in a new earthen pot, that is not glazed.  
Walnuts will continue a long time sound, 
To keep walnuts sound.  if they be covered with straw, or with their dry leaves, or shut up in a coffer made of the wood of Walnut-tree: or if they be mingled amongst Omons, whereunto they do this pleasure, as that they take from them the greatest part of their acri●onie, or sharpness. Some s●y likewise that they will be kept gre●ne a whole year, if when they are gathered green, they have their coat taken from them and be dipped in honey: and thereupon also such honey becometh singular for them which have ulcers in their mouth or throat to make gargarisms of for the same.  
Pomegranates will keep, 
To keep Pomegranates.  if at such time as when they are ripe, or almost ripe, you writh the little stalk by which they hang upon the tree: or ●f presently as soon as they be gathered, they be covered all over with potter's clay, tempered in water, and afterward set out to the Sun in sweet oil, in a broad mouthed pot covered and hung at the floor of some chamber in a close place where the frost cannot come: or else set in some cave under the earth: but see that they grow not mouldy there. In the mean time for the gathering of them, you must touch them softly with your hand, that so you may not crush them: they keep very well also in sawdust of ●ake woad, in alt water, or salt brine. Or else you must dip them all over in boiling water, pulling them out again presently, afterward drying them upon sand or small gravel, or in the Sun for the space of eight days. Some hide them over head and ears in a heap of corn in the shadow, until that their rind be hardened.  
Apples after they have been gathered in weather not rainy or cloudy, 
To keep apples.  but fair, must be kept spread upon their eyes, not upon their tails, upon a table covered with corn straw, in a cold place, but not in a cave (for in such a place they would look their savour) and where the windows are turned toward the North, which likewise must in fair weather be set open: or upon straw, or in barley, or in a pot done over with Wax within, and close covered: or in an ●arthen pot not pitched, but having a hole in the bottom, and yet close covered aloft, and ●o hung up in a tree all Winter, in which case the apples will continue such as they were put in. Some warp them eu●rie one by themselves in figge-leaves, and after cover them with lome of white potter's clay, and with dry lome, and set them in the Sun. Some after they have gathered and made choice of the soundest, heaviest, and fairest apples, not being yet altogether ripe, do set a hogshead in the ground, round about which they set these fruits, and cover them afterward with a bed of straw, laying again another bed of apples thereupon, and covering the same as before, they continue th●● until the vessel be full, which then they take out of the earth again, and s●op it ●uerie where close, that so there may no air get in thereat. The Normans lay them vp●n heaps, minding to make their Cider thereof: In the country of Orleans and Touraine they use to dry them in ovens, for Winter and Spring time banquets. But the ordinary and safest manner of keeping of apples is, after they are got and pick●, and the bruised ones put from the rest, to spread straw very thin, or lay ma●s upon ● boarded floor (for the earth floor is too moist, and the plaster floor too cold) and then spread your apples upon the same, so as they may lie close one by another, but not one upon another, and when extreme frost or very hard weather shall come, you shall lay the like layre of straw, or the like quantity of mats above them, as you laid beneath them, and as soon as the frost breaketh up, you shall with a dry cloth rub all moisture from them, and where you find any one tainted, presently cast it out, for else they will soon corrupt one another. Now as soon as February is passed, you shall take away your straw or mats both from above and underneath them, and lay your apples upon the plain boards, but yet in such sort that they may not touch one another, and thus you shall keep apples all the year safe, both from rotting, withering, or wrinkling of their skins.  
Medlars 
To keep m●dlars.  are kept in small pitched vessels, or put in pots amongst grapes.  
olives 
To keep olives  are preserved in salt brine, or in a composition of honey, vinegar, and salt: some add thereunto penniroyall, mints, anise, and masticke-tree-leaves: othersome, the leaves of the bay-tree; and others, the berries of the bay-tree.  
Pears 
To keep pears.  will keep a long time, if their tails be pitched over, and so hanged up. Others put pears into a new earthen pot, and power into them cured Wine, or wine from the press, or common wine as it is meet to be drunk, until the vessel be full. Others keep pears covered with file-dust, or with the sawdust of wood: some put them amongst the dry leaves of the Walnut-tree, or else in an earthen vessel which is scarce baked, and power in thereinto wine able to be drunk, and the new priest liquor of grapes, and stopping up the vessel well and close, do so keep it. Some lay them in pits, in a place near whereunto there passeth a running water. And some divide into quarters the Eusebian, rhodine, and bell-fashioned pears, and taking their kernels out of them, dry them in the Sun, that so they may have them good in the Spring time.  
Mulberries 
To keep mulberries.  that are close stopped up in a glass vessel, do keep very long, so that therewithal they have powered upon them some of their own juice.  
Citrons and Oranges 
To keep citrons and oranges.  are kept in some cave under the earth, separate one from another, or in salt brine made of verjuice, or verjuice without salt, or in manner of a preserve with salt, as the olives are kept.  
Peaches 
To keep peaches.  are kept in salt brine, or in sweet vinegar: or else their stones being taken away, they are dried in the Sun, after the manner of figs. Some do preserve them with honey.  
cervises 
To keep cervises.  are preserved in sweet Wine: or else when they be gathered, the hardest are taken and set to soften in vessels of earth full or almost full, covered over afterward with plaster, and set in a pit a foot depth, in a dry place, and in the face of the Sun, and after covered with earth. You may likewise cut them in pieces in the midst, and afterward lay them in the Sun to dry.  
Damaske-plums 
To keep damaske-plums.  shall be put in vessels, and cast upon them new or sweet Wine, stopping the vessels very diligently and close. Or if you lay them between mulberrie-leaves, or vine-leaves, one lere above another in a close box made for the purpose, they will not only keep a long time, but also you may in that sort carry them without bruising more than an hundred miles: in this sort also you may keep or carry Nertarines, Apricots, Peaches, Figs, Mulberries, or any fruit of the like nature; as for your grapes, there is no readier or better way to keep them long, than to hang them upon strings over the mantell-tree of a chimney, or where they may receive a moderate warmth from the fire, for nothing so soon as cold doth make them rot or putrify, and therefore you must by no means, so far as you can choose, suffer your grapes to take any frosts, nay hardly the cold dews.   

CHAP. XLIX.  
A brief discourse of making of drinks of the juices of Fruits.  
IN such Countries as the vine cannot bear fruit in, because of the cold distemperature and churlish roughness of the air, and whereas notwithstanding there grow singular good fruits, and in great abundance in recompense of the same (as in Britain, Normandy, the country of Man's, Chartraine, and Touraine) although there be the means to make Wine of a certain kind of corn, called Bier: yet by reason of the less cost and charges, as also by reason of the greater profit, they use to make divers sorts of drinks of fruits: and to give them their several and particular names from the several and particular fruits whereof they are made. As for example, ●hat which is made of apples, cider or citer, and so the Normans and other countries bordering thereupon do call it, as having a smell or other excellent quality resembling the citron. Perrie which is pressed out of the Pears, and cervise Wine, quince Wine, pomegranate Wine, mulberry Wine, gooseberrie Wine, and slo● Wine, which are made of the juices of these fruits pressed out. And hereof we are to observe that all fruits are not fit to make Wine of; but only those which will not putrify easily, and have great quantity of Wine juice within them, of which kind these are whereof I have now spoken. For of cherries there is not any Wine to be pressed, because their juice doth easily corrupt and putrify very quickly: neither yet of Almonds, Common nuts, filberts, Pine, nuts, or other such fruits, for they yield an oily and not a Wine-like humour. But for as much as we are not determined to speak in this place of all these sorts of fruit drinks, but only of them which are called cider, perrie, and carasie, which next unto the juice of the vine, are the most profitable and necessary liquor for the life and health of man: we will set down before hand a certain summary, and as it were a transition and plain declaration of and unto as well the making, as also of and unto the qualities and virtues of the said cider, perrie, and carasie, and will refer the Reader unto the Latin Book now long ago looked for from monsieur Paulmie Doctor of Physic at Paris, therein to read and learn the entire and perfect knowledge of this so pleasant and delightsome a drink. And to begin with our purposed matter, I intent not here to stand about the finding out of the first inventor and devisor of this drink; only I will say, that as Noah carried away with the pleasant taste of the juice, which he pressed out of the grape of the wild vine planted by him, was the first inventor of making and drinking of wine: so a certain Norman having his taste wonderfully pleased with a delicate and dainty taste and relish of the juice of Apples and Pears, invented the making of Cider and Perrie▪ I say, a certain Norman, for this is in base Normandy called the Country of Ne●z, where this drink had first his beginning.  
The way then to make these kinds of drinks generally, 
The way in general to make such Wine.  is to gather the fruit not all out ripe, and after to let them ripen some certain time in the open air or to dry them in the Sun, for the spending and wasting of their watery humour; then to break and crush them with Millstones, or such other heavy instruments; and lastly, to press them out: but withal you must observe this special quality in certain Apples, which the longer they are kept, and the riper they be, the better and greater store of juice they yield, though then indeed it be not so durable.  
On the contrary, wild Pears do yield more liquor, and of a better taste, and withal of longer continuance, than do the tame and garden ones. When the juice is pressed out from the fruit, it must be put into cask, for to boil therein a certain time, and to be ordered after the manner of the ordering of the juice of Grapes, as we intent to declare more particularly.  

How Cider is made.  
THe drinks made of fruits that are most commonly used, are Cider and Perrie, which as they are pressed out of divers sorts of Apples and Pears, so are they differing as well in taste as in goodness. For to make your Cider, you must see that your Apples be not wild ones, but garden and tame ones, grown and bred in orchards carefully and diligently dressed, kept, husbanded, and ordered all the year long, according to that care and diligence which we have said to be needful before in speaking of the Orchard, and yet without having any great regard unto the place where the Orchards are planted, and do grow, as whether they be gardens, greene-plots, arable ground, or other such like places; always provided and foreseen, that the ground be good, and well seasoned. And above all things such Apples 
What apples are fittest to make wine of.  must have a firm, solid, and fast flesh, accompanied with great store of juice, of a pleasant smell, and delightsome taste, and of a beautiful colour: such are these that follow, the Heroet, Ruddocke, Maligar, Rambur, Fairewife, Gastlet▪ Clanget, great Eye, Greening, Curtain, Grosegraft, Rucke, long, sour, and sweet Kennet, Barbarian, Rangelet, and Ado●ill. The Shortstart, Honie-meale, and Garden-globe, notwithstanding that they be rare and singular apples, and of a more pleasant smell, and delightsome taste, than any other sorts of Apples, yet are they not fit to make any Cider of, as well in respect of the tenderness and delicacy of their flesh, as for the little and insufficient store of juice which they yield, not worthy the putting into the pres●e to make any quantity of Cider of. And hereto you may put another reason; namely, that these Apples are not so plentiful, neither grow they in such store as others do, and therefore it is better to keep them to eat, or to employ them in broths or syrup of king Sabor, and de succis pomorum, than about the making of any common drink.  
The most common time to gather Apples is about mid-September, 
The time to gather apples.  after they have been partakers of summers heat, and received some small rain and gentle winds from September: some being very ripe; others yet not altogether ripe; principally those which have a faster and less delicate flesh: the greatest part whereof (being kept some time) yieldeth greater store of juice, and better concocted and digested by the work and operation of their own natural heat. In the gathering of them there is necessarily to be used cudgels and poles, except it be that we lay our hands to them, which we have a purpose to keep: there must in this business also be chosen such a day as is fair, dry, clear, beautiful, and full of Sunshine, for if they should be moist with any rain or dew▪ they would rot in their garners.  
Being gathered, they must not all of the sudden be taken in hand to be made into Cider, but they must be suffered to take a heat in heaps, (as the Normans call it) and be kept some three weeks or a month, more or less, according to their consistence and kind, seeing unto it in the mean time (at their own peril) that they rot not; as also, they may be laid on great heaps in Gardens, or under some roof open to the air when it freezeth not, or when it freezeth, to court them with straw newly threshed, or else with some Mattresses or Featherbeds to keep them from the frost. Some during the time of the frost, cover them with linen Clothes steeped in water, and wrung out, and these being frozen once themselves, do keep that the air cannot pass unto the Apples to freeze them: the best of all it to provide them warm garners, the floors being laid neither with plaster nor tiles, but with straw, having the windows very close, the doors firm and fast shut, and all the crevices or chinks perfectly stop to resist the entrance of the cold air. And notwithstanding all this, yet you must not tarry and wait until they be thoroughly ripe, and almost upon the rotting especially: but you must take your time somewhat before that they be come to this exact maturity and height of ripeness, for else your cider will not prove durable, but withal will gather great quantity of lee●, and grow covered with much white mother swimming aloft: if they be frozen, then trouble not yourself with going about to make Cider, for having lost their natural and accustomed smell and colour, they have also lost all their force and virtue, and so it is not possible to make any thing of them but a raw, weak, unpleasant, waterish, undurable, and soon souring liquor. When as therefore the apples shallbe well prepared, and come to a good scantling of ripeness, not such a o●e as is exact, but rather of the first or second degree of ripeness, and that they shall yield and breathe out a very pleasant and sweet smell: than it shall be high time for you to go in hand with making of your Cider. Which opportunity if you foreslow and still stay longer for their further and exact ripening▪ they will whither and fall away, and the Cider that you shall press out of them, will become waterish, weak, and sour out of hand.  
There are divers ways used in pressing out this drink made of Apples in the country of Neuz: 
The manner of pressing out the drink made of Apples.  Some do stamp them, putting them in fats, and afterward fill them up with great quantity of water, letting them ferment, boil, and purge, so long as until the water have got the force and strength of the Cider. Others stamp them in a mortar, and after power them together with a great quantity of water into some fat, not giving them any time of concoction and purging: but these two ways are not so much worth; this third is better than them both. First, you must break your Apples in pieces, and after press them out: the way to break them in pieces, is to put them in a presser made ●ound, and containing in compass some seven or eight fathom, the said compass and round being contrived after the manner of a trough of two foot broad and deep at the least, in these troughs shall be put and contained the said apples for the better staying and keeping of them in close together. Within these troughs there shall turn about one or two great millstones of stone, or of some hard, massy, and weighty wood, fashioned like a wheel, carried about with one Ox or Horse, or two, so as shall be sufficient for power and strength, as we have said in the making of Oils. When the Apples shall be sufficiently broken, you must gather into heaps the same, and cast them into ●ubs for the purpose, and there let them work for a time as Wine doth, and when it hath wrought, than you must draw out the juice or liquor (call it as you will) which shall have run out of the substance without being priest, and turn it up into vessels, whether they be pipes or hogsheads, old, or altogether new; provided that they have not taken any ill taste of any unsavoury liquor: the best vessels or cask of all other, is that wherein there hath been Wine, and especially white Wine, for the savour of the Wine doth make this juice more acceptable, and more affected. The Cider that cometh voluntarily without being pressed, is the best and sweetest, though not always stronger than that which hath abode the press: that likewise is better and more excellent which is made without any mixture of water: It is true indeed, that when apples have a very fast and solid pulp, and have not so much moisture, but withal some sharp relish, that then it will not be amiss to mingle some small quantity of water with them to make them break the better, as also, after that they be broken by force of the turning stone, even whiles they are working in their fats, or before they be put into their fats a working, even at their going to the press, there may water be mixed with them, to prevent that the Cider may not be too rank, neither yet too sour or greenish. The grounds of the working fat shall be laid upon the press interlaced with long straw, to keep the said stamped Apples steedie and stayed, that they slip not to and fro when they are pressed, (the Apples by reason of their roundness, not being able to stay and abide under the door and other boards of the presser, except they be kept in upon the sides with something) and that which shall run out upon the pressing of them, shall be tunned up into cask, and put to the former: or else, which is better, tun it up by itself, as is done by wine, without mingling of it with that which did run out unpressed, the pressed being the stronger, though the unpressed be the more pleasant and sweet. The dross or gross substance remaining after the pressing, shall be put again into the fat, and stamped, and sufficient quantity of water powered in amongst, and it shall be let so rest, steep, and boil together for the space of four and twenty hours: after which, there shall be made thereof spending Cider, or small drink for the household. For the making of this household drink, it shall be after the rate of gathering of one vessel thereof from so much dross as made four vessels of the best.  
When the Cider is tunned up into cask, you must let it boil within the cask by the bunghole of the cask lest open, and thereby to purge itself of all his froth, scum, and other impurities, after the manner of wine: and when it is thus well purged, you must bung it up very close, and so leave it to boil again within his vessel: but you must see that at this time the vessel be not top full, least in the boiling it break the vessel. And indeed this kind of Cider is a great deal more strong than that which boileth all his boiling with the bung of the vessel open, but somewhat more fuming, and not so pleasant as the other: and it must lie in some cellar for the Winter time, but in some cave in the Summer.  
Cider, as concerning the taste, doth resemble and become like unto Wine: for at the first it is sweet; afterward, being fined, it is somewhat sharp; and when it is altogether fined, it hath then a sharper relish, but yet altered from his former verdure: even after the manner of Wine, as being more pleasant when it is in fining, than when it is fined.  
The Cider is better to keep than Perrie: and there are Ciders found of two or three years old, as good, in their place, as any Wine that is made. It is true indeed, that it is subject unto the same accidents that Wine is, and it must be as heedily regarded in the piercing of it, as if it were Wine, not giving it any air in the drawing of it, if it be possible, or if you give it any at all, to give it when the fossest is half out, causing the air to recoil before the fountain be stopped up and shut. So soon as the Cider vessel is empty, you must look that the less be not let stand in it any long time, because that it would breed an infinite number of worms, which would make it to have an ill smell and stink, in such sort, as that it would never be good afterward to keep any Cider. And thus much for the making and keeping of Cider. Now we will speak of the making of our choice of the Apples.  
To have excellent Cider, you must make it of sweet Apples, and that but of one or two sorts, and both of them in his kind very good, of a pleasant taste, and sweet smell: and you must break and stamp them every sort by itself, but put them together under the presser. That which is made of sweet Apples mixed amongst some sour ones, is not altogether so excellent good, and yet in the heat of Summer to be preferred before the most excellent Ciders, in that it is more clear, heateth less, and quencheth thirst better. And of a certainty experience hath taught it, that the Cider made of sweet Apples, having a soft and tender flesh, is more apt to sour, if that there be not some sour ones mingled amongst them, because that such sweet Apples have but a weak heat, and easily overcome and wasted. But such sweet Apples as have a fast flesh and thick juice, stand not in need of having any sour Apples mixed with them, to the helping of them to make good Cider. It is true, that sweet Apples yield less Cider than sour ones: but yet, in as much as the sweet have the less juice and the thicker, therefore their Cider is the better, lasteth longer, nourisheth the body more, and is a longer time in fining: But on the contrary, those sweet Apples which have much juice, do make much Cider: but this Cider is not so good, nor making so good nourishment, notwithstanding it be sooner fined and ready for drinking. sourish Apples do yield much juice, that is watery, thin, and soon fined, but nourishing very little.  
The Cider that is all neat, and of itself, without any mixture of water, doth fine and become clear more slowly than that which is made with water: In like sort it retaineth his smell and taste a longer time, and all other the virtues and qualities of the Apples whereof it was made: for water added but in small quantity, after six months once past, or if somewhat longer, yet after one year it causeth the Cider to sour, and then so much the sooner, as there shall be the greater quantity in the mixture, as in the household or ordinary drink. Wherefore such Ciders as you would have to last long, must be made without water, and use rather to mix your water with them when they are drawn out of the vessel to drink, if then you find them too strong for you: and this also is the same course taken with Wine, especially when such a sickness hath seized upon the party, as craveth a thin, weak, and waterish drink.  
Ciders differ one from another, especially in colour, and ●auour, or relish: for as for their colour, some represent the scarlet as it were like unto Claret-wine, and such is that which is made of Apples that are red within and without: such also will last long, and fine, not under the colour of high Clarets, and have a taste resembling the same somewhat a far off, but afterward coming near to the resembling of Hyppocras. Others are of the colour of Muscadells, and resembling the same also in relish. The greatest part of the rest draw near to a yellow colour, and some of them clear as the rock water.  
As concerning their relish and taste, all Ciders, if they be good, should be sweet, or a little bitter or sour, whether they be new or old: and it is as true, that some of them have no more relish than water. Some are of an evil taste, and that either of themselves, or of the ground, or of the vessel, or of the straw, or of some other such strange cause. The sweet, as well the new as the old, and fined, are the best of all, and nourish most. But it is true withal, that the new do swell up a man, and cause obstructions: The fined Ciders, are good for such as have weak lungs, or those which are subject to the stone, or have ulcers in the reins or bladder. Such as are bitter, and hold out bitter, are nought: But such bitter Cider as after becometh sweet, is the best of all, and lasteth long. Such as are greenish, if they continue the same colour always, are not of any value: but if in time they change this greenness into a manner of sweetness, than they prove good, and last long.  
You may also make Cider of wild Apples, but such Cider although that it last longer than that which is made of tame and garden apples: yet it is not so pleasant nor profitable for the stomach.  
Good householders do not lose the dross of their press, but (as we have said) cast them into vessels, and with a sufficient quantity of fountain water, make Cider for the household: many make no account of it, but cast it out to the dunghill, assuring themselves that it drieth and maketh barren the place where it cometh. In su●h places as where they have not the benefit of millstones, pressers, & other implements for to make Cider, they stamp apples, but not of all sorts, but only wild ones with a stamper, and afterward put them thus stamped into vessels with a sufficient quantity of water, and this is called Cider-pinet. 
Pinet.   
As concerning the faculties and virtues of Cider, 
The virtues of Cider.  they must be measured and judged according to their taste, age, continuance, and ability to last, and the manner of making of them. The taste is not to be tried only by the savour and relish of the apples whereof they were made, which were either sweet or sour, or harsh, or of more tastes than one, or without any taste at all: but likewise of the age thereof, in as much as Cider if it be kept, changeth his taste, 
Sweet Perrie.  together with the time, and getteth another relish, after that is fined divers from that which it had, while it was in fining, or that it had when it began to fine, after the manner of new wine, which when it cometh to be old, purchaseth and getteth divers qualities together with the time. Such Cider therefore as is sweet, because of the sweetness which cometh of temperate heat, heateth in a mean and indifferent manner, but cooleth least of all; and again, it is the most nourishing of all Ciders, and the most profitable to be used, especially of such as have cold and dry stomachs, and on the contrary, but squally, profiting them which have a hot stomach, whether it be more or less, or stomachs that are full of humidity, very tender and queasy, and subject unto choleric vomits: so that in such complexions as are hot and choleric, it is needful as with Wine, so with Cider to mix water in a sufficient quantity; with sweet Cider when they take it to drink, especially when such persons have any ague withal, or and if it be the hot time of Summer: foreseen, that he that shall then drink it thus, be not subject to the pains of the belly, or colic; because that sweet Cider, pressed new from sweet Apples, is windy by nature, as are also the sweet Apples themselves. This is the cause why Physicians counsel and advise, that sweet Apples should be roasted in the ashes for them which shall eat them, that so their great moistness and waterishness, which are the original fountain of their windiness, may be concocted by the means of the heat of the fire. Upon the same occasion it falleth out, that neither sweet Apples nor sweet Cider can be good for them that are subject to distillations and rheums, because of their windiness, and for that likewise, that as the Arabian Physicians do judge, they breed great store of windiness in the muscles and sinews, which cannot be discussed but with great pain and continuance of time. Amongst the sweet Ciders, the best and most wholesome are those which are made of these Apples, the Hero●t, sweet Kennet, Curtain, and Rangelet, because these Apples are very sweet, of a golden colour, good smell, and long lasting.  
Sour Cider, 
Sour Cider.  whether it were made such by reason of the sourness of the Apples, or become such by reason of the space of time, in as much as it is very wa●rie, and somewhat earthy, as also very subtle and piercing, and yet therewithal somewhat astringent and corroborative; becometh singular good to cool a hot liver and stomach, and to temper the heat of boiling and choleric blood, to stay choler and adust vomiting, to assuage thirst, to cut and make thin gross and slimy humours, whether hot or cold, but chiefly the hot. Such drink falleth out to be very good and convenient, and to serve well in place of wine, for such as have any Ague, for such as are subject to a hot liver and hot blood, for such as are scabbed, or itchy, for such as are rheumatic, upon occasion of hot humours, and it needeth not that it should be tempered with water. Of sour Ciders, those are the most wholesome which are made of sharp sour Apples, as of Rundockes, Ramburs, and sour Kennets.  
The Cider that is harsh and rough, 
Cider that is harsh and rough.  in as much as it is very cold and dry, is not good, but after a long time, as namely, not before that it have lost his harshness, changing this his great coldness and dryness into a mean and middle coldness, accompanied with some moisture, drawing thereby near unto some kind of sweetness or tart and pleasant sharpness: as we see it come to pass in fruits, which yet, whiles they are not ripe, have a certain kind of harshness in them, but coming to be ripe, change by little and little their harshness into an eager tartness, and after into a pleasant sweetness. Wherefore such Ciders would not be drunk till of a long while after they be made: or if that great necessity should compel, then to allay them with a sufficient quantity of water; for otherwise, they would but cause costi●enesse, the strangury, shortness of breath, and an infinite number of obstructions: yea, they would procure manifold crudities in the stomach, guts, and principal veins: yea, they would overthrow a weak stomach, beget a gross, cold, and phlegmatic blood in the liver, send up many thick vapours unto the brain, which would offend the head, and hurt the sinews and joints: but it is as true, that they 〈◊〉 this commodity with them, as to comfort the languishing stomach, the queasy stomach, and that which hath altogether lost his appetite, such as commonly be●ideth women having newly conceived, and strange appetites, for which this Cider is very fit and convenient: as also to stay excessive vomiting, all sorts of fluxes of the belly, all distillations also, falling down upon the joints: it quieteth the beating of the heart, and cutteth off faintings: it helpeth digestion, drunk at the end of meat, so that (as we have said) it be allayed with a little water, to diminish and reform the heaviness and slowness to pierce and pass away which is in it; following the counsel of Galen, who teacheth three manner of ways to use sour and binding Apples and Pears, without ani● prejudicing of the health: the first way being to boil them in 〈◊〉, that so they may get more moistness and softness: the second, to set them in the breath and vapour of boiling water, to moisten and ripen them: and the third being to cut them in the midst, and to take away their core, and in place thereof to put honey or sugar, and then afterward to roast them amongst the hot ashes. These kinds of Ciders are made principally of the Apples called small Ruddocke, of wild Apples, not grafted nor husbanded, of Apple Bequet, Rellet, and such other, having their coats diversly spotted.  
Ciders without all taste 
Ciders without any taste.  become such by reason of their great waterishness, and are easily corrupted, and that not only in their vessels, but also being drunken and used for drink; and therefore there is no reckoning to be made of such.  
As concer●ing Ciders having several tastes, 
Ciders of mixed taste.  as ●ager and sweet, harsh and sweet, or any such other medley; the eager sweet are much better and more wholesome than the harsh sweet, because they are not only more pleasant, but also more speedily passing, piercing, and cutting, than the other; which by reason of their harshness, joined with some sweetness, and causing a thickness and heaviness in them, abide and stay long about the principal parts, where they may cause crudities and many obstructions.  
As for the age and lasting of Ciders; such as are new made, and continue as yet troubled, not being fined, are not wholesome, and cannot be drunk without 〈◊〉 unto the stomach, without headache, and an infinite company of obstructions and other accidents, tedious to the health. For such as are very sour, and begin apace to turn tart and eager, they are not less hurtful than the former, and therefore they must not be used but when they are well fined, and in their middleage, as we see it observed in wine.  
As concerning the compounding of them; those are the best, most wholesome, and easiest to be digested, which are made of very ripe Apples, gathered in due time, and not overlong kept, which are likewise made of one only kind of Apples, or else of many kinds, but either agreeing in taste; or else being of a a divers taste, yet are such as may be tempered together, and make a more pleasant taste, than if they were alone and several: as for example, if one should mingle amongst sweet Apples such as were eager and sharp, such a medley would make a far more pleasant Cider, and more profitable, than if either of the said sorts were alone. The Cider likewise that is made of Apples only, is better than that which is made of Apples and Pears stamped and pressed together: better in like manner, and more wholesome, are those which are made without water, than that which is made with water, seeing water maketh it to lose his natural taste, maketh it sour and corrupt, and that it will not last or endure long: wherefore it is better not to mix any water at all with it when you make any, but rather at the time of drinking of it to dilay it, and power in 〈◊〉 water, if necessity require it, and according as there shall be any of the occasions 〈◊〉 mentioned.  
The worst of the Ciders is that which is made of wild Apples, stamped and cast into a vessel with fountain water in sufficient quantity: and yet worse than this, is that which is made of the droste remaining of the first pressing: as that also which is only cast into a vessel with sufficient quantity of water: Wherefore, seeing that Ciders, how pleasant and excellent soever they be, afford no such nourishment unto the body as is very profitable for them, as we will handle more at large hereafter; he tha● will be careful of his health, shall use none but the best Ciders. We will speake●● gain of the faculties of Cider in the sixth Book, in the same place where we 〈◊〉 speak of the faculties of Wine.   

How Perrie is made.  
PErrie is made of divers sorts of Pears: sometimes of rough, harsh, sour, and wild ones, never husbanded, planted, grafted, or otherwise having had any labour or pains taken with them: such Perrie will keep long, even three or foore years, and be better at the end than at the beginning: Sometimes of Garden, ●ender, and delicate Pears, such as are the Eusebian and the Marie Pear, the 〈◊〉, Hasting, Rimolt, Mollart, Greening, butter Pear, the laque du four Pear, the little the Conie Pear, the perplexed Pear, the Alabaster Pear, the two-headed Pear, the due Pear, and the wood of Jerusalem: and such Perrie is pleasant for a certain time, but after it is once come to be five months old, it becometh void of all taste, and dead. The best and most excellent Perrie is made of little yellow wax Pears, and such as have been thoroughly dressed and husbanded, as the little musk Pear, the two-headed Pear, the Pear, Robart, the fine gold Pear, Bargamo●, Taho●, Sq●●e, and such other Pears, which have a ●ast and solid ●lesh, and hard coat.  
The A●iot Pear is commended above all the rest, whereof likewise is made the Perrie, called waxen Perrie, because it resembleth the colour of wax, but which otherwise is called Car●sie, very pleasant and delightsome, but notwithstanding indifferent hard, and not so easy to be corrupted as the later. some do also sometimes mingle divers sorts of Pears together to make Perrie of. But of what sort of Pears soever the Perrie is made, the Peartrees must be carefully and diligently husbanded and ordered, according to our former delivered precepts, in what ground soever that the Peartrees grow, as whether it be in Orchard, Garden, arable ground, or other such like, so that the said ground be such and so well seasoned as is requisite to bring ●orth Pears in abundance: and such as be good Pears, must be gathered to make Perrie of, some before Apples, and some after, with cudgels or poles: some when they are ripe, as the Amiot, the Tahou, and the Squire, and to break and grind the same with a turning Millstone so ●oone as they be gathered, in such manner as hath been said of Apples. Othersome must be gathered before they be ripe, as the Pears of Grosmevill, and others, which have a hard flesh, rough cote, and are heavy, as those which by reason of their hardness and heaviness cannot ripen well upon the tree. Such as these are not to be employed to make Perrie of, till they have lain to ripen and mellow, that so they may become the tendrer and softer, to get the greater quantity of juice out of them.  
Whether they be Pears to be gathered early or late, pressed they must be, and the like implements and means used about them in making the Perrie, that were used in the making of Cider: for after the same manner must you proceed, in sometimes mingling water with it, when there is need, as also in the manner of the using of it in the working, boiling, and purging of it, in the tunning of it up into vessels, in appointing it a place to be kept in, in the governing of it, and such other necessary care for the defending of it from all th●ngs that might hurt it, and that it is subject unto, even in as great measure, or rather greater, than you used about Cider, especially in respect of the cold and frost, which Perrie cannot in any sort endure: insomuch, as that all Winter long you must keep the windows of the cellar or cave under ground where it lieth, close shut, and well stopped with straw, or some such other thing, to drive away the cold: besides that, Perrie is not so good for keeping as Cider is, except it be the Carisie, or that which is made of the Pear Grosmevill, or such other Pears as have a hard flesh and skin, the Perrie whereof may be kept two years undrawne, and after they be pierced or drawn of, six weeks, foreseen they be will ordered and governed. Perrie maketh as great, yea greater settling than Cider, whereof you must ●ree the vessel presently after the Perrie is drawn forth, for otherwise there will breed an infinite number of worms in the vessel, which will infect it. The good householders do make a sort of Perrie for the household, of the dross of the Pears coming from pressing, and that by casting of them into some vessel with sufficient quantity of fountain water. Some others cast away the said dross, as a thing altogether unprofitable. In all other things Perrie is to be ordered after the ●anner of Cider.  
The faculties and qualities of Perrie 
The virtues a● Perrie.  must be considered of and weighed in such manner as we have said of Cider, that is, by his taste, age, and making. The taste of the Perrie dependeth for the most part of the relish of the Pears out of which it is pressed, and those are either sweet, or sour, or harsh, or of mixed tastes, or else altogether without taste, according to which relishes you are to find out the virtues and qualities of Perrie, following such form and manner as we have largely laid down in the handling of Cider. It is true, that to speak particularly of the good qualities of Perries, the most wholesome, profitable, and of best juice, are tho●e which are made of the Pears called the waxen Pears, the same being pressed out in the Summer time, and foreseen also that it be drunken so soon as it is fined, because it is not to be kept, being a very delicate and tender juice, and therefore apt to corrupt easily and very soon. Next unto this in goodness is the Perrie made of Pear Robart, and Muscadel Pears, provided that they be drunken also so soon as they be well fined, and their lees settled, but then also they must be drunk with water, and but in a reasonable and mean quantity, for otherwise by the piercing smell and subtleness thereof it causeth great pain of the head oftentimes. The Perrie called Carisie, or made of the Kersey Pear, though it be one of the best and most excellent, and of those which are last pressed, is yet to be drunk after it is well fined in a mediocrity, and allayed with water, to repress the fuming smell of the same, which easily would take hold of the brain. There is no cause why you should greatly esteem, in respect of your health, of the Perries which are pressed out of wild Pears, and all such as are unhusbanded, untamed, of a sharp taste, fat, reddish, or of those which are pressed 〈◊〉 of divers sorts of Pears, not agreeing together either in taste, or otherwise, neither yet of such as are made of Apples and Pears mingled and pressed together; as neither of that Perrie which is newly put up into the vessels, and not fined▪ or that which had water mixed with it when it was made; or that which is made of the Pear called the Wood-Peare, being stamped and put into vessels with a sufficient quantity of water. To be short, whatsoever we have ●aid of Cider, it may be applied unto Perrie for the most part: and yet notwithstanding all this, we are not to confess the Perrie to be any whit inferior unto Cider: for although in some Countries, as in Britain and Normandy, they make special account of Cider, and do more esteem of it both for the taste, lasting, abundance, and profit thereof, than they do of Perrie; notwithstanding, if necessity should drive a man to confer the one juice with the other, comparing the sweet Ciders with the sweet Perries, the sour with the sour, the sharp with the sharp, and the mixed tastes with the mixed tastes, it would be ●asie to judge, that the Perrie is more wholesome and profitable for the stomach and whole body, than the Cider: for besides the astringent, binding, strengthening, and corroborative virtue that it hath to benefit the stomach withal, and that coming from his terrestrious and earthy temperature, which all sorts of Pears do most consist of, whether they be sweet or sour, rough, or otherwise relished; there is yet further in the Perrie a certain secret and unspeakable virtue for the overcoming of poison, and principally the venom engendered in the stomach by eating of Mushrooms, which indeed is the Perries natural quality, as left it of the Pears from which it is pressed, Again, we see by experience, that the use of the Pears is every where more commended than the use of the Apples, and that for this cause there is more careful heed and charge enjoined for the keeping of the Pears than of the Apples, as those which for that cause are wont to be preserved in sugar or honey. They are also dried in the Sun, dried in the Oven, and made up in composition to serve in time and place. It is true that Cider moisteneth more than Perrie: but in recompense of tha●, the Perrie doth relieve and refresh a man more, and in cooling of him, 〈◊〉 withal, save that it stirreth up more o●t the pain of the belly and the colic 〈◊〉 Cider doth, especially the sour or harsh Perrie, in such as are subject unto the colic; and the cause is, for that it passeth not away so speedily by urine through the belly, but stayeth longer time in the stomach, and about the principal parts, than Cider doth, as we have declared in the Treatise of the Pear: For which cause, it is better to drink of it at the end of meat, than at the beginning, so that the party have not any vomiting, or flux of the belly; following the coussaile of Dioscorides, who saith, That Pears eaten fasting bring harm and iconuenience.  
Lo here, in my opinion, what we are to judge of the qualities of Cider and Perrie, as well in particular, as in comparing of the one with the other.  
It remaineth, that we examine what kind of drink the Perrie and Cider are, and whether there be any such excellent quality in them as may match them and make them equal with Wine, that so famous and highly esteemed drink●, seeing that a Physician of our time could not content himself with matching of them together, but went further, and preferred them before Wine in every thing: but this might happen (possibly) by his being more affected towards his Country, or by being carried away with a paradoxical judgement, than upon any sincere mind to find out the truth of things. But for the deciding of this controversy, we have thought good to set down our judgement thereof in our Book, written in Latin, and entitled De Salubri Di●●a, that so we may not in this place pass the limits of our Far●● and Country house.   

The making of cervise drink.  
cervises must be gathered when they are half ripe, even so soon as you espy any of them to fall from the tree: Suffer them not to mellow and ripen, except it be a very little, for when they be thoroughly ripe, they are not worth a farthing to press out to make drink of. You must break them lightly in the trough of the Presser, let the juice work together in the fat, after it is priest, and when it hath wrought, tun it up, and lay it in some cellar, or cave, and keep it long; for the cervise drink the longer it is kept, the better it is. You shall know his goodness, by his having lost his sharpness and unpleasantness, and turned the same into the taste of Wine which is of a white colour: Or if you will not stay the full ripeness thereof, then dilay it with sufficient quantity of Fountain water, when you will drink it.  
This drink, though it be the first of that kind that was put in practice, as the pattern after which all other sorts of Fruit-drinkes have been made, and of which, ●nd not of any more, Virgil maketh mention in his Georgickes'▪ notwithstanding, 〈◊〉 is so cold a friend unto the health, as that it is not to be much set by. It is veri●●rue that for want of other remedies, in case of necessity, the Countryman may derue himself with this Wine, when he findeth himself heavily oppressed with ●he flux of the belly, whether it be that which is called the bloody flux, or ani● other kind thereof.   

Drink made of Sloes.  
THe good Householders of the low Countries of Normandy, being such a● will not lose any thing, and thereupon being more careful to g●t goods, ●han to keep their health▪ so soon as Autumn is come, cause to be gathered by ●heir people great quantity of Sloes, whether they be ripe, or not: which done, ●hey power them into certain Vessels with sufficient quantity of water, and stop ●p the Vessels, without touching of them. Before a month be at an end, this wa●er thus infused doth represent the colour and taste of a sharp, unpleasant, and ●ild Wine, which notwithstanding serveth the thirsty Labourers and Hinds of ●hat Country to quench their thirst withal in the great heat of burning Agues. This drink is called Piquette.    

CHAP. L.  
Of preserving of Fruits.  
FOr to make Marmalade, 
Marmalade.  provide your Quinces very ripe and yellow, make them clean, and the seeds taken out, boil them in fresh water in some Skillet, so long, as till they begin to open and burst (if you think it not better to cut them in quarters:) afterward force them through some S●arce or Strainer that is very close and clean, and so long, as till nothing remain but the gross parts: to eight pound of pulp thus passed and forced through, put three pound of fine powdered Sugar, boiling them together at a little coal fire, mix them well by stirring them diligently with a broad spatule of wood, and let that your boiling continue till they be sufficiently boiled; which is, when you see that it leaveth altogether to cleave unto or hang upon the sides of the vessel, as being the very mark of the perfect and sufficient boiling. If you be disposed to put any spice into it, as Cinnamon, Cloves, Nutmegs, and Ginger, you must do it in the end of the boiling of them, and then also stir it well about with the spatule. After the same manner you may preserve or make Marmalade of Peaches, Pears, and other fruits.  
Yet there is another Marmalade which is made of Oranges, 
Marmalede of Oranges, Lim●●●s, or Citrons.  which desireth a great deal of more curiosity in the working, and is exceeding pleasant to taste, and indeed more wholesome than any other Marmalade whatsoever, especially for those which are sick and weak: for it fortifieth the stomach, and increaseth appetite, it expelleth wind, and comforteth the vital spirits. This Marmalade of Oranges is made in this manner: Take of the fairest and best Oranges you can get, not those which are called Civil, and have a sweet taste, but those which are of a clear, high, and bright colour, and are sour in taste: then with a very sharp knife pair away the upper yellow rind, I do not mean to the white, but so exceeding thin as is possible, taking away (as it were) but only the smooth thin skin, and leaving the Orange as yellow as before, only looking a little more blank and rough: this done, you shall by them in fair running water, pressing them so down, that they may be all covert over with the water: then at the end of every five hours shift them into fresh water, till (having lain full five or six hours in each of them) you cannot taste any bitterness in the water, but that it is sweet and pleasant as when it came out of the Fountain, than you may be assured that they are steeped enough; so that then you shall take them forth of the water, and dry them with a fine clean cloth: then to every pound of Oranges you shall take a pound of refined Sugar well beaten and ●earced, and six or eight spoonfuls of Damaske-Rose-water, and in the same you shall boil● the Oranges till they burst, and become like unto pap, or pulp, which you shall the more occasion, by continually stirring them with a spoon or spatule: then when they are fully broken enough, you shall take them from the fire, and presently strain● them through a clean Strainer into your boxes, and so let them cool and stiffen. I● this sort you may make Marmalade of Lemons, Citrons, or any other whole 〈◊〉, whose rind is bitter, or unpleasant. You may also, after this manner, preserve other Oranges, Lemons, Citrons, or any other such like fruit, observing not to let them boil until they break, but keeping them in a very moderate and gentle temper.  
If you would make a laxative Marmalade, such as they use at Lions, look into the 26. Chapter of this Book.  
To make good and excellent Jelly of Quinces, 
To make jelly of Quinces.  cleanse your Quinces that 〈◊〉 very ripe and yellow, taking out of them their kernels, them cut them in small quarters, without paring of them, for the skin doth increase the smell: whiles you are thus making of them clean, and cutting them in quarters, cast them presently into a basin full of water: for if they be not cast into water so soon as they be thus chopped in pieces, they will become black: boil them in a great quantity of water, until such time as they be almost become like pap meat: when they are sufficiently boiled strain this water through a new linen cloth that is good and thick, and that even all the decoction, and so strongly as possibly you can. To this decoction thus strained, add the fourth part of fine sugar: cause all to boil upon a reasonable coal fire, so long as till in the end you perceive it very near perfectly boiled, then make a small fire, that so it may not burn to the sides, for that would make the jelly to be of an evil colour: and you shall know when it is perfectly boiled, if you find it cleaving like glue unto the oil, and therefore you must then put it in boxes.  
To preserve Walnuts: 
To preserve Walnuts.  Gather walnuts whiles they are small, tender and green with their rind and all, and make many small holes therein, and after lay them to sleep in water eleven or twelve days, more or less, cleanse then from the skin that lieth upon the shell, without shaling of them, and boil them in clarified Sugar a long time, still putting unto them more and more clarified Sugar, because the long boiling will make great waste: in the end put them into vessels with cloves, ginger, and cinnamome, but less of cloves than of any of the rest, because they would make them over bitter. Another way to preserve them, is to take green Walnuts about the month of May, or of june, before that their pilling become hard, pill them, and let them steep nine days (more or less according as you shall perceive them to become tender) in pure water, which must be changed every day three or four times: boil them yet afterward to make them more tender: being boiled, dry them in the shadow of the Sun, or wipe them dry with a linen cloth, afterward prick them with cinnamome and cloves: In the end, set them a boiling in clarified sugar, so long till the sugar be boiled up to the consistence of a syrup, afterward put them in tin or earthen vessels made for the purpose, together with the syrup wherein they were boiled. Others do them otherwise: They gather the Walnut whiles it is green, they prick it upon a spindle or some such like instrument of wood, not of iron (for iron would make it more black) and let it steep in water often changed, and then boil it till it be tender: being tender, they cast it by and by into very clean cold water: being cooled, they cleanse it from a little skin which showeth itself above the shell, and dry it with a linen cloth, and finally, prick it about with cloves and cinnamome: they put it thus in vessels, and cover it with syrup to keep it in: if it happen that after some small time the syrup become too thin, than they boil it again, and put it again into the vessel: this is the way to keep walnuts always green, according to their natural colour. 
Cute wine to b● used in steed of honey or sugar.  In steed of sugar or honey to make liquid preserves, you may for need use cute, such as we will entreat of in the fi●t Book: which cute or boiled wine is of no less sweetness and goodness than honey or sugar.  
To preserve pills of Citrons or Oranges: 
Preserves of Orange pills.  choose great pills of Citrons or of Oranges, or of Assyrian Citrons cut in four or six pieces, cleanse th●m from their inward skin and pippins, steep them in clear water for the space of nine days, changing the water the fifth day: when the nine days are past, put them again in clear water to steep until they become sweet, and have lost their bitterness, and withal appear clear and transparent, which is a sign of their sufficient watering: afterward, boil them in a vessel of brass that is clean, or in a leaden vessel so long as till they be tender; when they have cast out all their waterishness, put them to steep in a Iu●lep made of one part of sugar, and three of water, for the space of four and twenty hours, afterward make them to boil at a little fire so much as is sufficient: take them out of the julep, and put them in a glass vessel, and putting upon them the julep of rosewater thick enough of consistence, that so it may afford them as it were a crust, you may if you will aromatize them with a little Amber and Musk.  
To preserve whole Peaches, 
The preserus o● Peaches.  you must pill them and cleanse them as carefully as may be, and after boil them whole or cut in quarters, in a sufficient thin julep, not to boil them to the full, but only to boil out their waterishness, wherewith they abound: and then after this, in a better boiled julep to boil them up to the full, till they be become through tender and soft: and finally, to put them up into some earthen vessel, and to cover them with the syrup wherein they have boiled. For their longer keeping, 
Preserved Apricots.  you may aromatize them with Cinnamon or Musk. This manner of preserving of whole Peaches, is general for the preserving of all other gross fruits, 
Small Peaches.  as Pears, 
Pears.  Quinces, Apples, 
Apples.  Apricots, small Peaches, and timely Peaches. 
Timely Peaches.   
To preserve Cherries, 
To preserve Cherries, Ceruiser, Gooseberries, etc.  you must choose the fairest sour Cherries that you can, full ripe (for if they be not full ripe, in boiling them toward the end, you shall find nothing but skin and bone) cutting off their starts at the half, and afterward boil them in their own juice with sugar, in such proportion, as that for every pound of Cherries you have half a pound of sugar, taking away the stumme still as it shall rise in boiling of them: when they shall be sufficiently boiled, you must put them in glass vessels, and power upon them the syrup wherein they have boiled: notwithstanding, if the syrup should still seem waterish, boil it more perfectly. Otherwise, and better: put apart some quantity of your said sour Cherries which you shall press to have a sufficient quantity of juice: in this juice so soon as you have pressed it out, melt your sugar, and (not in any other liquor) boil them together presently, and in boiling, scum them: when the juice is well scummed, clarified, and become red, without taking it from the fire, or making it lose his boiling, put the Cherries thereinto to boil, as long as needeth, without any stirring of them, but looking well to the scumming of them with a spatule: stir them not from off the fire until they be perfectly boiled, and that you shall discern, if you see the syrup dropped upon a trencher to fall into drops that do not spread abroad, for than it is exactly boiled: and you must put up your Cherries into their glass vessels good and hot for to be kept. In this manner you shall preserve Plums, cervises, Gooseberries, and such other small fruits.  
For the preserving of Barberries', 
To preserve Barberries'.  you shall take the fairest and goodliest bunches of Barberries' that you can find, being gotten very dry from the tops of the trees, and as near as you can from the Sun side thereof, being fully ripe, and of one entire colour: then with a pin or needle you shall open the side, and pick out all the stones or kernels from the same: then to every bare pound of these Barberries' thus stoned, you shall take a pound down weight of fine sugar well beaten and seared, and so boil them on a gentle charcoal fire, till the syrup be thick: then let them cool, and afterward pot them up, being sure to cover them all over with the syrup. But if you intent to make Conserve of them, 
Of Conserve.  than you shall not need to stone them, but only pick them clean from their branches, taking all the sound berries, and casting away all that are unsound or spotted, and so boil them in their sugar over a hot fire until they burst, stirring them continually with a spatule of wood or steel made for the purpose: and then strain them through a strainer, not exceeding fine, and squeeze them so soon as is possible: then being cooled, pot it up, and use it as you shall have necessary occasion. This Conserve is most excellent against burning fevers, or other pestilent diseases, growing from inflammation or corruption of the blood: it comforteth the stomach, and begets an appetite: it cheereth all the spirits: and being drunk in juleps, bringeth the blood to his true quality, and taketh away all thirst, inflammation, or roughness in the throat or mouth: it is also good for any heat in the liver.  
For to have paste of Plums: first boil the Plums with a little water, 
Past of Plums and other fruits  stirring them oftentimes, that they may not burn too: afterward strain and force them through a s●arce, and weigh them, that so you may put thereto for every pound four ounces of sugar: set all upon the fire to boil again, and stir them well, not giving over until all the scum be consumed and spent: which done, make them ready as they are where you will: afterward lay them in the Sun to dry three days, and then shut them up: and in case that they grow moist, or that there spring forth any water out of them, you must lay them in the Sun again. This pattern of making this paste, may serve generally for the making of paste of any other fruits, as Pears, Apples, Cherries, and Peaches, save that you must have respect unto the quantity of Sugar, which shall be more or less, according to the more or less moistness of the fruits which you are determined to make up in paste.  
To keep Peaches, or other fruits: take Peaches, 
To keep Peaches and other fruits.  or other fruits which you would keep, when it is fair weather and dry, and opening them in the midst, take out the stone: then lay them all one day to dry in the Sun, or in an Oven after that the bread is drawn out: afterward take sugar well boiled and purified, and anoint them over, and lay them again the day following in the Sun, and so anoint them over again, and so oft as they shall dry, and until they have gotten a sufficient crust, and after keep them at your pleasure.  
To make Olives ready against a day: Take green Olives, 
To keep Olives.  and cut off a little from the one side, after lay them in water with lime and good sifted ashes (but take withal, that you must have twice so many ashes as lime, and let them steep in that sort the space of 24. hours:) after you shall take them out, and wash them four or five times in warm water: afterward you shall put them in a stone or glass vessel with salt water, and this you shall change every three months, and mingle amongst them common Thyme, wild Thyme, Aniseed, or the ribs and boughs of Fennell: and thus you may keep them a long time.  
To preserve Olives: lay white Olives to steep six days in a vessel of Sea-water, 
The preserve of Olive.  and upon them power the juice of Grapes as it cometh from the press, but fill not the vessel too full, to the end that the sweet wine, when it shall boil, do not shed over, and when it hath boiled, you must stop the vessel: Some do put a handful of salt in first, and after it the Must of new wine, and last the Olives, and when the new ●ine hath boiled, they stop up the vessel: Otherwise, dry them in the shadow, in a place that is open for the wind to enter, than put them up in an earthen vessel filled with honey, mixing therewithal some Spices.  
filberts or small Hasel-Nuts may be preserved two several ways, 
To preserus Fi●berds, or small Nuts.  that is to say, either in the shell, or without, by the kernel only. To preserve them in the shell, and to have them very full, large, and pleasant in taste, you shall take a large earthen pot, as wide in the bottom as at the mouth, and then first lay therein a pretty thick layre of Nuts, and then strew upon them a handful of Bay salt, then lay another layre of Nuts and an handful of Bay salt, and thus do layre upon layre, till you have filled the pot up to the top: then cover it with leather & parchment exceeding close: which done, lay a smooth stone on the top of it, and then dig a hole in the earth in some dry vault or cellar, and set the pot therein, and cover it all over with the earth, and this will keep them all the year, or divers years, in as good strength, fullness, and sweetness, as if they were but newly gotten from the trees. Some use only to bury these pots thus filled in red or yellow sand: and some use not to bury them at all, but to keep them in a low, cool, and moist vault: and surely any will do will, but the first is the best, and maketh them most full, and to have the pleasantest relish. But if you would preserve them without the shells in the kernels only, than you shall open them, and pick off the upper red hull or skin, and in all points do to them as was taught you before for the Walnut.  
To make Quince-cakes thin, and as it were almost transparent, 
Quince-cakes.  you shall take your Quinces and pair them, and cut them in slices from the chore, then take weight for weight of refined sugar beaten and well seared, and only moistened with Damask Rosewater, and in it boil your Quinces till it be thick, and then take it forth, and dry it upon a flat place-dish overasoft fire, not leaving to stir it with a spoon or slice till it be hard: then put it into a stone-mortar, and beat it very well, and if you find that it wanteth sugar, then as you beat it, strew in more sugar, till it have the taste you desire: then being come to a paste, take it out of the mortar, and roll it forth into very thin ●akes, and so print it: and in this manner you may make thin cakes of any manner of fruit you please whatsoever.  
If you will make your Pastes, Cakes, Marmalades, Preserves, or Conserves of divers colours, 
Diversity of colours.  as red, white, or between both; you shall do as followeth a first, if you will have your paste or marmalade red, you shall take your Quinces, Apples, Pears, Oranges, or what other fruit you please, and after you have pa●ed or ri●ed them, you shall cut them in halves, and chore such as are to be chored, then take weight for weight of refined sugar, and to every pound of sugar a quart of fair running water, and boil them in the same over a very soft fire, and turn them over many times, and cover them very close with a pewter-dish observing ever, that the longer they are in boiling, the better and more ruddy will the colour be▪ then when they be soft, take your knife and cut them cross over the tops, that the syrup may pas●e through them, and make the colour entire, then take up some of the syrup and cool it upon a saucer, and when you see it begin to be thick, then break your Quinces with a slice, or a spoon, as small as is possible, then strain it, and box it after you have strewed sugar in the boxes: or if you will have it in paste or cakes, then use it as is before said of the Quince cakes, and so mould it, and roll it forth: Now if you will have it of a pure white colour, you must in all points use your Quinces, Apples, Pears, Oranges, or other fruit, as is beforesaid, only you must take but to every pound of Sugar a pint of water, and you must boil them as fast as is possible, and not cover them at all, but suffer the air to pass away as freely as may be. Now if you will have it of a carnation, or more pale colour, than you shall take a pint and a half of water to a pound of Sugar, and a pound of Fruit, and you shall so cover it with a Pewter dish, that at one corner of the same a little of the air or smoke may pas●e away, and no more: and thus observe, that the more air you suffer to go away, the paler the colour will be: and in this case you shall neither suffer it to boil exceeding fast, nor very slow, but of a temperate and indifferent manner.  
If you will make artificial Cinnamon sticks. 
Cinnamon sticks.  so like unto the true Cinnamon itself, that the one can hardly be judged from the other, and yet the counterfeit to be a most delicate and pleasant sweet meat, and wholesome and sovereign to be eaten: you shall take an ounce of the best Cinnamon, from which no water hath by any means been extracted, and beat it into very fine powder, well fearced: then take half a pound of refined Sugar also well beaten and seared, and mix them very well together: then take gum Dragon the quantity of a Hazel Nut, and s●eepe it in rosewater, so as it may be thick and very gluey: then with it temper the Cinnamon and rosewater, till you bring it to a fine paste: then work it out with your hand, after that roll it forth with your Rowling-Pinne, then print it, and lastly, fold it up in the same manner that you see a Cinnamon stick is folded up. Now, if where you dissolve your gum Dragon, you also dissolve with the same a grain or two of fat Musk, and also twice as much Ambergris, it will be a great deal the better, and add more pleasantness and delicacy of smell unto the sticks.  
To make Conserve generally of any fruit whatsoever you please, 
Conserve of fruits.  either sweet or sour, you shall take the fruit you intent to make Conserve of, and if it be stone fruit, you shall take out the stones; if other fruit, take away the chore, parings▪ and seeds, and then boil them in fair running water, to an indifferent good height: which done, you shall drain them away from the same, and put them into another clean Vessel, either with white Wine, or claret Wine, according unto the colour of the fruit which you conserve: and then boil them to a thick pap, breaking them with a Slice, or Spatule, as they boil, until all be brought into one substance: then unto every bare pound of pulp, if the fruit thereof be sweet, you shall take a bare pound of refined Sugar, beaten to fine powder: but if it be sour fruit, as Cherries, Gooseberries, Barberries', Bulleys, Sloes, and such like, then unto every bare pound of pulp, you shall take a pound down weight of refined Sugar in powder, and so stir the Sugar and the pulp very well together upon the fire: then taking it from the same, you must immediately, hot as it is, strain it through a middle strainer clean washed, and so letting it cool, than you may pot it up.  
But if you will make Conserve of Flowers, 
Conserve of flowers.  Herbs, Leaves, or such like; as are Roset, Violets, Gilliflowers, Mints, Basill, and such like: than you shall take the flowers or leaves from their stalks, and with a pair of shears cut away the tips of the upper ends of them, and the white ends at the roots thereof, leaving nothing but the heart and middle part thereof: which done, you shall put them into a stone Mortar, or into a rolling Mill, or wooden Brake, and there crush, grind, or bruise them, till they come to a ●oft substance, and be so like unto a soft pulp, that no part of the leaves or flowers may be discerned: then to every pound of that pulp, as was before said, take a pound of refined sugar, beaten and seared into fine powder, giving the sweeter the less, and the sour the more, and so beat them exceedingly well together, till the sugar be generally dispersed, and then pot it up, and keep it for your occasions.  
If you will make an excellent Leech of Dates, 
Leath of Date●.  you shall take your Dates, and opening of them, take forth their stone, and the innermost white rind, and beat them in a stone Mortar with Sugar, Cinnamon, and Ginger, till they be well incorporated together: then take it forth of the Mortar, and work it like a piece of paste, and then roll them forth, and print them: and either serve them moist, or dry them in a stoou●, for either kind is excellent.   

CHAP. LI.  
The manner of making of Oils: that there are three sorts of preparing of Oils, and how you must make Oil Olive.  
Entreating in the second Book of the Olive-tree, we promised a brief discourse of the making of Oils, a thing certainly very profitable for our Country House, in as much as Oil is no less profitable for man's life, nor of less fruit and increase unto a good husband, than Wine: than it shall not be from the matter, if (after we have spoken largely of Gardens and Orchards, and especially of the ordering of Olive-trees, and other herbs and trees whereof Oils are prepared) we briefly do specify the ways of making of Oils.  
And to say something of Oil in general, Oil may be made three ways: The first, by expression, which is most common, and the chiefest amongst the rest: The second, by impression: and the third, by distillation or resolution, after the manner of distilled waters: We will only speak of the two first in this place, reserving the third for the Discourse which we intent to make concerning Distillations in this Book; although, in very deed, we have not purposely resolved to speak exactly of the making of Oils, because it is a thing that properly belongeth not to the Husbandman, or his Hind, but only unto a good Apothecary.  
To speak then first of Oil which is most useful and serviceable for the Husbandman, because it not only benefiteth himself and his family, 
Oil of Oats.  but also cureth his cattle of all manner of dangerous and corrupt diseases: you shall understand, that it is the Oil of Oats, which may be made either by expression, impression, or distillation: yet for your greater ease and readiness, to have it upon any sudden occasion, you shall make it in this manner: First, you shall take half a peck, or a quarter of a peck, of the goodliest, best, and fullest Oats you can procure, of which, the whitest are the best, and these you shall hull and break from their husks as clean as is possible: then take a pottle or three quarts of new milk, and setting it upon the fire, as soon as it is ready to seethe, you shall put into it half a pound of Allome beaten to powder, and stir it about, and so let it stand an hour or two, in which time it will gather unto a curd: then with your hands you shall press down the curd into the bottom of the Vessel, and then strain the Whey from it into another clean Vessel, and press the curd very much, not leaving any Whey in it that you can wring forth: then take that Whey, and put your Oats therein, and set it over a very quick fire, and boil it until you see the Oats break, or be as soft as pap: then take it from the fire, and power it gently into a small Cullender, so as the Whey may softly drain from the same, without any force or pressing at all: then when it hath almost left dropping, take a clean Frying-pan, and put the Oats therein, and hold it over a gentle fire so long, as you shall see the smoke of the Oats ascend upward: but so soon as you perceive the smoke to stymmer or run about the edges of the pan, you shall forthwith put the Oats into a fine clean bag of soft old Linen, or Boulter, and so lay it into the Oyle-presse, and press it with all the strength you can, and that which runneth from the same, is the Oil thereof, which you shall receive into a Glasse-vessell, and keep it close and well stopped up. In this manner, and with this Whey, you may also extract Oil from any hard substance either of Trees, Seeds, Leaves, Flowers, Grains, or what else soever, which hath any concealed moisture remaining within it.  
This Oil of Oates is most excellent for the smoothing of the skin, and taking away of itch, scab, or little pustules about the bodies of men or children: It also purgeth most gently and sweetly, and expelleth out of the body all manner of venomous and infective humours: it is also very sovereign against the stone or difficulty of urine, being drunk with white Wine and a corroded Nutmeg: Also it feedeth much, and maketh a man strong and lusty. It is most sovereign for any inward disease in cattle, or any surfeit taken by too violent labour: but especially it cureth all inward diseases in Horses, being given either with Beer, Ale, or Wine: but above the rest, it cureth the Glanders, mourning of the Chine, consumption of the Liver, or rottenness in the Lungs: and as it cureth these inward diseases, so also being inwardly taken (as aforesaid) it cureth all outward grievances which come of inward corruption, as the Farcie, Maungie, Scab, Leprosy, Hidebound, the evil habit of the body, and such like. And as for this manner of ●aking of Oils, although it be precisely none of the three ways before rehearsed, but somewhat more gross, yet seeing at ●auoureth of the two first, which is expression and impression, and being so ready, perfect, and easy a thing for any man practise, it is no less to be embraced than any of the other: for there is no place nor no necessity void of those helps and furtherances which are needful in this work  
The manner of making of Oils by expression, 
Oy●e by expression  belongeth not only to Olives, but also to many other fruits and seeds, as common Nuts, Almonds, Nutmegs, Line-seed Hempseed, and such other, whereof we will speak hereafter. Notwithstanding, in as much as the Olive doth yield more Oil than any other fruit or seed, it hath deserved the name of excellency above all the rest▪ for the fat and unctuous liquors of other fruits and seeds are not like to have any other name bestowed upon them, 
Oil the proper name of the liquor of Ol●●es.  than that which of right appertaineth unto the liquor which is pressed out of the Olive: for which reason, when we speak of the Oil of the Olive, we only say, Oil▪ but when we make mention of other Oils, we add the name of the fruit or seed whereout it was pressed▪ as Oil of Nutmegs, Oil of sweet Almonds, and so of the rest: Wherefore we will begin to describe the manner and fashion of making the Oil of Olives.  
When therefore you have first gathered your Olives, 
What is necessary before the making of the Oil.  and disposed of them in such manner as we have spoken of in our second Book, entreating of the Olive-tree, consider diligently, if the place where the Oil is to be pressed and made, be furnished of all necessary things, that is to say, of fats or vessels to put your divers sorts of oils in: of scoops of iron, to draw and empty out the oils: covers to cover the vessels; great and small sponges: pots to carry out the oil in bands and cords of hemp and broom barks, and of many other things which must be prepared and made ready before you come to the making of the oil, in like manner as is used before the gathering of grapes. The millstones, 
Millstones. Oil mills. Pressers.  oil mills, and pressers must be clean, as all the rest of the instruments serving to make oil: you must likewise have made sufficient provision of wood to make good fires, thereby to cha●e and heat the room a good while before hand, where the oil shall be pressed, if so be it be not warms enough by his natural situation: for all oily liquors do dissolve and run the more freely by the help of heat, as they do keep in and cease to depart through cold. And for this cause it were requisite that your presser stood upon the light and clearness of the South Sun, 
The South Sun necessary for the oil presser.  that so you may stand the less in need of fire and candle, when you go about the pressing out of your oil.  
All these things thus prepared, cause your servants and workmen to cull out and cleanse your olives: when they are clean, let them be carried forthwith to the pres●e, under which they shall put them whole in new Willow basket (for the Willow giveth great beauty unto the oil) to the end they may be pressed with as much leisure, 
The Willon graceth the co●our of the oil.  and as softly as may be. It is true that it would be good before they were put under the press to have them trodden with feet▪ in as much as the oil trodden with the feet is always better, sweeter, clearer, and more delightsome to eat in salads, than that which is pressed out: but seeing the treading of them is harder to do than to press them, the common making of oil is in the press: wherefore before you put your olives under the press, it will not be amiss to break their skin and flesh with turning millstones, and that but gently, to the end that the kernel which spoileth and corrupteth the taste of the oil be not stirred: and afterward to soften and grind them most strongly in the press, putting in thereto of salt four pound to every bushel of olives, and after to press the bones or stones of the olives by themselves. He that shall empty the oil out of the vessel whereinto it runneth from the press, shall make three sorts of oil, 
Three forts of oils of ol●e.  separating so many one from another: for it would be great loss to mingle the first pressing with the second, but yet more to mingle it with the third, because that that which runneth from the press being yet scarce strained or moved, is of a far better taste than the second, and is called Virgin's oil, 
Virgin's oil.  being very beautiful and goodly, and sit for to use with meat: the second being fitter for ointments, and such other like uses: and the third for to burn in lamps. And yet further it will be very good when the oil shall be a little settled in his tups, to power it out of them into others: for the more that oil is aired and stirred, so much the more clear it is, and without lees.  
The tons and vessels wherein the oil is to be put, must be well dressed with pitch and gum, 
Vessels for oyl●  made very clean (if they be old) with warm lee, and dried with a sponge, receiving the oil not till thirty days after that it is made, that is to say, 〈◊〉 the time when the lees are fallen to the bottom: in like manner the vessels and sacks of Goat's hair must be well mended for the receiving of the oil into them, according to the manner which we have set down in the first Book, in the Chapter of the Goat-keeper.  
The cellar where the vessels for oil are to be set, 
Oyle-cellars.  shall be in some cold place; for as all liquors do dissolve and become more fluent by heat; so they keep fast and close in, and s●ay their courses by the working of cold: and so oil of itself is kept very well in a cold and dry place, because heat and moisture are his utter enemies. This is the cause why the oyle-makers give in charge above all things that there be ●o fire nor smo●ke made near unto the presses and cellars of oil; because the taste of the oil is spoiled by smoke and soot: 
The North is fittest for oil cellars to stand upon.  so than it is meet if possibly it may be that the oil cellars be situate towards the North, quite on the other side from the hot winds, as also that the oil be put into glass vessels or earthen pots, such as are the pots of Beauu●is, especially the oil that is made of green olives that are not ripe, 
Oil Omphacine Frozen oil.  and is called oil Omphacine.  
If in the time of Winter oil doth freeze together with his lees, and cleareth it from all manner of mischief that can happen unto it: neither need you fear that it should be salt: for though you should put much salt into it, yet the oil would take no taste of it.  
To keep oil from becoming rank, 
To keep oil from becoming rank.  melt wax with oil in equal quantity, and therein mingle fried salt, then put it all in a vessel of oil; and this same composition serveth also to mend it if it be already rank. Anise cast into the vessel performeth the same.  
If the oil be troubled, 
Troubled oil.  purify it at the Sun or fire, or else cast into the vessel boiling water; provided the vessel be not weak and in hazard of bursting.  
If the oil be full of filthiness, 
Filthy oil.  fry salt and cast it hot into the vessel▪ the pine not burned, or the lees of oil dried and parched and cast into the vessel of oil doth the like.  
If oil have got any stench or other evil smell: 
Stinking oil.  poune green olives, and cast them into the oil without their stones: or else cast in the crumbs of barley bread mingled with grained salt: or else in●use in the oil the flowers of melilot.  
If the oil be corrupt and putrefied, 
putrefied oil.  hang in the vessel a handful of the herb coriander, and cast in beside of the same divers times, if you perceive that the putrefaction is not taken away: or which is better, change the oil his vessel: you shall likewise amend this fault, if you take grapes, and after you have taken out the kernels, stamp them, and make them into lumps to put into the vessel, and ten days after change the oil his vessel.  
Oil will be very clear, 
Clear oil.  if you stamp the bark and leaves of an olive-tree with salt, put in all in a little knot or nodule, and hang the same in the vessel.  
To make sweet smelling oil: take Virgin's oil, 
Sweet smelling oil.  which is that which first runneth down from the press without the weight of the press forcing it: into it cast of the fine powder of bay-tree-leaves, the roots of aller and cypress, the roots of co●n●lag, or some other sweet smelling things, such as you are disposed, all being dried and made into fine powder, stirring the vessel well: afterward, put in salt finely powdered, and set out the vessel in the Sun for the space of fifteen days: or else set a vessel well covered (for fear that the oil should spend itself) in a cauldron of boiling water, let it stay therein the space of three hours to boil at a little sire: after take it out, and let it rest some time, until you perceive all to be incorporated together, then strain the oil, and reserve it in some vessel well stopped for your use.  
Furthermore, 
Good oil in the upper part of the vessel.  you must know that as the bottom in honey, and the midst of Wine, so the uppermost part of the oil is always the best: the reason shall be delivered in the treatise of Wine in the sixth Book.  
As concerning the properties of oil, 
The virtues of oil.  it hath a singular virtue applied outwardly as is to be known by the answer of Democritus, who being asked of the means to live long, and to preserve one's body in good estate and plight, said, If you arm yourself without your body with oil, and within with home. And this is the cause why Hannibal gave in charge unto his soldiers passing the mountains, that they should arm their bodies with oil, to keep them from the injuries of the cold: in like manner the men of ancient time to make their bodies the more nimble and ready to all actions and motions, caused all their body over to be anointed with oil before they were to go into the bathe: in like sort also, their wrestlers and champions, before they entered the combat, did anoint all their body o●er with oil, not only that they might not be so easily taken hold of in wrestling: but also to have their whole body the more nimble and obedient, and their members the more lusti● and strong.  
As concerning within the body, 
To loosen the belly.  oil hath no less virtue than without; for that if it be taken inwardly, it softeneth the belly, subdueth the malignity of venimes, and causeth vomiting speedily: furthermore, if any venom or burning have pitched and settled itself upon the skin, and begin there to exulcerate or work his further mischief; for the staying of the fierceness and malignity thereof, there is nothing better than to lay a little lineament of new oil thereupon.  
Oil powered upon wine or any other liquor, 
Aspent Wine.  keepeth it from spending itself: In like manner the Vintner's, wise enough to keep white Wine from waxing red, are want to cast upon it a pint of Oyle-olive.  
Oil is altogether enemy to plants, 
Oil an enemy to plants.  especially gourds and cucumbers, which die presently if a man place near unto them any vessel of oil; or if that he which dresseth them be oily, as we have said in the second Book.  
The lees or grounds of oil are good to make a mortar with to lay the floors of corn garners, 
The virtues of the lees of oil.  because such a mortar chaseth away Miso: lees also are good to keep instruments and iron tools from rusting: oxen are helped to a good appetite, by having their fodder besprinkled with oil lees: oil lees are good to anoint the bottoms of chests wherein clothes are to be laid, for they drive away moths: they are good also to give light unto the family with some wood: to keep sheep from being scabbed, if they be anointed with the lees of oil, as also to heal such as are already scabbed: to cause wood to burn and flame without smoke.   

CHAP. LII.  
How the Oils of other Fruits and Seeds are made by expression.  
THere are many other seeds and fruits which do yield an oily liquor by expression, 
Oils made by expression of many things.  and that after the manner of the Olive, that is to say, royal Walnuts, filberts, Nutmegs, Almonds, both sweet and bitter, the Indian nut, Anacardies, Peach kernels, the kernels of pine Apples, Apricots, Cherries, Plums, Pistaces, Linseed, Rapeseed, Mustardseed, Hempseed, the seed of Poppy, Henbane, Burnet, Citrons, Oranges, Apples, Pears, Cucumbers, Gourds, Melons, citruls, and other such like, whereof we will speak particularly, to the end that we may give to know what course is to be taken, and what manner and order is to be kept in every particular.  
The oil of sweet Almonds is thus prepared: 
The making of the oil of sweet almonds.  Pill the Almonds after that they have steeped some time in warm water: pound them in a mortar of stone or marble with a wooden pestle, and make them up in lumps or little loaves, which you shall knead and work with your hands at the vapour of warm water a long time, if you like it not better to warm them upon hot ashes, or hot sand for the space of an hour, or in the Sun the space of five hours: or else put them in a glass vessel which shall be warmed at the vapour of boiling water in a cauldron: after put them in a hair cloth or hempen bag, for to press in a press that hath his plank hollow and bending downward: or betwixt presses whose planks you have heated: but here in this you must note, that the Almonds are not always blanched before their oil be drawn, because many times a man's leisure will not serve him to do it: though indeed it be the best way to pill or blanche them, that so the oil may come the more neat and pure: and to pill them rather with a knife than by the means of water, either warm or cold, for fear that through the mixture of water, there be caused to come forth great store of waterish and unpleasant oil. 
The dross of sweet almonds  After that the Almonds have been thus pressed, you may bake the dross under ashes, and use them in steed of bread: you must observe, that such manner of preparing of oil of sweet almonds is only to be used when such oil is to be taken at the mouth, to stay and take away the throws & gripes of women newly delivered of child●or else to mitigate the pain of the colic, 
women's throws Pain of the colic and kidneys.  or of the reins, taking it in a drink of two ounces of white Wine, or with Aquavitae: And this oil is drawn oftentimes without fire or any other heat whatsoever: sometimes the almonds are fried to give them a light drying, and after the oil is pressed out.  
The oil of bitter Almonds is made of almonds fried in a frying-pan, 
Oil for to make 〈◊〉.  and sti●ed oftentimes that so they may not burn to, after which they are to be pressed out so strongly and long, as till they will yield no more: After this manner a man may pressed out two other sorts of oil out of sweet almonds: one appropriated unto ●●●ments to be applied unto the outward parts of the body that are pained: the other serving for perfumers: which two are made of old sweet almonds sound and whole, 
Oil of Sweet almonds for perfumers.  and very oily by reason of their age: they must be fried in a frying-pan, and alter pressed with weight or presses being close wrapped in a bag, or hair cloth. The oils of Pistaces, common walnuts, filberts, Indian nuts, the kernels of pine apples, cherries, seeds of gourds, cucumbers, melons, Palma Christi, the seed of hemp, line, pionie, henbane, wild saffron, stavesacre, and other fruits and oily seeds, are pressed out after the same manner that the oils of sweet almonds be: evermore looking to it that the expression be not without the heating of the thing pressed, either by cha●●ng and warming itself at the fire, or else by heating the planks betwixt, or the weigh● under which they are to be pressed.  
Oil of Bays it thus prepared: 
Oyle-de-Bay.  Take ripe bayberries and new, pound them, and make them into masses or small lumps: boil them a sufficient long time in water in a cauldron, strain the decoction, and let it cool, gather the fat that swimmeth above, and keep it for oil; or else let all the water run out at some hole which shall be in the bottom of it, and the fat which stayeth behind is the oil. Some do not boil the masses of bayberries, but press them from under a press, and let the oil fall down into a vessel standing underneath with water: Otherwise, mix an equal portion of bayberries and olives, pound them together, and press out the oil. The oil of bays is sovereign to put in clysters for the pains of the colic, 
Colic. Cold swellings.  and to make ointments of for cold tumours, the palsy, shaking of quartain agues, and cold affects of the sinews. After the same manner you may make the simple oil of mycetes, I●niper-berries, 
Oil of myrtles, juniper, mastic tree, turpentine tree, and ivy berries.  of the fruit of the masticke-tree, turpentine-tree, and ivy: which is also very singular for cold distillations, and benumbed members. Sometime men take an equal portion of juniper and bayberries, and steep them in Wine, pressing out the oil thereof afterward. You may likewise boil bayberries in oil, and press them out after: or else without any other mixture or preparation, you may put 〈◊〉 and green bayberries in a bag, and by weight or pressing draw out their oil.  
Oil of nutmegs is thus made: lay nutmegs on heaps, 
Oil of nutmegs  bray them with a wooden stamper, afterward press them out from betwixt the planks heated: or else divide them into little heaps, and steep them three days in very good Wine, after dry them in the shadow of the Sun two whole days, then heat them reasonably in a frying-pan upon the fire, sprinkling them with rose-water, and presently press them out. You must note, that in this manner of drawing of oil, which is done by expression, men are forced many times to sprinkle the matter with water or wine, to draw out the oil both more easily, and in greater quantity: so we see it practised sometimes in the expression of sweet almonds, that when they are too dry, there is some small 〈◊〉 of water put unto them: but unto other things some Wine, as in oyles-de-bay, nutmegs, juniper-berries, and such like.   

CHAP. LIII.  
How to make Oils by impression.  
THe Oils made by impression are commonly compounded of Oil olive, 
Oil made by impression.  because it is more temperate than others, easilier to be gotten, and retaining more exactly the quantity of ingredients whether hot or cold. It is true, that very often in place of Oil olive some take the oil of sweet Almonds, F●●berds, Cammo●ile, or such other, according as the occasion of things require, as you may know and understand by particular description of such oils. Whatsoever it is, 
Three things to be considered in making oils by impression.  there are three things to be considered in the making of oils by impression: the heat, which is the efficient cause of the making of the oil: the quality of the ingredients; and the quantity of them. As concerning the heat, whether it be of the fire, or of the Sun, or of other things which yield heat, it must be measured according to the qualities of tenderness or hardness which shall be in the substances and matter: for flowers do not crave so great a heat is fruits or roots; 
Oils of flowers  whereupon it cometh to pas●e, that for the composition of such oils, men are oftentimes contented with the heat of the Sun, or with the heat of boiling water: otherwise called Maries-bath, 
To make oils by impression in Maries-bath.  or the double vessel. And I for mine own part jam of this mind, that for the making of these oils there ought not any coal fire to be used, nor yet any other kind of fire, but rather the help of Ma●●●●-bath: For as by the gentle and mild heat of Maries-bath, all the parts of the ingredients are kept, and the oil well prepared and digested: so by the heat of a violent and forcible fire, there followeth rather the exhalation or combustion of oily things, than any digestion. The preparing therefore of such oils as have need of a greater heat than that of the Sun, will be a greater deal the better, if you put the matter, out of which you draw the oil, in a glass or tin vessel for to be infused in oil mingled with Wine or water, or other convenient liquor, or without liquor, according as the nature of the ingredients, and the present thing requireth. After that this vessel borne up with the small slips of broom or straw, hath infused three whole days in Maries-bath, that is to say, in cauldron full of water somewhat boiling; or (which is better) the vessel not infused or standing in the water, but rather receiving only the vapour of the boiling wate● that is in the cauldron, those three days being spent, you may press out the things, which you shall have infused, straining and forcing them through some strong strainer and thick linen: and afterward to put in other new ingredients if it be needful (that is to say) until the liquors which you have mingled with the oil, or the humidity and moisture which may rise of the ingredients be consumed, and that the oil may seem to have gotten out all the strength and virtue of the ingredients, and then to strain and force them as before. This is the way that is to be taken for to prepare oils well by impression. It is true that with less cost and a great deal sooner they may be prepared, in putting the ●atter into some great brass pan upon a coal fire, causing it to boil with a small fire until the liquor put unto the oil or the moisture of the ingredients be consumed: and after straining of them after the manner that hath been said before.  
Furthermore it will be discerned that the oil hath exactly drawn out the virtues of the ingredients, 
To know if the oil be made.  and that the liquor mingled with the oil or moisture of the ingredients is consumed, if with a spatule or stick of wood you cast some few drops of the said oil into the fire: for if they be all on a flame by and by, it is a sign that it is pure and near, but and if it spatter, there is yet some waterish moisture remaining in it: furthermore as it is boiling in the cauldron, it will be spatering and casting up bubbles, so long as there remaineth any of the liquor or moisture: but after that it is spent and boiled away, it will be quiet and peaceable: likewise a drop of oil dropped upon your hand, if there be any moisture in it of waterishness, it will show it sufficiently, for it will swim and ride aloft upon the same.  
As concerning the quality of the ingredients, 
The quality of the ingredients. Cold oils. Hot. Tender. Hard.  it consisteth principally in this, that the ingredients are either hot or cold, or tender, or tough, and hard. I● they be cold, there is need that they should be often shifted and changed in the oil, for the better imprinting of their cold quality in the oil, for although that oil olive be temperate, notwithstanding it inclineth more unto heat and a fiery nature, than otherwise: so that it is requisite to change the ingredients often, and to put new in their places for that cause; yea, and in regard thereof to wash the oil in some common water, as we will further declare in speaking of oil of roses: if the ingredients be hot, 
Hot oils.  it is sufficient once only to change them for the composition of hot oils, and that by reason of the affinity and agreement betwixt the Oil and the hot things.  
If the ingredients be hard, 
Of the tenderness or hardness of the ingredients.  and not easily digested, and imparting their properties unto the oil, they must be infused before they be boiled, and also there must be put unto their decoction some liquor, as Wine, or some convenient juice or other liquor, as well to help their digestion, as to keep them from burning, or getting some loathsome smell: but and if they be tender, they crave sometimes a simple infusion in the heat of the Sun, or upon a slow fire without any boiling: and this way fitteth flowers: sometime a light boiling without any infusion, as many aromatical things.  
And as concerning the quality of the ingredients, 
Oils made of living things or their parts.  you must observe that oils by impression are made, not only of the parts of plants, but of living things, their parts and excrement, wherein there must not be any shifting, changing, or renewing: and besides these, there is no other thing to be observed; except that if the beasts be small, that then they be killed in the oil, as it used in oil of scorpions, serpents, frogs, and pismires: but and if they be great, they must be first killed, them bowelled, and lastly, boiled in the oil, as is done in the oil of Foxes.  
Touching the quantity of the ingredients, 
The quantity of the ingredients.  by which the oils made by impression are called simple or compound, you must have regard to see that when the oil is compound, that this order be followed, that is, to take the ingredients of greatest and hardest substance, and to infuse them three days: afterward those of less substance two days: and those which are the most tender, subtle, and aromatical one day, and one night: and then afterward to boil them in order, straining them but once, and reserving your Gums to mix and dissolve with the said strained oil, according as it shall be requisite, if so be that any gums do go into any such oils.   

CHAP. liv.  
A description of the Oils made by impression.  
AS for Oil of Roses, 
Oil of Roses.  it is thus prepared: Take of oil of new olives so much as you shall think needful, that is to say, sufficiently to infuse your roses in: wash it diligently, as well to cool it, and make it more temperate, as also for to make it the more pure, if in case it should be any whit salt or feculent, and thick of the Lees. Such washing it made with an equal portion of water and oil, stirring them together in a vessel, until such time as they be mingled and incorporated, and then so leaving them till they separate themselves one from another again: which being come to pass, there shall be a hole made in the bottom of the vessel where they are to let the water run out: after, there must other water be put in to beat with the oil as before, and this shall thus be gone over three or four times: but and if there be any haste to be made in this washing of the oil, than the vessel shall be kept in some warm place, to the end that the oil and water may be the sooner severed: and you must note that the oil is not to be washed on this fashion, except it be for cooling oils, as oil of Roses, Violets, and such like: it is very true, that there will be no need to wash any oil at all, if you have the oil of green olives called Omphacine. This washing of oil being finished, have in readiness a sufficient quantity of blown Roses, put them to infuse in this washed oil, in a vessel having a narrow mouth, like a pitcher or a glass bottle, or some one of Tin, and filled up within a quarter of the top, and afterward well closed and stopped: set them in this sort in the Sun, or some warm place, for the space of seven days, boil them afterward in a double vessel in boiling water, as we have said, or else boil them in a brass kettle upon a small fire without any flame for the space of two or three hours: when the oil hath boiled and wasted one part of the moisture that was in it, it will be convenient to strain it through a strong strainer, and thick linen cloth, and after to put into it new Roses again, doing as you did before, and that for three several times: in the end, after it hath been strained, some put into it as much water of the infusion or other Roses, infused in water, as there is Oil; than you shall set it in the Sun for the space of forty days, which infusion may be severed from the oil afterward as the water wherewith the oil was washed. Notwithstanding it may be sufficient to take the infusion of the Roses in oil only, without the putting of other water in the infusion. Some mingle now and then in the decoction of Roses a little wine, or juice of fresh Roses to keep the oil from burning, 
Two sort● of oil of Roses.  or that in boiling it should not get any loathsome smell. You must further note, that some prepare and make two sorts of oil of Roses: one oil of ripe olives, and roses all opened and spread, which are the better if they be red: the other oil it made of roses being yet in the b●d, with the oil of green and unripe olives: or if you have not any of this oil Omphacine, you shall make it with common oil and verjuice boiled together, to the consumption of the juice. This is more cooling, astringent, and repercussive: the other more digestive, dicussive, and anodine or assuaging of pains.  
Some there are which sometimes make this oil or Roses without oil of olives, 
A new kind of making of oil of Roses.  putting red, carnation, or musk roses to putrify in a vessel set in dung for one whole month being close covered. And this kind of oil is very fragrant and sweet.  
This manner of making of oils may be followed in the compounding of oils, 
Oil of Cammomile, Melilote. Yellow Violets. Corneflag. Elder-tree flowers. White mulleine flowers. jasmin. Poppy, Lettuses Water Lillie flowers. Oil of Quinces.  either cold or temperate and simple, such as are the oil of violets, cammomile, meli●●te, yellow or red violets, of the leaves and flowers of dill, lilies, the yellow taken away, of corneflag flowers, of elder tree flowers, white mulleine flowers, jesamine flowers, poppy flowers, or of the leaves and heads of poppy, of lettuce leaves; and white water lily flowers, to the compounding of which oils, you must note that for want of oil of green olives, you may take the oil of sweet almonds newly drawn, or of ●●●berds, if it have been first washed.  
Oil of Quinces: Take whole Quinces with the rinds when they are very ripe, but cast away their kernels, then stamp them, and infuse them in oil Omphatine in the Sun five days, or else in oil washed as we have said before: afterward, boil them with equal portion of the juice of Quinces in double vessel the space of four hours: renew the flesh and juice of Quinces three or four times, the old being made away, set them in the Sun again, and boil them: afterward strain all, and keep it in a vessel for your use: you shall draw greater store of the juice of your Quinces, if you crush them well, and bruise them, rather than if you cut them in pieces.  
Oil of Mastic: 
Oil of 〈◊〉 stick.  you must take oil of Roses, or oil Omphacine, or of Quinces, three pound, of good wine eight ounces, of mastic powdered and put unto the rest toward the end (for it will not endure much boiling) three ounces: boil them altogether to the consumption of the wine in stirring it oft, to the end that the mastic may be melted and mixed with the oil.  
Oil of the flowers of the Elder-tree: 
Oil of Elder-tree.  Fill a glass bottle full of washed oil, or oil Omphacine, put therein a sufficient quantity of Elder-tree flowers, set the bottle in the hot Sun six days, after that press them out, and put in others new; continue this all the time of Summer while the flowers of Elder-tree are in force: this oil is singular to comfort the sinews, assuage the pain of the joints, and to cleanse the skin.  
Oil of S. johns-wort: 
Oil of S. john's wort.  Infuse for three days the crops of S. johns-wort in very fragrant Wine: after that, boil all in a soft and gentle sort in Maries-bath, and after this some small space, strain them out lightly: infuse again in the same Wine as many days as nights the like quantity of the tops of S. johns-wort, boil them, and strain them as before: afterward, put unto the liquor of Venice-Turpentin● three ounces, of old oil six ounces, of saffron a scruple, mix them, and in the said Maries-bath boil them unto the consumption of the Wine: you shall keep that which remaineth in a glass or lead vessel, for to use, as hot as you can apply it in malign ulcers, especially those of the sinews, and in the lean and cold parts, in the pricks of the sinews, pain of the teeth, convulsions, tumors, and distillations. Some do make this oil after the simplest and singlest sort, making only the flowers of Hypericum, which they infuse all the Summer in washed oil in a glass vessel, and setting it in the hot Sun, keep it.  
Oil of Rhue: 
Oil of Rhu●.  Take the leaves of Rhue somewhat dried, (because they are subject to a super●lous kind of moisture) set them to infuse in oil a whole Summer: Or better, change and renew them every eight days, straining and pressing them out at every change: Summer being gone, boil them not, but strain, press out, and keep them in a vessel: after this manner are made the oils of the Myrtle-tree, 
Oil of Myrtle-tree, Wormwood, Marierom, Southernwood, Thyme, and Aller.  Wormwood, Marierom, Southernwood, Thyme, Cammomile, and such like: unto which there is sometimes added the like quantity of juice, or flowers, or leaves mingled with oil: ●nd so they are set in the Sun.  
Oil of Spike: 
Oil of Spike:  Take true Spike, or for want of it, lavender, to the quantity of three ounces, of marierom, and baye-tree leaves two ounces: of the roo●s of Cypress, Elicampaine, and Zyloalo●● of each an ounce and a half: of nutmegs, three ounces: infuse every thing by itself in an equal quantity of Wine and water: the infusion accomplished, boil the whole together in a sufficient quantity of oil in a double vessel, the space of four or five hours: this done, strain it all and keep the oil for your use: that is to say, for the cold ache of the stomach, reins, belly, matrix, 
Pain o● the stomach, reins, belly, matrix.  and other parts.  
Oil of Foxes: 
Oil of Foxes.  Take a live Fox of a middle age, of a full body, well fed and f●●, such as Foxes be after vintage: kill him, bowel him, and skin him: some take not out his bowels, but only the excrements in his guts, because his guts have much grease about them: break his bones small, that so you may have all their ●●rrow: this done, set him a boiling in salt brine, salt water, and sea water, of each a pine and a half, of oil three pints, of salt three ounces: in the end of the decoction, put thereto the leaves of sage, rosemary, dill, organy, marierom, and juniper-berries after that he shall be ro●ten sodden, 
Rheums.  that is to say, so as that his bones and flesh do part clea●● asunder: 
Weakness of s●●●ws.  strain all through a strainer, and keep it in a vessel to make 〈◊〉, for ache in the joints, 
Pains of the reins and back.  the sciatica, diseases of the sinews, and pains of the reins and back.  
Take earth-worms half a pound, 
Oil of Worms.  wash them throughly in with Wine, then boil them in two pound of Oil olive, and a little red Wine to the consumption of the Wine, strain and press it out all, and keep the oil: yet further, it would be good to put into this oil some other worms, and leave them there as long as the oil lasteth. This oil is singular good to comfort the stiff sinews, 
Sti●●e 〈◊〉, Pains of the joints.  and for the 〈◊〉 of the joints.  
Oil of Serpents: 
Oil of serpents  Take whole Serpents, put them in an earthen vessel well leaded, fill the same with May-butter, and cover the same with a covering, the joyn● being well lu●ed, but notwithstanding having a small hole above: set the po● near unto the ●ire, that it may boil half a day, to the end that all may be thoroughly boiled: the strain it through a linen cloth, afterward pound it well in mortar, and make an end of straining that which shall be in the bottom of the linen cloth: mix together both these expressions, letting them cool, and reserving them in a glass vessel to serve your use for distillations or rheums, and for palsies. Some take Vipers, and cutting off their heads and tails (as is done in the making of Treacle) they boil them in oil, and use the oil for rebellious Ringwormes, and first buds of the leprosy.   

CHAP. LV.  
A review or survey of Oils made by distillation.  
But the third manner of making of Oils hath been said to be by distillation or resolution, of which we will speak, a●ter we have spoken of the distilling of waters: but besides that, there is an other manner of drawing of oil (though in certain things it be done by expression) which cometh very near unto this third kind of making oils by distillation: and it is practised in eggs, wheat, mustardseed, hay, barley, ●arrar, brimstone, and others.  
Oil of Eggs: 
Oil of eggs.  Take the yolks of eggs roasted hard in water, or which is better, under the hot ashes, about thirty, rub and chafe them a long time betwixt your hands, after fry them in a leaden pan, or in an earthen one well leaded at a soft fire, 〈◊〉 them 〈◊〉 turn them oft with a ladle of wood, until such time as they begin to be of a sad red, after press them with the back of the said ladle: or, which is bet●er, put them betwixt two presses, to force out their oil, as is done with oil of Almonds: you shall have great store of oil to run out; which is very good to take away the spots of the skin, to heal ringwormes, to cause hair to grow again, to cure fistulas, and malign ulcers, assuage pains, take away the roughness of the skin, to cure the chaps of the lips, hands, feet, and fundament: to take away the scars left after burnings, and principally for the ulcers of the membranes of the brain. Some in the making of this Oil do not boil the eggs hard, but fry them raw, and after by pre●●ing them together in a bag betwixt two presses, or under a presser, they press out the Oil.  
Oil of Wheat: 
The ●yle 〈◊〉 Wheat.  Press Wheat together betwixt two plates of Iron reasonably glowing and fire red, or very hot, or betwixt a Marble-stone, and a thick hot pla●e of Iron: receive the Oil into something which distilleth from it: or else take away from Wheat his pill or rind, and distil it after the manner of the Philosopher's Oil: this Oil applied hot, taketh away the spots of the skin, healeth ringwormes, fistulas, and chaps in the skin, 
Ringw●rme●, Fistulas. Chaps in the skin.  and the scall or scurf in little children: the oils of barley, mustardseed, and other oily seeds are thus prepared and made.  
Oil of hay: 
Oil of hay.  Set on fire a quantity of hay, after quench it again by and by, then lay it upon coals, and while it is smothering and smoking, spread it upon a plate of iron, and there will gather upon it an oil liquor, which is called oil of hay: and this is singular good for ringwormes, and. Anthony's fire, 
Ringwo●mes. S. Anthony's fire.  scabs, and roughness of the skin.  
Oil of Tartar: 
Oil of Tart●●.  Take Tartar, that is to say, the dried lees of Wine which slicketh unto the seams or hollow places that are within the Wine vessel, not that which is in the bottom, because it is very dreggish and filthy, neither yet that which is aloft on the upper part of the vessel, for that is too frothy and scummie, but that which cleaveth round about unto the staves of the vessel wherein there hath been very good white wine, rather than red: make it into fine powder, and make it fast in a linen cloth, infuse it in very good white Vinegar: or not infusing it, calcine it, and put it in a Hippocras bag, or in an ox's or swine's bladder: afterward, roast it under hot embers, until it become white: you shall know if it be sufficiently burned, by the growing of it clear, and a little burning of your tongue, if you touch it therewith. Notwithstanding you may blanche or whiten it, if (as some hold it for a great secret) you boil it a long time in water, scumming it often: powder it yet once again, or (which is better) calcine it: then put it in the bottom of an hippocras bag, that is to say, of a bag which hath a sharp and narrow bottom, and this you shall hang up on high at some staff in a cave or other cold place for the space of eight days, until it be resolved into Oil: and if the Oil do not drop of itself, then grasp it hard, and press it out, putting underneath some glass viol●, to receive the liquor that shall distil, which is not indeed properly on Oil, but a very sharp water, or a reddish kind of humour. This humour is good for all sorts of itchings, Ringworms, Scurfes, Scales, and other such diseases of the skin: It maketh the face white, clean, and seeming young: it taketh away wrinkles and spots, coming of a melancholic humour: It maketh the hair of a straw colour: hindereth the falling of the hair, and causeth it being fallen to grow again: it whiteneth copper and silver: and taketh away the spots of linens, if they be rubbed with this oil hot.  
Oil of Brimstone: 
Oil of Brimstone.  hang in some high place with a wire, or doves-tayle of iron, a glass vessel in fashion like a Bell or Basin, covered above with Potter's earth of a cubic wideness, underneath which near the length of a cubit you shall place another vessel of glass, being broad and very large, able to hold much, such like as is the dish or basin usually served with Ewers: in the midst whereof there shall be a little vessel of earth in f●rme of a little pot, which shall contain the Brimstone, which must be of that which is called quick and Virgin's Brimstone, and not artificial Brimstone: when you intent to make your. Oil of Brimstone to d●still, you shall take a sheen of iron of four fingers thickness, and fire red: this you shall cast into the small pot with Brimstone, to make the said Brimstone burn and flame: the smoke coming forth of the Gode● will ascend up to the vessel hanging above, wherein after a short time it will be turned into Oil, which Oil will thence distil into the vessel below. Gather this Oil, and reserve it in a vessel well stopped, for to use for the curing of Gangrenes, Fistulas, ulcers of the mouth, and Ringworms, 
〈…〉  if you do but touch them with this Oil upon the end of a feather. It is singular good against rebellious ulcers coming of the pocks▪ some give it to drink with balm water in the morning unto such as are but scarce cured and recovered of the pocks, to the end it may drive out the dis●ase. The oil of Brimstone may be made otherwise: boil Brimstone in Aquavitae, until there begin an oily substance to swim aloft: gather this liquor with a woollen or linen cloth, or with a little espoone: you must sometime renew your Aqua- 〈◊〉, until you have gathered oil enough: if presently after bathing yourself you anoint with this oil your body infected with Quick-siluer●, you shall expel and draw forth the said Quicksilver.  
But concerning all these Oils, see more in our Book of secret remedies and medicines.   

CHAP. LVII.  
A description of certain artificial balms.  
But it is well and sufficiently known, how that now the true and natural balm is no where to be found, and that in place thereof the industry and skill of man hath invented Oils which approach and draw near in virtues and faculties unto the true balm: now therefore be it in like manner known that these Oils are made either by distillation or impression: and that we will speak only of some certain ones which are made by impression, ceasing to speak of those which are distilled for them which meddle in drawing out the quintessences of things, as you shall further perceive by our Book of secret remedies.  
Balm of the marvelous apples: 
Balm of th● marvelous apples.  Take the marvelous apples either with or without kernels, but very ripe, put them in a vessel full of common oil, either old or new, or of the oil of sweet Almonds or Linseed, and infuse them a long time in the Sun, or in Maries-bath, or in horse-dung that is very hot, or in the earth in a vessel that is well covered over with sand, and let it remain there one whole year, or else two, which is the better; you may likewise make this oil of the leaves and little cod without the fruit: some with the apples put together with the oil of sweet almonds or linseed oil, do join of liquid varnish one ounce for every pound of oil: such an oil is a singular balm for all wounds, inflammations of the breasts, and for the appeasing of outward pains and ache; for the bursting of young children; the ulcers of the matrix; and to procure conception, if after that the woman is come out of the bath made for the same purpose, the anoint her secret parts therewith, and drink of the powder of the leaves with white Wine: it is also singular good for the pain of the hemorrhoids, being mingled with linseed oil, or the oil of sweet almonds. We have spoken of the marvelous apples in the second Book, where we have declared how that the herb whereupon they grow is called Balsa●ina, 
Balsamine.  because it hath the virtue of balm. The oils of the flowers of Rosemary, 
Oil of the flowers of Rosemary.  white mullein, 
White mullein● Nicotian.  Paul's betony, 
Paul's 〈◊〉 and gr●und ivy.  Nicotian, and ground ivy, being thus prepared as we have spoken of before, have like virtues with balm.  
Another balm: Take the fruit of the elm, the flowers of Hypericum, and the buds of Roses, put all together in a glass bottle with oil of Olives, stop up the bottle close, and leave it in the Sun, until you see the same all of it in such manner consumed as though it were rotten: afterward, strain it and keep the oil for your use.  
Another: Take Gum elemie four ounces, 
A balm.  oil of worms, oil of Roses, and Hypericon, of each two ounces, of Venice Turpentine two ounces; mix altogether and incorporate them upon a coal fire, afterward keep it in little bottles.  
Another balm: 
A balm.  Take the flowers and seeds of Hypericon four handfuls, bruise them thoroughly, and set them in the Sun the space of ten days in a glass bottle, with four pound of old Oil of Olives, afterward press them out carefully, and put again as many more flowers and seeds of Hypericon into the bottle, set it in the Sun again ten whole days: after press it out all again, and put thereunto as followeth; of oil of dill, and of Venice Turpentine, of each a pound and a half, of Aquavitae half a pound, of Mummia, wood of Aloes, mastic, myrrh, and Iuiegu●, of each an ounce and a half, of the rosin of the pinetree three ounces, saffron half an ounce, cloves, nutmegs, cinnamom, of each three drams: mix all together, and boil them three hours in Maries-bath in a glass bottle close stopped, that nothing may breathe out: Then set the bottle in the Sun the space of ten days, reserving the oil afterward for pains of the ears, 
Pai●●s of the ears.  wounds, fistulas, cankers, 
Cankers,  Noli me tangere, etc. to anoint the back bone a little before the fit of the ague come, which beginneth of cold.  
Another balm: 
A balm of 〈◊〉 flowers.  take the fruit of the elm, within which you shall find a liquor like unto oil, put it whole into a strong viol, which viol you shall stop very close, and bury for the space of fi●teene days in horse dung that is very hot by reason of his being ver●e rotten, then set it in the Sun for a certain time, and after gather the clear part that shall swim above, and this will be unto you a singular balm. Otherwise: gather all the liquor that you find in the fruit of elms, put it in a strong viol, adding of the flowers of Hypericon and common oil: stop up the viol very close, and bury it in horse dung that is well rotten, leave it therein a sufficient time, and afterward taking it out, you shall have a singular balm. See further in our Book of secret medicines concerning balms.    

A brief discourse of the distilling of Waters.  

CHAP. LVIII.  
Of the profit and commodity of distillation.  
NOtwithstanding that distillation be the work rather of a Philosopher or Alchemist (otherwise called an extracter of quintessences) than of a farmer or master of a Country Farm: notwithstanding the profit thereof is so great, and the use so laudable and necessary, as that we take not the chief Lord of our country house to be furnished with all such singular commodities as we desire, if he lack the knowledge and practice of distillation; not that I would have him to make it a matter to trouble himself much withal, and to be at much cost and charges therewith, as many (not well advised) men be now adays: 
In leisure to take the opp●rtunitie of ●easure to go about distilling.  but only that he would take his time thereto at his best leisure, and without any great expense; or else to leave the same to his wife or his farmer's wife; for indeed such occupation is far better beseeming either of them than him; for as much as the mistress or dairie-woman hath the petty affairs and businesses belonging to this our country Farm, and lying within the doors, resigned and put over to 〈◊〉. Therefore let it not seem strange in this point, if after our brief entreaty of Oils, we discourse somewhat briefly, and according as a country thing requireth of the manner of distilling of waters, and extracting of oily quintessences, out of such matter as our Country Farm shall afford; which we would should serve for the use of the Farmer's wife, as well to relieve her folk withal, as to succour her needy neighbours in the time of sickness; as we see it to be the ordinary custom of great Ladies, Gentlewomen, and Farmer's wives well and charitably disposed, who distil waters and prepare ointments, and such other remedies, to succour and relie●● the poor.   

CHAP. LIX.  
What Distillation is, and how many sorts there be of Distillation.  
I Will not trouble myself here with setting down the party which was the first inventor of Distillation: 
The inventor or first finder out of distillation.  as namely, whether it were some Physician of late time, who having a desire to eat stewed Pears, set them a stewing betwixt two dishes upon the fire, and having afterward taken off the upper dish, and finding the bottom thereof all set with pear●●e sweat, retaining the smell and favour of the stewed Pear itself, invented thereupon certain instruments to draw out from all sorts of herbs clear and bright airy waters: it is better that we see ourselves to work about the declaring of what Distillation is, a●d what things they be which may be distilled.  
Distillation, 
Distillation.  or the manner of distilling, is an art and means whereby is extracted the liquor or moisture of certain things by the virtue and force of fire or such like heat (as the things themselves do require:) no otherwise than, as we see here below, that by the force and power of the Sun many vapours are lifted into the middle region of the air, and there being turned into water, fall down in rain. True it is, that the word, Distil, sometimes reacheth further, and is taken not only for things that are distilled by the means of heat, but without heat also: as we see it done in such things as are distilled after a straining manner, 
Distilling without heat.  that is to say, when the purer and thinner part of certain waters or liquid juices is separated and extracted from the more muddy and earthy part by the means of a Felt, 
Distilling by a Fi●●re, Sand, ●●baked Earth-po●s, vessels of ivy, glass of Fern●.  or by the means of a piece of Cloth, fashioned like a little tongue, or border: or out of Sand and small Gravel: or out of earthen Pots not yet baked: or out of Vessels made of the wood of ivy: or out of Glass made of Fearne. Sometimes likewise things are not only distilled without heat, but with cold: as nemely, when the things which you would have distilled are set in cold and moist places: as Oil of Tartar is wont to be made, 
To dist●ll by cold.  as also Oil of Myrrh, Dragon's blood, Otters, and other things. But howsoever, yet I would not have the Mistress of our Country House to busy her brain with all the sorts of Distillation, but that she should content herself only with that which is performed by heat. True it is, 
divers 〈◊〉 of ●eat.  that it is meet and requisite that she should know the diversities of heat, to the end she may procure such a heat as will best fit such matter and thing as she is in hand withal, or to go about: for some things crave the heat of a clear fire, or of coal, or of the Sun, or of hot ●●●bers, or of small sand, or of the filings of iron, or of the droste of Olives: others crave the heat of Horse dung, or boiling water, or the vapour of boiling water, or of Wine boiling in the fat, or of unquenched Lime, or of some Bark, or other putrefied thing. And for this cause she shall mark and observe four degrees of heat: the first whereof shall be called warm, like water when it is half hot, or the vapour of boiling water, and in this there is no fear of any hurt it can do: the second is a little hotter, but yet so, as that it may be well endured without any annoyance or hurt, such as the heat of ashes or embers: the third is yet hotter than the second, and so, as that it may annoy and hurt one grievously, if he should hold any part or member therein any long time, such is the heat of small sand. The fourth is so vehement, as that it cannot without great pain very hardly be endured, and such is the heat of the scales of filings of iron. The first degree is fit to distil fine, subtle, and moist things, as flowers and cold simples, as Endive, Lettuce, and such other: The second, for distilling of fine, subtle, and dry things: of that sort are all fragrant or smelling things, as Pepper, Cinnamome, Ginger, Cloves, and many simples, as Wormwood, Sage, etc. The third, for to distil matter that is of thick substance, and full of juice, of which sort are many roots. The fourth is proper for the distilling of metals and mineral things, as Allome, Arsenic, etc. By this means it will come to pass, that the Mistress of our Country House shall not have any thing brought unto her, out of which she will not be able to draw the watery humour, and to distil clear and bright waters.   

CHAP. LX.  
Of the fit and convenient time to distil in: and of the faculties, virtues, and durableness of distilled waters.  
Every thing is to be distilled in the time wherein it is best disposed, 
Dis●●lling time.  and best fit, that is to say, roots, herbs, flowers, and seeds when they are ripe; 
The knowledge of the ripeness of the matter to be distilled.  but living things, and the parts of them, when they are of middle age, as we shall have occasion to declare in his place. Now as concerning the ripeness of roots, herbs, flowers, seeds, and fruits, we refer you to our second Book, where we have sufficiently at large laid open at what time every one of these things is to be gathered. But it is to be noted, that necessity sometimes compelleth us to distil dry plants, and then it will be good to macerate and s●eepe them in some convenient liquor or decoction, answerable unto the virtue of the things, by that means in part to renew and bring again their youthfulness, and to endow them with such moisture as they brought with them when they were first gathered from off the earth, as we will further declare by and by.  
As concerning the virtues of distilled Waters: 
The v●rtues of distilled waters.  it is most certain, that such as are distilled in Mary's bath, retaining the cast, smell, and other qualities of the matter whereof they are distilled, have not only equal virtues with the Plan●● and matter whereof they are distilled, but become much more pleasant unto the ●ast, and also more delightsome unto the eye, than the juices or decoctions of the said matter would be. It is true, that the waters distilled through Leaden, Tin, Bra●en, Copper, or such other like mettle, like a Limbeck (as we shall by and by speak of) do lose the best and most subtle parts of the substance of their matter, by suffering the same to vanish away in and into the air, and for that cause they do not prou● of so great virtue as their Plants. But howsoever it is, distilled waters are a g●●at deal more pleasant unto sick persons, more ready for use, better for medicines for the eyes, to make epithemes of for the heart and liver, to make painting colours of, to put into perfumes, or other sweet things, as well for the use of Physic, as also for the delight and decking of the body, than the decoctions and juices of Plants: and therefore there is great reason they should be distilled with greater heed and care.  
It is most certain also, 
The la●●ing of distilled waters.  that Waters distilled in Mary's bath, especially those which are distilled in the vapour of boiling water, are not of long continuance, and hardly will last above a year: likewise you must renew them every year by distillation, circulation, or by distilling of them again, putting them also into the Still again with some new matter upon the cake or drossy part, left upon some former distillation: or else to distil them by a Filtre, whereof we shall have occasion to speak hereafter.   

CHAP. LXI.  
What manner of vessels and instruments they must be wherein waters are to be distilled.  
TWo vessels are needful in distilling, which may be called by the common and general word, a Limbeck: the one of them is properly called the containing vessel, because it receiveth and containeth the matter that you would distil▪ some call it the body, or corpulent vessel▪ or the gourd: The other is ordinarily called the cap, head, or bell, being that whereinto the vapours are gathered and turned into water. This vessel hath sometimes a pipe, in shape like the bill of a bird, through which the water passeth drop by drop into a viol, or other like vessel: and sometimes it hath no beak or spour, and those are used in circulation. But these instruments do differ much, as well in form and shape, as in matter. It is true, 
What distilling vessels were ●irst invented.  that the first that were invented were of Lead, like unto a Bell, and did cover another vessel of Brass that was full of matter to be distilled: this fashioned one is well enough known and used everywhere, because it draweth out more store of water than any other. Afterward there was another fashion invented, by which many vessels (every one having his Leaden head or cover several) are ●ated together with one only fire, set in a furnace made after the fashion of a vault, to the end, that with less cost and labour there might be drawn and distilled a great quantity of water; the figure and form whereof you may here see and behold.  
But in as much as waters distilled in Lead do not retain their smell or taste at all, neither yet any of the rest of their qualities of the things whereof they are distilled; but do rather smell of the smoke, or of a stink of burning: as also, for that waters distilled of sharp, biting, and bitter plants, do no whit resemble the same in the ●ast of their bitterness and sharpness, but rather become unsavoury sweet, Further, in as much (as Galen witnesseth) as the water which runneth through pipes of Lead doth stir up oftentimes the bloody flux in those that drink it, because of his nature, which is of the substance of Mercury: add unto these, that in as much as we ordinarliy see the waters distilled through Lead to become oftentimes (with the sharp and vehement vapour which it maketh by the reason of a certain sale dissolving itself from the head) spoiled and made white and thick as milk: I say, for and in respect of all these reasons, there is invented another instrument, called the Bladder, whose under vessel and cap covering the same, are both of Brass, and both of them standing over one furnace: which instrument is not only good to distil Aqua vitae in, made of Wine, or of the lees of Wine, or Bee●e, but also of all other sorts of Plants powered in thereto, with a good quantity of common water. Moreover, it is requisite that the head should have a great beak or spout, which must pass through the inner side of a great cask full of water, to the end that the vapours breathe not out, but grow thick, and turn into water: The fashion of it is as you may see here.  
The later and better advised Physicians have devised a fashion much better than the former, which is, to distil waters in Mary's bath, 
Waters distilled in M●ries bath.  that is to say, in the bath of some boiling water, or over the vapour of the same: for it is very certain, that such waters are without all comparison better, in as much as they do exactly retain, not only the smell, but also the ●ast, and other qualities of their plants: which happeneth, because the bath of the boiling water, by his moisture, retaineth, keepeth in, and preserveth the more subtle parts of the plants, and by this means hinder and stay them from resolving and breathing out: as it cometh to pass in those which are distilled by a violent fire of wood or coal: which is the only cause that there is so great difference betwixt the waters distilled in a Limbeck of Lead, and those that are distilled in Mary's bath, as is betwixt Gold and Lead: because they do not only retain the proper qualities of their plants, that is to say, their smell and taste; but likewise they become clear, pure, and bright, without smelling any thing of smoke, or burning: on the contrary, the other always h●●h a taste of some s●inke of the smoke, which doth not only provoke a lust to vomit, as well in such as be healthful, as in them that be sick, but also procureth great hurt unto the parts of the breast, stomach, liver, and other inward parts, by reason of some ill quality wherewith they are infected by the vessels in which they are distilled, Which is easily perceived by the water of Wormwood distilled in a Leaden Limbeck, for it becometh sweet and not bitter, like unto the plant: and in like sort in all other manner of waters that are distilled of plants, and are of a hot temperature, and sharp or bitter of taste: For the Leaden Limbeck receiving upon his superficial part the vapours of herbs which are hot in effect and operation, is easily corrupted in that his superficial part, and turned into a very subtle Ceruse, which afterward mingleth itself with the water, and bestoweth upon them an vn●auourie▪ sweetness: which is easy to be gathered and known by the white residence that settleth in such waters, especially if the Limbeck wherein they are distilled, be new: 
An old Leaden Limbeck is better than a new.  for the vessel which hath served a long time, having gotten by long space, and being much distilled in, as it were a plasterie crust or hardness over all the parts of it, is not so easily altered by the vapours, nor turned into Ceruse. And indeed it is no marvel, if the upper face of the Lead be changed into Ceruse by the sharp vapour of the plants, 
The making of Ceruse.  seeing that Ceruse itself (as Dioscorides testifieth) is made of plates of Lead hanged over the vapours of vinegar, and spread upon hurdles made of reeds: but there befalleth no such accident to waters distilled in Mary's bath: 
The cause that maketh waters distilled in Mary's bath to retain their virtues.  for the bitterness of their ●ast is manifestly perceived, as also their sharpness, sourness, tartness, harshness, eagerness, sweetness, and tastlesnesse, if they be distilled of bitter or biting plants, or yet of any other tastes and qualities: and this falleth out so, because the head of the Mary's bath is of Glass, which cannot infect them with any strange or unnatural quality. Moreover, the waters that are distilled in the vessel called a Bladder, 
Waters distilled in the instrument called the Bladder.  which is made (as we have said) of Brass, as well the head as the body, but yet over-laid within with Tin, are much better, and of greater virtue, than those which are distilled in a Limbeck of Lead, because the fire of the furnace cannot burn nor infect with any smoke the matter that is within, seeing they are covered over and boil in water: but notwithstanding they do not thoroughly retain the virtues thereof, because of the mixture of the water, which smothereth and dulleth their force and virtues. 
The waters distilled over the vapour of boiling water,  Wherefore we must needs commend as best the waters which are distilled in the double vessel, or over the vapour of boiling water, especially when as therewithal they are of a hot faculty. It is true, that amongst them, that sort is better which is distilled over the vapour of boiling water, than that which is distilled by putting the body containing the matter, into the boiling water, because it extracteth and draweth out the subtle parts therein a great deal better: albeit that both the sorts thereof are excellent good, neither is there any hurt at all in them, 
The 〈◊〉 of waters distilled in M●ries bathe.  save only that they are not of so long lasting and continuance as others: but to help this in such things as need shall require, it will be good to distil one and the same thing often, that so you may always have them good.  
But to come to our third kind of Instrument, which we have called the double vessel, or Mary's bath, it consisteth of two parts: the one is a great vessel of Brass, made in manner of a Beefpot, very great, and raised high, furnished with a covering, and it is set in a furnace, and containeth in it boiling water: The other is the Limbeck, whose body is likewise of Brass, so set within the cover of the Cauldron, as that the one resteth upon the other, and that the one cannot be put in or taken away without the other: The head thereof is of Glass or Tin, or of baked earth: in the covering of which, there must be a hole made in that sort, as that it may be always close: it would be at one of the corners thereof; and the use of it is, to power boiling water into the Cauldron, when the water within the same is diminished after long time of boiling: The fashion of it is as you may see here over the leaf.  
There is another sort of double vessel, which containeth four Limbeckes, whose bodies set within the bath, may be either of glass or tin, and their heads of glas●e▪ besides these four, there is another standing higher than the rest, and is heated only of the vapour of boiling water, which ●iseth up on high unto it through a pipe, and this Limbeck maketh a better water than the other four. All these vessel● being well coupled and incorporated together, do rest upon the Cauldron, or great Brass pot, being sufficient large and wide, and tinned over within, and so closely set one with another, as that there may not any vapour breath out: in like manner, all these instruments and vessels be so well ordered and contrived, as that they may seem to be but one body, save only that the heads of every one must be so, as that it may be separated from the body, and put to again, when you have any need to distil water: the fashion of it is such as is here to be se●ne.  
There are some that have yet seen another sort of double vessel, and that a very excellent one, whose body is Tin, like unto a great Urinal, of the length of three good ●eet, very wide and large below, and somewhat narrower above: The bottom or belly thereof is set two good foot in boiling water, and the top standeth out of the water a foot good, and that in a round hole made in the midst of the cover of the Cauldron. Upon the top of this body is placed a head of Tin, covered and compassed also with another vessel of Tin likewise, and much more large: this is to contain cold water, running into it through a Brass pipe or cock: it is to stand upon the top of a shank, and that for to cool the Limbeck continually, that so ●he vapours rising up thither, may thicken the better, and be the sooner turned into water. And because it is not possible, but that the water which is contained in the vessel that compasseth the Limbeck, should become hot in succession of time through the heat of the Limbeck: this vessel hath a small pipe or spout, at which the water so heated is used to be lee run out, turning the little pin of the cock; and it is filled again presently with cold water, which is made to run down into it from a vessel on high. But to the end the labour of emptying it so oft of his hot water, and putting in against of cold, may be remedied, things may be so carried, as that from the vessel which standeth upon the top of the pillar there may be cold water continually running into the vessel compassing the Limbeck: and then it being once become hot, may be let out, as is said before. And to the end that the cauldron which containeth the bath may always keep full at one measure and quantity of water, which otherwise is sure to diminish by the continual and vehement heat of the fire of the furnace; there is at the ●oot of the pillar another vessel full of very hot water, which is to be conveyed into ●he bath by a cock, or pipe: and this water is heated in his vessel by the same fire that the bath is heated, in as much as the wall of the pillar is hollow and empty even as low as the bottom of this vessel. This sort of double vessel is fit to distil waters withal in great store and abundance, by reason of the cold water which thickeneth and tur●●th by and by the vapours into water. The shape and fashion is as you see.  
The Venetians distil their water in such an Instrument: The furnace is round, and containeth on every side, round about it, many earthen vessels, glazed within, and fashioned like Urinals, well luted with mortar of Potter's clay, and every one covered with a head of Glass, or baked earth: to their snouts there is fastened a viol with a good thick thread, to receive the water that distilleth. This furnace is heated, as we see, after the manner that the Germans do heat their Hothouses, and we ou● Stoves. And if it happen, that the fire should be too hot, you must not put any thing into the vessels, until such time as the heat be somewhat abated, for fear that the plants, flowers, and such other things should be burnt. The mouth of the 〈◊〉 must be always stopped and fast shut, to the end that the heat may beat inward for the heating of so many vessels. For the attending and ordering of this furnace, there are required many servants: some of them to look unto the ●ire; others to cast the herbs into the bodies; and others, to put the heads upon the bodies. By this likewise there may great store of waters be distilled, as some hundred pints in a night and a day: and these waters are a great deal better than those which are distilled in leaden Limbeckes or Stillatories, or yet of other metals, because they are not infected with any fault or infection, which is a common companion of those which are made of metal. This is the shape and form of it.  
There are other Instruments, the bodies whereof are of Brass, Iron, or other metal, having a long, thick, and straight neck, on the top whereof resteth also a head of Brass, made after the fashion of a broach steeple, and is compassed round about as 〈◊〉 were with a bucket of cool water, to the end that the vapour may be converted the sooner, and in greater quantity, into water, and that the water may not taste or sm●ll of the fire. Some in stead of this long neck and head, have a pipe of Plate, or other metal, very long, and writhen or wound about in form of a Serpent (and for this reason is called a Serpentine) or made of many parts, consisting of direct angle●, and these passing through a bucket, or some such vessel full of water.  
There are many other sorts and fashions of Instruments to distil withal, whereof I mean not to speak at this time, contenting myself with those which I have mentioned, as being of more common use, and fit only to distil waters: of which, it is our purpose only to speak at this present.  
Furthermore, seeing the water doth take his essence and consistence, and other like qualities, from the head of the stillitory, it is good to make choice of the best heads that one can: 
Choosing of the ●ead.  the best, are of Glass: next, those of earth, glazed within and without: thirdly, those of Tin: fourthly, those of Copper, laid over with Brass▪ fifthly, those of Brass laid over with Tin: (but the vessels of Copper and Brass have these two discommodities, the one, that they make their waters reddish and half burnt, and the second, that in Copper and Brass 
Heads of Bra●●● and Copper.  there is a venomous quality more than in any other metal) mixtly, those of iron, especially when a man would distil any thing that is hard to be distilled, and which must be applied outwardly▪ and not taken inwardly. Such as are not afraid of the cost, do use vessels of Gold or of Silver: but seeing all are not of one and equal efficacy, it is best to rest contented with Glasse-vessels, or earthen ones well leaded, either with Glass, or the fat, which is called earth of Beawais, rather than with Lead, or any other metal: notwithstanding, those of earth are the best: the second, those that are leaded or glazed, or of thick fat earth: 
How to order Glasse-stills.  next, those of Tin. Those of Glass must not be of brake metal, but of Crystal earth well armed: which, seeing they cease not to be brittle, how well soever they be armed, must be heated by little and little, whether it be in Mary's bath, or in hot ashes, or in a furnace fire: And in like sort, when your distillation is ended, to let them cool by little and little. And for as much as the head is loose from the body, it will be good to set them together with a hempen cloth which hath been dipped in the mortar of Wisdom, which for the most part is made of the whites of Eggs, Beane flower, and a little Mastic. The vessel whereinto the water is received, and thereupon called the Receiver, shall be a Glasse-violl, having a long neck, and the beak or spout of the head must go into it; and these two, in like manner, may thus be fastened and closed together with the said mortar of Wisdom, lest the water which shall distil, should evaporate very much: notwithstanding, that we see sometimes some Receivers of the fashion of Urinals, which are not made fast unto the beak of the head at all.   

CHAP. LXII.  
What manner of Furnaces must be prepared for the distilling of Waters.  
THe fashion of the furnaces for the distilling of waters is divers, 
For the 〈◊〉 of water●●  as well in respect of the matter to be distilled, as in respect of the vessels which are used in the distilling thereof. As concerning their matter, some are made of unburnt bricks, only dried well in the Sun, because they are better to be handled than those that are thoroughly burnt, and beside, they may be cut with a tool, and brought into what fashion one will; and fitted with fa● earth; othersome are made of plaster only; some of fat earth only; but the best are made with cement, whites of eggs, fat earth, and flocks of wool; others of beaten bricks, hards, horse-dung, sinews of oxen, and fat earth. But as for their fashion, it must be answerable unto the vessels that are set therein; and so some be wholly round, and those are the best and most profitable; others are four square; others are raised high like steeples; others after the fashion of vaults; some after the manner of stones: all which you may find out by the sight of the eye in the patterns set down before, and from which you may gather more instruction and more certain direction, than by all the descriptions that we can possibly make. Such furnaces as you may see with your eyes, must have two bottoms; the one lower, to receive the ashes of the coals, or whatsoever other matter that the fire is made of; the other higher, which must contain the burning coals, and must be made after the fashion of a Gridyron, having bars or rods of iron passing throughout from the one side to the other, quite overthwart the furnace; or else divided into many small holes, that so the ashes and small coals of fire may fall through to the bottom below the more easily, and not stay behind to choke up the fire that should heat the Still. The underfloore may have one or many mouths, for the more convenient taking away of the ashes which shall be gathered there on a heap: but as for that above, it must have but one only of a reasonable bigness to put the coals or wood in at; but in the roof of it, it must have two or three small holes, to give air and breath unto the fire at such time as you mind to amend it. Every one of the mouths shall have his stopple. For want of a furnace or matter for to make one, you may fit and set your Vessel, Cauldron, or Bowl, upon a brand●ith, and kindle your fire underneath.   

CHAP. LXIII.  
How the matter must be prepared before the waters be distilled.  
IT is not enough, that the furnace and instruments for distillation be made ready in such sort as we have said; for the matter to be distilled must in like manner be prepared before that it be put into the Still. This preparation is of three sorts: that is to say, Infusion, Putrefaction, and Fermentation. Infusion is nothing else but a macerating or s●eeping of the thing intended to be distilled i● some liquor, not only that it may be the more apt and easy to be distilled, but also to cause and procure greater store of juice to be in it: 〈◊〉 else to help them to keep their smell: or else to bestow upon them some new quality: or to increase their force and virtues; or else for some other ends, as we will handle them in particular, and only one. It is true, that this preparation is not necessary for every matter: for some there are that need not any infusion or steeping, but rather to be dried before they be distilled, by reason of their too great and excessive moisture: othersome content themselves with being watered or sprinkled over lightly with some liquor, as is done in the distilling of dry Roses and Ca●●●●●ll, which are wont to be sprinkled only with common water. Some spread them all a Summer's night in fair weather upon a Linen cloth to take the dew, and after they be moist, to distil them. Such as are steeped and infused, lie in the Sun, or are held over the fire, the space of some half hour, or many hours, a whole night, a whole day, two days, three days, one or more months, according to the nature of the medicine, the divers intention and purpose of the Physician, and the present necessity. Sometimes we press and wring out things, which we infused before the distillation; and making our distillation afterward of the juice only that we pressed for●h; sometimes again we distil the whole infusion, that is to say, both the infused ma●ter and the liquor wherein it was infused. 
Two things to be considered in 〈◊〉. The 〈…〉.  Wherefore in this preparation, which is made by infusion, you must diligently observe two things: the time of the infusion, and the liquor in which the infusion is made. The time of the infusion must be measured according to the diversity of the matter: for those things which are hard or solid, 〈…〉, or entire and whole, deserve a longer time of infusion than those which ar● tender, new, or bruised: whereupon it cometh to pass, that roots and seeds require double time to infuse: the leaves and flowers a single and lesser time, and so consequently of such other matter or things. The liquors wherein infusions are to be prepared, must not only answer the qualities of such matter as is to be distilled, in such sort, as that hot matter and things be infused in hot liquors, and the cold in cold; but likewise the scope and dri●t intended in the thing distilled, which is the only cause of the using of variety of liquors in the making of infusions; and these are for the most part Rain water, Fountain, or rosewater, and they either raw or distilled, crude or distilled juices, distilled waters, Aqua vitae, raw or distilled Vinegar, Wine, 
What kind of things are infused in wine.  raw or distilled Urine, Whey raw or distilled, man's blood, Swine's blood, and Goat's blood distilled or undistilled. For this respect, things that have small store of juice, as Sage, Betonie, Balm, and Wormwood, or which are very fragrant, as all sorts of Spices, all sorts of odoriferous Herbs, all aromatical Rinds or Woods, as Cinnamome, would be infused in Wine, to the begetting of some reasonable store of juice in them which have but a little, and to keep the aromatical fragrantnesse in those which smell sweet, which might otherwise evaporate and spend, through the heat of the fire, their best and most precious parts, they being of so thin and subtle a substance. It is true, that the best and surest course is not to infuse Spices, or aromatical things, neither in Wine, nor in Aqua vitae, but rather in common water: because in distilling of them, as proof will make trial, the vapours will rise too soon, and leave behind them the virtues of the aromatical things, whereas water will not go up before it have them with it. 
What mat●er or things are to be infused 〈◊〉 vinegar, or ●ine.  Such matter and things as are hard and mettallous, as Pearls, Coral, shells of eggs, Crystal, Emeralds, 〈◊〉, and other such, are infused commonly in raw or distilled vinegar, or else in urine distilled or undistilled: but such waters are not to be taken inwardly, but only to be applied outwardly. In like manner, when it is intended that a water shall have an opening quality, and pierce deep or swiftly, the matter thereof may be infused in raw and crude, or in distilled vinegar: as for example, the waters distilled against the stone, or gravel, or to take away the great obstructions of the liver, spleen, and matrix. When you desire that the water should retain and keep in good sort the virtues of the matter whereof it is distilled, it may, for the better infusing of it, be distilled in his own juice, or in some juice obtaining the like virtue. Things are likewise sometimes infused in blood, either of Men, Swine, or Goats, 
Infusions in the blood of Man, a Swine, or mal● Goat.  for the increase and strengthening of their virtues; as the water used to be distilled for to break the s●one, whether it be in the reins, or in the bladder, may first have received an infusion made in the blood of Goats. As much, in like sort, is to be thought of the Whey of Goat's milk, wherein things are wont to be infused to draw waters off, which are to serve in the cleansing of ulcers of the reins or bladder.  
Generally, 
Infusion must he●p or increase the force of the things distilled.  regard must be had, that all infusions be made in such liquor as will strengthen and increase the virtue and force of the things intended to be distilled: as also, that such matter, before it be set to infuse, be shred, stamped small, or brui●ed, putting into it sometime the twelfth part of salt, as unto those that are too moist, 
The addition of salt.  as flesh, blood of men, or other beasts, as well to keep them from corrupting, as also to help forward the separation of the humour that must be distilled.  
Sometimes the things which are to be distilled, are suffered to putrify, and then afterward they are distilled: yea, and sometimes the very putrefaction 
Putrefaction.  itself is the way and whole work for the distilling of such things, as we will declare hereafter.  
Fermentation is accomplished and performed upon the matter of infusion alone, or the whole infusion together, in the heat of the Sun in the Dogge-days, or else in some Furnace, or Horse-dung: it requireth many days continuance, as four, or more: and by how much this fermenting and preparing of the thing is the more substantially performed, by so much the greater quantity of water will be distilled and drawn ou●.   

CHAP. LXIIII  
General precepts about the distilling of Waters.  
AFter that the matter is in this manner and fashion prepared (as we have said) there remaineth nothing more to be done, but the putting of it into the stillitory: and herein you must carry yourself very wisely and discreetly, in observing certain general precepts for the ordering and directing of the whole work unto a good and perfect end.  
First provide, 
Furnaces must be set in a place where they may not do● or take hurt.  that your furnaces be set in such a place, as where they may not endanger the setting of your whole house on fire; as that they also may not be subject to have any thing to fall upon them.  
If you distil Quicksilver, or any other such thing which hath a venomous malignity, 
When we are to stand far off from the 〈◊〉, and not to come near them.  come not near unto your Stills all the time of the distilling of such matter: for the smoke or fume which at that time they breathe out, doth draw upon a man the Palsy, exulceration of the Lungs, Lethargy, or oftentimes sudden death: as you may see by experience in such as are Plumbers, and employed in melting of Metals.  
If you distil in Glass vessels, 
The choosing of Glasse-stilles.  you must make choice of such as are well baked and seasoned, having no bubbles or knots, but equal on every side, and smooth, thick, and proved before hand.  
The coals must be thoroughly kindled and half burned before you put any thing into the Still, that so the fume, or yet any other noisome quality of the coals, may not remain to breath upon it: or, at the least, put some few ashes or small quantity of sand betwixt the Still and the furnace, that so the coals may not infect the water with the smoke. Likewise the fire is not to be made with wood half rotten, or that stinketh, or with charcoal burned and made in a pit, or of coal drawn and digged out of the earth, whether they be of stone, or earth, for fear the stilling vessels and water should be infected and marred with the filthy and stinking vapour thereof.  
The fire must not be hasty or headlong at the beginning, 
A gentle fire at the first.  as well for the safety of the vessels, which might thereby be broken, taking too sudden a heat, as also to the end, that the matter distilled may become acquainted with the fire by little and little, and that so far, as until the fire be come to the third degree, if need do so require.  
You must not put into your Stills or Limbeck too great a quantity of matter, 
What quantity of matter is best to be put in the still.  for so it might run over, and be cast forth again; and furthermore, that underneath would be parched and dried away, and that above would remain as it was put in: but it is rather the safer course to shift them oft, and so by this means you shall have greater store and plenty of water.  
The water of Mary's bath may not be hotter than the finger may endure to slay in it: howbeit, oftentimes there come things to be distilled in the double vessel, for the distilling whereof, if it should come to pass that the heat of Mary's bath should not be vehement enough, then mix therewith some small sand, to increase the heat of the water.  
If the glass still happen to crack being set upon the fire, you shall let the spirits from evaporating, if you dip divers linen clothes in the whites of eggs well beaten, and apply them upon the crack of the glass hot one after another: in such sort that so soon as one shall be dried like a crust, another be ready by and by to put upon it, and so to continue.  
If you distil your waters in the heat of sand (as many do and that very often) or of ashes, 
To distil in the heat of sand.  or the filings or scales of iron made in powder, the body of the still must be armed (whether it be of glass or brass, or any other matter) with very fine ashes that have been sifted, or with sand, or with the filings of iron finely powdered, in such sort as that the ashes may be higher about the glass than the matter is within by a hal●e foot good. The ashes shall be placed in the upper part of the furnace, or in a place of hold made upon the furnace, and heated with a coal fire which shall be below in the bottom of the glass. The waters so distilled endure much longer than those which are distilled in Mary's bath: but in all other points they resemble and are like one unto another.  
If you have not the leisure to make your distillation in a still, 
To make a spe●dier distillation than ordinary.  and that yet you would gladly distil some certain juice or liquor: then cause your juice to boil in some vessel, and over this vessel set a glass: in this glass the vapour will turn into water: 
Vinegar distilled in that sort.  by this means vinegar is turned easily into a water which is very profitable for the spots and stain of the eye, especially if before the distilling of it you cause some few slips of Rhue to be boiled in white vinegar.  
Hot things, 
To distil one water many times.  that they may prove effectual, would be distilled three or four times, putting & adding unto every time new matter, or else to rectify them by themselves: but as for cold things, such as the rose is, once distilling is sufficient: for by this means it holdeth still his cooling quality in better sort, seeing the force of the fire begetteth heat and sharpness in things.  
When you would distil one water three or four times, 
The heat required to the distilling of one thing o●●.  you must at every distillation diminish the heat of your fire half a degree, and afterward a whole degree, and so consequently until in the end you come back unto the first degree spoken of before, and called such a heat as is but warm, the reason is, because that the matter becoming more and more subtle at every distillation, craveth not so great a heat at the end as it did at the beginning when it is in his grossest state and condition. But it is contrarily practised in the extracting of quintessences out of any thing: 
The extracting of quintessences  〈◊〉 then the heat is to be increased and augmented more and more.  
In all manner of distillations of waters, 
To separate the phlegm in distilled liquors.  you must carefully see to the separating of the phlegm, 
The time of the phlegm his coming forth.  that is to say, the grossest, thickest, and most watery part of the humour distilled: and for the doing hereof you must carefully consider of the matter which you distil: because the phlegm cometh forth sometime first, sometimes the last in the distillation, as in the distilling of Aquavitae is stayeth the last, notwithstanding that it be distilled divers times: in the distilling of the most part of other things it cometh forth first, as in vinegar, honey, and such things: and the thing is discerned by tasting of the first and last distilled waters. And if it happen that the phlegm be not severed in this sort, as indeed it is not in some such, as with which it is mixed: then the next course is to set such waters in the Sun certain days in vessels covered with linen clothes, or parchment pricked full of small holes, that so the excrementous part by such means may be consumed and wasted: or if the Sun fail, as in Winter time, than you must set your vessel containing your distilled waters in other vessels full of water, and cause them to boil to the consumption of the third part.  
The distillation is to be judged to be in good state and case, 
When the still is in good temper, and stilleth not too fast nor too slow.  if betwixt the fall of every drop, you can account to the number of twelve: and hence also is the judging of the force and quantity of the fire to be learned and fetched.  
If any man desire that waters should have some smell, 
To give a good smell or taste to distilled waters.  taste, or other quality of something, as of honey, cinnamome, camphire, musk, or other like sweet smelling thing, (whether it be to give such smell to the thing that hath none at all, or unto something that hath a bad and unpleasant smell, as we will speak of by and by in the water distilled of man's dung) it will be good to anoint and besmear the head of the still with these things, or else to tie up the same in some little knot of linen cloth, and hang them at the very point of the spout or pipe, to the end that the water distilling through this matter, may retain that smell or other quality intended.  
And whereas distilled waters by force of the fire are evermore seen to retain some impressions and prints of the heat, it will be good presently after they be distilled, to let them stand some time uncovered in the vessels wherein you mean to keep them, having yet therewithal regard, that neither their small nor any part of their force do waste or spend: and therefore to take the fittest course, it will be best to set your vessel close and fast stopped in some cold place in moist sand to diminish and take away the great heat of the same. Notwithstanding you must mark and know that cold waters, which shall be distilled in Maries-bath, will have no great need to be so uncovered, but that they rather must be set in the Sun in a glass vessel not altogether full: or else that they with their vessel be set over head and ears in hot sand for the space of forty days, to the end that their phlegm and thickest humour may be consumed.  
If your distilled waters become troubled, 
Troubled waters.  you shall restore them to their clearness by putting thereinto some one or two drops of Vinegar for every pint of water.   

CHAP. LXV.  
Of the particular manner of distilling of Herbs, Rinds, Flowers, and Roots.  
DIstilled waters are of divers sorts and virtues: some are physical or medicinable, as the water of roses, sage, marierom, and such like. Others are nourishing, as restoratives, and many both medicinable and nourishing, as nourishing restoratives: whereinto are put medicinable things. Others are purgative, as the water or liquor of rhubarbe if it were new and green. Others serve to grace the face and hands, and to make beautiful. Others for to gratify the nose by yielding a sweet smell, as those which are drawn out of spices and sweet smelling simples, used also to wash the hands, face, and whole body, and again all these waters are either simple or compound: but we will first speak of the simple medicinable ones.  
Wormwood 
Water of wormwood.  must be distilled in Maries-bath to draw out his water in such sort as that it may express by smell and taste from whence it came: and for the better doing of it, you must see that you distil it not very new, but somewhat dried, and afterward infusing it a little in wine to distil it in Maries-bath, or in hat● ashes: Mugwort, agrimony, Sorrell, and such other like plants, are thus distilled also, but with observation had of the general things specified before. Thus the water of Winter cherries 
Water of Winter Cherrie●.  is distilled, serving against the stone and gravel as well of the reins a● bladder.  
The uttermost pilling of common walnuts, 
Water of common Walnuts.  whether it shalt willingly or no, may be distilled in the month of September: and the water drawn from them, drunk in small quantity with a third part of Vinegar, is a certain remedy against the plague, if before drinking of it you cause the party to be let blood: it is singular good also to make gargarisms of, for the ulcers of the mouth: it is good also to foment gouty places withal, and good to colour the hair black. Water distilled of the leaves of the Walnut-tree 
Water of Walnut▪ tree leaves.  in the end of the month of May is singular for to dry and cicatrize ulcers, if they be washed evening and morning with a linen cloth moistened therein.  
To distil strawberries, 
Water of strawberries against venom spots. To procure terms.  you must let them putrify in a glass vessel, putting thereto a little salt or sugar, and then afterward to extract and draw out their water, which is very sovereign against venom: as also to take away spots, to provoke the terms, and dry up weeping eyes: 
To dry the weeping eye.  it will perform all these virtues in admirable manner, if there be mingled with it a little Aquavitae.  
The inward rind of the ash-tree being distilled, 
The water of Ash-tree.  doth yield a singular water against the plague, if it be drunk in equal quantity with aquavite, as three 〈◊〉 of either, especially if the same drink in the same quantity be drunk again within three hours after: it is good also being dropped into the ears for the noise in them.  
The stones of black cherries, 
Water of cherry stones and kernels.  being broken, or the kernels alone distilled, make a water which doth quite take away the fit of the Falling-sickness in young children, presently after that there hath been put into their mouth about an ounce. 
The falling 〈◊〉.   
The distilled water of new filberts, 
Water of filberts.  drunk the weight of two drams, is a present remedy against the colic and gripings of the belly, a thing that will not fails, having been proved and tried.  
The water which is distilled of the bark of Danewort, 
Water of danewort.  or Elder-tree, being oftentimes drunk, doth evacuate and draw the water out of such as have the dropsy.  
The water of betony: 
The water of Betonie.  You must stamp the leaves of betony and infuse them a certain time in Wine, and after distil them. The water of balm and sage is distilled in like manner. The water of betony is good for the diseases of the head, reins, and bladder. The water of balm rejoiceth men, keepeth away the fits of the Apoplexy, and Falling-sickness, it causeth a good memory, taketh away the pain of the teeth, breaketh the stone, healeth the dropsy, preserveth from venom such as have swallowed any spider, if it be drunk presently after.  
The water of Gentian: 
The water of Gent●an.  Take four pound of the new roots, or rather of the dried roots of Gentian: chop them small, infuse them in wine, or besprinkle them only, then afterward distil them. This water is singular against the plague, 
The plague.  all sorts of venom, the stone as well of the reins as of the bladder, and to heal inward Apostumes and ulcers.  
The water of pellitory: 
The water of pellitory.  Take the roots of pellitory new or old, cut them small, and infuse them in very good Wine: the water is good for no appease the ache of the teeth, 
Pain of the Teeth.  to strengthen them, and keep them clean, if the mouth be washed therewith in the morning, or else when it seemeth good to do it.  
To make water of eye-bright: 
Water of eye-bright.  Take the leaves and flowers of eye-bright, distil them: the water thereof doth clear the sight.  
The water of Nicotian 
The water of Nicotian.  is distilled as the other going before: but of this we have largely discoursed in the second Book, and have showed that it hath marvelous effects, against the Noli me tangere, cankers, ringwormes, scabs, shortness of breath, and the dropsy.  
In this sort also you must distil Paul's betony: 
The water of Paul's betony.  the water whereof is singular to heal wounds, scabs, and other diseases of the skin. The use of this water is ve●●e excellent for the leprosy, 
Leprosy. Scabs.  pestilent fevers, obstructions of the liver and spleen, and exulceration of the lungs. In this sort also is Mouse-●are distilled, whereof we ●●ue spoken in his place in the second Book.  
The water of hyssop 
The water of Hyssop.  must be distilled upon hot ashes: it is excellent for the pain of the teeth, to provoke women's terms, for the cough, and other diseases of the lungs.  
The water of turnips: 
The water of turnips.  Take whole turnips with their skins and all, or else the skin alone, you shall distil a water (especially of the pilling or skin) which will be profitable to provoke urine and sweeting.  
Water of lemons 
Water of Lymons.  or the juice of them doth help very profitably in the stone of 〈◊〉 reins.  
The water of fennel: 
The water of Fenell.  Take the roots and leaves and distil them, or else boil ●hem in water, afterward put them all hot into a tin or copper platter, and cover the 〈◊〉 with another platter: the liquor which shall be upon the uppermost platter ●hall be kept in a viol, to put a drop or two thereof into the corner of the eye, for the disease's of the eye.  
Water of parsley of the garden: Stamp in a mortar the leaves of parsley, 
The water of parsley.  then distil them: it cleanseth the stomach, and comforteth the reins.  
After the same manner are distilled the waters of smallage, 
Water of smallage, basile, 〈◊〉, bugloss, etc.  basil, bugloss, mi●es, cammomile, marigolds, Carduus benedictus, clarie, succory, capillus Vene●i●, che●uile, endive, aller, fumitory, broom, ivy, horse-tail, lavender, marierom, mehlo●, mallows, hollyhock, water lilies, nigella, organy, pionie, poppy, pellitory of the wall, burnet, plantain, purcelaine, penniryall, rue, rosemary, madder, sage, savoury, scabious, scolopendrium, nightshade, houseleek, willow leaves, groundswell, thyme, white mulleine, tansy, valerian, vervain, of the flowers and leaue● of the stinging nettle, as well as of the dead nettle, and of many other plants, observing the general precepts, which we have set down before.  
This is the manner of distilling cinnamome: Take a pound of fine cinnamome, 
The water of cinnamome.  break it lightly, and infuse it a certain time in the distilled water of Roses the quantity of four pounds, and of very good white wine half a pound, after put it all into a glasse-still to be distilled either upon hot ashes, or else in Maries-bath: such water is forcible against all cold diseases, 
A bad stomach 〈…〉.  especially of the stomach, spleen, liver, brain, matrix, sinews, faintings and swooning, to provoke the terms of women, and retained urine, 
Venom.  to stay vomits, to repress the malignity of all sorts of cold venom, and for the delivery of wo●en that are in travel of child.  
rosewater 
Rosewater.  is distilled either of new roses or of dry roses, and they are either white or carnation. The fashion and manner of distilling of it is divers: for sometimes it is distilled by defluction tending downward, which is called in Latin Distillatio per descensum, according to the matter which we shall declare in the seventy first Chapter hereafter following. Sometimes it is distilled by insolation, as we will likewise show in the same place: sometimes, and that oftest, as also best, in Maries-bath, and before the distilling of it, if the roses be dry, it is good to moisten them with the vapour of some boiling water, or some Roses. The water which is distilled of red Roses, is more cordial and corroborative, as that which is made of white roses is more cooling. Then to distil good rosewater, you must infuse roses in distilled rosewater, or else in the juice drawn from them, and that by the space of two or three days, your vessel being well lured and stopped, and afterward put them in a glasse-still, covered with his head, and they both well luted and fitted one to another, and finally, set them thus conjoined in your vessel of Maries-bath.  
Water of Orange-flowers, 
Water of orange flowers.  called water of Naffe, being distilled by a bell, is good to procure vomit, as also to make a good smell.  
The water of wild Apples, 
Water of wild apples.  and of Oak Apples unripe, of chestnuts, and of verjuice that is half ripe, is good against the red pimples, and hard knobs in the face.  
The waters of flowers (as of Rosemary, 
The water of elder, rosemary, and marigolds.  which is good to rejoice the 〈◊〉 of Elder-Tree, which keepeth the face clear from Sunne-burning: of Marigolds, which comforteth the eyes: and such others) are distilled after the manner of rosewater.   

CHAP. LXVI.  
Of the manner of distilling liquors.  
WE have heretofore declared that the singular and rare efficacy and 〈◊〉 of things distilled, have in such sort ravished and carried away the spirits and studies of men, as that there is scarce any thing to be found which hath any good property and special quality in it, but it 〈◊〉 been brought under the yoke of distillation. 
What is meant by liquor in th●● place.  But in this place I call liquor all th●● which hath a liquid consistence, whether it be juice, humour, excrement, or any such like floating thing, as wine, vinegar, honey, urine, juice of herbs of fruit●●▪ and you cannot but think that the juice of herbs or fruits being distilled doth afford a far better water, than that which is distilled of herbs, yea or of fruits either. We will begin therefore with distilled wine.  
Aquavitae is thus distilled: (notwithstanding that all manner of Wine is fit to make Aquavitae of, 
Aquavitae.  so that it be not sour, spent, or otherwise tainted, yet indeed the strongest and noblest Claret wine is the best, whether pallet and inclining to white, or high coloured and inclining to red:) Take then of claret wine a certain quantity, according to the bigness of the vessel wherein you distil it (which is called the bladder, as we have declared before, namely, in that it is fashioned like unto a straight gourd) even so much as may fill it within one third part of the top, 
The bladder still to distil Aqua vitae in.  that so the vapours may have space to rise, than set the head upon it, having a long 〈◊〉, and this must be well closed with the mortar of wisdom (being the same which we have before described) to the end that no vapour may pass out there by: and thus cause it to distil with the heat of hot, but not boiling water: or else at a reasonable heat in ashes, or in small sand, increasing the fire continually by little and little, and yet taking heed that the wine do not boil: and to the end that you may have excellent good Aquavitae, you may distil it over four or five times: for by how much the o●ter it is distilled, 
Aqua vitae o●ten distilled.  by ●o much the better will it be, as we have said already. For the first distillation, it shall be enough to draw the tenth part, that is to say, of ten pints of wine one pint of Aquavitae, more or less: for the second half of that which you shall have put in, that is to say, half a pint: for the third likewise, the half or a little less, which should be a quarter of a pint: in such sort as that the ofter it is distilled ●ou must have less in quantity, but more in value and worth; and therefore in the beginning you must either take a great quantity of Wine, or else have many vessels. It is true, that if the distillation be well made, the fourth will yield the like quantity of water to that it received, and there will be no loss in it: and herewith likewise it is to be wished, that every man would be contented without going over it any more: because so many repetitions and redistillations is a matter of great labour and cost. In the meantime this must be remembered, namely, to lessen the fire at every distillation half a degree, and afterward a whole degree, that so in fine you may come to the first degree called bl●●d warm. And truly by mine advise, the first distillation should be in the fire of ashes, and the other in Maries-bath. This repeating and going over with it by distillation after distillation shall be to take from it his phlegm, that is to say, his grossest and most watery humour, which resteth in the bottom, and is accustomed to come forth last, after that it is well digested by being oft distilled. Finally, 
Signs showing that the Aquavitae is sufficiently distilled.  it may be gathered that the Aquavitae is sufficiently distilled by these signs; If there come back the like quantity of water; if being set on fire, it consume and waste all away, not leaving any sign of moisture behind it in the bottom of the vessel: if a linen cloth that hath been dipped in the Aquavitae being set on fire do not burn any jote at all; if a drop of oil being put into it, go to the bottom; if a drop of Aquavitae being powered in the ball of your hand, do waste away and vanish very speedily; if yellow amber being set on fire do burn in the Aquavitae; and likewise if ca●●phire being put into Aquavitae be dissolved of it. You must also note, that Aquavitae is sometimes distilled of lees of very good Wine, 
Aquavitae is distilled either of wine, or wine 〈◊〉 or beer.  being neither sour, nor spent, nor otherwise tainted; and such Aquavitae sometime is not inferior but superior in goodness unto that which was distilled of the Wine itself: Again, if it be often distilled over, it becometh more hot and dry▪ then that which is made of the very Wine: but yet indeed that which is made of Wine is more pleasant unto the taste, and of a more delightsome smell: Aquavitae is also sometimes distilled of beer, but that is not so good as the other of Wine. The vessels for the distilling of Aquavitae are divers, that is to say a good still, 
Vessels for the distilling of Aquavitae.  sitting in ashes or sand, or a resort in Maries-bath, or the bladder: Aquavitae may also be distilled in a cauldron or pot of Copper or Brass, made in manner of a Beefpot, covered with a cover, and having a strait nose coming out of it, and rising up on high, and turned downward again with a direct angle, and so passing through a bucket full of cold water. After that the Aquavitae is distilled, you must set it out into the Sun a certain time to make it yet more and more subtle. After this 〈◊〉 you may distil all juices and liquors, as man's blood, urine, vinegar, the dew, milk, whites and yolks of eggs, 
Virtues of Aquavitae.  man's dung, or beasts dung. The virtues of Aquavitae are infinite: It keepeth off the fits of the Apoplexy and Falling sickness, in such sort, as that they which are subject unto that disease in the time of Winter, must every morning take a spoonful of Aquavitae sugared, and eat a little bit of white bread: it driveth away venom: keepeth Wines from spending themselves, from putrefying, and from growing thick and troubled: it cureth speedily all the cold diseases of the sinews, muscles, and starved members, if they be fomented therewithal: it killeth worms, and assuageth the pain of the teeth, etc. See more in our Book of secret remedies.  
For the distilling of Vinegar, 
Distilled vinegar.  you must understand, that there is some difference betwixt the distilling of Aqua vitae and Vinegar: for seeing that Wine is of a vaporous and fiery substance, 
The difference betwixt Aquavitae and Vinegar in their manner of distilling.  the chiefest and principallest parts in it do run at the first distillation, that is to say, with the water that first cometh forth: insomuch, as that that which remaineth and stayeth behind in the vessel, tasteth no better than common water, having in it no force or virtue. On the contrary, the first that distilleth of Vinegar tasteth nothing at all, save only that it showeth itself somewhat more in his earthy parts by the alteration of his quality (for Vinegar is no other thing but a corrupted Wine, made eager by putrefaction:) for indeed his true, na●●rall, and proper quality of eagerness and sourness, as also the force and strength thereof, stayeth behind with that in the vessel, till after the first water be past. And by this it appeareth, that that which remaineth in the Wine after the first distillation of it, should be called phlegm, as that should also which cometh out first in the distillation of Vinegar, be called phlegm of Vinegar. Wherefore, to have good distilled Vinegar, after you have put it in like quantity (as we have said of Wine for to make Aquavitae) into the stillitory, you must let the phlegm (that is to say, the watery humour) distil, and set it aside in some vessel by itself: afterward, when the Vinegar shall be consumed unto the third or fourth part, and that it shall relish in tasting of the distilling drops, that the eager parts of the Vinegar begin to come, it will be good to set that aside to serve for infusions: and then afterward to increase the heat of your fire a little, and so continue your distillation, until such time as the water begin to look red, and to have the consistence of Honey or of Pitch, and then you may be bold to set it aside for your special use, not in medicine, but otherwise in all things concerning metals and corrosives: for this water making the third alteration in distillation, 
What vessels Vinegar would be distilled in.  tasteth of adustion, and is called the sanguine part of Vinegar. Vinegar would be distilled in the same vessel that rosewater is distilled in, especially in ashes or hot sand, rather than in Mary's bath. In like manner, and after the same sort, you shall distil Vinegar of Roses, of Elders, of Cloves, and other things. Distilled Vinegar is good to dissolve hard and mettallous things, 
The virtues of distilled Vinegar.  as Pearls, Coral, Eggshells, Crystal, and Emeralds: notwithstanding, Gold and Silver cannot be dissolved by it. This is the cause, that when Alchemists would distil any metal or stones, to draw out their oil, they use first to dissolve their matter in Vinegar or Urine distilled.  
Salted water or sea water is made sweet by this means. Fill a pot of salt water, 
Salted water, or Sea water.  let it boil by the fireside, and afterward distil with a stillitory, as you do rosewater, and the salt will stay in the bottom. And this is also the way to try what metals are mixed with mineral waters.  
The manner of distilling of honey is such. When the honey is once well purified, 
Honey distilled.  put it in small quantity into a stillitory (for in a great quantity it would swell over, after that it should once feel the heat) distil it in Maries-bath with a gentle and warm heat: the water that cometh first forth, is the phlegm, which must be kept by itself for to colour and make long the beard and hair. Afterward increasing the heat a little, 
To colour the hair.  there will come forth a water of a yellow, and as it were a golden colour, which you may keep in another vessel, seeing it is good to cleanse wounds both shallow and deep ones: your distillation continuing, there will come another water high coloured and more red than the former, and then if you do well, you shall change the heat of the water into the heat of the ashes or sand, that is to say, that you should remove your Still, and set in ashes or sand even almost up to the very mouth, and that there be not above three inches in breadth betwixt the fire and your Still, continuing to increase your fire, and to make it bigger than it was before, and by this means there will come forth a water more clammy than the former, and may be called the oil of honey. After this manner you may distil turpentine, 
Turpentine distilled.  and such other thick and clammy liquors. Indeed to distil such thick liquors, were better to be done by a re●ort, rather than in Maries-bath, as we will manifest when we come to speak of the distillation of oils.  
For to distil the blood of a male Goat: 
The blood of a male Goat distilled.  Take the blood of a young male goat being well fed, but not that blood which shall come forth first, nor that which shall be last, but that which shall come forth in the midst: let it stand and settle for some time, and then cast out the water that shall swim above: after with a tenth or twelfth part of salt, stir it well a long time, and work them together very thoroughly; this done, put it up into a vessel well stopped and luted, and bury it in a dunghill of horse-dung for the space of forty days: afterward distil it oftentimes over, pouring it still again and again upon the droste or bottom of the distillation staying behind. After you have thus distilled it four or five times, you shall have a marvelous water, and yet it will be better if it be set in horse-dung forty days more after that it is distilled. This water is singular for the breaking of the stone. 
The stone.   
The blood of a young man is distilled 
Man's blood distilled.  in the same sort, but the man must be of a good complexion, and sound body, of the age of twenty years or thereabouts, of a well fed and fleshy body: and it serveth in steed of restoratives unto those which are in a consumption: it is good likewise against rheums and distillations falling upon the joints, if the diseased places be fomented therewithal. Howbeit I do not greatly approve the distilling of man's blood for any such end, seeing it is an unworthy and heinous thing, and not beseeming Christians, and a thing likewise which in the midst of so many other helps may easily be spared. See more amongst our secret medicines.  
The blood of a Drake is in like manner distilled against poison: and after the same sort may the blood of a Calf, 
The blood of a Drake distilled.  Badger, or Hare be distilled.  
You may distil milk 
Distilled milk.  also alter the same manner that Aquavitae is distilled. It is reported, that in Tartary the water of distilled milk 
The virtues of distilled milk.  maketh men drunk: such milk therefore must be good and fat, such as is the milk of a heifer. Some physicians hold that distilled milk is good against the jaundice, as also against a quartain ague, if it be distilled with the like quantity of Wine.  
The milk of the she goats is oft distilled, 
The milk of a she Goat distilled.  to serve for the cleansing of the ulcers of thereines' and bladder, whereunto the milk itself would serve a great deal better, if they be fed for the most part with burnet.  
Man's dung is distilled in a glass stillitory in such manner as Aquavitae 
The distilling of man's dung.  is distilled: the water that it distilleth (especially if it be of the dung of a red or freckeled man) is sovereign good to heal and cicatrize deep, 
Deep ulcers.  hollow, old, and rebellious ulcers, and to take away the spots of the eyes. Taken also in manner of a drink, it delivereth from the Falling-sickness: and in like sort if the head be rubbed therewithal, it delivereth also from the stone of the reins and bladder, and from the dropsy, and doth them very much good that are bitten of a mad dog, or of other venomous beasts. 
The biting of ● mad dog.  Notwithstanding whereas such water simply and without any manner of mixture distilled, doth retain the smell of the said excrement, it will be good, to the end to give it some good taste, 
To give a good smell to the distilled water.  to clap to the end of the nose of the Still some nodule or little knot of linen cloth containing musk in it; or else to anoint the head within with the said musk or some other such like thing that is of a good savour. And thus may the dung of kine or pigeons be distilled; the distilled water whereof is good to break the stone.   

CHAP. LXVII.  
Of the manner of distilling of living creatures, or their parts.  
TO distil the body of any beast, 
To distil living things.  you must first strangle it, that so it may not shed any blood, and after take away all his fat (if he have any) and the entrails: then chop the flesh small, and cast upon it the tenth o● twelfth part of salt, and so distil it in Maries-bath, or upon hot ashes after the manner of Roses. Thus the young and tender stork which did never fly is distilled; but he must first be bowelled and stuffed with an ounce of camphire, 
The water of a stork.  and a dram of amber: the water that cometh thereof is excellent to make lineaments and fomentations in palsies and convulsions. After the same sort is the pie, frog, snails, ants, livers, and lungs of calves, of a Fox, and other such like beasts distilled: howbeit, without any such long and tedious preparation they may be distilled by and by after the manner of other waters, as we will forthwith declare in the distillation of restoratives.  
The water of Swallows: Take Swallows the weight of six ounces, 
Water of Swallows.  and cast●reum an ounce, let them infu●e a whole night in water, and put into a Limbeck, be distilled: This water is singular to preserve one from the Falling-sickness, if it be taken but once a month to the quantity of two spoonfuls, and that in a morning fasting.  
The flesh of beasts is distilled on this manner: Cut and chop the flesh small, 
The Water of flesh.  incorporate and stamp it with a tenth part of common salt: after put it in a 〈◊〉 (like unto a gourd) well stopped, that so you may bury it in the earth, set and 〈◊〉 passed round about with unquenched lime, and dung of horses half rotten, to be digested in the same for the space of a month, or thereabout, during which time you shall water the said unquenched lime and dung often with warm water to stir up their heat, and you shall renew the lime and dung three or four times every weeke● for you must think that for want of heat, the flesh might putrify in steed of digesting. And after they have been sufficiently digested (which you may know by seeing the grosser parts separated from the more thin and subtle) the vessel shall be taken out of the dunghill, and the head of a Still set thereupon, the nose or 〈◊〉 being well luted, and so it shall be distilled in Maries-bath divers times over, pouring the distilled water again upon the residence or dross remaining in the bottom, so oft as you redistill it. And after the fifth distillation, you shall set aside the water to keep, if so be you had not rather circulate it, to give it the nature as it were of a quintessence.  
As well the whites as the yolks of eggs are distilled after the manner abo●●sayd: 
Water of Eggs.  but they must not be digested in the dung above five or six days at the most.  
The waters thus distilled are more than restoratives, having the virtue to increase the substance of the body and members, as natural flesh and nourishment doth.   

CHAP. LXVIII.  
Of the manner of distilling of restoratives.  
Restoratives 
Restoratives.  are prepared after divers sorts, notwithstanding the most usual and best is thus: Take the flesh of a Veal, Kid, or Wether, cut and chopped as small as possibly may be: or else take musculous flesh, which is called the whites of capons, pullets, fat and well fleshed hens, after they have been well hunted and tired, cut likewise and chopped small: put unto this flesh, calves feet, pieces of gold, or rather the thin beaten leaves of gold: put all in a glass Still well luted with mortar made of flower, whites of eggs, and a little mastic: into this Still, you shall cast (for the giving of some grace unto the distillation, and somewhat to mitigate the heat which it might get by the fire) half a handful of clean barley, a handful of dry or new red Roses, which have been infused in the juice of pomegranates or rosewater, and a little cinnamome: place them all in the Still, as it were after the manner of little beds, and strew thereupon the powder of the electuary of cold Diamargariton, or of precious stones, and a little coriander prepared and finely powdered to discuss and waste all windy matter. If you would make your restoratives medicinable, you may add thereunto things concerning the disease that presseth, as roots and herbs respecting the head, in the diseases of the head, as betony, penniryall, staechadoes, organy, sage, and others such like: for the diseases of the reins, the roots and plants that are good to break the stone: for the Falling-sickness, the seed of pionie, and mistletoe of the oak: for the quartain ague, polopody, scolopendrum, and the roots of Tamariske: for the French disease, the roots of gentian, enula campana, and the wood guajacum, and so of other things: yet it seemeth unto me that it were better that the cordial powders 〈◊〉 not be mingled among the rest, for fear that their force, which is thin, subtle, and very fragrant, should evaporate through the heat of the fire, and that it would be far better to strain the distillation through a linen cloth that is very clean, and which should have the cordial powders in the bottom of it: there may likewise be added a quantity of Treacle, with some conserves, as occasion shall be ministered: the matter thus disposed of, it shall be distilled in a stillitory of glass well luted (as we have said) and in Maries-bath; or else in ashes, gravel, or hot sand: for by this means the distillation will taste least of the fire. It will be good before the flesh be put into the still to be distilled, that they should have boiled a boil or two in a new earthen pot, to take from it the gross excrements hanging about the same. Again, it must be remembered, that if there be any gold put into the distillation, that it will be better to put in such as is wrought into leaves than gross pieces: because that gross pieces in respect of their solidenesse consume but a very little, and with much ado. This is called a divine restorative, 
The divine restorative.  and must be given unto the sick party pretty and warm.  
Another manner of restorative after the Italians fashion: Take a Capon, 
Another restorative.  or a good Hen, which yet never laid eggs, let her or him be pulled alive, that so the blood may be stirred and dispersed throughout the body: after you have pulled them, ●●ke rout the guts, and afterward stamp bones and all together in a Mortar, putting thereto as much ●rummes of new bread as there is stamped flesh, pound all together with a handful of Seabious, either green or dry, and the weight of a French crown of the leaves of gold, let it all settle a whole night, after distil it, adding thereto three pound of very good Wine, such as is of a ripe Grape.  
Another manner of restorative: Boil a Capon, 
Another restorative.  or some such other flying fowl, whole and entire, with Borage, bugloss, Scariole, Endive, Lettuces, or other such like herbs, as shall be necessary in respect of the disease: and when it hath boiled till it seem as rotten with boiling, take the broth or supping, and put it into the stillitory, afterward put thereinto also the flesh of partridge, hen, or other such flying fowl cut and chopped small, and add unto these such other matter, as you shall know to be necessary for the present disease, as conserves of roses and bugloss, damask raisins, the powders of the electuaries of precious stones, aromaticum rosatum, and such like things: and finally, distil them after the manner above specified.  
Some there are which will not make any restoratives but of capons-flesh, 
Another restorative.  the oldest they can get, such they strangle and pluck by feather and feather, not using the help of any hot water, than they take out the entrails and chop them small: adding thereto flowers or conserves of bugloss, borage, damask raisins, mundified barley whole, coriander-seed, pearls, powder of the electuary diarrhodon, or some other like unto it, and the leaves of gold, they distil all together, and cause it to be given to sick persons, women in childbed, and old folk.  
To make a restorative in shorter time, 
A restorative to be made presently.  and that upon the sudden, with less cost, charges, as also pain and labour: chop your flesh small after the manner already delivered, put it into a glass viol or bottle of a sufficient bigness, and in such sort as that all your pieces of flesh be strung or put upon a double thread and hold one by another, and the double thread whereupon they hang be without the bottle, which must be well stopped above with a linen or cotton cloth, wet in a mixture made with whites of eggs and barley ●lower: set this bottle in a cauldron full of water, boiling at a small fire, and there let it stand four hours more or less, until such time as a good part of the flesh be converted into moisture: See that the bottle stand in the water up to the neck, and that it touch not the bottom of the cauldron, and withal well stayed up on every side, that so it may not slip or bend more one way than another. When the four hours are spent, rebate the fire gently, that so the bottle also may cool by little and little, which if so be that you should take all hot out of the water, it would break presently. Afterward, unstop the bottle with warm water, if you cannot well otherwise, and then draw forth the string and the flesh softly, that so the liquor may remain alone: strain the water after the manner of Hippocras, and aromatize it with Sugar and Ci●●●mome, that so it may be given to the sick that are wasted. You may after this manner make restoratives such like as you shall think good, either cheaper or dearer, more or less pleasant and delicate, and more or less medicinable, as occasion may require.   

CHAP. LXIX.  
The manner of distilling compound waters.  
Waters' are not only distilled of one only or simple plant, liquor, or other matter: but also of many mixed together; and such waters are called compounded waters, 
Compound waters.  by reason of the mixture of many things. These compound waters are of three sorts: some are for physic, 
Three sorts of common compound waters.  othersome for sweetness, and the other for ●ukes and painting, as ornaments to the body: we will first and before the rest speak of those which serve for medicine and physic.  
Sage water compounded: 
Sage water compounded.  Take equal parts of sage and penniryall, stamp them in a mortar, and distil them. This water taketh away the pain of the belly, and stayeth cold rheums if it be drunk with a little quantity of castoreum.  
Water of turnips compounded. 
Turnip water compounded.  Take turnips either garden or wild ones, or both together, the roots of smallage and parsley, and anise-seed, infuse them all in white wine or vinegar, and distil the water as good against gravel.  
Angelica water: Take equal parts of Angelica, 
Water of angelica compounded.  as well the roots as the leaves, (but especially the roots) and the flowers of lavender, infuse them in Wine, & there will distil from them a singular water against the Falling-sickness, 
Falling sickness.  if it be taken in the quantity of two or three spoonfuls.  
Water of Celandine: 
Water of celandine compound.  Gather in the beginning of the month of May the leaves of celandine, vervain, rue, and fennel, pound them, and draw from every one of them three ounces of juice, which you shall mix together: put unto them some buds of roses, of sugar-candy three ounces, of very good Tutia four ounces, and as much of dragon's blood: distil them all in a stillitory: This water taketh away the redness and spots in the eyes.  
Water of the Vine: 
Water of the vine compound.  Take the water that distilleth from the vine-stockes at such time as they are cut, which is in the Springtime, distil it with like quantity of honey: this water healeth itchings, heat, and redness of the eyes: the very water of of the vine alone undistilled doth the like.  
rosewater: Take roses three parts, 
Rose water compounded.  fennel, and rue, of each one part, shred them small, and mingle them very well together afterward distil them, and let the distilling water fall into a vessel wherein is a handful of the foresaid herbs, 
It preserveth the sight.  this water preserveth the sight, if the eyes be washed therewith in Summer.  
Water of Eye-bright: Take Celandine, 
Eybright water compounded.  Fennell, Rue, Eye-bright, Vervain, red Roses, of each half a pound, Cloves and Long-pepper, of each two ounces: bruise them all, and distil them in a glass stillitory. This water is singular good for a weak sight.  
Water of Rosemary: Take Aquavitae distilled of white Wine, 
Rosemary water compounded  the distilled water of rosemary and sage, of each five pound, of sugar two pound: in these infuse of the flowers of sage and rosemary for the space of eight days, 
Fistulas of the eyes.  of each two ounces, strain them, and keep the water to heal the fistulas of the eyes.  
Water of Treacle: 
Water of trecle.  Distil in a glass stillitory Treacle, with a like quantity of Aquavitae and Vinegar: This water is good to touch the ulcers and rawness of the mouth withal, 
Ulcers of the mouth.  especially if there be added unto it a little bolearmoniacke.  
Another Treacle water: 
Treacle water.  Take old Treacle a pound, of the roots of Enula campana, Gentian, Cypers, Tormentill, of each an ounce, of blessed Thistle half an ounce, of conserves of Borage, bugloss, and Rosemary, of each an ounce, infuse them all together in three pints of white Wine, a pint and a half of Cistern water, and two pints of rosewater: distil them.  
Water of Cloves: 
Water of cloves.  Take equal parts of Cloves, Ginger, and flowers of Rosemary, infuse them in very good Wine the space of eight days: distil the whole: This water comforteth the stomach, 
Pain of the stomach and belly.  assuageth the pains and wring of the belly, killeth worms, and maketh fat folk to become lean, or maketh fat the lean, if they drink it mixed with sugar.  
Water of Saxifrage: 
Saxifrage water.  Take of the juice of Saxifrage two pound, of the juice of Pearlewort, 
The Stone.  Parsley, Anise, and Clotburre, of each half a pound, of white Vinegar eight ounces, distil them all: This water drunk in the morning, breaketh the stone.  
Water of Swallows: 
Water of Swallows.  Take Swallows and dry them in an oven, make them into powder: mix it with a little Castoreum, and a little Vinegar, distil it all: this water cureth the Falling-sickness if it be drunk four mornings.  
Water of horse-tail: 
Horse-tail water.  Take horse-tail, plantain, red roses, Winter-cherrie-berries, roots of holihockes, and scraped liquorice, of each an ounce, of bolearmoniacke half an ounce, of the seed of gourds and cucumbers, of each three drams, of the seed of white poppy, six drams, of the seed of quinces half an ounce: Infuse them all in whay made of goat's milk the space of two days, afterward distil the water: which will serve for the ulcers of the reins and bladder, 
Ulcers of the reins.  if there be four ounces of ●●taken warm in the morning.  
Water of corneflag: 
Corneflag water.  Take equal parts of corneflag, hyssop, and southernewood, stamp them thoroughly, and leave them so a certain time, afterward distil them: this water provoketh women's terms, and killeth worms in young children.  
Burnet-water: 
Burne●-water.  Take the seed of burnet, parsley, smallage, the leaves and roots of clotburre and smallage, of every one equally: stamp all together, after put thereto of dragons blood an ounce, and a little good vinegar: ●et all to infuse together a certain time, afterward distil it: this water hath a marvelous virtue against the stone and gravel.  
A singular water for the gravel, 
Stone.  which the deceased Monsieur de Tillet had great use of with happy success: 
Gravel.  Take the roots of parsley and fennel made very clean, and the woody part taken out, of each ●oure handfuls, boil them in twelve pints of river water: when they are half boiled, put thereto of the tender buds of meadows, holihockes, violets, and seaweed, of each four handfuls, boil all together to the consumption of the half, after strain them through a white napkin: distil them, putting thereunto two pound of Venice turpentine.  
A singular water for the eyes: 
A water for the eyes.  Take celandine, vervain, betony, eye-bright, rue, and fennel all new and fresh, of each two handfuls, stamp them together, sprinkling them with half a pound of white Wine, press out the juice, and afterward infuse in the same pepper and ginger made in powder, of each half an ounce, of saffron three drams; of myrrh, aloes, and sarcocol, of each one ounce; of very good honey a pound: distil them all in a glass stillitory at a small fire, and keep the water for the spots of the eyes.  
Take four ounces of the pills of Oranges dried in the shadow of the Sun six days: 
An imperial water.  nutmegs, and cloves, made into powder either of them by themselves, of each four ounces, infuse the said aromatical powders in a glass viol with rose-water the space of seventeen days in the Sun: after cast upon the said powders, the rinds of oranges, which you shall let steep there a certain space of time. Afterward, take of new red roses gathered two days before a pound, of the root of cyperus half a pound, of the leaves of rosemary, hys●op, balm, roses of the bush, of each two handfuls, of bayleafs a handful, lay them all to dry in the Sun for two hours, after infuse them in rosewater the space of three hours: this done, put them all into a Still after this manner. In the bottom of the Still make a bed of one pound of new red roses, than next a bed of aromatical powders and the rinds of oranges, in the third place a bed of Violet flowers, and in the fourth place the last and fourth bed of the afore named herbs: distil them all in Maries-bath with a gentle fire. Add unto the distilled water two pound of rosewater or thereabout, so that it may be in proportion equal to the third or fourth part of the water drawn out by distillation. This water taken in the morning the weight of a dram, keepeth the body sound, lusty, and reneweth youth. It is singular for the pain of the head, tteeths, belly, gripings, palsy, convulsions, apoplexy, faintings, and other such cold diseases. This is the water that is so much esteemed in the courts of kings and princes, and amongst the great and renowned ladies.  
An Allome-water: 
An Allome water.  Take Verjuice, the juice of Plantain and Purslane, of each a pound, seven whites of eggs, ten ounces of Roch-allome, mingle them together, and distil them. Otherwise, take plantain, purslane, sorrel, gourds, nightshade, and verjuice, of each a handful, poune them grossly, mix therewith ten or twelve whites of eggs, put them all in a glass stillitory to distil, mingling amongst them half a pound of Allome, as you lay bed upon bed: this water is good for cankers, for the redness of the face, and for ulcers, applying linen clothes thereunto, that have been wet therein.  
You may likewise distil purging waters, 
Purging waters.  in infusing purgative medicines both simple and compound, seeing that they be as new as may be, and that in Aquavitae, wine, milk, whey, distilled waters, or convenient decoctions, and such waters will have the like virtues as the purging medicines have; thus you may distil Catholicum, 
Catholicum and Diap●oenicon distilled.  Diaphoenicon, confectio Hamech, and Electuarium de ●ucco rosar●m: Thus you may distil rhubarbe, agaric, hellebor, scammony, and such other purgatives that are sound and new.  
The manner of distilling rhubarbe may be this: 
Water of Rhubarbe distilled.  take a quantity of new and green Rhubarbe, whether it be a pound, or half a pound, more or less, make it ●●to small pieces, or make it into gross powder, and upon it cast of the juice of Borage and bugloss, of each two pound, for one of Rhubarb, infuse them all together for the space of four and twenty hours upon hot ashes, then distil them in a stillitory in Mary's bath.  
This distilling of purgative Medicines, is for such kind of people as are very delicate, and cannot abide the smell of the purging medicine to be ministered otherwise unto them.   

CHAP. LXX.  
Of sweet Waters particularly described.  
SWeet Waters serve to wash the hands, 
Sweet water.  face, hair of the head, and beard: as also to make Linens, Garments, Gloves, and such other things, to smell sweet.  
Water of Lavender: 
Lavender water.  Take the flowers of Lavender new or dry, besprinkle or infuse them in rosewater, Wine, or Aquavitae, afterward distil them. The water will be sweeter, if you dry the flowers in the Sun in a Glasse-violl close stopped, and cast upon them afterward some white Wine. And if in the time of want and lack of distilled water, you would have a water presently made which should resemble the smell of the water of Lavender; cast a drop or two of the Oil of Spike into a good sufficient quantity of pure water, and swill them well together in a bottle or Glasse-violl with a narrow neck: This water, though it be not distilled, yet it ceaseth not to have the sweet smelling sent and savour that the distilled hath.  
Water of Cloves: Take half an ounce of Cloves well bruised, 
Water of Cloves.  set them to infuse in a pound and a half of rosewater the space of four and twenty hours, after distil them in Mary's bath.  
The water of sweet Smells: Take Basill, 
The water of sweet smells.  Mints, Marierome, roots of Corneflag, Hyssop, Savoury, Sage, Balm, Lavender, and Rosemary, of each a handful: of Cloves, Cinnamome, and Nutmegs, of each half an ounce: then take three or four Citrons, and cut them in sufficient thick slices: which done, infuse all this in a sufficient quantity of rosewater for the space of three days, distilling it all afterward in Mary's bath at a small fire: the distillation done, put thereto a scruple of Musk.  
Water of Roses musked: Take the buds of Roses, 
rosewater musked.  and cutting out the white, put them into the stillitory, and in the midst thereof, upon your Roses, put a little knot of Musk, and so distil them.  
Water of Spike: Take Spike before the flower be altogether blown, 
Water of Spike.  and taking away all the wood from it, lay it on a bed within the stillitory: afterward, lay upon that bed a bed of Roses almost blown, and thereupon some dozen of Cloves: but and if you have not Spike, than you may put Lavender in his place: distil it at a moderate fire, and with as little air as possibly you can give it: And when the distillation shall be as good as finished, besprinkle the matter with a little very good white Wine, and so finishing your distillation, keep your water in viols well stopped.  
Damask water: Take two handfuls and a half of red Roses, 
Damask water.  Rosemary flowers, Lavender and Spike flowers, of each a Pugill: of the sprigs of Thyme, flowers of Cammomile, flowers of small Sage, of Penyryall, and Marierome, of each a handful: infuse them all in white Wine the space of four and twenty hours: then put them into the stillitory, sprinkling it with very good white Wine, and scatter thereupon this powder following: take an ounce and a half of well chosen Cloves, an ounce of Nutmegs, of Beniovin and Styrax calami●a, of each two drams, make them in powder: The water that shall be distilled, must be kept in a vessel very well stopped.  
There is also made a very sweet water of clear Myrrh, 
Water of Myrrh.  if it be new, gummy, and divided into small gobbets, and set to steep in the juice of Roses six times as much in quantity as the Myrrh: It must be distilled upon hot ashes at a small fire; for and if you should increase it, there would come forth oil with the water. Such water being dropped but only one drop of it into an hundred of well or fountain water, maketh it all to smell most sweetly.  
rosewater sweetened with Musk: 
rosewater sweetened with Musk.  Take a Glasse-vessell of the fashion of an Urinal, that is to say, wide below, and strait above; therein put twelve grains of Musk, or more, and stop it close with good Parchment, setting it in the Sun for four or five days: then take another vessel of the fashion of the first, which you shall fill with Roses dried a very little, and stamped: then stop that vessel also with a very thin Linen cloth, or with a Strainer: afterward put the mouth of the vessel wherein the Roses be, into the mouth of the other wherein the Musk is, lu●e them well together, and set them in the Sun, in such sort, as that the vessel with the Roses may stand above that wherein the Musk is, and that in some window or such other place, where the Sun shineth very hot: and by this means there will● water distil down upon the Musk, which will be good either to be used above, or mingled with some other. Otherwise: Take twenty grains of Musk, 〈◊〉, Cloves, Galingall, Schaenanthum, grains of Paradise, Mace, and Cinnamome, of each an ounce, bray them all together, and put them into a stillitory with a 〈◊〉 and a half of rosewater, then let them stand so four or five days, and afterward distil them.  
Water of Oranges: 
Water of Oranges.  Take the pills of Oranges and Citrons when they are green, of each half an ounce, of Cloves five or six, of the flowers of Spike or Lavender newly gathered, six ounces, infuse all together in six pound of rosewater the space of four or five days, afterward distil them.  
Water of Orange flowers: Take flowers of Oranges, 
Water of Nasse, or Orange flowers.  and distil them in a Glasse-Stillitorie, or in an earthen one very well baked and glazed, having but a small fire: you may also put unto them the flowers of Citrons, if you think good. The water must be kept in Glasse-bottles covered with fi●e Mats, and well stopped.  
The counterfeit water of Orange flowers: Take the buds of red Roses, 
The counterfeit water of Orange flowers.  the most double that can be found, but take their yellow from them, make a bed thereof in the stillitory, and above it another bed of the flowers of Lilies: afterward again another of Roses, and then another of the flowers of Lavender, and then another bed of Roses again: and betwixt every one of these beds cast and sow some bruised Cloves, and in the midst of all make a little pit, in which you shall put certain grains of Musk, or Civet, or Ambergris, or some sort of perfume: afterward distil them all at a little fire: Reserve the water in little bottles, covered with fine Mats, and well stopped.  
A sweet smelling water: Take Marierome, 
A sweet smelling water.  Thyme, Lavender, Rosemary, small Penyryall, red Roses, flowers of Violets, Gilliflowers, Savoury, and pills of Oranges, steep them all in white Wine, so much as will swim above the said hearbe●● afterward distil them in a stillitory twice or thrice: keep the water in bottles well stopped, and the dross or residence to make perfumes.   

CHAP. LXXI.  
The fashion of distilling water for Fukes.  
NOw, 
A water for Fukes.  albeit that a good Farmer's wife must not be too busy with Fukes and such things as are for the decking and painting of the body, because her care must wholly be employed in the keeping and increase of her householdstuff; notwithstanding, I would not have her ignorant of the manner of distilling of waters for Fukes: not that she should make use of them for herself, but that she may make some profit and benefit by the sale thereof unto great Lords and Ladies, and other persons, that may attend to be curious, and paint up themselves. 
The uses of waters for Fukes.  Now all such waters in general serve for three purposes: The one is to smooth and keep neat the skin, as well of the face as of the other parts of the body: The other is to colour the hair of the head and beard: and the third, to make white the teeth. Some of these are simple, as the water of the flowers of Beans, of Strawberries, the water of the Vine, of Goat's milk, of Ass' milk, of whites of eggs, of the flowers of Lilies, of Dragons, and of calves feet: others are compounded of main ingredients, as you shall know by the brief collection that we shall make of them.  
Water of Strawberries: 
Water of Strawberries.  Take ripe Strawberries, set them to putrify some certain time in an earthen vessel, putting thereto a little salt or sugar, and afterward distil them: This water will cleanse away the spots of the face and the spots of the eyes, caused either of hot or cold humours: it will be more effectual, if you infuse the Strawberries in Aquavitae before that you do distil them.  
Water of Beane-flowers: 
Water of Beane-flower.  Take the flowers of Beans, infuse them a day or two in white Wine in a Glasse-violl in the Sun, afterward distil them: This water taketh away the spots of the face, if it be washed therewith morning and evening.  
The roots of great Dragons distilled, 
The water of Dragons.  maketh a singular water to take away the prints and marks which the pocks have left behind them: so doth likewise the distilled water of the root of wild Vine, of Corneflag, Showbread, Costmarie, Angelica, elecampane, Tutneps, wild Cucumbers, white Onions, Gentian, Capers, Lilies, Madder, Alkanet, Cinquefoil, Crowfoot, Tasell, and many other herbs.  
Water of Guaiacum: 
Water of Guaiacum.  Take Guaiacum, and cut it in small pieces, infuse them a certain time in the decoction of other Guaiacum, and a third part of white Wine, afterward distil them in a Glasse-Stillitorie: The water that shall distil thereof is singular for the taking away of all spots out of the face, especially if you join with it, in the distilling of it, some Lily roots.  
The water that is distilled in equal quantity of the leaves of Peaches and Willows, 
The water of Peaches and Willows.  taketh away the red spots and rubies of the face.  
The water that is distilled in equal quantity of the whites of eggs and juice of Lemons, 
Water of whites of eggs.  scoureth the face, and maketh it fair. In stead of this water, if you have not the fit means to distil it, you shall take seven or eight Lemons, or Citrons, which you shall cut into quarters, and after infuse them in white Wine in the Sun.  
Another water: Take six ounces of the crumbs of white bread, 
Water of 〈◊〉 of bread.  infuse them in two pound of Goats or Ass' milk, mingle them diligently together, and afterward distil them.  
Water of Snails: 
Water of Snails.  Take white Snails about thirty, of Goat's milk two pound, of the fat of a Pig or Kid three ounces, of the powder of Camphire a dram, distil them in a Glasse-Stillitorie.  
Water of the whites of eggs: 
Water of the whites of eggs.  Take the whites of new eggs, about twelve, fine Cinnamome an ounce, and Ass' milk twelve ounces, distil all in a Glasse-Stillitorie: This water maketh a woman look gay and fresh, as if she were but fifteen years old.  
Water of calves feet: 
Water of calves feet.  Take the feet of a Calf, and (taking away their skin and hooves of their hooves) cut the rest in pieces, that is to say, the bones, sinews, and marrow, and so distil them: This water maketh the face vermilion like, and taketh away the blemishes of the small Pocks.  
A singular water to make one white: 
A water making white.  Take the dung of small Lizards, or of the Cuttle fish, the Tartar of white Wine, the shaving of Hartshorn, white Coral, the flower of Rice, as much of one as of another, beat them a long time in a Mortar, to make them into fine powder, afterward infuse them a night in an equal portion of the distilled water of sweet Almonds, Snails of the Vine, and white Mulleine, and put thereunto likewise the like weight of white Honey: distil all together in a stillitory.  
Water of bread crumbs compounded: 
Water of crumbs of bread.  Take the crummie part of Barley bread, indifferent betwixt white and black, two pounds, of Goat's milk three pounds, of white Wine half a pound, of the four great cold seeds of each two ounces, of the flowers of Beans, or dried Beans and Cich Pease, of each two pound, of Rice half a pound, of the flowers of water Lilies and white Roses of each two pugill●, the whites and yolks of twenty eggs: distil them all in Mary's bath, and the water will be a great deal more excellent, if you put unto the distillation some Venice Turpentine.  
Water of the broth of a Capon: 
Water of the broth of a Capon.  Take of the broth of a Capon, Hen, or Pullet, three pound, of the juice of Lemons one pound, of white vinegar half a pound, of the flowers of Beans and water Lilies of each three pugils, the whites of two or three eggs, the weight of two French crowns of Camphire, distil them all: This water is of a marvelous virtue to take away the spots and stains of the face, and other parts of the body.  
The water of Bran: 
Water of Bran.  Take Bran the best that you can find, sift it diligently, and afterward temper it with strong vinegar, put them into a Still, and cast upon them ten or twelve yolks of eggs: distil them all: This water maketh the face clean, glistening, and very fair.  
Another water: 
A sweet water.  Take the flower of Beans and water Lilies of each a pound, of bread crumbs, Rice flower, flowers of Corneflags, of each six ounces, of Honey a pound, of white Wine and water of the fountain of each three pound, let all be well mingled together, and afterward distil them in Mary's bath.  
Take the roots of Corneflag and wild Cucumbers of each three pound, 
Another water.  of the roots of Holihockes and Lilies of each two pound, of ripe Grapes half a pound, of Beane flowers and leaves of wall Pellitory of each a pugil, of water Lilies and Mallows of each a handful, of the crumbs of Barley bread a pound, infuse it all in white Wine or in the household store of Goat's milk, putting to the infusion half an ounce of the roots of Turnips, and of the four great cold seeds another half ounce, of the urine of a little girl half a pound, let all be distilled together: This water is singular good to take away freckles, scars, the prints of the small pocks, and all other spots of the skin.  
A water used amongst the Ladies of the Court, 
A water to paint the face withal.  to keep a fair white and fresh in their faces: Take a white Pigeon, a pint of Goat's milk, four ounces of fresh Butter, four pugils of Plantain, and as much of the roots and leaves of Salomon's seal, 〈◊〉 ounce of Camphire, half an ounce of Sugar candy, and two drams of Allo●e, let all settle together, and afterward, distil it.  
Another w●ter: Take of the crumbs of white bread two pound, of the flowers of Beans one pound, of white Roses, the flowers of water and land Lilies, of every one two pound, of Goat's milk six ounces, and of the flowers of Cornflag anounce, distil all: this water is good to keep the hands clean and white.  
Take cows milk in the month of May (in other months it is not worth ani● thing) two pounds, 
Water of cows mi●ke.  four Oranges, and five Citrons, Roch Allome and fine Sugar of each an ounce, cut the Oranges and Citrons into small quarters, and infuse them in milk, afterward distil them all: this water is good to keep the colour neat & fresh.  
Take a certain number of eggs, 
Water of eggs.  the newest you can get, and lay them to steep in very strong Vinegar three whole days and nights: afterward pierce them with a pin, in such sort, as that you may cause all the water that is within them to come forth: and then distilling this water, you shall find it excellent to beautify the face.  
Likewise to wash the face with the water of Almonds, or sheeps or Goat's milk, 
A water to colour or paint the face withal.  or else to lay upon the face, when one goeth to sleep, a white Linen cloth dipped in these liquors, is available for the beautifying of the face.  
Another water: Take two Calves, feet, boil them in River water to the consumption of the one half of the water, put thereunto a pound of Rice, of the crummie part of one white loaf, kneaded with Goat's milk, two pound of fresh Butter, the whites of ten new laid eggs, with their shells and skins, distil it all, and in the distilled water put a little Camphire and Roch Allome: this water maketh the face very fair.  
Water of Lard: 
The water of Lard.  Take such quantity of Lard as you shall think good, and scrape it as clean as possibly you can: afterward stamp it in a Marble Mortar, so long, as that it become like paste, and then distil it in a Glasse-Sillitorie: The water will be white, and it is singular to make the hair of a Straw-colour, and glistening.  
Water of Honey distilled, 
Water of Honey.  as were have said before, maketh the hair beautiful and long.  
Water of Capers: 
Water of Capers.  Take green Capers, and distil them: This water dieth hair green, if after they have been washed with this water, they be dried in the Sun.  
Another water: 
A painting and colouring water  Take a pound of very good Honey, and of the leaves of male Sothernewood two handfuls, mingle them, and distil them: This water is good to 〈◊〉 the hair of the head and beard fair and beautiful.  
A water to cleanse the teeth: 
A water to cleanse the teeth.  Take Sage, Organie, wild Marierome, Rosemary, and Pennyryall, of each a handful, of Pellitory, Ginger, Cloves, and Nutmegs, of each the weight of two French crowns, put all together, and water them with white Wine, afterward distil them.  
Another water for the same effect: Take long Pepper the weight of two French crowns, of Pellitory and Stavesacre the weight of one French crown, sprinkle them all over with half and ounce of Aquavitae, after put an ounce and a half of white Honey thereunto, and so distil them.   

CHAP. LXXII.  
The manner of distilling per ascensum and per descensum.  
ALl manner of distillation which is made by virtue and force of fire, 
To distil (as it is called) per ascensum.  and such like heat, is of two sorts: the one is made by raising up of vapours up on high, which the Alchemists call per ascensum: and there is another which is after the manner of falling of sweat, or defluxion of humours descending downward, and this is commonly called per descensum. Waters are for the most part distilled by the way called per ascensum; as Oils are for the most part distilled per descensum: I say for the most part, because that certain Waters are sometimes distilled per descensum, as also some Oils per ascensum, such as are the Oils drawn of leaves, flowers, fruits, seeds, and other such like matter.  
The waters that are distilled per descensum, 
Wha● 〈◊〉 of Oils are distilled per desce●sum.  are chiefly sweet waters, such as are made of flowers and leaves of a good smell, which being so distilled, do not evaporate or spend their best vapour so quickly by distillation, and thereupon they retain in better sort, and for a longer time, their natural smell.  
The way is this: Take new Roses, or other such flowers, and put them in a Linen cloth, 
rosewater distilled per descensum.  spread and stretched over a basin of Brass, or earth, well glazed: above this basin set another vessel of Brass, or of earth, in manner of a round Frying-pan, having the bottom covered with hot coals; but therewithal you must look, that you let not the fire remain any long time upon the vessel, for fear it should grow too hot, and that the water should smell of burning. Thus way is better than any other, to make a great deal of water in a short time, and without great charges, of flower● and all sweet smelling, cooling, and astringent matter.  
After such sort is the Sea-Onion distilled: 
The Sea-Onion distilled per descensum.  Cut in slices the Sea-Onion, put it into an earthen vessel which shall have many small holes in the bottom, let the bottom of this vessel go into the mouth of another vessel made of earth, and lute them both together very well, and let the earthen vessel be set in the earth up unto the throat, and then lay it round about with coals of fire, thus give fire unto the upper vessel for the space of ten or twelve hours: it will distil his water downward, which if you mix with flower or bread, you shall make Pastils, which will be good to kill Rats or Mice, 
To kill Rats and Mice.  and that quickly, if you mix therewith a small quantity of Litarge.  
You may make your distillation of flowers per descensum otherwise, 
Another manner of distilling waters per descensum, and that without heat.  without the heat of any fire: Take two vessels of Glass one like unto another, both of them being made large in the bottom, and narrow at the top (after the manner of an Urinal) and see that the mouth of the one will fit and go into the mouth of the other, and then lute them well and close together, having put betwixt them a fine thin Linen cloth: the uppermost must be full of Roses, or other flowers, somewhat bruised▪ the other must be empty: set them in the South Sun where it is very hot, and so it will distil a water that is very pleasant and sweet.  
Thus is rosewater (sweetened with Musk) distilled, 
Water of the yellow parts of Violets.  whereof we have spoke●▪ before in the Chapter of sweet waters: And thus are the yellow parts of Viol●●●● stilled; and the water thereof is very singular for the redness of the eyes: And 〈◊〉 are the tender buds and shoots of Fennell distilled, being gathered before the Fennel do put forth his flowers; the water wthereof is very sovereign for to cleanse away the filth of the eyes, and to comfort and amend the sight.   

CHAP. LXXIII.  
Of the manner of distilling by the Filtre.  
THe causes of distilling by the Filtre we have before declared, 
To distil by the Filtre.  as namely, that they are either the separation of liquors in general, or else the separation of liquors, of such or such qualities, as the separating of muddy and earthy from the finer and subtle parts; which is the proper and ordinary way to distil juices which have a thick consistence presently upon their cooling after their first pressing out; as namely, the juices of Citrons, Lemons, and Oranges: again, the prudent and expert Apothe carry, when he maketh sy●●ups of the juices of Citrons, or Lemons, doth first distil and strain the juices by a Fittre, before the go about to dispense the syrups.  
But the manner to distil by a Filtre, is to have three dishes, bowls, or basons, or other vessels, of such fashion as the matter or liquor that you would distil doth require, and so placed and seated, as that they may either stand higher and higher, or lower and lower, every one above or under another, and the highest to contain that which is to be distilled, and the lower that which is distilled. In the uppermost shall be one or more pieces of Cloth, or of a Felt of sufficient length, and dipped into the ibexes, and these must be broad at the one end, and sharp at the other: the broad end shall lie in the juice, and the narrow-pointed end shall hang without, by the which the thinner part of the liquor shall rise and ascend, running down drop after drop into the vessel below, in such sort, as that the mddiest and impurest part shall stay behind in the other vessel: and sometimes you must wring out this piece of cloth; when it beginneth to become black, or that the drops distil but slowly, because of the thick matter that is carried into it along with the thin: and having washed them, to put them afterward again into the vessel. If a man be disposed to distil one liquor many times, he may place many vessels after the manner of stairs▪ and in every one of them, except the lowest, put a Filtre, in the same sort as we have said: for the last and lowest must serve only to receive from all the rest.  
In stead of a piece of Felt, the Apothecaries use oftentimes sleeves of Woollen cloth, otherwise called sharpe-pointed Hose; through which, they purify and make clear their Syrups, Ap●zemes, and juleps: These manners of distillations may supply the place of that long, tedious, and painful circular distillation; which fitteth the Alchemists better, than either Country people, Physicians, or Apothecaries.  
Virgin's milk is thus made with a Filtre: 
Virgin's milk●.  Take Litarge of Gold made into powder three ounces, infuse them in six ounces of white vinegar, either raw, or distilled, or else in Squils' vinegar the space of three hours, in a vessel by itself: in another vessel set likewise to infuse Sal nitrum, or common salt in common water, or in water of Plantain, Nightshade, or some other fit for the purpose: distil them by Filtre each of them apart, and after that they be distilled, mingle them together. This virgin's milk is good to heal Ringwor●nes, and saucy and red faces.    

A brief Discourse of the distilling of Oils and Quintessences.  

CHAP. LXXIIII.  
Of the profit of distilled Oils and Quintessences: and what manner of Quintessences shall be here entreated of.  
NOw, after our short discourse of the distilling of waters, limited by the matter which Farmer's store will afford, it shall not seem strange, or wandering from our scope and platform laid down already, to make some slight and brief description of the distilling of Oils, to 〈◊〉 as a pattern and guide to the Mistress or good wife of our Country Farm, seeing we are desirous to have her qualified with all those good parts and virtues which Xenophon the Greek Author doth so highly esteem of and commend in a good housewife: and namely, that of readiness and charitable provision to relieve her folk and family, as also her neighbours, when the case of necessity, through sickness, requireth, by such remedies as her Gardens or Orchards may minister unto her, with the help of a little ordering of them, which she by her skill and knowledge may bestow upon them. And seeing that distilled Oils, amongst other remedies, are found by experience to be the most forcible and effectual, the pleasantest, and of most speedy operation, in the overcoming of all sorts of rebellious diseases, but chiefly, wounds, ulcers, aches, swellings, and other outward accidents; it shall be very commendable and beseeming for the Farmer's wife, or M●stres●e of our Country Farm, to have some insight into this kind of Distillation: not that I would have her to busy her brain about the matter much, or otherwise frequent and accustom it, but even as a pleasure and recreation, and so far forth, as the matter of her Gardens and Orchards only, o● not much more, do minister unto her. For as for the distilling of Metals, Minerals, S●ones, and other such things, which are not governed and husbanded with 〈◊〉 handie-worke, labour, or skill, they belong rather unto the Alchemist and 〈◊〉 of Quintessences, or other idle or rich persons, than unto a good Husbandman, Now the things that she may extract and distil, after the manner of Quintessences, are these.  
Of Herbs: 
Herbs.  Rosemary, wild Thyme, Rue, Calamint, Organie, L●●●nder, Camomile, Sage, Hyssop, Basill, Smallage, Mints, Stoechadoes, Savoury, Wormwood, Lovage, Thyme, Penyryall of the mountain, jua Arthritica, Savine, and g●●●●ally all herbs which are of a hot and dry temperature, and which have a good and strong smell.  
Of Seeds: 
Seeds.  Fennell, anise, Cummin, Pe●sley of the mountain, Dill, Z●n●onicum, or Wormseed, black and white Nigella, Savine, black Poppy, wild Carrot, and many other sorts of Seeds, which are of good or strong 〈◊〉 and smell.  
Of Flowers: 
Flowers.  Lavender, white Mulleine, Hypericon, flowers of Oranges, damask Roses, jesamin flowers, and Rosemary flowers, etc.  
Of Fruits: 
Fruits.  juniper, Bay, and Iui● berries, Pine-kernels, Capers, Abricock, and Peaches, etc.  
Of Spices: 
Spices.  Cinnamome, black Pepper, Cloves, Mace, sweet Costus, Angelica, Imperatoria, Galanga, grains of Paradise, Nutmegs, Ginger, Cube●●, Cypress, rinds of Oranges and Citrons, pillings of Walnuts and of Capers, and many other.  
Woods, 
〈◊〉.  and barks of Woods: Rosemary, Savine bush, juniper, Ash, G●●i●cum, Elder, the loppings and slisfts of Trees.  
Gums and thick liquors: 
Gumme●.  Mastic, Frankincense, Myrrh, 〈◊〉, Labdanum, Turpentine, Storax calamity, Pitch, Tar, etc.  
Beasts, 
Beasts, or the parts of Beasts.  or the parts, or excrements of Beasts: Serpents, Frogs, Scorpion, 〈◊〉, Man's blood, Man's dung, Goose-grease, Eggs, Honey, and Wax. To be brief, all things that are of a hot and dry temperature.  
It is true, that of cold things, such as are the herbs and seeds of Poppy, Henbane, and other such: or of moist things, such as those are which have a fat juice; one may, in some manner, draw an oily Quintessence, but not without great painstaking, and in a long time, and such also, which in the end will not have the na●●●all and true force of the herb whereof it was made: for it will be either less cold or less moist than his simple, by reason of the impression of the heat and dryness, such as it is, which the fire hath left in it at the time of the distillation: as also for that the Oil which is gathered of cold or moist simples, is rather a watery, ●ager, 〈◊〉▪ Peter-like, or salt liquor, than an oily substance: Wherefore it is better to distil cold or moist simples by putrefaction, 
Which ●e the distilled Oils.  than by resolution made by the work of the fire.  
To make an end therefore in a word, the Oils drawn of things by Quintessence, or resolution made by force of fire, are an unctuosity or radical humour, which is, as it were, the life and form that giveth being unto the simple whereunto it belongeth, and that no otherwise than the natural form giveth being unto all particular things whatsoever; and wherein also lieth the principal force and 〈◊〉 o● the simple: so as that if it be once separated by distillation, there remaineth no other thing of the substance of the simple that is distilled, but only his 〈…〉, and impurities.   

CHAP. LXXV.  
What manner of Furnaces must be made for the extracting of Chemical Oils.  
THe Furnaces which serve to distil Chemical Oils, are of divers fashions, according unto the diversity as well of the matter which is to be distilled, as of the vessels which are to serve to distil them withal: and yet the most common and commodious or profitable fashion of all is this.  
Build up a Furnace of Brick, or of tile, and fat Earth, or Mortar, or of Plaster alone, and make the same of a round shape (or at the least let it be so within) to the end, that the fire being carried up on high, may disperse itself all over in a more equal measure: and withal, make it of a reasonable length and thickness, and not more than three foot high; and bearing a foot round of compass● and every way within at the least. There shall be also three several spaces or rooms in the whole height: the first, of one foot; the second, of a foot and a half; and in the third, all the rest of the Furnace. In the first room there shall be a grate of iron to lay the coals upon for the making of the fire: in the second room, or fit, there shall be two rods of iron, which shall be distant the one from the other about four fingers, whereupon shall rest an earthen vessel of the fashion of an earthen pot or pan, and after such form and manner as we will declare by and by. Underneath the first distance, and also above the grate is the second distance, you must make two opening places, square, and having their covers to shut them, after the manner of the mouth of an Oven: by the lower of those two mouths you shall empty and take out the ashes which are made therein, and at the higher of them you shall put in coals, and kindle the fire also. Furthermore, in the highest part of the Furnace, and likewise in such place there as may be most commodious, there must be left certain other holes for the smoke to pass out by. See the picture and draft of such a Furnace before in the distillation of Waters. Sometimes, for a need, the Furnace is omitted and let pass, and a brandrith made to serve, setting upon it the vessel for to distil in, and that in a pot, bowl, or pan of earth or iron, and making a fire underneath the same.   

CHAP. LXXVI.  
What manner of Vessels must be used for the distilling of Oils.  
Certain it is, that many do use diverse sorts of Vessels for the distilling of Oils: but leaving the examination of this variety for such as propound unto themselves to entreat exactly of Chemical matters, as intending myself only to give some instructions unto the good housewife, being Commandress of this our Country House; I will here set down but two sorts o● Vessels for the distilling o● Oils: 
Two sorts of vessel● for th● distilling of Oils.  The one being fit and very convenient to distil Herbs, Flowers, Seeds, Fruits, Roots, and Beasts, or parts and excrements of Beasts: And the other, for Woods, Gums, gummy drops, and other thick and unctuous Liquors. And now for to speak of the first.  
This second vessel shall be of Copper, or of Latin, and shaped also like vn●o an egg, or a gourd, having a wide mouth, whereunto there must be fitted a long or stretched-out neck, being at the least a foot in length, coming down from the head, by the which neck the vapours in the gourd shall rise up into the said head. This vessel shall hold twelve or fifteen pi●ts, or otherwise shall be made of greatness answerable unto the quantity of the matter which you mean to distil, which generally is (as we will declare by and by) that for every pound of matter, as of herbs or seeds, etc. there be put into this vessel nine or ten pound of water. Besides this, there must be such an agreement betwixt the greatness of this Copper vessel and capacity of the earthen vessel which standeth within the furnace, as that they may be free one of another some two or three fingers, for the filling in of sand, as we will hereafter declare: And as concerning the height thereof; it, together with his head, must stand above that of earth a foot and a half at the least.  
The third vessel shall be the head, 
The head.  which shall be round above, and not sharp●-pointed, to the end that the vapour arising out of it may not fall down again: and it must be set about (as it were) with a little Stand, or Tub, wherein must be put cool water, for the easier thickening and fixing of the vapours: at the one side of this little Tub there shall be a spout, or pipe, which shall come out of the head, and by this the Oil shall drop down into the vessel receiving; on the other side of this little Stand must be a tap with a spigot, and it must come from the capacity of the same, that so it may empty it of the water which it holdeth when it is become too hot. This head shall be joined with the orifice and throat of the last aforenamed vessel, by the means of a large and wide pipe, which shall come dow●e from the head, and set itself in the mouth and throat of the said Copper vessel very closely, to the end that no vapours in rising may pass ou● thereby any way: and for the better perfecting of this inarticulation, there are two edges or brims, that so they may the better join together. This sh●●ke may be called the neck of the bladder, by which the vapours shall rise up into the head.  
The fourth vessel shall be the receiving vessel, which shall receive the Oyl● distilled, and it must be of Glass, because of the clearness and cle●●enesse of the same.  
This is the proportion and shape of the first sort of the vessels, and it is to distil Oils of herbs, seeds, flowers, and so forth.  
A Doth represent the bladder, containing the matter from which you mean to draw your Oil.  
B The mouth or throat of the bladder, which is articulated or close joined with the shank that cometh down from the head.  
C Is the shank, which must be a foot long at the least, and is otherwise called the neck of the stillitory, which setteth itself as into a joint upon the mouth and throat of the bladder.  
D The round head not sharp pointed above.  
E The little Stand or Tub which compasseth the head, and containeth cold water for the cooling of the head.  
F The vessel which receiveth the Oil, and is made somewhat long.  
G The spout or pipe by which the oily liquor droppeth down into the receiving vessel.  
H The tap, which with his spigot emptieth the water out of the little tub when it is too hot, that so there may fresh and cold be put in his place.  
The two distilling vessels, that is to say, the Gourd and the Head, 
The Gourd and the Head.  for as much as they are of Copper or Latin, must be tinned within, to the end that the Oil may not get any strange quality by these metals, seeing especially that the Copper being 〈◊〉, and not tinned, may cause the Oil to smell of the Brass, or of some other 〈◊〉 quality. It is true, that besides the help coming by this tinning of the vessels, the ve●ie action of the fire, which worketh and dispatcheth speedily and violently whe●e as there is great quantity of water, doth keep the Oil from being ●ainted with any evil smell, or other accident that is not natural, and therefore there needs no fear to be taken for the using of Copper vessels in the distilling of Oils for the occasions aforesaid, although that earthen or glasse-vessels would be far better and more natural (seeing in them there resteth no jot of mettall-like matter) than either those that are of Copper, or molten, or of any other metal, save only there is some danger of breaking or cracking of them, being the things whereunto earthen and glasse-vessell are very subject when they are hot, yea, though they were armed with mortar, fat earth, cement, or any other matter of defence; and then such breach or crack proveth a matter of no small damage or consequence in the distillation of Oils, especially those which are precious. Notwithstanding, it is free for every man ●o use vessels of earth or glass, upon pain that they be careful to keep them that they neither crack not break: and the rather, seeing that in the extracting of some Oils there must needs be used glasse-vessels, or earthen ones, vernished and leaded, and not Copper or Latin; as which will very hardly let run any Oils from things that consist of an eager taste, whether it be that the Copper hath the like itself, or of some secret virtue and faculty which is in it. And this thing we see sufficiently tried in the seeds of Grapes, whose Oil converteth and turneth rather into a green rust in such vessels, than into any airy or thin exhalation, do a man what he can either about the fire, or any other way whatsoever: but in the distillation of fragrant and aromatical things, as also those which are sweet in taste, or have a divers quality from the Copper, it might seem that a molten vessel might be more convenient.   

CHAP. LXXVII.  
At what time Oils would be distilled: and how the matter and things whereof they are made must be prepared.  
THe matter of every Oil is to be distilled at such time, as when it is best disposed: that is to say, seeds and aromatical things, when they are fresh and new gathered; for the fresher and newer that they a●e, so much the more excellent Oil will they yield, especially the things that are of a sweet smell and aromatical. And as for herbs, they must be gathered when they are come to their full force, that is to say, when they are in flower: for and if they be deferred longer, the Oil that cometh of them, for the most part, will be more full of scum and rank, as also there will not so much be gathered of them. Being gathered at such time, they must be dried in the shadow for the space of a month or two, to the end, that some portion of their moistness and feeding humour may be diminished and taken away, and that the oily and radical humour may be extracted more pure and sincere: and thirdly, that the herbs themselves may be the more easily crushed and bruised. But on the contrary side, if the herbs be 〈◊〉 and fresh gathered when they are distilled, they will yield sufficient store of Oil, in as much as their natural moisture will abound: but the Oil will not be of such efficacy, nor yet so odoriferous, as when the merry and good mean betwixt both is kept.  
But as concerning the preparing 〈◊〉 such matter as you mean to make your Oils of, 
The preparing of the matter.  there is not any need to use infusion, or putrefaction, as is done in the distilling of waters, as we have said before. For if one should bestow an infusion upon them, either in water, wine, or Aquavitae, it would but breed a confusion and mixture of the natural savour and smell of the Oil with that of the liquor: and again, i● would make them more moist than need would require, in respect of the pure and sincere extracting of the Oil. Again, if you should take the way to putrify them in Horse-dung, earth, hot ashes, or boiling water, the better to distil and draw out your Oil afterward, and following the way that we will speak of by and by, yet thereby you shall give occasion of infecting your Oil with some ill vice. For the matter being putrefied, it is not possible, but that the Oils should have a smatch of it, seeing it is one part of the matter. That it so falleth out with Oils that are so distilled of matter aforehand so putrefied, although it do not by and by corrupt, appears sufficiently: for in some space of time it is without all doubt corrupted, and that in a great deal shorter time, without comparison, than other Oils which are drawn without putrefaction of their matter going before: by which it may appe●●e, what my advice and counsel would be to every man; namely, that the matter 〈◊〉 you would extract your Oil be not infused or putrefied, but only crushed, bruised, brayed▪ and brought into small pieces, so as that afterward they may be si●ted through some wide sieve: which course shall do as well, yea, rather better, than your infusing or putrefying of them without stamping, braying, and bruising of them; besides that, the business is sooner dispatched: yea, and if you would infuse and putrific the ●●●ter, you should not thereby gain three drops of Oil more, than you should 〈◊〉 by only beating and stamping of them.   

CHAP. LXXVIII.  
Of the manner and order that must be kept in distilling of Oils.  
WHen you have prepared the matter whereof you mean to make your oil, that is to say, bruised it, and brought it into small corns, then pass it grossly through a scarce, casting it into the vessel of copper with certain measures of fountain water, that is to say, to match two pound weight of matter, with eighteen pound of water, and for that cause it is meet that the vessel should contain betwixt twelve and fifteen pints, and yet the third part remain void and empty, when the water and matter are both in. This water standeth in steed of a coach or wagon unto the matter to be distilled, for the carrying up of his vapours, and to separate the humours by the decoction and boiling that it there maketh. You may add or diminish of the quantity of water, according to the matter his quantity which you are about to distil, upon pain notwithstanding that you put in nine or ten times as much water as you do matter, and that your vessel of copper, glass, earth, or any such matter as shall seem best, be of bigness, proportionable, and agreeing with the quantity of matter which you would distil, for being too great or too little, it would prove but cost cast away. It is true, that the two pound of matter, and eighteen of water here mentioned, is the most certain rate that we can stick to, for the most easy and plentiful manner of drawing of oil: for if you put in more, the longness of time will become tedious: and if you● put in less, you shall hardly draw ten drops of oil. And yet in this point Lady experience must be more than quarter ma●ster, in as much as there is some matter which yieldeth not any oil, except it be put in a great quantity, such as is Anise-seed and others, as we will declare hereafter more particularly. Again, you must observe and mark this one point, that herbs require a far larger vessel and quantity of water than seeds and spices when their oil is to be extracted: because that weight for weight they take more room than the seeds and spices do: for herbs lie not so close and round together, and therefore they require also in proportion a greater quantity of water, for fear that they should become parched and dried away within the copper vessel.  
After that you have put the water and matter together into the vessel of copper, let them infuse five or six hours, more or less, according to the nature and substance of the matter: or without infusing of them at this time (forasmuch as their boiling within the belly of the vessel, will serve in steed of an infusion unto the matter) cover the vessel, and fit the head unto it, lute them very well stogether with whites of eggs and meal kneaded together, and spread upon a cloth in the place of their joining and articulation. This done, set your earthen vessel in the furnace upon the two iron bars, and make it fast to the furnace with potters-clay or cement well beaten and wrought about the edges and brims: after set the vessel of copper well stopped into the earthen one, and yet in such sort, as that the bottom of the one stand from the other ●ome two or three fingers: and this void space must be filled up with pure and clear sand, even so high as there is any space and distance betwixt vessel and vessel, yea, and further if one be so disposed even to the neck of the copper vessel: provided, that the nose of the head by which the oil descendeth do stand either to the right hand or to the left of the furnace: and yet this one thing cometh here to be marked, that in distilling of aromatical seeds only there is use and need of the said sand betwixt the said two vessels, and not in distilling of herbs: for seeds and spices are of a more subtle and delicate substance (as their great heat do testify) and the matter they yield is more delicate also and firm: For which causes it might fall out that the force of the fire might somewhat trouble their distillation, that is to say, might cause their distillation to come forth a little troubled, and that even in the very beginning, if the fire be not moderately kept, and bridled by the sand put in the void place betwixt the said two vessels: but in the distilling of herbs you must si● the vessel of copper and the furnace together without the earthen vessel and the sand in the empty space: for as much as the herbs in respect of their solidenesse and harder substance do crave a greater force of fire: 
No oil can be drawn in Maries-bath.  whereof you may gather, that no oils can be extracted by distillation in Maries-bath, that is to say, in setting of boiling water about the copper vessel in a cauldron: ●or so the distillation would be longer than it were meet it should, and yet never a whit the more commendable: for Maries-bath, that is to say, boiling water, doth not afford a well proportioned and sufficient tempered heat, but is long in doing, and the oil do●h still draw unto it some corruption if the work be too long in doing, especially if the matter be not moist of itself: for thereupon and by that means can the oil hardly rise so high as that it may find the way into the vessel that should receive it, and because also that it wanteth force and might, in as much as the boiling water cannot lift it up so high of itself alone, as the clear fire, ●arthen vessel, and sand, all working together.  
The copper vessel being thus fitted in the furnace, 
The order that must be kept in distillation.  make fast unto the nose or pipe thereof, the receiving vessel, rested upon some pretty ●toole, in such sort as you see above in the figure: stop and close up the joint of the said pipe and receiving vessel with paste, and bowl armoniac, or the white of an egg and flower spread upon a cloth. Then kindle your coals that you have laid upon the gra●e, and make a soft and gentle fire for the beginning, to the end that the matter may grow ho● by little and little, and that so long as till the matter within the copper and the fountain water do boil, but yet so gently as that it boil not up, to stick and hit against the head with the walmes thereof, as we see it sometimes to happen in some seeds, as anise seeds, which by reason of their thin substance, as also of their viscosity, do cast up their walmes and billows with great might and force, and in such case the fire must be rebated: or and if that yet the rebating of the fire cannot stay the f●rie of the billows or boiling, than you must take off the head, and with a staff stir about the matter, for so the scum will vanish away in vapours, and after that it may be governed, stayed, and dried up by a reasonable fire, putting the head upon it again afterward, and luting it as before. Feed and continue the fire in an equal degree, until you perceive by feeling, that the head of the Still is grown hot: then, or sooner if you please, you may fill the little tub at the top, which standeth round about the head with cold water; for it cooling the head, will make thick and fix the vapours and spirits of the oil, which are very subtle and hot, and turn them into oil: when this cold water thus powered in shall become hot, it must by and by be let out at the top of the cooler, and fresh put into his place. It is true, that some do not allow of cooling the head with cold water, because the vapours by this cooling of the head do congeal too soon, as being before that they come into the pipe, and thereupon fall back again into the vessel, from whence they breathing the second time, and congealed, and falling back again as before, do in fine by these manifold risings and fall, spend and waste unto nothing; or at ●he least by continual boiling, it falleth out that but a few vapours do come into the vessel of receipt, and again, those same vapours so congealed do not easily and presently come fo●th, and so there is less oil gathered of the matter than would be, and that which is drawn, is somewhat tainted with burning. And therefore in steed of this cooling of the head for to congeal and fix the vapours raised up thereinto, they set very near unto the furnace a vessel with one bottom, having a pipe of tin pa●●ing overthwart the said bottom through holes bored sloping in the same vessel: and this pipe is shut up into the pipe coming down from the head, and both these being well luted together, than the foresaid pipe crossing through the vessel aforesaid, is fastened to the vessel that is to receive the distilled oil: this foresaid vessel having this pipe passing through the sides thereof, and close fastened therein, must be filled with cool water, by the cooling whereof the vapours sent or carried from the head in this pipe of tin are congealed, fixed, turned into oil, and so drop down easily into the receiving vessel with greater profit, and in greater quantity, and better, than and if they had been turned into oil in the head by the cooling thereof with cold water. Who so is minded to use this means of cooling the vapours, may do it, but notwithstanding that former of ours is no less beneficial, commodious, and profitable, neither doth it work that discommodity afore charged upon it, as experience teacheth; and put case that it did so, yet the inconvenience is taken away, i●, in steed of cold water you put in that which is warm, or else by only covering the round of the head with clothes dipped in cold water, using to renew them oftentimes.  
Continue in this sort your distillation without ceasing, and keep your fire in the 〈◊〉 degree, or if need be, augment and make it greater, until such time as all the vapours be congealed one after another, and that all the liquor which carrieth them, and wh●ch is within the copper vessel be runned into the receiver: 
The signs of the distillation ended.  the sign and mark whereof is, when ha●●ng put in eighteen pound of water or thereabout, you have received back about ten, as also, when as the drops distilling shall not any longer relish any thing of the matter: than you must give over your distillation, for fear the matter within your copper vessel should either be inflamed, or else set fast to the bottom of your vessel, ceasing to float above. It shall be judged to distil in good sort and order, and in reasonable temper, if betwixt the drops distilling, there be not as it were any space from the falling of one drop to the following of another, in so much as that a man shall hardly be able to account the number of one or two, and from hence (as before) is gathered the quanti●ie and force of the fire. By this means the whole copper vessel is emptied in a short time, for very seldom is it longer in doing then six or seven hours, if so be the matter agree in heaviness and weight with the water of the vessel, as from two pound of matter to eighteen pound of water.  
You must note in this place, that the oil cometh forth now and then with the water; and that the water which distilleth with the oil, cometh not only of the simple, but also of the water which was put in for the use of the distillation: which, by the force of the boiling which it hath had with the said simple, during the time of the distillation, is become mixed by the force of the fire with the brayed matter, and so hath brought along with it the whole strength of the same, as may be judged by the smell and taste thereof, 
A comparison betwixt th● water of the simple and the water used in the distilling of the simple.  being no other than that of the simple. Wherefore this water which distilleth oil therewith, is not less effectual, yea rather more forcible, powerful, and of better effect, than that which is distilled of simples by a stillitory, because it tasteth more strongly of the simple, than the others which were drawn by a stillitory: betwixt which there is no other difference, but that the water distilled by a limbeck or stillitory is that which the Sun (heating the earth) hath brought in for the growth, nourishment, and nature of the simple: and the other which is mixed with the simple, from which the oil is drawn, is so deeply engaged, incorporated and mingled in and with the brayed matter by the force of the fire, as that it carrieth away, obtaineth and holdeth all his virtue, as the taste and smell do show which is in it, for both the smell and taste do draw very near unto that which the oil hath in itself, howsoever it may seem that the oil should contain and keep all the savour and smell unto itself, seeing the oil is as it were the soul and form which giveth being to the said simple: but in the vehement boiling of the said simple and water, there is such a great dissolution and relaxation of the dissimilar par●s of the said simple, as that the smell and taste thereof is communicated with both, so that as well the water as the oil doth retain (though yet not equally) the taste and smell of the simple. 
To distil already distilled water.  Furthermore, you shall be assured how this water hath sensed upon the virtue of the simple, wherewith it hath been mixed in the distilling of his oil, by this, that if you would distil it once again, or many t●mes, you shall find collected and gathered together in it the whole smell and taste of his simple, as it falleth out in Aquavitae, which hath in it the force of a great quantity of Wine. For the doing of this, make clean the copper vessel, power in thereto all the water which was distilled with the oil, dispose and see in order all things necessary, in such ●ort as is wont to be done in the distillation of oils of herbs: whe● you see that of seventeen pound you have received one, that is to say, the first running, that you must keep: for into it will be gathered all the virtue of the whole matter, and so as that the virtue of it will be little less than that of the oil.   

CHAP. LXXIX.  
Of the means how to separate the oil which is runned with the water in distilling.  
IT is very certain that the oil which shall have been distilled, i● a liquor which by the means and ●orce of the boiling water wherewith it is mingled, hath been separated and forcibly drawn from his ●●●ter, and held off the same, and with it also conveyed along into the 〈◊〉. And for this cause the oil will be always with the water, bu● notwithstanding not always swimming upon the water: for sometimes it will be in the 〈…〉, and sometimes mingled all amongst the water: if the oil be more heavy measure for measure than the water, it will be in the bottom: but if it fall out that the oil by coldness be congealed as it were into clouds and small tufts of wool, than it will be mingled amongst the water. Again, the oil will go to the bottom, if it be made of a thick substance and w●ll compact, as is that of cinnamome, cloves, and other such like. The oils which confusedly (for the time that they are congealing through the cold) go cross the water, are the oils of anise and fennell-seed, and that by reason of a certain proportion which they have with the weight of the water. Therefore for the separating of the oil which the water hath carried along with it, it were good, first that the receiver should have his bottom somewhat sharp pointed, and that in the said bottom therewithal there should be a small hole, which having been stopped during the time of the distillation with Wax o● cement, should now after the distillation (the water and oil being grown cold by the operation of the air) be unstopped, if so be that after attentive beholding of the receiver, it appear that the oil is gathered into the bottom of it: for so, the cement or wax taken away, the oil will come out, and the water stay behind in the vessel, if by stopping the hole in time it be your mind to keep it there. If the oil 〈◊〉 aloft upon the water, if you unstop the foresaid hole in the bottom, the water will run out below, and the oil will stay behind in the receiver, if by mishap it do not fall down into the bottom of the receiver first, before it come into the viol prepared for it, but this you must take heed unto: but and if the oil be mingled amongst the water in manner of a cloud, strain the water through a fine linen cloth, which afterward will be easily gathered together with a knife, in such sort at that you may put it up in a viol, wherein afterward if need be, you may turn it into a thin liquor by a small heat set in the Sun, or upon hot ashes: if the oil swim upon the upper face of the water, you shall separate it in a furnace of digestion with a silver spoon: you may also use other means to separate your oil from his fellow water, as for example, by a funnel of glass, putting your finger toward the point of it and underneath, and doing the like oftentimes unto t●●t, which hath been done by the receiver, that is to say, by pouring of liquor into the said funnel. You may likewise do● the same by the sucking of the water out of the receiver; for so you may suck out all the water and lea●● the oil in the bottom, which sucking may be performed by pipes of pla●e made after the fashion of those which you see pictured here: which will draw all the water in a short time out of the receiver, as you see them used in France, to cause water to run in manner of a fountain, out of any bucket or other vessel wherein water is contained.   

CHAP. LXXX.  
Of the faculties or properties, continuance, and use of distilled Oils.  
SEeing that distilled oils, as we have before declared, are the radical humour of every matter: and that such radical humour, is as it were the soul and form which giveth being unto all matter, and whereupon depend the virtues, powers, faculties, and actions of the said matter: you need not doubt, but that the whole and entire virtues of simples distilled is imparted unto the Oils drawn from them, and that in a purer and most subtle man●●r, in as much as by such chemical resolution, the most subtle substances are separated from the grosser, by being mingled wherewith, they were greatly weakened and hindered from doing their effects: and so it also cometh to pass, that ●ooke what virtue was in a pound of the simple, is contained in a dram more or 〈◊〉 of the oil: besides this, such oils have this property amongst others, that by a marvelous subtleness of substance which they have gotten by the fire, they do 〈◊〉 pierce into the most profound and deep parts, and quickly work their ●ffects.  
As concerning their lasting and continuance, 
The continuance of distilled oils.  they will keep long, especially 〈◊〉 (after they have been rectified, that is to say, yet once more distilled upon ashes with a s●all fire in a retort) you stop them up in bottles of double glass, and such 〈◊〉 are armed and close stopped with Cement or Mastic, or Wax and Mastic 〈◊〉 tegether, without giving them any air, except at such times as you would ●se them, and wh●ch then you cannot do without damage done unto them: for ●●●ing they be all airy and fiery, they cannot choose but easily evaporate and spend, ●nd that in such sort as that it may be evidently seen and discerned, as amongst the 〈◊〉 will easily be found true in oil of camphire.  
As for the use; 
The 〈◊〉.  that is in drops, if you take them simply and alone by themselves, ywhether it be into the body or without, as you shall understand hereafter. But to use them to the most profit inwardly, you must dissolve sugar in violet, rose, cinna●ome or other such like waters, and into it cast one or two drops of the oil which you would use, and so make up lozenges thereof.   

CHAP. LXXXI.  
A particular description of certain Oils that are distilled according to the former method.  
But the oils of Seeds, as of Anise, Fennell, Elder-tree, Cummine, and others are distilled after this manner: Take such quantity of Seeds as you please, as five or six pound at the least, and for the better bruise them gros●y, seeing carefully to it, that not so much as one seed con●inu●●vhole, put them into the vessel of copper: pour in upon them of clear fountain● water ●iue and twenty or thirty pound, mingle them diligently together, cover th● vessel with his head, and do in manner as hath been said before.  
The oil which distilleth first, is of greater efficacy than any one for which cause, the receiver may be twice or thrice changed.  
This thing is worthy observation, that oil of aniseeds in the time of So●●er cannot well be distilled, because that the spirits thereof are too subtle, and much more subtle indeed than those of Fennell: whereupon it followeth, that at the 〈◊〉 of the fire they do easily spend by evaporation, though it be guided and kept very low and soft: But the fittest time to distil them ●s Winter; for how much the colder that Winter is, so much the more it becometh coagulate and resembling the cafphire when it runneth down into the receiver. After that you have strained it through a clean linen cloth, all the water passeth away, and the oil 〈◊〉 behind in the linen cloth, and which you must dissolve shortly after in a great glass by the heat of a fire-pan, and so the phlegm is easily separated. This is a singular oil, whether it be taken alone by drops with wine, or broth, or sugar Lozenges, for to comfort the stomach, help digestion, and discuss winds; for the 〈◊〉 also, and diseases of the lungs; as also for the mother; whereupon it cometh, that it s●ay●●h the whites of women.  
Fruits, 
Fruits.  as of juniper berries, etc. by reason that they are somewhat more oily than herbs and seeds, do not require such quantity of water as herbs and seeds: so that for a pound of fruits, five or six pound of water will be 〈◊〉 They must be brayed sufficiently small, put into the gourd, and dealt with as seeds and herbs are dealt withal: The Oil cometh forth first, and afterward the water.  
Spices and aromatical things are distilled after the same manner that seeds are▪ 
Spice● and aromatical drugs.  but in their distillation mingle not Wine or Aquavitae, as some do, but only pure fountain water: for Wine and Aquavitae rise up presently, without carrying wi●● them the virtues of the aromatical things; whereas the water riseth no● up, without taking with it the aromatical things. The Oil of Nutmegs swimmeth alo●t, and so doth that of Mace.  
For to distil Oil of Cinnamome in excellent manner: 
Oil of Cinnamome.  Bray a pound of Cinnamome in such sor● as that it may go through a sieve, but beat it not all to powder; put it in a gourd, and power upon it water of bugloss, Borage, Endive, and Balm, of every one half a pound, let them stand together four or five days in the vessel well stopped: then out of this gourd power them into another gourd, and set this gourd in an earthen pot, with sand betwixt the pot and it, and so set them both in the furnace: first make a soft fire, but after make it greater by little and little: after that there is a measure distilled out after this manner, take it away as the best, for that which 〈◊〉 loweth is of a great deal less virtue than the first, but yet may be kept to 〈◊〉 new Cinnamome in. After the same fashion you shall distil Cloves, Pepper, Angelica, Galanga, etc. See in our secret remedies.   

CHAP. LXXXII.  
Of the manner of extracting Oils out of Wood  
FOr as much as the oily substance of wood is more tenacious and clammy, by reason of the slyminesse thereof; therefore the extracting of the ●ame is divers from that of herbs and seeds, and is not 〈…〉 but 〈◊〉 greater cost, and drawn and gathered with greater 〈…〉 and industry, than those of seeds and plants, which we have entreated of before. know well, that some do accustom to draw Oils per des●●nsum● as they use 〈◊〉 call it, in two vessels of earth set one upon another, and a plate of iron with a hole in it, betwixt them both: but such Oil is nothing worth, and tasteth, for the most part, of I cannot tell of what adustion: but the best is to draw it per ascensum, that so you may have that which is excellent good, fair, and penetrative; the manner is such: Make your furnace of matter and form as above, saving that in the uppermost part of it you must have a cleft or open place, for the more easy placing and disposing of the neck of your vessel. The vessel shall be fashioned like a Bladder, Corner, or bag of a shepherds Pipe, called of the Chemists a re●ort: it must be of glass, or else of earth, and varnished and leaded within, and of such bigness, as that it may contain a dozen pound of water, having a neck of a foot and a half long, or a foot long at the least, and bending downward: It is to consist of two parts; the one of them stretching from the bellue of the said bladder forward, some six fingers long, and for thickness so made, as that one's hand may go into the orifice of it, to make clean the said vessel within: and the other growing ever less and less, even unto the end, must be made to join with the former part by the mea●es and help of some fastening matter, as glue or cement of Bolearmoniacke; and yet in such sort, as that they may be set together, and taken asunder, when need shall require. This is the figure and shape.  
A The Retort of glass, or earth, vernished within, and leaded.  
B The orifice of the Retort, for the taking in of matter into the belly and body, and for to give way also for the making clean of the said belly, and which for that purpose must be made larger than it is pictured here, for else the hand cannot enter into it.  
C The other part of the Retort, into which must be inserted the neither part of the Retort, which must have a ring about, in the place where the two parts shall be cemented and luted together.  
D The Pipe, which must be narrow and sharpe-pointed, to the end it may be inserted and put into any sort of glasse-violl, or bottle.  
If you have not the benefit of a furnace, you shall place the Retort in fit and convenient sort within an earthen pan: or in stead thereof, in a vessel or pot of iron good and wide, and filled with sand or ashes, or without any thing in it, and that upon a brandrith, if there be need of using a very great fire, as we see it daily practised amongst the Apothecaries.  
Wherefore, 
The preparing of wood for to draw oils 〈◊〉 of.  to draw oil out of oily wood, you must first make it small, and bring it into pieces, in such sort as Turner's do, with turning of wood, and not with any Saw, or any other edge-tool: neither yet must you make it like powder, for in boiling it would too lightly and easily rise and swell, as also those gobbets and lumps which are cut by edge-tools, or other instruments, do hardly and with great difficulty yield any oil: put into the Retort two pound of this wood, divided into pieces after the manner of the Turner's, and as much Aquavitae, for the steeping and infusing of it, let them infuse together certain days. This Aquavitae, by reason of his subtleness, pierceth more easily than any other liquor, and likewise without any difficulty separateth and forcibly draweth the oil from his proper subject, and yet in the mean time in neither changeth nor corrupteth, any manner of way, the nature of the said oil, because it draweth near unto the temperature of oils; which is the cause why we mingle with the wood Aquavitae rather than common water: howsoever, I do not any thing doubt of the manner before described about the distillation of oils, herbs, & seeds, in which is used the vessel of Copper with a head, pouring thereinto some clear fountain water, as though it could not be very certain and profitable for the extracting of oils of wood: were it not that we do ●eare more than any thing else, the over great and vehement boiling thereof, proceeding of the disagreement of the dryness of the matter, and moisture of the water which might hinder the course of our distillation. Add hereunto also that such kinds of oils can hardly rise to the inner top of the head, if we see this fashioned copper vessel.  
When as the wood hath been sufficiently infused, 
The placing of the vessels.  place the earthen pan in the uppermost part of the furnace upon the bars of iron, set the retort within this earthen pan with sand in the empty spaces betwixt, as also covered over with sand, cause the neck to pass through the cloven made in the uppermost part of the furnace, and to turn downward towards the receiver, into the mouth whereof it must be close joined, and as carefully and firmly luted with cement as may be: afterward by little and little put the kindled coals upon the grate, and sometimes it will not be amiss to lay them upon the retort wherein the matter to be distilled is enclosed: if it like you not better to set an earthen pan over it in form of an head, and that to reverberate and beat back the heat again upon the said retort. These things accomplished, you must see to the ordering and continuing of your fire, increasing it by little and little as reason shall require, evermore carefully looking unto the sequence and success of the work, until such time as the Aquavitae before infused be all of it distilled, for this is it which cometh ●orth first in the distillation, and is gathered into the receiver: then after this cometh the oil pure and all alone, without any thing mixed with it, and that in such store, as a man could not look for the like of any manner of putrefying of the matter whatsoever: keep well this Aquavitae to serve you again for the s●me use, because it still is getting some part of the faculty of the matter wherewith it is mixed, and there is nothing to let why it may not serve twice yea thrice. When the receiver is taken away, you must put another in his place half full of clear water that the oil may distil into it: this water we allow in the receiver, in respect of the impressions which the fire may have made by too vehement a boiling in the oil, that by the means of this water the same may be conected and taken away, and the oil also kept the better from evaporation, which thing is yet the more f●●ly achieved, if you set your receiver in a basin or other vessel full of cold water, changing and renewing the same from hour to hour, till the distillation be finished. You may also change your receiver if you think good, once or twice, the better to know the differences of your oils. The distillation accomplished, which you shall gather by the marks before set down, you shall sep●rate the oil from the water by the means also above set down, and at the same time or before any of these things done, take your retort from the fire, and take off his neck, emptying the belly of the dross and excrements settled and staying behind: which afterward you shall temper with water so oft, as that having strained them and boiled them again, they come fo●th thick and small like pap-meat, which is also good for the same diseases, 
Oil of ●uaiacum wood. Oil of Ash-tree wood.  that the oils are good for. After this order is the wood Guajacum distilled, which is singular good for the ulcers and pains happening in the French-pockes. The oil of the Ash-tree: and this is good to be used in cold distillations, and to the helping of the morphew and palsy: taken also inwardly, it is singular good for the diseased of the spleen: the oil of juniper-wood is a special good thing in the comforting of the reins and matrix.   

CHAP. LXXXIII.  
Of the manner of drawing Oils of Gums, and first of those that are liquid.  
FOr the distilling of Oils of Gums, you must use the same furnace and retort wherein you distilled your oily woods: but to tell you the truth, they are not distilled without much pain, by reason of their glutinous clamminess, given to hold fast their radical humour and moisture. And which is more, there are as many ways of drawing oils of Gums, as there are differences of Gums. For some are liquid, that is to say, in substance like birdlime, which will hardly be kept within his bounds, such is Turpentine, liquid Storax, and such other like, which participate more of an oily quality than of an earthy, and so are easily resolved with a small fire. The others are hard, as is incense, benjovine, and mastic, which require a reasonable heat to be mollified with. Some again are resolved with a watery humour, as Myrrh, and Gum arabic.  
Therefore to distil liquid gums, 
Two ways to extract oils out of liquid Gums.  and to draw out their oils, there may two ways be taken: the one is such as hath been used of a long time, and the other is new; after the first way, you may distil oil of Turpentine thus: Take clear Turpentine as much as you please, and for ●uerie pound take of the ashes of some hard and strong wood two ounces, or small sand, washed gravel, or the powder of bricks, to keep the Turpentine for rising high and swelling, 
Oil of Turpentine.  put all these in the retort, which you shall set within the earthen pan in the furnace, as you did in oily woods: in the beginning you shall have but a gentle fire to draw out the water which will first come forth, 
Thus 〈◊〉 Oil o● wax distilled.  and after make it bigger for the distilling of the Oil. It is likewise distilled another and that a new way. Take two pound of Turpentine, and eight pound of fountain water that is very clear, put both into the retort together, and distil them at a reasonable fire, following the order set down for oily woods. The Oil which you shall gather, will be most pure and fine, of a very clear and bright colour, of a sweet smell and pleasant taste, which properties are not to be found in the oil which is drawn after the common and ordinary fashion: and this cometh to pass by reason of the water tempering the qualities conceived and begotten in the matter distilled by the force of the fire and heat of the vessel, which otherwise would have begotten some fiery impressions, therein had not the resisting quality of the water withstood the same by his moisture, and that so much the more, for being likewise received into a receiver half full of fair and fresh water, which affordeth another good help likewise unto the same: of all which helps, the common manner of distilling this oil with sand and ashes hath not one, as is too apparent in the unpleasant taste and blackish or sad yellowish colour, and that it is not fit to be used about the body outwardly, so far is it off from being worthy to be taken inwardly, without the endangering of the sick party; beside the unpleasantness of the taste: but this which is distilled with water is singular good for all manner of diseases, for which it is so highly commended of all men, as namely for the shortness of breath, stone, colic, and diseases of the lungs being taken inwardly in the quantity of two drams: as also, to take away scars remaining, freckles, stains, and other spots of the skin, being applied outwardly.  
But and if you desire to know when your Oil is all distilled, 
When the distillation is ended.  than you must mark and see when it ceaseth to run out of the retort into the receiver, for then the distillation of the best and most excellent Oil is finished. And in case you yet desire to draw some more oil out of the rest of the matter remaining within the retort, you may do it very easily, if you cast into the said retort some little lump● of lead to the quantity of an ounce, and that by the orifice of the first part of the retort, which must be very well fitted and luted again with the other part as it was before; for the lead being molten, doth resolve the gum remaining, in such sort, as that whatsoever is oily, will distil as oil, and you shall gather it in another receiver. All which finished, you shall take the retort handsomely out of the furnace, reserving the same to serve you again in like time of need.   

CHAP. LXXXIIII.  
Of the manner of extracting Oils out of hard gums.  
YOur hard gums, such as is frankincense, benjovin, mastic, and wax, seeing they are of a more earthy substance, have a faster and 〈◊〉 consistence, and are resolved more hardly than the liquid ones, and so ask not only more labour to have their oils drawn from them, but stand in need also to have some sort of oil, and a reasonable fire to mollify and soften them, to the end that afterward they may the more freely yield their own Oil. It is true, that even of these there are some of them more tedious and s●i●●yer resisting to be dissolved, as Frankincense, and Benjovin: and othersome more easy to be molten, as Wax: and there are others that are indifferent betwixt both, as mastic. So as that all these gums, according as they are more or less hard to be resolved, must be more or less mollified and melted before hand, by the means aforenamed in the distilling of liquid gums: the water only excepted, which must never be put into the retort with any thing to be distilled. It is also to be considered and weighed, how that hard gums do very hardly endure and abide any water, while (enclosed within the retort) they sustain the violence of the fire, but in steed of fire, one may put thereto of oil of Turpentine, to the quantity of three ounces, as well because this oil is most pure and distilled with a reasonable heat (as we have said before) as because it hath a property drawing near unto the nature of these gums, whereupon it seemeth the more fit to be used in the distilling of these gums, as serving notably to correct their hardness: again, this way more oil will be drawn, than by using of washed sand and gravel cast upon the matter: and according as we see commonly practised of Oils of all sorts of gums. And in case you have not oil of Turpentine in readiness, you may use some other sort of oil; provided, as much as possibly may be, that it incline not notably either unto any colour of smell: notwithstanding by this means you shall not do more good than by the former. For there is some kind of gum so troublesome to be resolved, as frankincense, as that you must be feign to draw the oil thereof after the same manner that you used in the extracting of oils from the dross and residence of Turpentine, that is to say, by casting into the retort amongst it small morsels or lumps of lead, and with raising of the neck of the retort a little higher than is usual in the distilling of Turpentine and oily woods. By this means without all doubt you shall see some ounces of oil swimming on the top of the water within the receiver, after that the matter hath grown hot: which (for as much as they would be tainted with some ill smell and unpleasant taste, because of such quality as they have gotten through the vehementnesse of the fire, then enclosed with the retort) must be corrected by the changing of the water in the receiver, that so you may keep them for the uses which shall hereafter be declared.  
These things aforesaid well understood, when you desire greater quantity of oil, and that more clear and excellent; you shall take two pound of the said ma●ter and gums, whereof your reserved oils were made: you shall put them in a clean retort, which you shall set over the fire, having the neck hanging down somewhat more low, and in a short time (and that without any great force of fire) there will be wrought a certain kind of butter, which will run out in great plenty, being as it were of a middle consistence betwixt the gum and the oil before distilled. Again, you shall take this butter-like matter and put it into the retort, having first made it very clean, and then set it upon the furnace the second time, with certain ounces of purged oil which you shall have drawn before from the same kind of gum. By these means, and the help of a reasonable fire given unto it, you shall draw as much oil (and that most exquisite) as Art and Nature could jointly give together. And thus much for the sure and certain way of extracting of oils of hard gums, which though it be costly, ought notwithstanding for the excellency thereof be rather practised than the other common way which is by gravel, ashes, or washed sand, cast into the retort with the matter. By such means you shall make oil of amber, jet, brimstone, and other such kind of things, being first made into powder, and putting thereunto common oil, which hath been first cleansed and purged in a leaden vessel or warm water.  
Oil of Wax is thus prepared after the common manner: 
Oil of Wax.  Take a pound of new Wax, you shall wash it thus: melting it at the fire you shall cast it by and by into a vessel full of white Wine, work it well with your hand after the manner of pas●e, sometimes drawing it out at length, sometimes breaking of it, and sometimes doubling of it: melt it once again, and cast it into the same Wine, than also work it with your hands as before, and thus you shall do three or four times, till you see the wax to have spent about the quantity of a pint of wine; this done, put it thus prepared into a retort, and cast upon it gravel, washed sand, or powder of bricks, notwithstanding that it may be distilled without gravel, sand, or bricks, as is tried by experience: lute the retort all about, even unto the midst of the neck, and set in an earthen pan full of small ashes upon the fire, which must be but soft and gentle at the beginning, but augmented and made greater afterward from degree to degree, the oil will distil and come forth very clear.  
Others prepare it after this manner: 
Another manner of making oil of Wax.  They set an earthen vessel full of white or red wine upon the fire, whereinto after that the Wine is become hot, they cast the Wax divided into many morsels: after they cause the vessel to boil being close covered, and when the wine is spent, they power in other, until that every pound of wax have wasted ten pound of Wine: and when they see that there is yet a little wine with the Wax, they take away the Wax from the fire, that so it may not burn, and presently cast the Wax into another vessel wherein there is a little white wine: after that it is cold, and the moisture thereof taken away, they distil it in a retort. In any case there must heed be taken that it boil not in distilling, as in Turpentine and honey, for such liquors being heated, do easily swell and rise up. Wherefore there must be made but a soft and gentle fire at the first, and then afterward increased, and the stillitory cooled: again, to hinder the boiling up of it, you may cast in some small lumps of lead wrapped up in paper, or the leaves of ivy or small gravel, etc.  
This oil is singular good for to suppurate and ripen impostumes, 
The 〈◊〉 of the oil of wax.  assuage pain, comfort the hard and strained sinews, and for the palsy. The water distilled before the oil doth marvelously heal all sorts of wounds, if they be washed therewith, and a linen cloth wet therein, laid upon them.  
You may distil after this manner, benjovin, been, laudanum, and other such like gums: you must also note here in this place, that hard gums may be distilled with water, as the oils of herbs, and seeds before specified.   

CHAP. LXXXV.  
Of the manner of extracting Oils out of Myrrh, S●●rax calamity, Gum arabic, and su●h other like.  
MOst certain it is, that the liquor which is extracted and drawn from Myrrh, Storax calamity, and Gum arabic, is not an oil, but a gross, slimy, and gluey matter: which is perceived and known, because they take not fire, yea and if you meet with any of them at any time that will burn, then know that it cometh by the mingling of some other oil therewith, and Aquavitae.  
Take therefore very new eggs, and make them very hard in hot water, afterward cleave them in the midst, and take out the yolks: and in their place putting as much Gums, and that before they be cold, join the two parts of every one of them together again, and making a hole through the pieces of the smaller end, hang them in a cave, to the end that the moisture of the place may cause the Gum (whether it be Myrtle or Storax calamity) therein enclosed to resolve the more easily: set under every egg a vi●le, and there will drop down into it a ma●ter much like unto honey, or thinner. This done, gather that which is distilled into a viol, and set the same very well stopped, drepe in the horse-dung, to the end that by his heat (being good to alter and putrify the slimy quality of this matter) it may be corrected, and made more moist and like unto oil.  
Fiorovanto, an Italian Empiric, in the seven and fiftieth Chapter of his second Book, and the thirteenth Chapter of the fourth Book of his Vexations, prepareth the oil of Myrrh six this manner: Take of elected and true Myrrh 〈◊〉 ounces, of Aquavitae without any phlegm twelve ounces, mingle them together in a retort of glass, which you shall set under horse-dung very hot the space of 〈◊〉 days, afterward distil them in Maries-bath till all the water be risen and wholly gone: than you shall see in the bottom of the retort, oil, which you shall strain through a linen cloth, and keep it to preserve the face a long time, and continue it in his young and youthful brightness and freshness. This oil is a veriebalme to conglutinate and heal wounds speedily, as also to cure all other inwarddisease in taking two drams thereof inward: it is good also for the deafness of the ears. Look for the larger handling of the distillation of oils, in our Book of secret medicines.    

The silk-worm.  

CHAP. LXXXVI.  
Of the profit coming of the Worms that spin silk.  
THe good housewife, which hath the oversight, government, and disposing of the cattle, must not make less account of the Silke-worm● than of the Honie-bee. For, besides the pleasure which she may conceive of the marvelous industriousness of this little beast in making and spinning of Silk, she may also reap an incredible profit of so excellent a work, which honoureth and maketh men glorious, being attired with the pomp of this workmanship and piece of cunning skill: insomuch, as we see, that Kings, Princes, Gentlemen, Prelates, justices, and other great and notable personages are usually decked and appareled with the travail of these pretty creatures. And which is more; the silk serveth not only for the appareling of men, but also for a singular remedy to comfort the heart that is sick, and to rejoice and recreate all the heavy and troubled spirits of any one: as we may well understand by that famous con●ection, called of the Physicians Alkermes; which being compounded, for the most part, of the decoction and infusion of Silk in the juice of Kermes, and being taken inwardly, it is a very sovereign remedy against faintings and swoon. Wherefore the good wise or Mistres●e of our Country Fa●me shall make great account of the keeping of Silkworms, to the end that she may reap the profit of the sale of the Silk which she shall gather from them yearly: which profitable practice is very well known amongst the wives of Tourraine here in France.   

CHAP. LXXXVII.  
Of the situating of a place to keep Silkworms in.  
IT is necessary also, that the careful housewife, for the undertaking of the government of Silkworms, and for the making of her best commodity thereof, do choose out some convenient place about the Farm for the better ordering and keeping of them: and it must be rather high than low, having a good air, and without moistness, being so provided of Windows, as that the Sun may come in at them both morning and evening, if it seem good unto such as have the charge to govern them. These Windows must be such as will shut close, or else are glazed, or paper Windows, or of fine Linen Cloth, to the end, that when it raineth or bloweth, in cold weather, or in moist, they may be kept very close and fast shut: for who so faileth to govern and provide for them in this sort, it cometh to pass without doubt, that these pretty creatures being tender at all times, cannot escape, but die, when any hard weather cometh. He must likewise have Nets and Cords before the Windows, to the end, that the paper-Windowes being opened, the Sparrows, Swallows, and such hurtful birds, may not g●t in, to feed upon these Worms. Neither Cock nor Hen must come in here: for they would so ravenously feed upon this little Worm, as that they would be ready to burst. The floor must be kept very clean; and the walls without holes or cravises, by which neither Crickets, Lizards, Rats, or other like vermin, may enter and get in, to kill and spoil these little things, either night or day. In it there must be overthwart partitions with pillars, and upon them shall be fastened many boards or hurdles, made of the stalks of Rosetrees, for to pleasure this small wretch withal: and these, before you set any Worms upon them, must be sprinkled with a little vinegar, and rubbed with sweet herbs, because they love sweet smells.   

CHAP. LXXXVIII.  
Of the governing of Silkworms.  
THe careful housewife, so soon as the Spring draweth near, and that she shall see that the Mulberrie-tree beginneth to bud, shall make in readiness eggs of Worms, which she hath kept all the Winter before, to be brooded and sit upon. And if she see that the Mulberrie-tree is ●●ow to bud, she shall lay fresh dung unto the roots thereof during the new Moon of March, thereby to bring it forward: for otherwise, for lack of theleaves of the Mulberrie-tree, if it should come to pass that her Worms should be hatched or bred, she should be constrained, for their food, to have recourse to the heart of the Thorn, Elm leaves, the tender branches of Nettles, and others. And as concerning making of choice of such Worms as are to be breeders; you must take the seed which is but a year old, and which being bathed in Wine, falleth to the bottom, and floateth not above, and withal, hath the marks which shall be spoken of hereafter: The time of brooding them, is the fifteenth or twentieth of April, from the fourth unto the tenth day of the Moon, but never in the decrease: for wrapping their silk round about it, they w●ll bring it forth the fourth ●ay, at such time as they are strong, in such sort, as that their ends and husks will be greater, harder, and more finely haired, than any other that are bred at another time: for those which are bred in the decrease of the Moon, are always feeble, and yield no profit. The means to make them breed, is, after that you have watered and bathed them with white Wine, rather than warm water, to lay them near the fire, until they be a little warmed: then to lay them betwixt two pillows stuffed with feathers, and made likewise somewhat warm, or betwixt the breasts of women (provided that they have not their terms at that time) and so, a● the Worms do breed, to take them away with Mulberrie-tree leaves, making choice of those which are most tender: and then to lay them upon boards, or papers, that have been rubbed over with Wormwood or Sothernewood, or some such like herb. When they are once bred, they shall have the leaves o● Mulberrie-trees given them evening and morning, increasing them every day, as the Worms shall grow greater and greater, unto the fourth change: for th●● also they will stand in need to be fed at noon, because they eat more at that time than they were wont: but you must be admonished, that when they 〈◊〉, or change, you must give them somewhat sparingly, because as then they are weak and feeble: And in any case let not the leaves be rotten, moist, or wet: but if it should fall out, that they should be moist, than you must wipe th●● thoroughly with clean Linens, 
The gathering of the Mulberrie-tree leaves.  and dry them at the fire. They must also be gathered of Mulberrie-trees planted upon the tops of hills, and standing open upon the Sun, and of old trees, rather than of young ones, and such as bear a fruit somewhat red and black, and not to gather the said leaves in the morning, so long as they are wet with the d●aw, or other thing, until the Sun have gone over them: and further, to pick the bad from the good, before you give them unto the Worms to ●ate. These little beasts may not be touched with your hands but as little as may be: for the more they are handled, the more they are hindered thereby, because they are very exceeding tender and dainty, especially at such time as they do cast, or change. And yet notwithstanding, they must be kept very clean and neat, and all their little dung taken from them every three days. The place must likewise be perfumed with Frankincense, Garlic, Onions, lard, or broiled Sausages, that you may minister matter of pleasure unto these little creatures▪ and again, if they be weak and sick, these smells refresh and recover them again. They must also be marked whether they sleep, or no: for seeing they are wont to sleep four times, especially when the cast and change; if it happen, that any of them be still eating, and sleep not, they must be put apart, without having any meat to eat, that so they may fall to sleeping, for else they would all burst: and it is as true, that if they be breeding of young, they must be soberly dieted. After that they have cast and changed the fourth time, within three days after they will eat better than ever they did, 
Signs that the worms would mak● silk●.  until such time as their bodies begin to shine, and that they make manifold show of the silk thread that is in their bellies: which if it be to come white from them, their head is as if it were silver: if that it be to come yellow from them, their heads bear the colour of gold: if green or Orange colour, 
For to know the colour of the silk  their heads foretell the same. Thus they feeling themselves well filled and fed, they seek out some resting place for the purpose to fasten themselves unto, and there orderly to avoid their silk, every one shu●ting up himself in his scale or husk, which they make and build up in two days, or a little more. Then you must be careful to have in readiness for them, round about the Tables, good store of Broome, Brakes, branches of Vines, Oake-tree boughs, Chesnut-tree boughs, and other things: and withal, let them be very dry; for moisture is their enemy: and then not to give them over, until they be all fastened and hanged upon these branches, there to make their work: whereof they be so eager, as that they grow mad ●●till they be packed up in their little clewes and bottoms, and that in such sort, as that a man would think that they would be stifled: then they must have some help, and order must be taken, that they may not fall down upon the earth: and if they do fall, to put them up again into some place for the purpose. They have finished their work in two or three days, more or less, and as the weather groweth hot or cold at that time: And as it is easy to perceive when they are all 〈◊〉 work, so they make it to be heard very well when they cease and make an end of their labour. They dwell thus, and abide altogether, for the most part, in their husks twenty days, more or less, according unto the tenderness, softness, or hardness of their bottoms of silk. 
The choice of the 〈◊〉.  As concerning the choice of their husks, or ●ods, the Orange coloured are best, and not the yellow, and least of all, the white, or green: and as concerning the taking of the single, or of the double, the single ●●e more worth, because that the male and the female are within the double: which female layeth her eggs no sooner in the morning than she coupleth with the male again. 
The choice of breeding worms.  The scales or husks being thus chosen, those which are good for increase, must be put into a place where no dust is, and well covered: the double also must be separated from the single, to the end, that they may make the fairer silk: and especially there must choice be made of such people as are the best workefolkes, both ●or to know the silk, as also to draw it out with such discretion, as that there may ●come the most profit of it. When the Worms shall be out of their husks, than you must make choice of the best for increase and breeding: those which are the grossest and blackest, are the strongest, and afford better eggs than any of the o●her. You must likewise take more females than males: and for the knowing of ●he one from the other, 
The difference betwixt male and female worms.  the eyes of these creatures do sufficiently testify thereof; ●or the females have thinner eyes, and not altogether so black, as the males: They must also be put asunder, and white Linen clothes spread, or rather leaves of Paper, upon little Tables, for to receive their eggs: The Paper is more natural ●nd commodious than the Linen, because it may be the better raked over with 〈◊〉 knife, to draw together the eggs thereupon, without making of any spoil 〈◊〉 all.  
As concerning the diseases whereunto these little creatures be subject: When they have not been so carefully looked unto as they should, 
The diseases of silkworms.  to be kept clean; when the ●●old Northern wind, or the hot Southern Sun hath molested them, as also when ●hey have eaten too much; then they become sick: wherefore you must keep ●hem cleanly: stop the windows and holes by which the cold winds do enter and get in, and carry coals of fire that do not smoke, into their lodging, setting thereupon Frankincense or Sausages cut in slices (for they so love this smell, as tha● it presently cureth them) as also besprinkle them with a little Malmsey or Aquavitae. If they have been troubled with too great heat of the South Sun, there must be sprinkled upon them rosewater: If they have over-eaten themselves, the contrary diet will cure them; as the keeping of them three or four days without eating any thing: If there be any of them that are spotted with any duskish, bluish, or yellowish colour, and that there appear withal upon their bellies a certain humour that doth wet them, they must be speedily taken from out of the company of the rest, and carried out: and in the morning, before the Sun rise, set the whole and sound in the air for some small time, and afterward put them in their places again: and then it will be good to sprinkle them with good and strong vinegar, and to anoint them with Wormwood or Sothernewood, and also to give them air, making them likewise to feel the force of the Sun, provided, that the beams thereof do not ●ouch them: and you must look also, that the windows be so placed, as tha● the morning air may season and send his breath throughout the whole house.    
The end of the third Book.   

THE FOURTH BOOK OF THE COUNTRY HOUSE.  

That there are two sorts of Meadows.  

CHAP. I.  
Of Meadows: and their difference.  
IN our former Treatise we have run through those things which belong unto the husbanding and ordering of Gardens and Orchards, and now it requireth, that we speak of Meadow Grounds, whereupon consisteth the greatest means of feeding and bringing up of cattle, to the end we may perfect and accomplish our foreappointed purpose. The thing therefore, called in our French tongue Pr●, may seem to be borrowed from the old word Prat, and both of them to signify and point out a thing that is ready and priest to do the Master of the Farm and Farmer service, without putting him to any pains, in respect of the labouring or husbanding of them: but this must be understood of Meadows having their prey and maintenance about them; namely, such as are those which are fed and watered with the Marne on the one side, and the River Aube on the other, which is about some hundred and fifty leagues of square Country: as also those about the River called Veselle, which of all others doth most abound in Meadows. It is in like manner in the free and reclaimed grounds from Barle-du● to Vitrye in Partois, and from Lovemont to Vassie in Thierache, all along the little Blondelle, as also along the great and small Morin, in our Country of Beawoisis. Such meadow grounds do not ●eare storms and tempests, as Gardens and other arable grounds do: but with little cost and charges they yield their double revenue and profit every year; the one of Hay, the other of Pasture. Meadows are of two sorts: the one dry, the other ●oist. The dry craveth not the help of any water to be watered withal, except the rain, because it is in a fat place, and where it hath full store of refreshing ●uice: and in such places Hay doth grow of his own accord, and that a great deal better than where it is forced by casting of water upon it. The moist meadows have also seldom any need of watering, because, most commonly, they lie alongst the banks of some great or small Rivers, which feedeth and nourisheth them: as those which lie here in France, by the Rivers of Marne, Aube, Blondile, and Morin: and in England, by the Rivers of Thames, Trent, Seaverne, avon, Team, Ouze, Wye, and such like: and these meadows are, for the most part, plain and level grounds, because the inundations of these Rivers washing them over at lest once or twice every Winter, the Moal●s, and other filthy vermin, which hurt the earth, are destroyed, and these Meadows are ever more fruitful and more abundant in their increase than the higher Meadows are, but the grass is nothing near so sweet and so pleasant, neither feedeth so sound, nor so suddenly: Whence it cometh, that the husbandman keepeth his highland hay for his cattle which are to be said, and his low-ground hay for those which work.   

CHAP. II.  
What grounds are good for Meadows: and how to make new Meadows.  
THe ground that is fat and full of juice, although it be nothing at all helped either by small River or Brook, is good to bring forth hay, so that▪ such place be not exceeding far from some small Brook, standing water, or little River: or, at the least, that it be moist at the bottom, and such, as wherein, if that one make a reasonable deep ditch, he may find good store of water: for moisture is one of the nurses of hay. Where such ●at and iviceground is not, there may Meadow ground be made, of what manner of earth soever it be, whether it be a strong, slight, or lean earth, so that you have close by it but this one commodity of a little Brook to water it, and that the field lie somewhat sloping or descending, not very low, nor very flat, as wherein the rain water, or other of any small River, taking sometimes over the same, do not use to dwell and stand any long time, but passeth and runneth away fair and softly, without any ●arrying. Wherefore I agree and must needs confess, that some grounds are not so sit and profitable as othersome for the receiving of Hay-seed, as those which through the nearness of some great Floods, and Pools, Lakes, and great large Waters, are oftentimes overflown and covered with abundance of water, which in Winter drowneth the grounds: Whereupon it cometh to pass, that the hay is nothing fine or delightsome unto beasts, but great, and full of stumpie stalk: a broad grass also, and nothing pleasing their taste. But howsoever it is, the hay of standing waters, ill husbanded and corrupted, as also the hay which naturally grows thereabout, and by the large borders of Lakes, is not such as the fine mouthed beast can delight in, as neither that which is gathered in grounds bordering upon the Sea, as with the salt and nitrous relish whereof the appetites of cattle are overthrown, not being accustomed thereunto: besides that, the very grass itself is more rank and unsavoury than the common sort of grass is, and in taste very unlike it.  
Yet this holdeth not generally: for these low Meadows, 
Salt Marshes.  and those which border on the Sea, are oftentimes the best of all other, and feed with greater expedition than any other hay whatsoever: as witnesseth many of those salt marshes, which are the most chief nurseries and bringers forth of fat cattle that are known, and especially Sheep, which never are known to rot upon the same. And of all cattle which ●eed upon hay, none is so dainty and choice in its taste, as the Sheep is: for he must have it both sweet, short, and soft: So that by that beast only it may be seen, that those low Meadows are not ever unprofitable. And indeed to conclude, there is not any ground which will bear grass, but by industry, manure, and much rest, may be brought to bear reasonable good hay, if not to feed, yet to keep cattle in good p●●ght, and make them go through with their labours sound: which is as great a profit to the husbandman as the office of grazing, and more properly belonging to his profession.  
Wherefore if you would make new Meadows, 
To make new meadow grounds.  make choice of the best ground you can: this ground you shall lay fallow, and let lie idle a whole Summer: then in Autumn after you shall turn up and plow the same ground, often sowing therein, for the first year, Turnips or Navets, Millet, beans, or Oats, and the year following with Wheat: then the third year you shall labour it diligently, and sow it with Fetches mixed with Hay-seeds: and after this, you shall mow and order it as other old Meadows, as we will declare by and by.  
Yet for the sowing of these many Grains so many years one after another, it is not altogether so necessary: for though it may be used in some barren Countries, because Turnips, Navers, and Fetches are enrichers, and (as it were) manurings of the ground, and the Oats a great breeder of grass; yet if you only, 
Oats a great breeder of grass.  when you intent to lay a ground of grass, do but the last year cast down the furrows, and lay the lands as flat as you can, and then only sow clean Oats upon the same, it will be as fully sufficient as all the former labour, and altogether as fruitful, if the husbandman slack not his labour herein, but give it such needful seconds as the soil shall require.   

CHAP. III.  
What manner of Husbandry is required about Meadows.  
Such as obstinately defend and maintain, 
To sow Meadows.  that there is not any pains or labour to be used about Meadows, seem unto me (under correction) void of all sound judgement: for every where, in process of time, the earth becometh weary, and standeth in need to be refreshed in some parts of it, yea, to be sown again, and fashioned, if need be, especially in feeding grounds, and Meadows, appointed for pasture for horned beasts: for such cattle as bear Wool, do not desire wa●●ie places (as Meadows would be) but being contented with Shepherds, graze along by the ways, and upon the ploughed grounds. And as for your herds of young Horses and Asses, they feed naturally and commodiously with your other cattle. Yea furthermore, I have seen in Campaine, as it should be about Pont upon Seine, a Meadow country, the Geese and Turkeys daily and ordinarily driven to the pasture, for the saving of charges at home: which thing would not agree well about the places of Monfort l'Amaurye, where is kept some part of the Kings breed of Horses and Mares; for the down, and other feathers of those fowls, as also their dung, would make these sorts of beasts sick, even Horse, Mare, Mule, or Ass.  
Besides, according to the opinion of all good husbandmen, 
Geese a greas enemy to good grounds.  these fowls are of all creatures the most prejudicial that may be, not only to Meadow grounds, but also to all manner of Pasture grounds whatsoever: for besides the annoyance which their feathers and down make, their dung is so poisonous unto the earth, that it makes it barren, and forceth it to bring forth nothing but Goose-grasse, which is such a sour and unwholesome weed, that no beast will touch it, and which, in short space, will overrun a great deal of ground, and make it utterly useless: therefore every husband must be careful to keep these fowls both from his Meadows and his feeding Pastures.  
But whatsoever others say or do, 
〈…〉  sure I am, that a good Farmer must not neglect his Meadow ground, seeing the husbanding of them is a matter more of care than of pain and labour: For the first care must be to keep it that it grow not with 〈◊〉 and thorns, or great high stalks of other herbs, all which would be pulled up by the roots in Autumn, or before Winter, as bushes, brambles, and rushes: some other of them in the Spring, as Succories, Hemlock, and such other weeds, which are unprofitable for the feeding of the herds of Horses and Mares. Likewise there must not be left in them any stones, 
To gather out the stones.  nor yet any other thing, that may hinder the digging of them, when the earth is to be stirred. The ground being freed of stones, shall be made even and smooth very handsomely in the Winter time, and after that, tilled and turned over very diligently and ●inely with the plough, and after harrowed, 
To horrow it.  especially that which is lean, and lying with some descent, but not watered otherwise than the rain useth to water it. It must be dunged also in Ianua●ie and February, when the Moon is in the increase, that so it may be fatted, and store of juice brought into it for the growing of grass. The best manuring that can be bestowed upon it, 
The manuring of it.  is fine crumbling earth mixed with dung, which will do it more good than the best and purest dung that you can find in your Neat-house. For the making hereof, you must gather in Summer the dust that is by the high ways most haunted, and mingle the same with the dung of cattle, the ●ilth and sweep of the house, the dirt of the streets, the parings of the house, and the great and little Court, the dung of Hens and Pigeons, Oxe-dung, Horse-dung, and all other such excrements, which must be let incorporate and mingle together the whole Winter, until such time as this matter, watered with water, and thoroughly pierced with the frost, be sufficiently ripened. This mixture when it is spread, entereth better below into the earth 〈◊〉 dung alone, and also incorporateth itself better with the earth. But above all, there is no dung more excellent for Meadow grounds, than the rotten staddell or bottoms of Hay-mowes, 
Bottoms of Hay-mowes.  or Haystackes, which, putrefied with the moisture of the earth, looks mouldy black, and most filthy; and with this, if you mix the sweep of the Hay-barne floor, and the scattered seeds which fall from the Hay when it is shaked up or bound into bottles, it will be a great deal the better, and the earth will put forth his increase in much more plenty. These Meadow grounds must also be very well drained from water, if they be subject thereunto, and sluices and drains 
Sluices and Drains.  made either by plough, spade, or other instrument, which may convey it from one sluice to another, till it fall into some ditch or river: for as the sudden washing of the earth fatteneth and enricheth the same, by reason of the mud, slime, and other fat substances which it leaveth behind it; so the long abiding of the water upon it, 〈◊〉 the soil, rots the roots of the grass, and either makes it utterly barren, or 〈◊〉 it to a bogge-myre: Nay, where the water lies long upon the ground, there it will ●ome the grass to reed, rushes, or other unprofitable weeds: therefore by all means prevent the continuance of floods, and only esteem of a gentle washing, and no more. Again, in your Meadow grounds you must be exceeding careful to know the goodness or badness of the same: as, which is fruitful, which barren, which quick of growth, which slow, which will bear but one entire crop, and which two, and accordingly you must lay them, that is give them time of rest for growth; as thus: If your ground be very fruitful and rich, yet through the coldness of the clime will not bear above one crop, it shall not be needful for you to lay it before May day: but if it be but of a reasonable fruitfulness, than you may lay it at the Annunciation of our Lady: but if it be very hard and barren, than it is best to lay it at Candle●●ss, that it may have the uttermost of the Spring & Summer to grow in: also, if it be exceeding fertile, and so warm and close couched, that it will bear two crops, than you shall lay it at Candlemas, that you may cut it at the end of May and the midst of September; for to cut it after that time, is both ill husbandry, and profitless: for howsoever men may be opinioned, either through custom, or the imitation of their neighbours, yet they shall find it most certain, that the hay, how good soever the growth be, yet if it want the Sun and kindly withering, it can never be good either to feed or sustain nature with: but having the juice rotting and not dried within it, becometh black, unpleasant, and unwholesome, insomuch, that the worst straw is better than the best of such hay: therefore let every husbandman have a great care to the good and kindly withering of his hay, and esteem ever the quality before the quantity. After Meadows are laid, than the husbandman shall have a great care to his ●ences, lest either his own, or other men's cattle, by day or night break into the same, for they may do him more injury in an hour than they can do him profit in a month: for the young and tender grass, if it be nipped or bitten at the first springing, hardly after prospereth, till the sith have cut it: for it is with grass as with stronger plants, which if they be nipped or bitten, forthwith loose the beauty of their flourishing, and groweth not strait or upright, but low, crooked, and ill-favoredly, neither to fast as before it did, but very slowly, and many times without seed: therefore by all means prevent the cropping of your Meadows, by cattle at their first springing. Also, if you have any rivers, ditches, or small rundles, which butt upon your Meadows, you shall at such time as you lay your Meadows, be sure to cleanse and scour them both of weeds, mad, and other filth, that shall any way cloy or fill them, that the water may thereby have a more free passage and a larger receipt to receive and convey away any flood which shall happen: for after your Meadows begin to grow, if any flood shall come upon them, the sand and other filth will fasten to the roots, and lie upon the grass in such manner, that not being able to be cleansed by any husbandry, it will make the hay utterly unwholesome, so that lying in the stomachs of the beasts, it will engender many mortal and pestilent diseases. And herein is also to be noted, that the mud and other compass which you shall take out of these rivers or ditches, would be spread upon the Meadows, and when it is dry, with small clotting maules be beaten as small as dust; for this is also an excellent manner of manuring your Meadows.   

CHAP. FOUR  
What must be sown in the Meadows.  
THe way then to reform the old and dry consumed places of your Meadow, 
To sow meadows.  if they be become hoary & rotten, must be by sowing them in the Spring with good Hay-seed, which is the Meadow Claver, which is called in some places Sops in wine, by reason of the flower, 
Sops in wine, or Snaile-claver.  which is an herb which men in times past made great account of, sowing it by itself as the Fetch is wont to be sown, and they did sow it in januarie, as Cato and Palladius 
Cato. Palladius.  do report. The manner of sowing it shall be set down in the fifth Book, in the handling of Pulse. Likewise the seed of Gallion or petty Mugguet, wild Fetch, and Haver-grasse, which the Latin Poet calleth properly barren Oats. Again, the small wild Mallow is not amiss, neither the little Crowfoot, foreseen it be not that with the bulbous root, that is to say, the Crowfoot having a round root like an Onions, because that is venomous for the beast, but it must be that Crowfoot which hath a hairy and threadie root. The twofold Satyrion is good in some place where it groweth naturally: so likewise is the Hyacinth, the one of them being of a blue flower, the other of a purple, herein differing from the Satyrion, which is more cut & divided into small buds, as likewise more fragrant. It is not good that there should be any great store of Plantain, 
Plantain.  except it be that of the least sort, called Birds-toong. The wild Carrot, 
Wild Carrot.  especially that, which in the midst of the white flower, in the round broad tuft, beareth a sweet smelling seed; being rubbed in the hand, like unto grains of Paradise, & of the same colour: as likewise wild Wound-wort (which Dioscorides calleth Hercules his wound-wort 
Wound-wort. ) is very good, foreseen that it grow not too great. Germander 
Germander.  likewise is good, being called of the Grecians small Oak, by reason of the figure of the lease. Little Rampions 
Small Rampions.  likewise is very good, because of the root, which helpeth forth Lent salads as well as the Cresses: wild Saffron 
Wild Saffrony  is not good, because of his flower, seeing both the root and it do kill beasts, even as Hemlock doth, which is called Birds-bane: neither yet water Pepper, as being venomous through his heat, and using to grow only in standing & stinking waters, as laughing Smallage doth, 
Laughing Smallage.  called Herba Sardonica, because it maketh men and beasts to seem to laugh when it killeth them: in like manner, wild Woad, Bucks-beard, Hartstong, wild & low growing All-good, both sorts of Violets, the less Centaurie, all the three sorts of Daisies, and especially those which are called Gold-cups, or little Crowfoot, and the three-leaved grass of the Meadows, are all of them singular good herbs for the fruitfulness of the Meadow ground. The Garlic, which is called Serpentina, 
Great and small water Germander in the Meadows of Cheles.  and which a man would judge to be a little small rush, of a reasonable length, doth not amiss, no more than the true and small water Germander, which is often found in the Meadows of Cheles, and elsewhere: but great store of it maketh the hay to smell ill: as on the contrary, Penyryall maketh it smell sweet, and so likewise, Organi● of both sorts, the three sorts of Balm, and costmary: but Mints, and that horehound, which is wild Camomile, are nothing worth. Great quantity and store of wild Fetch causeth the hay to be very full of nourishment for cattle: the less Plantain, Siluer-grasse of both sorts, Peachwort (so called, because it carrieth a flower like a Peach-tree) and Burnet: the three sorts of shepherds needles, called of the ancient Writers Storks-bills (by reason of the fashion of the peake that followeth in place after the Hour) whereof herb Robert is one, do very well for cattle, and cure them of the gravel, causing them to make their 〈◊〉 in abundance. Millefoile and Prunell (called the Carpenter's herb, 
Carpenter's w●rt-●alme.  because it is good for cuts) are also good, and very sweet of smell; but Quitch-grasse (called Dogs-grasse) doth destroy the Meadow as much as Balm doth mend it, and increaseth milk in Kine, as great Hares-foot doth in Goats, and in like manner as Vervain and Groundswell are good herbs for Coneys. Look well, that Thistles set not their foot within your Meadow, 
Blessed thistle.  except it be the blessed Thistle, with the yellow flower, or else the little Thistle, and that but about the borders or edges of the Meadow, and that it have the leaves of Sowthistle, though it be smaller, and spotted (as it were) with drops of milk, and therefore it is called Mary's Thistle. The red and blue Pimpernell, 
Pimpernell.  because of their flowers, as also the white, are as good there, as either the male or female Mercury, though these herbs delight rather to grow in the ways, and amongst Vines, as do also the Bindweed and Nightshade. Flax-weed, which differeth from Esula, in as much as it hath no milk, and groweth high as Line doth (save that it hath a yellow flower) is good: but Esula or Spurge is nought, as is also Hypericum, for these two are both of them very hot and shrewd fellows. Melilot the small and the great, Myrrhis, which hath leaves like Fennell, and divers divided white flowers, is of great virtue, and sweet, after the smell of Myrrh. To be short, the Carrot and Cheruile do serve greatly for the nourishing and goodness of the hay. But above all, there is no herb nor seed more excellent to be nourished or sown in the Meadows, than Saxifrage is: 
Saxifrage a great friend to Meadows.  for amongst all huswives it is held an infallible rule, That where Saxifrage grows, there you shall never have ill Cheese or Butter, especially Cheese. Whence it cometh, that the Netherlands abound much in that commodity, and only (as is supposed) through the plenty of that herb only. And for the better affirmation or proof thereof, you shall understand, that all good huswives, which will carry any reputation for good Cheese-making, do ever dress their cheslep-bags and earning with Saxifrage, as the only herb that giveth a most perfect season to the same.  
Now albeit I have here delivered you a particular collection of the seeds of all those herbs which are most necessary to be sown in Meadows, yet I would not advise you to be so curious as to bestow your labour in culling these seeds from the rest, or to sow them in your Meadows with that care and respect that you sow seeds in your Garden; for less pains will serve: only I would with you, when you intent to sow your Meadows (which would be either in the Spring, or in Autumn) to go (if you be unprovided) to such a neighbour or Farmer near unto you, as is owner of some fine and delicate piece of Meadow, void of gross & filthy weeds, stump-grasse, knotgrass, peny-grasse, 
Sweep of Hay-barne floors.  speare-grasse, or Burnet, and from him you shall buy the sweep or sc●●trings of his Hay-barne floor, as also those sweep which shall be under those windows or holes, in at which the husbandman putteth hay when he unloads it, and these sweep you shall sow upon your Meadows as thick as you can strew them, for the thicker is ever the better: and you must foresee, that when you thus sow your Meadows, you cause your ground to be as bare eaten before as is possible, especially with Sheep, because as they bite the nearest of all cattle to the ground, so they bestow upon it their manure, or dung, which is the fattest and most fruitfullest of all other, and maketh the seeds instantly to sprout after the first shower. You shall also observe when you sow your Meadows (whether it be at the Spring, or at the fall) to see and if the dung of the cattle which last grazed upon the same, lie upon it still in heaps, as when it fell from their bodies: and this dung you shall raise from the ground, and with beetles made for the purpose, beat them into very small pieces, and so spread them generally over the whole Meadow, and then sow your seeds amongst them, for by this means your seeds will quickly take root.  
There is also another way of enriching of Meadows, especially such as lie high, and out of the dangers of floods, which for the most part are ever the barrenest; and that is by the foddering or feeding of cattle 
Foddering of great cattle.  upon the same in the Winter season, as thus: The husbandman shall in the barrenest part of his Meadow ground, which is safest from waters or floods, make up his hay in a large and handsome stack, or Reek, either round or square, according to his pleasure, or the quantity of the hay: and this stack thus made, he shall fence about with thorn, or other hedge-ware, to keep cattle from tearing or spoiling the same, till such time as the Farmer himself shall think it meet to cut down the same: Then when the extremity of Winter shall come, as either when the grass is clean consumed, or that by reason of long Frosts or Snows your cattle cannot come by any food, then is the time to cut down your Hay-reekes, and to fodder your cattle therewith morning and evening, cutting no more down at a time than shall conveniently serve to fodder your cattle; for spoil herein is the vildest husbandry that can be. This hay thus cut down, you shall not lay in one place, but in divers places of your ground, in little tufts or hillocks, scattering an armful thereof in many places: because, if you should lay it in one place, or in a very small circuit near together, your cattle would disagree and offer to gore one another, at least, the stronger cattle would ever beat away the weaker, and so rob them of their food: whereas being scattered into divers remote places, those which are beaten away from one place, will go to another, and so take their food without trouble: in which, you shall ever observe to lay more tufts or heaps of hay than you have cattle. Neither yet do I mean, that this manner of foddering shall overspread any great piece of ground at one time, but according to the number of your cattle, be close packed together, both for the ease of the fodderer, and for the well husbanding of the hay, which to be carried up and down too 〈◊〉, would make much waist by scattering; so that to lay one foddering within two or three yards of another, is sufficient. And this I speak of great cattle, as Oxen, Cows, Steers, Horses, or such like: for if you fodder Sheep, 
Foddering of Sheep.  than you must lay your hay in long rows, one row three or four yards from another, upon the driest and cleanest ground you can find, because the trampling and treading of the cattle will else 〈◊〉 much spoil of the hay. And herein is also to be noted, that you must not by any means lay your fodder above twice in one place, but change and alter your ground, finding out still a dry and untrodden place to fodder in, as well for keeping the ground from two much foiling and tearing up with the feet of cattle, as also for the ●a●ing of the hay, which would be half lost, if it should be laid in wet and miry places. And thus you may in one Winter run over a great piece of ground, and not only sow it plenteously with the Hay-seedes which will fall from the Hay in the carrying, but also manure the ground excellently, by this drawing together of your beasts into one place, making their leer, and dunging most thereupon. Now some will say, that this manner of enriching of grounds carrieth with it a discommodity which equalleth the goodness which is reaped from it, and therefore not so much to be esteemed; alleging, that the trampling of the cattle teareth up the greeneswarth, and (as it were) ploweth up the ground in such sort, that it will hardly bear any good crop of grass a year or two after. To which I answer, 
Commodity of foddering.  that if it do (as happily it will) tear up or dig the ground so, that you lose the next years crop in some part: yet, after the first year is past, the second will double, and the third will triple any increase formerly received from the same ground; neither will the goodness ever after be abated from the same: beside, if your ground be subject to any filthy soft moss, or fuzzie grass, which is both unsavoury and unwholesome for beasts, and also choketh and devoureth up all better herbage; this treading of the cattle's feet will utterly kill it, and make the ground fruitful for ever after. Nay, if the ground have been much subject to small whynnes, or prick-grasse, which is a most venomous weed in any ground, according to the opinion of the best husbands, this course only will destroy it. To conclude, ●he Meadow well kept and maintained, doth always bring double commodity, to that which is ill governed and husbanded.   

CHAP. V.  
Of the harrowing, watering, and keeping close and well defensed the Meadow ground.  
BEsides the seeds of good herbs, which is very requisite for the Meadows, yet there are other works needful for the goodness of Hay: for the Meadows must be harrowed and raked presently after they be sown, to break the clods into small earth, or dust, that so the mowers may not thereby hurt their Sythes. If the ground of the Meadow be withered, and dry, it will be a marvelous commodity unto it, to draw into it, all the winter long, at the least, some small Brook, for the watering and moistening of it, seeing that moisture is the natural nourishment of Hay; and this would be done especially during the months of November, December, januarie, and February: afterward, when the earth hath drunk her fill, then stop the way whereby the water of the Brook runneth. It is true, that if the Medow-plot lie upon the side of some hill, or upon some high ground, there shall be no need to water it: for the first rain that falleth, will descend and water such Meadows very sufficiently, being joined with the juice and goodness of the dung which you shall have bestowed in the higher places. Neither shall it be needful to water the ground much, where there is great quantity of three-leaved grass, because than it would die by and by. Again, you must not cause any water to overflow any old Meadow grounds, in the time of great and excessive cold, except it should be that they should continue a long time: because that the water failing, the ground thus boiled again, and drenched, would be very much annoyed by the vehemence of the frost and ice. Likewise, if there be any marish or dead water in any part of your Meadow, you must cause the same to run and drain out by some Conduits or Trenches: for without all peradventure, the super-aboundance of water doth as much harm, as the want, scarcity, or lack of the same. You must be sure also to keep Swine out of your Meadows, because they are always turning it over with their snouts, and ●aying great sods of earth: Neither must you admit any great cattle into them, save when they be very dry, because the horny hoof doth sink into the earth, and either break off the grass, or cut in sunder the roots, whereupon they cannot spring or multiply any more.   

CHAP. VI  
To mow your Meadows again and again, to gather the Hay and refresh your Meadows, and to bring your barren Meadows into Tillage.  
NOw for the mowing of your Meadows, 
Mowing of meadows.  it must be according to their growth or ripeness, for some ripen soon, and some late, and sure there cannot fall to the Husbandman greater loss than to cut his Meadow before it be ripe, for then the sap or moisture not being come fully out of the root, the grass in the withering shrinketh away, and falls to nothing but a soft fuzzie and unwholesome substance which no cattle will eat; and also to let it stand till it be ripe, or that it have shed it seed, is as ill husbandry, for than will the juice be too much dried out of the stalk, and that substance which should give nourishment to your cattle, will be lost. Therefore to know when your grass is truly fit to be cut, you shall look carefully upon it, and when you see the tops thereof look brown, and the cock heads, bells, or bottells which bear the seeds, not stand upright, or look direct into the heavens, but bend their heads downward as looking back into the earth, than you may be certainly assured it is a fit and good time to cut it, for the earth hath given it all the due it ought to have, and this will be (if it be in a most fertile and very rich soil, such as may be cut twice in the year) at the beginning of june, or about a week before Midsummer: But if it be in a reasonable ground, which hath the title of a good earth only, than it will be about the translation of S. Thomas, which is the third of julie: 
Best time to cut grass.  but if the ground be extreme cold, moist, and barren, than it will be after Lammasse, and sometimes in the midst of September. Now for the general cutting or mowing of hay, it would ever be done in the new of the Moon, and at such time as the weather by all conjecstures is clear, constant, and likely to continue fair. As soon as your Hay is mown, if there be plenty of grass, and that you see it lie thick in the swaths, so as the Air or Sun cannot pass freely through it, than you shall cause certain with forks to follow the ●ythes, and as they mow it, so to cast it abroad thin, whereby the Sun may whither it, and this is called tedding of hay: The next day after the dew is taken from the ground, you shall turn it, and let it whither on the other side; then handling it, and finding it to your feeling fully dry, the next day you shall with corks and rakes draw it together in great quantity into long rows, which rows you must draw in that way which the wind blows most, least drawing it in the contrary way, the wound scatter it abroad, and lose both your labour and profit, for these rows are called Windrowes; and as soon as it is thus gathered together, you shall forthwith thrust the hay close up together, and make those Windrowes 
Windrowes.  into good big handsome cocks sharp at the top, and broad at the bottom, such as six or seven of them may make a Waine-load; for howsoever sloth or weakness may say that little cocks, because they ask little labour, are best, yet it is certain that the great cocks are much better, 
Great haycocks.  and keep the hay safer from wet, if any shall fall, and also makes it sweat, and haye a great deal more kindly: in these cocks you shall let your hay stand a day at least, if more it is not amiss, and then break them open again, and let them lay in the Sun till it have dried up all the sweat and moisture that was in them; which done, you shall load it according to the manner of the soil wherein you live, and so carry it to the barn, or elsewhere according to your pleasure. Now this manner of making of hay you must understand is for such as is most fine, clean, and the purest grass, without weeds, stumps, thick leaves, or other gross substances, for if you find your grass to be of that rough nature (as for the most part all your wood-land-grasse is) or that it is much intermixed with burnet, peny-grasse, and other thick leafed weeds, than you shall give it double withering, and after you have mowed it, and tedded it, you shall turn it twice or thrice ere you cock it, then being put into dry cock, you shall break it open in the morning, and make it up into dry cock again at night, three or four days together before you load it, and be sure that in the cock it take a very good sweat, and then carry it home and stack it up as shall please you best. But if your ground be extreme barren, cold, moist, and full of very sour and stubborn grass, and of that also but little plenty being thin, short, and hard in the cutting, than you shall not need to ted that hay at all, but in steed of that labour, you shall (as it is mown) with your fork make it into thick little grasse-cockes, as big as pretty little moale-hills: the reason whereof is this, That such sour and harsh grass 
Sour and harsh-grasse.  being exceeding slow of growth, must necessarily be very late in the year before it can be ripe, or ready to be cut, whereby wanting the kindly heat and strength of the Sun, ●t cannot but with great difficulty whither well: wherefore you must add unto it all the art which you may to bring it to good hay, which this casting it into little heaps and cocks will do, for the grass so laid together will heat of itself, and then being often turned and tossed that the air may go through it and dry it, and then made into cocks again every day bigger and bigger, will in the end by it own heat come to as kindly hay as if it had the full benefit of the Sun. And herein you shall observe, that as at first you make them into small cocks, so the second day you shall make them into bigger by putting two or three of those cocks into one, and the next day you shall put two or three of those bigger cocks into one, every day increasing the bigness of the cocks as you find them to whither, till you bring them to so great cocks that three or four of them will make a Waine-load, and in that estate you shall let them stand four or five days before you load them: but whilst they are in the little cocks, you shall break them open once or twice a day at least, according to the fairness of the weather; for you must understand, that whilst they are in grass or unwithered cocks, if you let them lie too long, the grass will turn yellow, and begin to putrify, which often stirring will prevent. Lastly, touching the making of hay, you must understand that the greatest enemy it hath, is wet, or rain, and therefore you must be careful to make it up in the driest and fairest weather you can; and if any rain shall happen to fall on it, not to turn it till the upper side be dry; for to turn the wet grass to the wet earth, is the ready way to make it rot.  
Now to speak a little touching the choice and use of your hay, 
Choice and use of hay.  you shall understand, that the hay which is most long, loggie, and of greatest burden, is best for horses, being very dry, sweet, and got in a good season: that which is not very long of growth, but very pleasant and clean grass, without weeds, hard stumps, pricks, or such like, is best for milk-cows, or stall-fed-oxens; only that which you preserve for your Kine, would be got very dry, and have all the sweetness and pleasantness that may be: but that you keep for your feeding-cattells would not be altogether thoroughly withered, but got a little greenish, so as it may take such a heat in the mow, as may only discolour it and turn it red, but no more; for that will bring a thirst unto the cattle, and make them drink well: and the Grazier is of this opinion, that cattle never feed well till they drink well, and that hay which is the finest and shortest, growing upon high and dry grounds full of flowers and sweet 〈◊〉 is best for your sheep, or young calves, and this must be got very dry, and (as near as you can) utterly without any rain; for when it is so dry that it will hardly lie upon the Wain, then is it the best of all: for when the husbandman saith that moist hay is profitable for the increase of milk, he doth not mean that you shall get in your hay green, or any part unwithered, for that brings it to a rottenness or over-drinesse, which is very ill for milk; but you shall get it into the barn as dry as you can, without scorching, scalding, or such unnatural extremities, and this hay taking his kindly sweat in the mow, is that which is called the Moist-hay, 
Moist-hay.  and that which taketh a little too much heat in the mow, and altereth colour, is the Drie-hay, 
Drie-hay.  and keepeth your fat cattle from gripings and other painful griefs in their bellies, to which they are evermore very much subject. It is an use with some husbandmen (as well in our France as in other countries) after they have brought their hay into dry cock, to put it into great stoukes or petty stacks without doors, and so to let ●t remain a fortnight or more that it may take the full sweat before it be brought to the barn, or hayloft: but it is a needless and a double labour, and may very well be spared, if the orders be observed before prescribed; for this much curiosity 
Curiosity.  did but spring from a fearfulness of over-heating, or mow-burning, which to prevent, the Ancients spared not any labour. Nay they were so curious in the first times, that they would not suffer their hay by any means to lie near to the sink or smell of the beast-house, or where any other noisome savours were, supposing that the hay would naturally of it own inclination draw all such corruptions unto it; but it was a fear might have very well been spared. Now touching the later crop of hay which is ever to be m●●ne in the month of September, you shall in all respects use it like the hay of these barren grounds last written of, for the year time being so much shot on, it can have no other kindly withering, neither is it to be used for the feeding of fat cattle, or for milk Kine, but only for dry beasts, or such as only labour, as the ox, horse, mule, or ass.  
If by the gathering of your hay you perceive your meadows to become barren, whether it happen by your negligence in not having been careful enough in husbanding of them: or by reason of age, seeing the earth will sometime rest itself as being weary, for the recovering of the strength again, as it is only seen in barren soils, and no other; for that which is truly fertile and good ground, will never be weary of bearing, especially if it lie low, and be gently washed with waters; but that which lies high or violently against the heat of the Sun, will many times decay in his abundance, which when you shall at any time perceive, it shall be good to forbear the cutting of it the next year, and only graze it with cattle, 
Grazing with cattle.  especially sheep, which will be as good as a manuring unto it, and make it bear grass in as good plenty as ever it did afore: for often cutting occasioneth barrenness, and often feeding breeds increase. But if it be through the natural fertility and hardness of the ground that it waxeth barren, than you shall use the like means, that you would in making of new meadows; set down before in the second chapter of this book: or else if you see that you lose your labour in renewing of your barren meadows, set down with yourself to reduce them into arable ground, especially those which are dry, parched, bringing forth very small store of grass, grown over with a hard ●●st, and fraught rather with naughty weeds, than good and profitable grass. For the doing whereof, you must cut the upper face and crust of the earth in April, with a shallow delfe, in turfs some fathom and a half long, and half as broad, and to the thickness of two fingers: dry these turfs in the Sun, and being concocted by the heat of the Sun, fit them one to another, and lay one upon another, in manner of a furnace: afterward, set fire to them with good store of straw: when they are burned, let them cool six or seven days: after speed the ashes thereof equally all over the field: then look for a good rain in May, to incorporate this ashy earth, and when it is accordingly performed, then plow it up in june, and presently after sow it with millet, afterward with rye, and in the end with mastling and wheat.   

CHAP. VII.  
Of the Ozier-plot.  
REmember this, that three things carefully kept and increased by the diligence of the workman, do make rich without any great travel, that is to say, the meadow-grounds, the Ozier-plot, and the Willow-plot, which by the means of water lightly sliding through the veins of the earth in the fat and well liking places that are upon the sides of hills, and by the watering of manifold streams round about, do naturally grow every year, and yield great profit unto their master, for the feeding of hi● cattle, the making of hoops for vessel, and binding of them, as also for fuel, the benefit of poles, wooden vessels, arbours, stakes for hedges, and supporters for vines. We will therefore speak first of the ordering and husbanding of the Ozier-plot, and after it of the Willow-plot, which we do not dream to have any other assigned place, than about the meadows, and far removed from the arable ground; in as much as their shadow is so hurtful to wheat, line, pulse, and other grain, as that they never grow well where they are overshadowed by these: but on the contrary, meadow grounds receive great profit thereby: as well because that grass doth grow the fairer and more pleasantly in the shadow, than where it is not shadowed, as also for that the leaves of Ozier, Willow, Aller, and such other Trees, falling upon the meadows, and there rotting, maketh them the more fat, abounding in grass, and fertile. The Osier then (which old Writers call Sea-willow, or Wicker-tree, that is to say, apt to bend) desireth not to come very near to the water, but loveth rather to stand upon the descending side of the valley, and the Ozier-plot would end at the sides of the Willow-plot: the Ozier-plot must be pricked with a line, and pretty small ditches drawn out in it betwixt two lines, and every slip must be set one from another about five eight and a half, to give them their spreading. It will not abide the shadow of any tree, but loveth much to have the fruition of the South-Sunne. The tame red Osier requireth great husbanding, and is afraid of frosts, and the showers of rain that fall in March, and very cold water: the white and the green Osier, which neither bend nor yet defend themselves so well, are of a harder nature, and grow higher. It will be good to prick down more of the tame ones than of the other, and always to set them out of the shadow, and there must be but a little water at their foot, the most part of the time: wherefore you must make furrows by the way, to keep and reserve water. It must be dressed twice in a year to make it grow well, that is to say, about mid-May, and towards the end of November, presently after that it is gathered, being also the time of planting of it.  
It is very delightsome unto it to have the earth raised with the spade and stirred, and to cast in again the clods unto the foot some fifteen days after S. Michael, which is the time of gathering them, and making of them up into bottles. You must keep your bottles made of the thickness of a fathom, fresh & cool in some cellar or 〈◊〉, and if the season be dry, to water them throughout now and then: some slip off the leaves in gathering of them, thereof to make good ashes: others let the leaves fall of themselves, and after gather them for the household, and in Winter-nights by the fire side make the slaves spend their time in cleaving them, for to make baskets of. some do not cut the oziers' all from the head, but such slips as are about the edges of it, and leave the maister-twig to stand whole for five or six years, when it must be renewed and pricked down again: for this is the term of the plant: for in all the time following the plant doth nothing but dry, and the twig harden.   

CHAP. VIII.  
Of the Willow-plot.  
SOme say, that the Willow-plot craveth the like husbandry that the Oier-plot, because the Willow differeth only from the Osier in use, bigness, and bark: for the Willow-tree is for poles, the Osier (as hath been said) for bindings about the vine and cask: the Willow is thick and growing taller, the Osier is smaller and lower: the Willow-tree hath a bark of a dark purple colour, the Osier of a yellow straw colour. But whatsoever it is, the Willow loveth watery places, and is planted of the tops cut off, or else of poles: the poles are taken from above, of a good thickness, but notwithstanding not thicker than the arm, and they must be planted and pricked down in the earth so deep as they should stand before they touch the firm ground: the cut of the top may be of the length of a foot and a half, and be set in the earth, being covered a little. That which you shall plant, must be cut from the tree very dry, because it will not thrive if it be wet when it is cut: therefore you must shun rainy da●es in the cutting of your Willows. The best time of planting the Willow is in February in the beginning, or in the end of januarie, when as the heart of the great cold is broken, which oftentimes hurteth this plant when it is newly planted: It is true that it may be planted at any time after the beginning of November, yea it may be then both planted and gathered. The plants shall every one stand from another six foot square, and they must be carefully husbanded for the first three years, as if they were young vines. You shall find a larger discourse of the Willow-tree in the sixth Book. The distilled water of Willows is good to be drunk for the staying of all sorts of fluxes of blood: the decoction of the leaves or the lee made of the ashes of the wood being drunk, doth kill bloodsuckers which hang in the throat.   

CHAP. IX.  
Of the Elm.  
MEn of old time did much esteem the Elm for the vine sake, because they married the vine unto the Elm, 
The vine married unto the Elm.  as also, it is yet practised of some unto this day in Italy, but now the Elm is applied to another manner of use by the husbandman: and for that cause we have given in charge to every householder to plant a plot of elms, at the end of his orchard, as well to make faggots of, as to make wheels and axletrees of for his carts and ploughs, as also for firewood and other easements, besides the pleasure that the Elme-tree affordeth all the Summer long. For the planting then of your Elme-plot, make choice of a fat piece of ground, and withal somewhat moist (although this Tree be easy to grow in any kind of ground) which you shall dig and cast, breaking the clods afterward very small, in so much as that you shall make all the earth as it were dust, and in the Spring you shall harrow it and lay it even: afterward, you shall sow it very thick with the seed of elms, which shall by this time become little red, having been a long time in the Sun, and yet notwithstanding retaining his natural substance and moisture: and you shall sow it so thick as that all the earth shall be covered with it, then cast of fine mould upon it, good two fingers thick, and water it a little, and cover the earth with straw or broken boughs and branches, to the end that what shall come out of the earth may not be devoured of birds. And when the sciences shall begin to show, take away the straw and boughs, and pull up the bad weeds very carefully with your hands, in such sort as that the small roots of the elms which as yet are tender, be not plucked up therewithal. The ways and squares must be so discreetly cast, as that he which is to weed them may easily reach to the midst of them every way. F●r if they were too broad, than he should be constrained in pulling up the weeds to tread the earth with his feet, by which means the shoots might be hurt. After when the branches are put up some three foot high to take them up from their nursery, and to plant them in another ground, and after that to transplant them again. The Elme-tree also may be planted of small branches taken from great etmes, and that a great deal better in Autumn than in the Spring time: after three years passed, they must be transplanted and that after Autumn, when as the earth beginneth to be moist until the beginning of the Spring, as being the time when the root may be drawn without leaving of the bark behind: you may plant an elm at every forty feet end, and not touch them at all for two years after: which being passed, you must dig the earth all about the body of the Tree, pruning and picking it with a small handbill, every two years. We will not make any longer description of the elm: but send you to the sixth book, where you shall find particularly and amply declared, how this tree is to be planted, and in what soil it doth principally delight to grow.   

CHAP. X.  
Of the Aller.  
WE see that the Aller or Alder-tree is no less profitable for the Husbandman, than the Elm, in as much as the wood of Aller doth serve to make many implements & working tools, as ladders, ●ailes for the cart, poles, handles for tools, racks for horse-meat, and such other things, to lay the foundations of buildings upon, which are laid in the rivers, fens, or other standing waters, because it never rotteth in the water, but lasteth as it were for ever, and beareth up marvelous strange and huge masses.  
The Aller therefore shall be planted near some little brook, in some moist and waterish meadows: for the Aller-tree naturally delighteth in water more than any other tree doth, and it looketh that the most part of his roots should be in and lower than the water, for else it will not come to any growth. The aller is not sown because it beareth no seed, fruit, or flowers: yet it may be planted two ways, either of branches taken from the great trees, or else of live roots drawn out of moist places their earth with them, and so set in another moist place, and that in such sort, as that at the least the one half of the roots may be lower than the water, and covered above with earth a finger's thickness: and withal, before it be planted, you must cut the small branches away till within a finger of the main root, which afterward will shoot up many small sciences. This tree is easy to take and grow again in moist places, because it hath much pith in it, and putteth forth much wood in a short time. You may 〈◊〉 your aller to grow high in any place without any great labour, and to small profit because it would need continual watering. It is better than that your aller stand in watery ground (as we have said) that so it may both please and profit you. See further of the aller-tree in the sixth book. The fresh leaves do stay inflammations: being put under the naked soles of the feet, they greatly take away their wearisomeness, which by far walking have wearied themselves: full and all moist with the morning dew, being spread in Summer all over a chamber, they kill fleas. The bark serveth to make ink, and to die leather black.    

The Pool, Fishpond, and Ditch for Fish.  

CHAP. XI.  
Of the manner of making Stews and Pools for keeping of Fishes.  
THe chief and principal point of a good Country Farm, is to want nothing, either needful for the provision of the chief Lord, or available for the profit that may come thereof. The good householder than shall not esteem a little of Fish, seeing that of them he may make both provision for his table, and great gain unto his purse: but rather shall provide some place near unto his house, for to cast Pools or Stews in, to the end, that when need is, he may find victuals therein both for himself and his family, and that as ready, as if it were already in the Kitchen: besides what he may yearly sell of that his store to make money into his purse.  
Therefore for the appointing out of ground for these his Pools 
The situation of the Pools.  or Stews to breed or feed his fish in, he shall choose it joining unto his Meadows, in some lean place, and such as he could otherwise make no profit of, and yet it must be in a firm ground, that is gravely or sandy, for such places do feed fishes excellent well: notwithstanding, that the muddy and dyrtie Pool be best for the Tench, Burbet, Cod, E●le, and such other slippery and slimy fishes: but he that loveth his health, must not furnish his Pools or Stews with such manner of fish. The Pool shall be marvelously well seated, if the commodiousness of the place will afford it continual refreshment from some flowing Fountain, or some Brook, or little River falling into it, whereby continually the first water may be removed, and new supplied in place thereof, not suffering the other to stand too long impounded: and therefore, if it be possible, the Pool is to have convenient issue in one part or other, for so by this means the water is renewed the more easily, and the fish therein made the more cheerful and better thriving to every body's ●ight▪ whereas on the contrary, the standing and corrupted water affordeth them nothing but bad nourishment, making the flesh thereof of an ill taste, and unpleasant in eating. In the mean time you must not ●orget to set grates of Brass or iron close fastened, and pierced but with small holes in the conduits, that so by them the water may find one passage in, and another out, and yet to stay the fish for getting forth. It will be good that the Pool be large and great, to the end, that the ●ish which is kept therein may find room● 〈◊〉 sport themselves, without perceiving of any impediment or imprisonment that they sustain. It will be good also to make in these Pools some corners, or starting holes, like little lodging rooms, in the wall thereof, to the end, that thereby the fish may find place for to hide itself, and to avoid the great heat of the Summer: provided notwithstanding, that they be so made, as that the water which is in them may easily get out again.  
These Fishponds also may be made in any low Valley, which the hills environing on every side, send down their waters into the same, making it continually wet: so that (in truth) without it be applied to this purpose, it will serve for no other good purpose. In this place, above all other, you shall make your Fishpond, 
To make a Fishpond.  draining it at the driest time of the year, and digging it of such depth as you shall think most convenient for the receipt of such water as shall fall into it: then noting how the water descendeth, you shall just against that descent make the head of your Pond, mounting it of such a height, that no land-water whatsoever may overflow it, and this head you shall make in this wise: first, so soon as you have drained the ground, and made the earth firm where the head must be, you shall drive in four or five rows of piles made of Elm, and some of Oak half burn● or scorched, and then the earth which you dig out of the pond, together with faggots and bundles of wood, you shall ram in hard between the pile, till you have covered them, than you shall drive in more piles, and ram them likewise as before, heaping thus pile upon pile, and earth upon earth, till you have made the head of that convenient height which you did desire, and if in the midst of this head you preserve a convenient place for a sluice or floodgate, which you may draw up and sh●● at your pleasure, it will be a great deal the better: and on the top of the head you shall make a small sluice or two with five grates in them, to stay the Fish from passing through the same, which sluices shall convey the waste water, which shall at any time rise above the height or level of the banks: the bottom and sides of this pond you shall pave all over with fine greene-grasse-turfe which will be a great nourishment to the Fish, and above the water you shall plant Oziers', and on the top of the head divers rows of Willow, because all fish take great delight in the shadows and if you intent the pond for carp or bream, you shall all along one side of the pond, stake and bind down divers faggots made of brush-wood in which the fish shall cast their young or spawn, and so have them preserved, which otherwise would be destroyed.   

CHAP. XII.  
What manner of wild flesh is to be provided for the furnishing of the Fish-poole.  
NOw one great commendation belonging to inheritances, is to have wild flesh and fish in the fields thereto belonging. As concerning the wild flesh, the walks thereof are partly in the woods, and partly in the warrens, of which we will speak in their place: partly in the ●rable grounds and fallows, as the great and little Hare, the Partridge, Quail, and Lark: and part in the wood, at the Hart, the Hind, the Do, and the wild-Bore: and as concerning birds, the Stock-dove, Turtle, Small-henne, Plover, and others: but to return to our fish-poole, 
The wild flesh of the fish-poole.  the wild flesh thereof (especially of birds) is the Swan, the Heron, the Woodcock, Snite, Mallarde, Teal, young wild Ducks, the wild Goose, and the Bittor. 
Beasts of a two fold lif●.  Besides, there are belonging thereto as concerning beasts, such as ancient Writers have called double-lived beasts, that is to say, such as live either in or out of the water, the Otter, the Badger (which verily hath a scaly tail like Fishes) the Beaver, and the Dormouse, unto which we will add the Torteise, that dainty dish for Princes and great Lords: albeit the most commendable of them, and which hath the best relish, and in most request, is that which is called the wood Torteise, and maketh her borough in the woods, the wealth of 〈◊〉 and Languedoc.   

CHAP. XIII.  
Of the sorts of Fishes wherewith Pools, Ponds, and Ditches, are to be furnished.  
IF you desire to furnish your fishpools, and feeding stews, it is needful that you carefully consider the nature of the place wherein you have made them: for all sorts of fishes do not feed alike in all manner of places: the stony and rocky places do like well the fishes called thereupon Saxatiles, or fishes living in stony places, as the Tront, Perch, Loach, Lump, Mullet, and Gudgeons: In muckie and slimy places, the Tench, Bourbet, Codfish, and Eel do delight to live: In gravelly and sandy grounds, the Salmon, the Pike, and the Barbel, do not much dislike to live. Wherefore, to the end that we may speak generally, in regard of the fish of pools, ponds, or ditches (things common amongst the inhabitants of Beaux, though they have no such store of water as the people of Salongne, Percheron, Tutraine, Anjou, or Mantz) the most common, and which best ●●ore and furnish the s●me, are the carp, and the Barbell, 
carp, Barbell. Famous pools▪ The pools of Nouë and Gowieux.  It is true that the Pike is a good meat, especially if he be kept in springing waters, and into which there runneth some river (as the pool of Nau, or Nouï, as also that of Gowieux, the two most natural and greatest pools that are in all France, and such as never dry up) but in keeping of him there is this danger, namely, that he is a very tyrant amongst all fresh-water-fish, eating and devouring the small thereof, in such sort as that in fishing there is not a little one of that kind cast into the pools again, after they be once drawn out, which yet is used in the little ones of all other kinds beside. The small fish, which is called white, are the Perch, 
White fish. The Trout.  the Mullet, the Millers-thombe, the Chevin, Gudgeon, Loach, Menuise, and the Trout, albeit that the foremost are those which are the most dainty, and chiefest in request for sick and delicate folks, but the Trout is the princeliest and most delicate dish of all the rest, which is never sound but in running waters, or in great springs. The Salmon-trout is a very dainty thing, and so likewise the flesh thereof is more fast and red, even after the manner of the Salmon, after whom he had his name given. The Tench, 
Tench. Eel.  Bourbet, and Cod, are of a courser and more slimy mear, as is also the Eel, which yet proveth singular good in great pools, and greatly commended being taken in that of Nouë, and at the mills of Gowieux: 
Eel ponds.  witness hereof, are the Eele-ponds which have been caused to be made there by Princes, and therefore that of Nouë seemeth to me to be of greater account, because of the causey belonging thereunto: but ther● are some which disdain the eating of eel, in respect of the vn●auorinesse of her flesh, and also because (as some say) she coupleth with the snake. But whatsoever the matter is, I find her as good in a swift running water, 
The lamprey a venomous fish in the Sea.  as either the lampreie or lamperne, a venomous fish in the Sea, though when she is scoured and come up into the great rivers, as Loire, she become a firm same nourishment, save that it is somewhat slimy, and of a hard digestion, how well soever it be dressed or handled.  
The excrements of the pool (which are eaten after the manner of fish) are the frog and the crevisse, 
The excrements of the pool are the frog and the crevice.  the first whereof being taken in his season, as when she is not engendering, but well fleshed and liking, doth taste like a little chicken: the other doth more load the stomach than nourish; and yet unto the husbandman and farmer this i● as a second manna for his family, which on festival days delight themselves with the taking of them with the long-bow-net, or with a little maund of bulrushes, as also the little 〈◊〉 with the shove-net, 
Sorts of fishing forbidden.  small-net, called a truble and line; for the fire, the tunnel and bait are forbidden by all right. The net and the hook are chief and principal of all the rest.  
And of nets there are divers sorts and kinds, 
diverse kinds of nets.  as first the long draw-net, which containing many fathoms in length is as it were divided into two parts, and in the midst a long rod or pole drawn close together at the furthest end with a heavy stone hanging at the same, and into which the fish fly when they are taken, then is this net plumbed with lead all along the lower side, and floated above with big round floats of Sallow-wood to keep the net from sinking, it is but only poled at the two outmost ends the just breadth of the net: this net is to draw ponds, rivers, or meres withal; then is there the flew, and stand net, which are without rods, plain single nets only, as it were farced or lined before with another strong net, every mash being six or eight inches square, these nets are to fish within narrow brooks, blind dikes, and other small rundles, the stand net being pricked down first, and the flew drawing along unto it; then is there the leap net, which is made square with many rods running one into another, and this is fastened unto a leap made of Oziers', and are only to take Eels or other fish in mill-dames, or other such lake straight places: for the shove net, spade net, or casting net, they are only to fish in holes, so is also the augure, which is a sharp instrument of iron made thin with many sharp teeth, and so stricken into holes or muddle banks, where they will many times catch a very great abundance of Eels: Besides these, there are divers other engines, as hooks, lines, the angle, and such like, but none of more use than these already spoken of.   

CHAP. XIIII.  
That Fishpools must be looked unto, and the sides thereof repaired.  
But and if you mind to reap any profit by your fishpools or fish ditches, you must have care to lay them dry every six year at the least, and to dress them every three year taking away the reeds, bulrushes, and broad leaves of water-lilies, and other water-flowers, for these hinder the Fish that they cannot sport themselves, and maketh them eat muddily, and of a bad taste. 
To banish water rats.  You must likewise chase and drive away water-rats, or else take them with some engine: as also the Otter and Beaver, as mighty spoilers of the fishpools: These two tyrants are found in greater number in Lorraine, than in our true and natural Country of France. 
Not to shoot at wild●owle about fishpools.  Furthermore, you must have care that there be not much shooting in Guns at the wild-fowl which is found to haunt therein, because such shooting astonisheth the fish, and killeth it oftentimes. Again, there are other means for the taking of such wild flesh: 
Guns cause fish to ●ie.  neither is the crossbow so dangerous, whether it be the tiler, or the bullet. It is true, that the longbow is the most singular of all, and performeth the action of killing as well as the Turkish bow, when it is drawn lustily, and by one which hath a good sight.  
The greatest charges of the fish-poole is the keeping of the banks and causey, the water-stops, 
The raising of the sides or banks of the fish-poole.  sluices, and ditch over against the pool, made for the receiving of th● water during the time of the fishing, as also to rid it of mud and unprofitable weeds, as being the cause that the water when it is not of any strong current, becometh covered as it were with earth: yea and though it be of a good fresh Spring, yet they are the means of the stopping and drying up of those Springs, and to cause them to divert and turn their courses another way: wherefore all good householders must be furnished with iron to repair the grates, and flints, and hard stones for the maintenance of the causey.  
As concerning the ponds and ditches for fishes, 
Fishponds and fish 〈◊〉.  they must be often dressed, reple●shed with new stores, and also refreshed with small ware: for to be always taken away, and never adding any thing to, doth pull down the greatest heaps of store. Again, the good farmer is careful and diligent always in his taking of fish, 〈◊〉 cast the small back again into the water, and not to kill them outright if he can avoid it: It is true, that for further profit and thrift, he useth to prick about such ditch or pond great plenty of Willows, and some also do plant the Aller and Elm in the same place, for to gather firewood of for the household: others again do plant the Asp and Poplar-tree, and every one of these, according as they find their ground best disposed to bear the one or the other.   

CHAP. XV.  
Of the feeding of Fishes in their Pools, Ponds, and Ditches.  
IT is most certain, that the Fishes abiding in the Sea, or streams, and running rivers, have greater store of victual, than those which are shut up in pools, ponds, ditches, and stews▪ for such as have their full scope of liberty in the Sea and streams, do always meet with one relief or other brought unto them by the course of the water, besides the small fishes which are the food and sustenance of the greater: but the other shut up and enclosed in safeguard, cannot go forth a hunting a●ter any prey. It will be good therefore sometimes to cast them in of all sorts of small Fishes, the bowels and entrails of great Fish, tender figs cut down, cracked Walnuts, soft cervises boiled, fresh cheese, lumps of white bread, certain fruits chopped small, all sorts of salt ●ish, and such other like victual: for and if the fish be not fed and made fat with meat which the householder or farmer shall give unto them, when they shall be carried either to hall or market (for my meaning is that the good farmer should make his profit of all things) the leanness thereof will manifest, that they were not taken in any full Sea at their liberty, but in some place of guard and restraint, and so they will not sell so dear by much. And sometimes it will be good to cast upon the pools and ponds the fresh leaves of parsley, for those leaves do rejoice and refresh the Fishes that are sick.  
Besides, 
Food for Fish.  to keep your Fishponds well tur●t as was before said, so as they may have store of green grass in them, is an excellent relief for fish, and food which they will desire as much as any other, for they will suck and feed upon grass exceedingly: therefore when grass is in the prime, and hath full bit upon it, if you gather large turfs thereof, and pin them fast down under the water, they will feed and ●atten the Fish wonderfully: the chippins of bread, or other crusts which come from the farmer's table, although they be greasy and foul, yet are they a very good seed for fish; so is also the clotted blood of beasts, as sheep, oxen, or any other kind, being cast into the pond morning and evening; the young brood of Wasps when you find their nests, being cast into the water, is a food that fish will delight in before any other.   

CHAP. XVI.  
Other more certain and approved ways to take all manner of Fish, especially with the angle, and other instruments.  
AS for that which hath been before written, being only the secrets and experiments of the French practice, I do not hold it sufficient for the satisfaction of every judicial Reader, and therefore I will wade a little further in this art, and show you the manner of taking of all sorts of fish by the angle, which is the most generous and best kind of all other, and may truly be called the Emperor of all exercises. 
Art of Angling  To speak them first of this art of angling or taking of fish with the angle, you shall understand that it consisteth in three especial things, that is to say, in the instrument which is the angle, in the enticement which is the bait, and in the true use of them both together, which is the seasons and times of the year fittest for the sport. To speak then first of the angle-rod, it must be generally of two pieces, but particularly, as for the pike, or other greater fish, it may be made of one entire piece; the substance of the stock would be a well grown ground Wi●ch●n, an elm, or an Ewe, or a hazel, and the top would be of hazel, or Whale-bone●some anglers use to compound their rods of many pieces, as those which are made of cane, wherein one joint is applied into another, but they are more for pleasure than any general profit. To these rods do belong lines made of the strongest and longest horse-hair which can be got, nor are th●y to be gotten of lean, poor, and diseased jade's, but such as are fair, fat, and in ●ul strength, and if conveniently you can, it is best ever to gather them from stoned horses, and not from mares or geldings: of hair, the black is the worst, the white and grey best, and other colours indifferent: your smallest lines would consist of three hairs, and your bigger of seven: if amongst your hair you mix a silke-threed or two, the line will be the better and stronger: you shall twist your hairs neither too hard nor too soft, but hold a mediocrity, so as they may twine and couch close together, and the ends you shall fasten together with a fishers-knot, which is your ordinary fast knot, folded four or five times abou●, both under and above, to make it from loosening in the water: for the length of your lines, they must answer to the places in which you angle, some being four fathom, some six, and some more, according to the length of your rod, or the depth of the water: your lines (though their natural colours, as being white or grey, is not amiss) would yet sometimes be coloured of other colours, according to the seasons of the year, for so the shadow of them (which is most dangerous) will lest scar the fish, and soon in●ice them to bite; and of these colours the Water-green● is the best, yellow next, then russet, dark brown, or tawny.  
To die your lines of a Water-greene, 
To 〈◊〉 fishing line●.  you shall take a pottle of Allome-water, and put thereinto a handful of Marigolds, and let them boil well till a yellow 〈◊〉 rise on the top of the water, then take the quantity of half a pound of green coperas, and as much of Verdigrea●e beaten to fine powder, and put it with the hair into the water, and so let it boil again a little space, and then set it in some 〈◊〉 to cool for the space of half a day, then take ●ut your hair, and lay it where it may dry. This colour of Water-greene is good to angle with in all clayey waters, from the Spring till the beginning of Winter. If you will have your hairs yellow, you shall take Allome-water (as beforesaid) and Marigolds, and boil them therein, adding thereto a handful of turmerick, or for want thereof, so much of green Walnut-leaves, and mixing it with the water, steep your hairs therein a day and a night, then take them from them, and dry them: these yellow coloured lines are good also to angle with in clear water, if they be full of weeds, ●edge, and other water flowers, for it is not unlike to the stalks thereof, and the time best from Michaelmas till Christmas. To make your lines russet, you shall take a quart of Allome water, and as much strong lee, than put thereunto a handful of soot, and as much Brown of Spain: then when it hath boiled well an hour or two, set it by to cool, and being cooled, steep the hairs therein a full day and a night, and then lay the hairs to dry. This colour is good to angle within deep waters, whether they be rivers or standing pools, and are best to be used from Christmas till after Easter. But if you will have them of a dark brown colour, than you shall take a pound of Umber, and half so much soot, and seeth it in a pottle of Ale a good space: then being cool, steep your hairs therein the space of four and twenty hours, and then hang them up to dry, and if the colour be not dark enough, you may add a little more of the Umber, and it will darken it. These lines are best to angle with in black and muddy waters, whether they be standing pools or running streams, and will endure all seasons of the year. Lastly, to make your lines of a tawny colour, you shall take lime and water, and mix it together▪ and steep your hairs therein half a day: then take them forth and steep them double so long time in Tanner's ouze, and then hang them up to dry. These lines are best to angle with in 〈◊〉 and heathie waters, which are of a reddish or brown colour, and will serve for that purpose all the seasons of the year. Now if with this colour, or the green, you mix a silver thread, it will not be amiss, and with any of the other colours a gold thread they will be much better to angle withal. Also you must remember to make at each end of your lines good big loops, the one, to fasten to the top of your rod, the other, to the hooke-line, which commonly is not ●boue a foot long at the most.  
To these lines there doth also belong Corks, 
〈…〉  or Floats, which you shall make in this manner: Take of the best and thickest Cork you can get, and with a fine rape ●●●ing pared it clean, cut it into the fashion of a Pear, big and round at the one end, and small and sharp at the other, ever observing, according to the bigness of your line, to make the bigness of your cork: as, for a line of three hairs, a cork of an inch, or little more, long, and to the bigger lines, bigger corks: through this cork you shall thrust a quill, and through the quill the line. The cork serveth only to let you know when the fish biteth, therefore the less it is, the better it is, for it only gives the less shadow, provided that it be ever in your eye: for though some Anglers will fish without corks, yet it is not so good, nor so certain. In placing your cork upon your line, you must put the small end downward, and the big end to the topward. Now there be some Anglers which make their corks of the fashion of Nutmegs, small at both ends, and big in the midst: and it is not much to be 〈◊〉, only it is a little sooner apt to sink, and you may thereby strike before the fish have fully bitten: others shape their corks in the fashion of a Whirl, or of a little Apple, round and flat on both sides: and this cork is not amiss to angle with at great fish, because it being not so apt to sink, will float till the hook be fastened, and that the fish beginneth to shoot away with the bait: so that the Angler then striking, can seldom or never lose his labour.  
The next instrument to these which belongeth to the Angle, is your Hooks, 
Hooks.  which are of divers shapes, some being big, and some little, and some of a mean between both, according to the fish at which you angle. The best thing to make your hooks of, is either old Spanish needles, or strong wyar drawn as near as can be to that hardness of temper, which being nailed and allayed in the fire, you may bend any way. Now the best way to soften your wyar before you work it, is to hold it in the blaze of a candle till it be red hot, and then let it cool softly and gently of itself: or if not thus, then roll your wyar up, & put it into a charcoal fire till it be red hot, and then let it cool at leisure. As touching the making of your hooks, you shall only with a pair of plyars bend them to what proportion you please, and then with a sharp file make the point and ●eard as sharp as may be, and batter the lower end flat to which you must warp your line. But because the trouble of making is a little noisome, it shall be best to buy them from such as make a living or trade thereof, and to buy of all sorts, even from the least to the biggest, as well double hooks as single: the double, which is for the Pike or bigger fish; and the single, which is for the Perch, Trout, or middle sort. Your double hooks are (as it were) two hooks of one piece of wyar, turned contrary ways one from the other. This double hook must not be fastened like the single to the line, but to a strong wyar joined unto it, of a handful long, or more, being well wound about and warped with a smaller wyar: then to it another wyar of the same length, warped as aforesaid, and by links joined together, and then the line fastened to the last link: 
To fasten the ●ookes.  and these are called armed hooks, because they descend the hook from shearing or biting in pieces with the teeth of the greater fish. Now for your single hooks, you shall thus fix them unto their lines: Take a length of your twisted hairs, containing that number which is fit for your hook, and having made a loop at one end, lay the other end upon the inside of your hook: then with a silk thread, of the colour of your line, whip and warp the hook round about, as thick, close, and straight as may be, and then running the last end through the whole warp, draw it as fast as you can, then cut it away close by the warp. After your ●ooke i● thus fastened, 
To plumb the lin●.  you shall plumb your line: which is, to fasten certain pieces of lead according to the bigness of your line, about it, some being in length about a quar●er of an inch, some half an inch, and some more, according to the bigness of your cork, and the weight of the hook: for these plummets are but to carry down the hook to the bottom, neither being so heavy to make the cork sink, nor so light, as not with the smallest touch to make the cork dip into the water. You shall understand, that your first plummet would be a foot from the hook, the rest not above an inch one distant from another, & not being above five or seven at the most: yet some Anglers use nine; but it is not much material. There is in the plumbing of lines three several fashions of plummets used: 
Three several fashions of plummets.  as, one long, another square, and the third in a diamond form, yet all to one purpose, and the long ones ever the best, being smoothly and well fastened to the line, for fear of catching hold upon weeds or other things in the bottom of the water. Besides these instruments before spoke of, you must hau● a Musket bullet, 
A musket bullet to sound the depth.  which fastened to a line, shall serve to sound the depth of the water where you angle, that thereby you may plumb your lines the righter, and set your cork in his due place: than you shall have a large ring of lead, six inches at least in compass, and made fast to a small long line, through which thrusting your rod, and letting the ring fall into the water, it will help to unloose your hook, if it be at ani● time fastened about weeds or stones which lie in the bottom of the water: than you shall have a smooth board, six or seven inches square, and cut battlement-wise at each end, upon which you shall lap your lines: you shall have a box for your hooks, a bag or horn for your baits, and another box for your flies, both alive, or dead: you shall have needles, silk thread, wax, and loose hairs: then a roll of pitchy thread to mend any crack in the angle-rod: also a ●ile, a knife, a powch with many purses: and lastly, a fine basket of small wands, which shall hang by his side, to put the fish in which the Angler takes, and a small round net fastened to a poles end, wherewith you may land a Pike or any other great fish. Again, an Angler must be very careful in his apparel, by no means wearing light or gaudy suits, which may give affright to the fish, 
Apparel for an Angler.  but of the darkest colour you can provide, as russet, tawny, or such like, and of the plainest fashion, without hanging sleeves, or any other wavering thing, because they are blinks or scars which affright fish: it would be warm for your own health sake: you must also keep your head and feet dry, for the contrary breeds feuer● and other ill sicknesses.  
Touching the seasons best to angle in: 
Best seasons for fishing.  they are from April till the end of October: and the best hours, from four in the morning till nine, and from three in the afternoon till five in the evening, the wind blowing from the North, South, or West, and the air temperate, as inclined to warmness: but to speak a little more particularly, you shall understand, that if the day be dark, close, and lowering, or have a gentle whistling wind playing upon the water, it is good to angle in: or if a fine mi●zeling dew of rain fall gently without violence, the fish will bite the faster: also after floods are gone away, and the rivers are come within their own banks, and the water clearest, 
Winter and Summer fishing  it is good to angle in. Again, for your Summer's angling, you shall choose the coolest time of the day, for the heat is not good: but for the winter angling, you shall not make any difference of times, if the day be calm, for all hours of the Sun are alike, only the noontide is esteemed best. If the water where you angle, ebb and ●low, the best time of angling is at an ebbing water; but in those places where the side is not great, there the time of flowing is preferred also: lastly, whensoever you see the T●out play or leap above water, and the Pike shoot in the pursuit of other ●i●hes, it is then a very good time to angle in: and all times and seasons contrary to these before rehearsed, are vild and nought to angle in.  
After the knowledge of seasons, 
The best manner of fishing.  you shall know the best manner how to stand and place your body whilst you angle: for if you angle in any pond or standing water, than you shall choose that place which is deepest, blackest, and least transparent, shadowing yourself under the bank, or so, as your shadow may be carried from the water; for it ever breeds a fright unto the fishes: but if you angle in any river, you shall choose that place which is deepest and clearest; and here also you shall strive to conceal yourself as much as is possible, by standing behind trees or bushes, or any thing else that may cover you.  
Next to this, 
The haunts of fishes.  you shall know the haunts of fishes: as thus, the carp, Eel, and Tench do ever haunt muddy places; the carp lying in the bottom thereof, the Tench amongst the weeds, and the Eels under stones, or other covert: the bream, the Chevine, and the Pike haunt ever the clear and sandy bottom; the Pike, where you see great store of small fry▪ the Chevine, where the stream runneth swiftest, and the shade is greatest; and the bream, where the water is bro●dest, and the depth giveth greatest liberty: also these three delight more in ponds than in rivers. The Salmon hath his haunt in the swiftest and broadest rivers, whose channel falls into the sea: The Trout loveth smaller brooks, the current being clear and gravely, and lodgeth most in deep holes: so doth the Perch also, only he abideth most in the creeks or hollow places which are about the banks. The Gudgeon, the Loach, and the Bulhead haunt shallow waters: The Barbel, Roche, Dace, and Ruff, haunt the deep shady places of those waters which are mixed with more ●and than gravel, or where the clay is firm, and not ●●imie, and love to lie under the shadows of trees or bushes that grow on the bank. The Luce or Lucerne haunteth the broad and large meres, being deep and still, and ever lodgeth in the bottom thereof. The Shad and Tweat haunt those waters which are brackish, deep, and accustomed to ebb and flow: and where they haunt, there commonly is found both the Muller and the Suant, all which love to lodge close and flat at the bottom, so it be rather clay than gravel.  
Next to the knowledge of the haunts of fishes, 
Baits.  you shall learn to know the several baits, which, besides those formerly described (which are indeed French secrets) there are many other, and may be reduced to two kinds, Live-baits, and Dead-baits: your Live-baits are worms of all kinds, especially the Red-worme, the Maggot, the Bob, the Door, brown Flies, Frogs, Grasshoppers, Hornets, Wasps, Bees, Snails, small Roches, Bleakes, Gudgeons, or else Loaches: your dead-baits are pastes of all kinds, of which we have expressed divers before, and their use; young brood of Wasps, dried or undried, clottered Blood, Chee●e, Bramble-berries, Corne-seedes, Cherries, and all sorts of flies made of silk and feathers so lively, that they will many times deceive a good judgement, of which there are divers, as the done fly, the stone fly, the red fly, the yellow fly, the black fly, the dark yellow fly, the moorish fly, the tawny fly, 
The fit times for every bait.  the Wasp fly, the shell-flie, and the cloudy dark fly. Now for the seasons in which all these several baits are to be used, you shall know, that the Red-worme will serve for small fish all the year long; the Maggot is good in julie, the Bob and Door in May, the brown flies in june, Frogs in March, Grasshoppers in September, Hornets, Wasps, and Bees in july, Snails in August: all pastes are good in May, june, and july, dried Wasps in May, sheeps blood and Cheese in April, and for Bramble-berries, or Corne-seeds, they are good at the fall of the lease only. Lastly, for your dead flies; the done fly is good in March and February▪ the stone fly is for April; the red fly and the yellow fly are for May; the black fly, the dark yellow fly, and the moorish fly, are for june; the tawny fly for part of May and part of june; the Wasp fly and the shell fly are for july; and the cloudy dark fly for August.  
Now for the preservation of all baits, 
To preserve 〈◊〉.  especially the living ones, for the dead do not so soon perish; you shall understand, that they must not be kept all together, but every kind several by itself, and nourished with such things as they delight in: and first, for the Red-worme, you shall put them into a bag of red cloth, and chopping a handful of Fennell, mix it with half so much fine mould, and put it to the worms, and they will not only live long therein, but also scour and seed. Some put moss amongst them; others put Pa●sley, or sweet Marierome; neither is it amiss: but the first is best, and will keep them full two months in perfection: For the Maggot, you shall mix with them sheeps ●allow, or little bits of a beasts liver. The best way to scour them, is to put them into a bag of blanketing with sand, and hang them where they may have the air of the fire for an hour or two. For Frogs and Grasshoppers, you shall keep them in wet moss and long grass, moistened every night with water. As for the Bob, Cadys' worm, the Canker, and such like, you shall keep them with the same things that you find them upon: and for all sorts of live flies, you shall use them as you take them; only the Wasp, the Hornet, and the Bumble-bee, you shall fi●st dry them a little in a warm Oven after the bread is drawn, and then dip all their heads into sheeps blood, and then dry them again, and so keep them in a close box, and they will keep two or three months in very good perfection.  
Now, for the several fishes, and how they delight in every several bait, 
To fit fish with the baits they delight in.  you shall know, that the Gudgeon, Roch, and Dace, love the Red-worme, Cod-worme, Maggot, clottered blood, or the young brood of Wasps; the carp loves paste, the Mosse-worme, the Red-worme, the Menow, the Cadys' worm, or Grasshopper; the Chubb, Chevine, or Trout, love all sorts of dead flies, Cadys' worm, Bob, Frogs, Do●es, or Hornets; the Eel loves the Red-worme, or sheeps guts; the Flounder or Suant loves the Red-worme, or brood of Wasps; the Grailing, or the Barbel, love all that the Trout loves; the bream loves Butterflies, green flies, paste, or brood of Wasps; the Tench loves passed, the Red-worme, Maggots, & dried Wasps; the Bleak, Ruff, and Perch, love the Red-worme, the house-flie, fat Bacon, Bob, Maggot, or Canker; the Pike loves the small Roch, Dace, or Menow, Frogs, or Bulheads: Lastly, the Salmon loves all those baits which the Trout loves; as passed or flies in Summer, and all sorts of Worms, or the Cankers or water-Dockes in the Winter. And thus much for the general satisfaction of all Readers, which desire knowledge in this art of Angling, and which indeed is very proper and fit for our Husbandman.   

CHAP. XVII.  
The fishing of all sorts of Fish.  
THe fishing or taking of fish is divers, according to the Rivers and Waters wherein they keep, as also in respect of the diversity of the fishes themselves: for the fishing in the sea, and that in fresh water, is not all one, but several, and divers: the great fishes one way, the Eel another way, the Pike another way, and the carp is taken another way. But whereas it might fall out, that such variable manner of fishing might be very difficult and long to describe, we will leave this knowledge to such as make account to sell and buy fish, and will only declare, for the benefit of the householder, that the chiefest and most principal ways to take fish, are either in the Maund, or with the Casting-net, or with the Line, or with Nets, or with the Hook. The Nets do heap together greatest store of fish, but they are chargeable to maintain: the Casting-net is of the same condition: the Line and hook are the most ingenious and witty, but least profitable, and of slenderest reward.  
The fittest time to go a fishing in Autumn, 
The time to take fish.  is after Sunset, and then principally when it is betwixt night and day, for then fishes are slumbering, and that so deeply, as that they may be taken at their rest with light and flaming torches. In Winter, the fittest time to fish in, is about noon: in the Spring time all the day long, but chiefly before the Sun rise: which Spring time is the most fit of all other times for fishing; in as much as then the water being warm, and the fish stirred up to engender, they rise from the bottom of the depths to the uppermost part of the waters, yea, oftentimes to the very edges thereof. The worst and most unfit time of all other is the Summer, especially whiles the Dogge-days last, the heat whereof causeth the fish to die, and constraineth it to betake itself to the bottom of the depths: so that if you would fish in Summer, it must be in the night season. In fishing you are to have regard unto the wind: so that when the North wind bloweth, you must turn your Nets toward the South wind, and the South wind blowing toward the North wind. In like manner, when the Western wind bloweth, your Nets must be turned toward the East, and contrarily: but before all things, fishing must be gone about in a calm time, when there is not any tempest abroad.  
For to gather fish together into one place: 
To gather the fish together into one place.  Take Penyryall, Savoury, Organie, and Marierome, of every one the weight of three French crowns, of the bark of the Frankincense and Myrrhe-tree, of each one ounce, of sweet Cherries dried and infused in good wine, half a pound, of a Hogs liver roasted, of Goat's grease and Garlic, of each a pound: stamp every one by itself, and after put thereunto some sine gravel; with this, mixed together, you shall feed the fish for some hour or two before you cast in your Net, which when at such time you have cast in, you shall therewith compass the place about.  
To catch all sorts of fish: 
To catch all sorts of fishes.  Take sheeps suet, of burnt Sesamum, Garlic, Organie, Thyme, and dried Marierome, of every one a sufficient competent quantity, stamp them with the crumbs of bread and wine, and give of this composition to the fish to eat: Or else take sweet Cherries dried, and braying them, make pills thereof to give unto fishes: Or make a meat with unquenched Lime, old Cheese, and Rams suet: cast this into the water, and presently you shall see the fish float and lie still upon the water. Fishermen, to catch small fish with the Line, do bait hooks with small earth-worms, whereof the fish are very desirous and greedy. Otherwise: take the Indian shell, Cummin, old Cheese, flower of Wheat, knead them all together with Wine, make pills thereof as great as small Peason: cast them into the River when the water shall be quiet and calm, all the fish that shall taste of this confection, as though they were drunk and besotted, will run to the brink of the River, and so, as that you may take them up with your hand: Or else make a confection with the round root of Birthwort bruised, or sows bread, and unquenched Lime: cast upon the water some portion of this consection, the fishes will hasten unto it presently, and having tasted thereof, will die suddenly.  
To take small fishes: 
To take small fishes.  Take the flesh of a Snail without a tail, and thereof make a bait, and put not on any more than one little Snail at a time: Or else take the flesh and blood of a Calf well powned, put it into a vessel, and so leave it by the space of ●enne days; afterward use it to make baits of. Otherwise: take sweet Cherries dried, and bray them, making pills thereof, which you shall cast unto the fishes.  
Take Sal ammoniake an ounce, 
To entrap and take Torteises with bait.  Onions, the weight of a French crown, of the fat of a calf the weight of six crowns: make pills thereof after the fashion of beans, and offering them to Torteises, they will come to the smell, and so be taken.  
For the Cuttle-fish: 
To catch the Cuttle fish.  Take the lees of strong Wine, and mix them with oil, and casting it into a place, where you know that the Cuttle hath cast her black and shadowing humour, she will come to the place where the oil is, and so you may take her. Or else take Sal ammoniac two ounces, Goat's butter an ounce: stamp them all and make little soft loaves thereof, wherewith anoint some kind of corn, or little clothes that are not fringed: for so it will come to pass, that the Cuttle will ●eed round about them, and not stir away, so that you may take them presently.  
To take Loaches: 
To fish for and to take Loaches.  Take the bran of Wheat two pound, of whole Lintiles half a pound, mingle them together, and bray them with a sufficient quantity of salt bri●e: after, put thereto half a pound o● Se●amum, of which you must cast about you some here and some there, for as soon as you have cast it from you, all the small fish will hasten unto it, and (which is more) they will flock together into one place, though they be six hundred paces off. Or ●lse take Neat's blood, Goat's blood, sheeps blood, & Swine's blood, and the dung which is in the small guts of an Hog, Thyme, Organie, Pennyroyal, Savoury▪ Marierome, garlic, and the lees of wine, of each alike, of the greases of the same beasts so much as you shall see to be enough: stamp every thing by itself, after mix them together, and make pills thereof to cast into the place whither you would have the fish to ●locke, and that an hour before you cast in your net. Otherwise, take the blood of a black Goat, and Barley flower, of each alike, bray them both with the lungs of the Goat cut very small, and make pill● thereof to use after the manner aforesaid. Otherwise, take Garlic half a pound, burnt Sesamum as much, Penyryall, Organie, Thyme, Marierome, Savoury, and wild 〈◊〉, of each four ounces, of Barley flower a pound, of the dough thereof as much, and of the bark of Frankincense-tree two ounces; mingle all together with Bran, and give it unto the fishes.  
To catch perches: 
To fish for perches.  The Perch is not easily taken with Nets, neither yet at the Weyres, but rather with a proper bait, and that in a puddlie and troubled water: wherefore you must make a bait with the liver of a Goat, and bait your hook therewith. Or else take yellow Butterflies, and Cheese of Goat's milk, of each half an ounce, of Opopanax the weight of two French crowns, of Swine's blood hal●e an ounce, and of Galbanum as much▪ than powne them all very well, and ●●●gle them together, pouring upon them near red Wine, and make thereof such little loaves as you use to make perfumes into, and afterward dry them in the shadow.  
For to take Salmon, 
To take Salmon.  as well of the River as of the Sea: Take of the testicles, or stones of a Cock, one ounce, of Pineapple kernels burned two ounces, bray them both together till they come to the form of a powder. Otherwise: Take wild Ru● seed, and the fat of a Cal●e, of each an ounce, of Sesamum two ounces, stamp them all, and make little loaves; which you shall use.  
The Trout, 
To take Trout.  which are a kind of Salmon, are taken with the hand, having betaken themselves into their holes: or with Nets, or at Weyres: and sometimes with the light of a candle.  
The Gudgeon 
The Gudgeon.  is taken with a hook, or the little Net, called a Truble.  
The carp 
The carp.  is taken with the Net, hook, or engines laid at Weyres: but she oftentimes deceiveth the Net, shooving her head down into the mud or mire, wherein she delighteth.    
The end of the fourth Book.   

THE FIFTH BOOK OF THE COUNTRY HOUSE. Of Arable Grounds.  

The measuring of Lands, of what sort or form soever they be.  

CHAP. I.  
Of the common Measures whereby things are measured.  
NOtwithstanding, that the Art of measuring Grounds doth more properly belong unto the Geometrician, than unto the Husbandman; and even as chief Masons and Master-builders, who ought to have the skill of Measuring, do not vouchsafe, at any time, to measure the Works and Buildings which they have set up and finished, but leave the same for such as make profession of Measuring: So likewise it may seem, that this is no duty of the Husbandman's, to measure out his grounds, but rather appertaining, and therefore to be expected of them which practise such art and skill. Notwithstanding, being desirous that the Master of this our Country Farm should not be ignorant of any thing which may serve for the enriching of his house, and increase of his wealth, I have thought it meet and reasonable, before I pass any further unto my purposed discourse of the husbanding and tilling of Corn-ground, familiarly to unfold certain rules of Measuring, which are very common with us here in Franc●, and wherewith the Farmer, in case of necessity, and for his commodity, may help himself.  
To begin therefore with the matter, all Grounds and Lands, whether they be Meadows, Vineyards, Woods, Isles of Water, Courts, Gardens, Corn-ground, places, fields, and others whatsoever, are measured in France by the foot, fathom, and pole. 
The Measures in France called the King's measures.  The foot, according to the King's measure, containeth throughout all France twelve inches: the inch twelue-lines, and ●uerie-line must be of equal length to the thickness of a barley corn that is full and well fed. A ●i●rce or third part of a foot, 
The King's 〈◊〉.  is called a Dour: and the fourth part is called a Quarter. The fathom and the pole are measured by the foot, 
The 〈◊〉.  but how many ●oot the one and the other should contain, 
The dour.  there is not any so sure and certain a rule which holdeth through all France, 
The quarter.  as there is for the foot, by reason of the variety of Measures, and those not in divers Countries of France only, 
The fathom.  as in Britain, Normandy, Gascoine, 
The pole.  Poictou, and others, but also even in places situate within some one Isle of France, and standing hard together; as may easily be seen near unto Paris: in such sort, as that the fathom of some Countries containeth six foot and eight inches; and the pole, twenty foot: elsewhere, the fathom containeth seven foot and four inches, and the pole two and twenty foot: In many places the fathom containeth six foot, and the pole eighteen foot: In others again the fathom containeth six foot five inches and half an inch, or there about, and the pole nineteen foot and one dour, which is four inches.  
True it is, that as the rule is certain through all France, that a foot containeth twelve inches, so it is as sure and inviolable, that a pole containeth three fathom. Wherefore, without standing much upon the fathom (which in truth is a measure more fit for Masons and Carpenters, than for measurers of ground) for the well measuring of all sorts of grounds, you must content yourself with two principal measures, the foot and the pole, not forgetting or omitting your ynche●, quarters, and thirds, which are parts of a foot. Which more is, in as much as feet, fathoms, and poles are but small measures, and such as whereof might rise (as it were) an infinite number, or (at the least) a very troublesome number, and such a one, as the reckoning whereof could hardly be kept, especially when there is need of measuring a Wood, Meadows, Places, Isles, arable ground, and other places of great compass; besides the foot, fathom, and pole, there is used another measure, which the Frenchmen call an Arpent, but of the people of Burgundy and Cha●paigne, and many others, it is called journax, derived from the Latin word I●gerum, which containeth as much ground as two Oxen or Horse coupled or yoked together can till in one day. The Normans call it an Acre, taken from the Roman word Actus. This measure ariseth of many poles being put one unto another, or else multiplied together, as the poles do rise of many feet multiplied.  
It is very true, that even as the pole doth not hold throughout all France one measure of feet, so neither doth the Arpent consist infallibly of one number of poles: but look (almost) how many Countries there are, even so many differences of sorts of Arpents there are likewise: And that it is so, there are to be 〈◊〉, amongst many other, four ●orts of this measure, called the Arpent, as being most accustomed to be used. The first of them is called the Kings Arpent, and it is used of men ordinarily about the measuring of Woods, and it 〈◊〉 of two and twenty foot to the pole, twelve inches to the foot, and a hundred poles to the Arpent. The second is more common, consisting of twenty foot for a pole, twelve inches for a foot, and a hundred poles for an Arpent. The third is the least usual of all, it consisteth of nineteen foot and a third, which are four inches in every pole, twelve inches to a foot, and a hundred poles to an Arpent. The fourth is most common of them all, consisting of eighteen foot for every pole, twelve inches for every foot, and a hundred poles for every Arpen●. Because therefore of such great diversities of measures of the Arpent, the Measure● shall not of necessity be put beside the right performing of his work; before he begin to measure, he shall diligently and wisely inquire of the measure that is holden by the custom of the Country, in the place where he is called fo● to measure.  
Furthermore, you must know, that the arpent may be divided into many parts, as the half arpent, a tierce, a fourth, a half fourth, a half tierce: all which contain, every one according unto his proportion, so much as the whole arpent containeth.  

The instrument and persons required as necessary to help to make measure.  
THe Measurer must be provided of ten or twelve arrows, otherwise called little broochs, or pricks, because they are pricked down in the earth, to guide the chain: they are made of wood, but harnessed at the neither end with a sharp pointed end of iron, of the length of two foot, or thereabout, being of such thickness, all the ten or twelve together, as that a boy of fifteen years old may easily hold them in his fist. We have said, that he must have some ten or twelve of these arrows, that is to say, ten of them, when the Measurer doth use his Geometrical staff in stead of one stick, or eleven, when he doth not use his staff.  
The second instrument very necessarily required for the Measurer to measure assuredly withal (that is to say, not to fail in his feet and poles, and in the number of them) is the Richard's chain, which is made of iron rather than of chord, (because that chord being apt to stretch, it will not keep his exact length constantly at all times) and also sufficient strong and thick, and distinguished and divided by round buckles or mails at the end of every foot, to the end it may be folded up together the more easily into one: It must be of the length of a pole, according unto the custom of measuring in France; or of two or three poles, more or less, according unto the advise of the Measurer, and custom of the country: and it must likewise have in the end of every length thereof a ring, or round hoop, so wide and great, as that the middle finger either of the Measurer or of his assistant may freely go through it, without any manner of force or violence used. Besides, the said chain must also (if a man be so disposed) be marked by the way, that is to say, into tierces and fourthes, with some mails differing from the mails of the chain, that by them the tierces and fourthes may be the better known. And as for the Measurer, he must have three or four foot length of chain to reserve unto himself about his Spade, or in some little bag of Leather, that so upon occasion (if need be) he may lengthen the chain, or else help to make it again, if in case it should break. In this figure or picture following you may ●ee the shafts in a bundle by themselves, and the chain gathered up together by itself.  
The principal instrument for the Measurer well and assuredly to find out the form of the earth which he must measure (whether it be square, or somewhat long, or of any such other form; for to judge of and discern the length and breadth thereof; for to reduce all sorts of earth, and of whatsoever form they be, into a square; and to order and begin his measuring well) is the Squire, which is an instrument made of iron, or molten metal, or of common wood, or of Bra●ill, squared or round, divided justly and equally into eight portions, having the form of direct lines, and those such fine and small ones, as possibly may be▪ for the thinner and finer that they are, so much the surer they will be. This Squire must have in the midst a round, in manner of a ring, reasonably thick, bored in the length thereof cle●●● through with eight holes, without which the said instrument would be altogether unprofitable. By those lights or holes the Measurer shall make his sight, by winking on the one eye, to discern the length and breadth, and all other form of the grounds which he must measure. There must also be on high, just in the midst of the round of this Squire, a hole, ●or to receive the Measurers' staff, whereof we will speak by and by, that so it may bear up the said Squire, and raise it on such a height as shall be needful for the Measurer to take the view and sight of the ground 〈◊〉 and conveniently.  
It will be good also, though not much necessary, that there were a dial set upon this round, to discern the hours of the day, if need be, and to know in what part the South standeth.  
The staff that beareth up the Squire, 
The Geometrical staff.  is called the Geometrical staff, which must be of wood, very strait, six foot long, or thereabout, and reasonably thick, so as it may well be carried and held in your hand, having the end downward sharp and shod with a sharp point of iron, made very hard and thick, or else of Copper, and having a little hinge after the fashion of a vice above, and in the end thereof a little hoop to receive and hold fast the Squire set thereupon, that so it may not move, tremble, or shake with the wind, yea, though it be a great and violent wind that bloweth, whiles the Geometrician is in performing his business. The staff must be marked out all along with lengths of feet, half feet, fourthes, and tierces of poles.  
In this present figure you may see the Squire and the Staff, each of them by themselves.  
The Geometrician must likewise have in readiness two sorts of writing-Tables: The one of Slate, reasonably thick, with a pen fastened to the same, at the end of a little string; and it must be likewise of Slate, that so it may not cut the said Tables too deep in, when he writeth up his accounts therein with it. The other little pair of Tables shall be of Box, or other such like matter, like unto those which are brought out of Germany, having a Copper pen, which the said Geometrician shall use for the setting down in writing the lying, butting, and contents of the said piece of ground which he hath measured.  
He must also have two men: that is to say, one his assistant to go before him, and to carry the end of the chain, and to thrust down into the earth the ten or twelve shafts: and the party whose ground is measured, or some one for him, that can lay and point out unto the Geometrician the bounds and limits of the said piece of ground, whether it be arable, wood, meadow, or ani● other such like place.   

How and in what manner the Measurer of these grounds is to accomplish and perform his work.  
THis Measurer of grounds (being thus suited with all the foresaid instruments serving for the measuring of ground, and having likewise the directions and assistance of others, as hath been said, to help him about his work) must diligently inquire of the manner, fashion, and custom of measuring in that place, and of what length his chain must be, how many poles are contained in an arpent in that country, and how many foot are to go to every pole, seeing (as we have said before) almost every country hath his several measure: besides this, he being well instructed and taught in the boundings and limits of the piece of ground which he would measure, he must lay aside, or else (at the least) truss up his cloak very close, and place himself at one of the ends of the plot of ground, wood, or meadow, having his shafts, all of them, under his girdle on the left side, and his Squire hanging by a little crook at his girdle on the right ●ide: there pitch down his Geometrical staff, making fit and fast his Squire unto the end thereof, and to assign, for his more ease, the ten shafts which he had made fast unto the left side at his girdle, unto that place whereas is fixed the little hinge: afterward stooping with his head, to take his sight and view, by shutting the one eye, overthwart and within the holes or lights of the said Squire, the form; and first the length, by one side of the Squire; afterward the breadth, by the other side of the said Squire (without stirring or moving of the Squire at all from out of his place from above the staff) of the piece of ground that he would measure. It is true, that he shall need neither staff nor Squire, if the piece of ground be square, or of a small compass, because that without any such Squire he shall be able to discern the form of the ground: and in such cases he shall only use the help of his shafts, which he shall give unto his assistant, and of the chain, the one end whereof he shall hold himself, and give the other unto his assistant, which shall go before to stick down the shafts at each end of the chain, both of them herein applying themselves to the same purpose alike. The assistant shall go before, and first he shall hold in his left hand the ten shafts altogether, leaving the eleventh with the Master-measurer, to fasten down in the place where he shall begin his measuring (if so be that the measurer do not choose rather, in stead thereof, to use his staff:) the said assistant shall hold one of the ends of the chain by the ring with the great finger of his right hand, and that without ani● want of room for his finger to go in, he shall fasten down in the earth one of his shafts (which his left hand shall have reached him) with his right hand, at the end of the chain, as it is stretched forth at length: the said Master-measurer shall fullow him, and shall take up the shaft which his assistant hath set down into the earth: then the assistant shall proceed and go on, always carrying the chain with him, and fastening the end of the chain which he carrieth with one of his shafts thrust down into the earth, and this shaft the Master-measurer always coming after, shall take up, and both of them shall continue and hold on this course, the one to put down the shafts, and the other to take them up, until such time as the chief measurer have gathered to himself all the ten or twelve shafts, which will be so many or so many poles. This done, both of them shall go unto two other ends of the said piece of ground, and shall do in like manner as they did at the first: where when as the measurer hath measured the length of one side, he shall measure the one breadth, leaving the length of the other side, and the other breadth, having found out by his Squire, that the piece of ground is square, if rather, for his own assurance, and contentment of the owner, he think it not meet to measure the two lengths by themselves, and the two widenesses by themselves. Whereupon it will come to pass, that if the piece of ground or wood (for an example) conta●ne from the one end to the other, on all sides, ten poles, multiplying the one side by the other, that is to say, ten by ten, they shall have the total sum of the poles of the Square, which will be a hundred poles, which is one arpent: and so hereupon the measurer shall conclude, that the place doth contain an arpent. Again, if in case that the place were of greater breadth and length than ten poles square, they shall hold on their measuring, and pass from one end to the other, accounting that which shall be more, still reducing all that they measure into hundreds of poles, and so into arpents. See here the easy way for the measuring of Land, Woods, and other places of small compass and square, wherein there is no great need of any Squire: but and if the pe●ce of Land, Wood, or other such place be of great compass and contents, and yet notwithstanding lying strait on every side, as of five or six hundred arpents, or more, it will stand the measurer upon to use the help of his Squire: wherefore he shall pitch down his Geometrical staff at one of the ends of the said piece, and shall set his Squire to the top of the end of his staff, and shall view the other end of the ground through the holes or lights of the said Squire, if his sight and largeness of the place will permit him: which if it will not, then only so far at that time as his sight may be con●●ied: unto which place directly, whither the direct line of the squire doth look, he shall send his assistant, or some other man, to pitch down a diameter, that is to say, a stake or pole, or some other certain mark, so far off, as that the said measurer may see it at that end of the piece where he is taking his sight: or else many diameters in many places, always directly beholding the first diameter, if in case the piece of ground should be of longer distance, so as that one, two, or three diameters alone would not be sufficient, as those which the said measurer should not be able easily to see and discern. The diameters, one or many, being thus pight, they will serve to help the measurer better and more easily to measure the piece, being thereby as it were divided into many equal portions. If it be a piece of underwood that one would measure, the measurer and two or three stoppers do cut down so much of the said underwood as may make a way of such wideness, as that the measurer and his assistant may easily pas●e. But if this be a wood of great timber trees, and of a great compass and reach, the great trees shall s●rue for diameters. Then the direct draft being taken, and the diameters pight▪ and the other end of the piece of ground attained, the measurer shall give his assistant ten shafts, and shall keep still the eleventh, or in place thereof use his Geometrical staff (as we have said before) and shall hold one of the ends of the chain with the great finger of his right hand, as his assistant shall hold the other end in his right hand, and the ten shafts all together in the left, to pitch down one at the end of every chains length, as we have said before. In this figure you may perceive how this measurer and his assistant do perform the thing.  
  

How to reduce all sorts of grounds into a square for the better measuring of it.  
But as all grounds are not of one form and fashion; so is it not possible that one manner of measuring should serve to find out the quantity of every piece: and therefore to speak generally, all places and grounds are either square or longer than they be broad, and then they are called somewhat longer than broad: but stretching right out, or unequal both in length and breadth, and then they be called somewhat long, and ending like a horn, or in the form of a wedge, that is to say, alike long, but of an unequal breadth; or of an equal triangle, or of an unequal triangle; or round, or half round, or of the fashion of a bow, or consisting of many corners, or of many fashions mixed together, or they are enclosed one within another: for the 〈◊〉 measuring of all which places, you must reduce them into a square, which is as Polycl●tus his rule for the well measuring of all grounds and places: the measure of square is very easy as we have said, that is to say, like number of poles on every side, which consisteth of ten poles to a French arpent, which number being multiplied with itself, which is ten by ten, make the whole sum of poles, whereof an arpent consisteth, which are a hundred poles, and every pole consisting of eighteen foot.  
If then the earth be found by the measuring of the Geometrician, 
Ground● that are 〈…〉 yet of an squall length 〈◊〉 equal 〈…〉.  to be more long than broad, and yet having each long side equal, and each side of breadth likewise equal, which is called Balongue droit, for the bringing of this form into a square, you must remember (or else having it set down in writing table● for the better remembrance) what number of poles are in the length, and how many likewise in the breadth, and to multiply the length by the breadth, that is, the poles of the length, by the poles of the breadth: as for example, if the measurer have found in ●he squall length of a ground five and twenty poles, and in the equal breadth of the same ground four poles, he shall multiply five and twenty by four, and shall ●ay four times five and twenty are a hundred: this ground then by this multiplication is found to contain a hundred poles, and so by consequent an arpent, at a hundred poles to an arpent, and eighteen foot to a pole, and so in like manner as the length is more or less. Likewise the breadth being less or greater, that the number of the length and breadth be multiplied together, whether it be less or amount to more than an arpent, he shall make his accounts and reckoning to fall proportionably, according to the greater or less number of poles, as well of the length as of the breadth: as for example, if the measurer have found in the length of a ground seven and thirty poles and a half, and in breadth one pole, he shall multiply thirty seven poles and a half by one, and shall say that this ground containeth thirty seven poles and a half, which is a quarter and a half of an arpent, at a hundred poles to an arpent, and eighteen foot to every pole: by the same means, if the ground be seventeen pole long, and two pole and six foot broad, in multiplying seventeen pole by two pole and six foot, he shall find a quarter and a half, two pole, three foot of an arpent: after a hundred pole to an arpent, and eighteen foot to a pole.  
If the ground be found by measuring to be unequal and unlike, 
A ground unequal and 〈◊〉 ●n all 〈…〉.  as well in the length of the one side to the other, as in the breadth of the one end to the other; you must remember, or for your better remembrance set down in writing tables, the unequal numbers of the two sides, as also those of the two ends, and afterward to reduce the two unequal lengths, as also the bredths, into an equality, in the end multiplying the equal length by the breadth likewise made equal: as for example, if one of the broad ends of the said ground do contain four poles, and the other two poles only, and the one of the sides of length contain sixteen poles, and the other ten poles, to bring and reduce the thing into a square, you must take of the two poles by which one of the broad ends is broader than the other, the half, that is to say, one pole, and put it to the two poles of the other end, and thus each end will contain his three poles a piece equally. And of the six poles wherein the one of the sides doth exceed the other in length, to take also the half which is three pole, and to put them to the ten, so each of the sides will be thirteen pole a piece: then afterward to take the number of one breadth (made equal with the other, as we have said) which is three pole, for to multiply one length (made equal likewise with the other as we have said) which is thirteen pole, and to account that three times thirteen are thirty nine: so there will be thirty nine pole, which make a quarter and a half, one pole and a half, of an arpent, according to a hundred pole to an arpent, and eighteen foot to every pole: so than you must follow this rule in every thing that is Bal●ngue cornue, that is, fashioned after the manner of a horn, that is, that the side and end which are of greatest contents, do help and succour the other which are the lesser, in yielding of their own so much unto them, as may make side equal with side, and end with end.  
If the ground be fashioned like unto a Wedge, 
Ground 〈◊〉 like 〈…〉 wedge.  that is to say, equally long on both sides, but having one end broader than another; as for example, twenty pole long, and seven pole broad at the one end, and but three at the other: than you must gather the two breadths together, which will make ten pole: to take the half of them, will be five, to multiply the length withal, in the doing whereof you must count five times twenty, and the sum will rise in all to a hundred pole, which make one arpent, after the rate of a hundred pole to an arpent, and eighteen foot to every pole. This is your direct course to measure ground fashioned like unto a wedge.  
But if the ground should be triangled, having three sides equal, than it is your best way to follow this course, 
A ground lying 〈…〉.  which is, first of all to learn out how many poles there are in every side, and then carefully to multiply the number of the one side by the half of the number on the same, or another side: and that which ariseth of such multiplication, will be the whole contents of the poles of that field▪ as for instance, suppose an equal triangled field, having ten pole on each side, I will multiply the number of the one side by the half number of one of the other sides, that is to say, ten by five, which is fifty pole, and contain half an arpent, at a hundred poles an arpent, and ●ighteene foot to every pole, and twelve inches every foot.  
If the ground have the fashion of an Ox head, 
A ground consis●●ing of two triangles.  that is to say, be cast into two triangles equally joined together, and that every side (for example sake) contain twenty poles, I will multiply the number of the one side by the number of the other side, that is to say, twenty by twenty, and I will say that twenty times twenty poles are four hundred poles, and that four hundred poles are four arpents: at a hundred poles to an arpent, eighteen foot to a pole, and twenty inches to a foot.  
If the ground should prove round like a circle, 
A ground that is circular or round.  you must divide the same round into two diameters; which make four equal quarters: than you must know the number of the poles of every quarter: afterward, to multiply them will be the sum of the whole round compass of the ground: for example, every quarter of the round doth contain twenty poles: we will multiply twenty by twenty, and so we shall find four hundred poles, which make four arpents which this round shall contain: at a hundred pole to an arpent, eighteen foot to a pole, and twelve inches to a foot.  
If the ground be of a mixed sort, 
A ground consis●ing of many forms and ●●●●ions mixed together.  having many forms and shapes, the best will be by the means of the squire to reduce them all into squares, and then to find out the number of poles in them, and to put the said numbers together. And, if in reducing and bringing of them into four squared forms, you borrow something, you must restore the number which you have borrowed in the total number which you have gathered, and by this means you shall hau● the perfect number of yo●● ground.  
And last of all, 
An enclosed or entangled ground.  if so be that your ground be entangled within some other piece of ground, you must measure all together, and afterward taking away the enclosed part, and putting the one asunder from the other, you must measure your own: by itself.  
Thus have we briefly set down that which is to be known of the Husbandman, concerning the skill of measuring of lands, and whatsoever ground▪ if h● happen upon any piece of measuring work which is of greater importance than this which I have mentioned, he must have recourse unto the professed skilful in measuring.    

CHAP. II.  
What manner of tilling of arable grounds shall be entreated of in this Book.  
AS it is ordinarily seen that the complexions of people dwelling in the several Provinces of one great region and country do differ one from another according to the air, or aspect of the Sun which is called the climate that they dwell in: so in like manner one may see the nature and fertileness of arable grounds to engender and bring forth divers complexions and sorts of ordering of the same more in one place than in another, according as the ground shall be moist and glib, gravelly consisting of fullers clay, brickie, stony, or free and well natured: which thing did necessarily compel our predecessors inhabitants of this country to alter and change the manner of ●illing, as also the fashion of the ploughs in France, and the confines of the same, as the high and base country of Beaun, the country of Normandy, and the confines thereof, Sangterre, Berrie, and Picardy: in like manner high and base Brie, Champagne, Burgo●gne, Nivernois, Bourbonnois, Rotelois, Forest, Lyonois, Bres●e, Savoye, and again in the country of Awergne, Languedoc, Solongne (where there groweth no corn but Ri●) Bordelais, Rothelais, Vaudomois, Ba●adois, and generally throughout all the country of languedoc, even unto Gasco●gne, Biscay, and Bearne, and not to leave out Prouenc● and Bretaigne, which some call Gallo and Tonnant. To be short, beyond the country of Main, Touraine, Poictou, Le perch, and Conte d' Anjou, which are as it were the lands of promise in our Countries of France.  
And as it is thus with our Country of France, so it is likewise with our neighbour countries, as both in great Britain and the netherlands, where, according to the attration of the soils, so there is found an alteration in their tilling, the East part much differing from the West, and the North from the South, nay even in one and the self same country is found much alteration in tillage, as shall be said hereafter.  
Of all these sorts of tilling of arable ground we have purposed to entreat hereafter in short and easy manner, and that in regard only of the husbandry of the true and natural France, which we understand to contain all whatsoever is enclosed within the bounds and circuits of the rivers of Oyse, Marne, and Seyne: and our purpose is notwithstanding this to make the husbandry thereof as a patterno for all other fashions and sorts of tillage used in all other countries, as well near as those which are furthest off.   

CHAP. III.  
Of the nature and conditions of the arable ground in France.  
NOw as concerning the husbandry of France (which comprehendeth and containeth the confines called also French, and reacheth unto the country of Sangterre, and to be brief, which compasseth all whatsoever Seyne doth overflow, even to the river Oyse both of the one side and of the other, coasting along the rivers of Marne and Aube) it is certain that it is ve●ie strong and toilsome, as also the earth is found to be well natured, easy to stir, black, deep, lying high when the fallows come to be ploughed up, having few stones, and by consequent, bearing great store of fruit. Again, it bears pure Wheat, that noble grain, for the making of bread, and sustaining of mankind, if so be we will but give that which is due unto Gonnesse, Lours, Poissy, Damp●artin, and unto Sarcelles, and under Escovan, and Lusarche: in which Countries, a couple of Horses, of the price of a hundred or six score crowns a piece, or about, do run through their work and husbandry, without being either called or cried upon: and they do but a certain task by the day, seeing they cannot endure great heat, or rain, strong winds, or frosts, being as lofuly and bravely kept as the Courser or light Horse is in the stables of Princes. It is true, that all their ground in France is not altogether alike: for in some Countries you shall find it much consis●ing of a Potter's clay, and gravely: in other Country's marshy, moist, stony, flinty, barren, and uninhabited, hilly, full of wild's, overgrown with rushes and brooms, which and if a man would till for to bring forth corn, he must enrich and make the b●●ter by such means as I have declared in the first Book.  
And as it is with us in our France, so is it likewise with all other foreign Countries, each one changing in their husbandry, as the earth altereth in his nature and quality: therefore that the husbandman may know the several natures of arable grounds, he shall first know, that they alter in ●illage according to the mixture or temper of the earth of which it is compounded.  
To speak then generally of earths, 
Two sorts of ●arth.  they are twofold, that is, simple, or compound, or lose, and binding: your simple or loose earths are those which are not mixed with any earths of a contrary quality, as the fertile black clay, blue clay, the clay which is like marvel, and marl itself, the red sand, yellow sand, white sand, and sand like unto dust: your compound and binding earths are when any of these calies and sands equally or unequally are mixed together, as the black clay and red sand, the white clay and white sand, or the black clay and white sand, or white clay and red sand, and so of the rest, howsoever they are mixed. Lastly, there is a gravely earth which is to be reckoned amongst these compound earths, and is sometimes loose, sometimes binding, according unto the mixture, and this is a hard grittie sand, mixed with pebble, flint, or shell-stone: and it is said to be loo●e, when it is dry; and binding, when it is wet.  
Now for the several natures of these Soils. 
Several natures of Soils.  you shall know, that the black clay is fertile and rich, and apt to bring forth increase, being husbanded and ●illed in such sort, that the mould may run and break, for otherwise the stiffness takes away the profit: it desireth no manure, for being to rich of itself, any addition would make it too proud, and then the corn would either mildew, or by rankness so lie beaten to the earth, that the increase would wither and lose the fullness. It would be ploughed thrice for Wheat, that is, fallowed at May day, Summer-stirred at 〈◊〉, and sown at Michaelmas. It would be ploughed four times for Ba●ly, that is fallowed and Summer-stirred, as aforesaid, then Winter-rigd at Michaelmas, & sown March and April following: it would be ploughed but once for Pease or beans, that is at plow-day, than suffered to lie for bait till mid February, then sown without any more ploughing, and but only harrowed: for Oats or Rye it is no great friend, yet will bear both by careful husbandry, Rye in the same sort that it doth Wheat, and Oats, as it doth Barley. Now for the blue clay, the clay like marvel, or the marvel itself, they are not fully so rich as the black mould, and therefore will endure to be manured at all times when your leisure will serve, they must be ploughed in the same manner, at the same times, and for the same seeds as you plow the black clay, and are also no friends to Rye or Oats: for the simple sands, they are by no means very fruitful for corn, but only bring forth their increase by great labour and travel; they seldom bear Wheat, especially the red or yellow sand, except they lie near to the Sea coast, or else have some other mixture. The corn in which they most joy is Rye, and they must be ploughed four times for it; that is fallowed in januarie, Summer-stirred in April; foiled in june, and sown at Michaelmas. for Barley it must be ploughed six times, as fallowed, Summer-stirred, and foiled as aforesaid, than Winter-rigged at Michaelmas, cast down in February, and sown in May; and to speak more generally, these barren, hot, loose earths, would seldom lie still, but ploughed as oft as leisure will give you leave; as for beans or pease they never bear any; but for Tare, Fetches and Lupins they will bear them, with once ploughing, which is only when they are sown about April. These soils must be wonderfully well manured, for longer than they have much heart thereof, they will bear no corn at all. Lastly, the gravelly ground of what mixture soever it be, is somewhat better for Wheat than these sands, yet Rye is his chief seed, and it must in all things be used like the sand ground, and will bear Wheat with the same husbandry that it bears Rye. Now for the compound or binding earths, they are fertile and barren, according to their mixture, as when the richest clay is mixed with the richest sand, as namely, the black clay with the red sand, it is then held to be a good ground; so likewise when the worst clay is mixed with the worst sand, as the blue or grey clay with the sand which is like dust, than it is held for a very barren ground, and so consequently of all the rest: and as of these calies and sands, so also of calies themselves, as when a black clay is mixed with a blue clay, or a marvel with a grey clay: and so of sands, as when the red is mixed with the white, the yellow with black, or any of all with the gravel: wherein you shall note, that how much the good soil is more or less than the bad, so much it is more or less fertile. Now for the tillage of them, all sands mixed with calies, or calys with calies, will bear any grain, as Wheat, Rye, Maslin, Barley, Oats, or Pease, being husbanded well, and thoroughly manured, only they must be ploughed in such sort as you plow your sands: but sands which are mixed, will bear only Rye, or small pulse, and ploughed like the rest beforesaid: to conclude, all calys naturally are cold and moist, and all sands hot and dry, and the mixed soils more or less according to the mixture thereof.   

CHAP. FOUR  
What space and largeness Arable grounds would have.  
NOw if you desire that your Corne-grounds should be fair to sight, make a goodly show, be easy to be tilled, and bear plentifully, part them into many pieces cast four square, and let never a one of them exceed in the length of forty poles, nor yet be less than thirty or five and twenty: and, if the inconuenientnesse of the place will not suffer you to cast them into squares, then make them somewhat more long, but yet not exceeding the foresaid forty poles in length: for besides infinite other commodities and pleasures accompanying short fields, and such as are not of large reach, this is one very special profit, namely, that oxen and horses do labour there with less travel and wearisomeness, in as much as they do not only cheer up themselves, and take their breath being at the end of the furrow, but also for that the ploughman cleanseth and freeth his plough of the earth wherewith it is wont to be laden, as then also carrying them about to enter upon a new furrow: cause your ground if possibly it may be, to lie level and even; for besides the pleasure of seeing from the one end to the other, they will also be the more easy to be ploughed, dunged, and sown: let them be ditched round about, or at the least on the sides, as well to drain away rainwater, or other if any should stand there, as for to cut off the trade-ways of passengers. Plant not within not about your Corne-grounds any trees, for fear of the shadow, knowing assuredly that the more that corn is shadowed, the further off it is from being comforted and rejoiced by the Sun, as also from having the dust (which is wont to lie much upon it) blown off by the winds, and likewise from being delivered from snow, fogs, and tempests, oftentimes a heavy burden upon the back thereof. And yet put case that for your pleasure you would plant some trees thereabout, then let them be no other but Willows, or such like, that may bear no great head to make shadow: and therefore let never come nigh thereto either the poplar, or asp, or aller, whose shadow is not only dangerous and hurtful unto the corn ground, but which is more, with their great, thick, and great store of roots, they draw unto them the best juice, they suck up the fat of the earth, and so steal away the best from the seed that is sown.  
And no less than these the Ash is most poisonous unto Corne-grounds, 
ash is hurtful to Corne.  for how far soever his shadow extendeth, so far you shall see the ground ever forbear to prosper, and yet it is not utterly unnecessary to have trees grow about your cornfields; for if you plant Fruit trees about them, as the Apple, Pear, cervise, and such like, you shall find the profit many times double the injuries that are reaped from them: neither is it forcibly necessary that your fields should be cast into these small square grounds, seeing you may have them as large as you please, according to the quantity of your Farm, or the nature thereof, which may as well lie public and in common amongst your neighbours, as private and several to yourself, in either of which you may make your lands of what length or breadth you please, whether acres, half acres, or roods: and herein is specially to be noted, that you must cast your lands according to the natures of your ground, 
L●nds must be ca●● according to the nature of the ●oyle.  & not the prospect of your eye, for if your ground be a gentle earth, either mixed or unmixed, and lie dry and free all Winter from water, neither by any means is subject from it own nature or casualty to any superfluity of moisture, this ground you may lay level, smooth, and plain, and make it appear as an entire garden, or one land, but if it be within any danger of water, or subject to a spewing and moist quality; than you shall lay your lands high, raising up ridges in the midst, and ●urrowes of one side, and according as the moisture is more or less, so you shall make the ridges high or low, and the descent greater or less: but if your ground, besides the moisture, o● by means of the too much moisture, be subject to much binding, than you shall make the lands a great deal less, laying every four or five furrows round like a land, and making a hollowness between them, so that the earth may be light and dry: and this you must do either upon levels, or upon descending and hanging grounds; and to conclude, the larger your fields are, and the drier they are kept, the better they will be, and the better your corn will prosper upon them.   

CHAP. V.  
How often your Corn-ground must be ●ared or ploughed over.  
THat I may therefore briefly declare unto you the tilling of grounds for grain and pulse, understand in general, that the earings of arable grounds are divers, according to the places and situations of the said grounds, as we have already alleged. But howsoever the case stand in that point, 
The first ●●●ing of ground, after 〈◊〉. lain follow. , and in what plat or piece of ground soever you can name them to be, it behoveth that at the first ear-ring which is given them after they have rested and lain fallow, that you cleanse them well from stones all over with ●akes, and that at the pains or travel of some young boys and girls that can do little or nothing else▪ or otherwise by others: 
Untilled ground.  for the earth of it own nature lying untilled, begett●h nothing but stones, and strong and unprofitable weeds, as those which are the relics of the dung now thoroughly digested, and changed by a heat exalted unto the fi●th degree. And we need not make any doubt of it, but that even good and kind ground, when it should not bring forth any thing but mustardseed, couchgrass, pimpernel, mercury, thistles of all sorts, danewort, wild-fetch, red poppy, wild oats, vervain, blue bottles, ax-fetch, or such other like unprofitable weeds, without forgetting of cockle and darnel, and that which is called rest-harrow, or at the least some fumitory and henbane; yet it will be doing of some thing more: as namely, those which grow out of it of themselves, 
Weeds show what manner of ground it is wherein they grow.  as stinking mathweed, kexes, rupture-wort (these be reclaimed grounds) and the herb called Chamepytis, as I have sometimes seen in those countries which properly and truly contain France. For the distinguishing of these herbs, the thistles show the heat of the ground, as their aromatical and odoriferous roots may testify: the hemlock, wild smallage, and fumitory grow of putrefaction: the bind-weed, both great and small, do proceed partly of dryness, partly of the alteration of the humour: nightshade the great and small do spring up of the cold part of the earth, which they draw from the humour thereof: mercury of both sorts, eye-bright also of two or three differing flowers, the small sorrel red underneath, and the three sorts of plantain do hold of cold or temperate ground: but the garden and water cresses, rockets, wild mustardseed, as also the two sorts of water-parsley have differing natures, and are more hot, according to the humour which chey confess to participate, in respect of their property: To be short, these are certain dalliances and sports of nature, 
Nature i● n●uer idle. , which (though she should never be husbanded in the earth) would (notwithstanding) yet never abide idle, or without doing something. It is true, that the couchgrass, and that which is called rest-harrow, make show to be more standing tenants, than vervain, or male knotgrass, for they will not away, except the plough and culture (their tyrannous commanders) do come. To conclude, these later herbs being cut and rooted out by oft and deep ploughing, must afterward (especially the thistles) be thwacked and beaten small before the first rain, that so there may nothing of them (yea, no more than of an Adder) remain alive to breed or increase any thing again: for their nature is, so soon as they receive a little moisture, to fasten and clasp themselves so close to the slime of the earth, as that they will thereby again so enter new possession, that within a short time after they will become strong enough to strangle their mother. 
The first ●aring.  Let us therefore conclude, that the earings of the arable ground are to cleanse it from stones and weeds, to manure it, to spread and cast abroad the dung or marvel, to plow it after the manner of the first ear-ring, to ●urrow or ditch it, to clod it with a roller or board to cover it: then after some time when the rain hath fallen upon it, to plow it for the second ear-ring, which of ancient men is called stirring of it, 
The second.  and this cannot be done without laying it in furrows: 
The third.  and the third ear-ring, is to plow it for seed time, to sow, harrow, and pull up weeds, which by abundance of rain, and too much rankness of the earth, do overgrow and enter commons with the new ●hot corn. And lastly, to mow and lay it bare and naked, to shear or cut it down, to sheave it and to gather it in. And albeit I here stand much upon the cleansing of grounds from stones, which is a very good husbandry, and for which by a general consent whole lordships and towneships will join together, and make (as they term them in divers countries) common days for common works, yet you must understand that all soils are not to be cleansed from stones, but only the calies and sands which have no general mixture with stones, but as one would say, here a stone and there a stone scattered severally, 
Stones of greats vs● in mani● grounds.  and not mixed universally; for where the earth and the stones are of one equal mixture, not abounding more in the one than the other, there to take away the stones were to impoverish the ground, and make it bare and undesensible both against the wind, heat, and cold, as thus, where stones are mixed equally with light sands there they keep the sand firm about the roots of the Corn, which, should they be taken away, the wound would blow the sand away from the corn, and leave it dry and bare, by which means it would never sprout; or in those hilly countries where the reflection of the Sun is very hot, and the earth light, if the stones being generally mixed should be taken away, that violent heat would so scorch and burn the corn, that it would seldom or never sprout, or never prosper: and again where the country is most cold, and most subject to the bitterness of frosts, there this equal mixture of stones, taking a heat from the Sun, gives such a warmth to the corn that it prospereth a great deal better, and sooner than otherwise it would: for which cause, stones are many times held amongst Husbandmen to be an excellent manure for arable land, so that I conclude, though in 〈◊〉 earths they are most sit to be cleansed away, yet in light soil they may very well be suffered, as is to be seen in the Southerly parts of France, and the Westerly parts of great Britain.   

CHAP. V.  
The Blow man's instruments and tools.  
THe careful and diligent ploughman, long time before he be to begin to ear his ground, shall take good heed, and see that all his tools and implements, for to be used in ploughing time, be ready and well appointed, that so he may have them for his use when need shall be: as namely a wagon or two, according to the greatness of the farm, and those of a reasonable good big size, and handsome to handle, well furnished with wheels, which must be finely bound and nailed, and of a good height, but more behind than before: one or two cars, which may be made longer or shorter, according as the matter, which shall be laid upon them, shall require: one light and swift cart, the body laid with planks, and sufficient strong to bear corn, wine, wood, stones, and other matters that are of great weight: a plough furnished with a sharp culture, and other parts: tumbrills to carry his dung out into his grounds: wheelbarrows and dung-pots to lad and carry out dung in: strong and stout forks to load and lay upon heaps the corne-sheaves: pickaxes to break small the thick clods: the roller to break the little clods: rakes, pickaxes, and mattocks, or other instruments to pluck up weeds that are strong and unprofitable: harrows and rakes with iron or wooden teeth, to cover the seed with earth: sickles to shear or cut down harvest: flails to thrash the corn: fans and sieves to make clean the good corn, and to separate it from the chaff, dust, and other filth.  
And because the plough is of all instruments belonging to the arable field the principallest, 
Ploughs of divers sorts.  and varieth the oftest according to the variation of climates, I will here give you a little touch of the several blows for every several soil; and first to speak of the composition of blows, it consisteth upon the beam, the skeath, the head, the hales the spindle's, the rest, the shelboard, the plow-foot, the culture, and the share; then the slip to keep the plough from wearing, and the arker-staffe to cleanse the plough when it shall be loaden with earth or other vild matter. The plough which is most proper for the stiff black clay, would be long, large, and broad, with a deep head, and a square shelboard, so as it may turn up a great furrow, the culture would be long and little or nothing bending, and the share would have a very large wing; as for the foot it would be long and broad, & so set as it may give way to a-great furrow. The plough for the white, blue, or grey clay, would not be so large as that for the black clay, only it would be somewhat broader in the britch; it hath most commonly but one hale, and that belonging to the left hand, yet it may have two at your pleasure, the culture would be long, and bending, and the share narrow, with a wing coming up to arm and defend the shelboard from wearing. The plough for the red sand,, would be less than any before spoken of, more light and more nimble; the culture would be made circular, or much bending like that for the white clay, yet much thinner, and the share would be made as it were with a half wing, neither so large as that for the black clay, nor so narrow as that for the white clay, but in a mean between both. The plough for the white sand differs nothing from that of the red sand, only it oft hath one addition more, that is, at the further end of the beam there is a pair of round wheels which bearing the beam, upon a loose moving axletree, being just the length of two furrows and no more, doth so certainly guide the plough to his true furrow that it can never lose land by swa●●ing, nor take too much land by the greediness of the irons: the culture and share for this plough are like those for the red sand, only they are a little less, the culture being not fully so long, nor so much bend, nor the share so broad, but a little sharper pointed, and this plough also serveth for the gravel howsoever mixed, whether with peeble, flint or otherwise. The plough for black clay mixed with red sand, and the white clay mixed with white sand, would be made of a middle size betwixt that for the black clay, and that for the red sand, being not so huge as the first, nor so slender as the later, but of a mean and competent greatness; and so also the culture and share must be made answerable, neither so big and straight as the greatest, nor so sharp and long as the smallest. Lastly, the black clay mixed with white sand, and the white clay mixed with red sand, would have a plough in all points like that for the red sand simple, only the culture would be more sharp, long, and bending, and the share so narrow, sharp, and small, that it should be like a round pike, only big at the setting on.  
Thus you see the diversity of ploughs, and how they serve for every several soil: now it is meet to know the implements belonging to their draft, which if it be Oxen, than there is but the plough cl●uise, the teams, the yokes, and beeles; but if it be Horse, than they are twofold, as single or double; single, as when they draw in length one horse after another, and then there is needful but the plough clevise, and swingle-tree, treats, collars, harness, and cart bridles; or double, when they draw two and two together in the bear gears, and then there is needful the plough, clevise, and team, the toastred, the swingle-trees, the treats, the harness, the collars, the roundwiths, or bearing gears, bellie-bands, backe-bands, and bridles. Also, there be of harrows two kinds, one with wooden teeth, the other with iron teeth: the wooden are for all simple calies, or such as easily break, and the iron for sands, mixed grounds, or any binding earth, and for new broken swarthes', or such earths as are subject to weeds, or quick growth: for slighting tools, the barke-harrowes will serve loose grounds, and the roller those which bind.   

CHAP. VII.  
To cleanse arable ground of stones, weeds, and stubble, the first works to be done unto Wheat ground.  
But to speak more particularly of the dressing and ear-ring of arable grounds that are to be sown with corn, that is to say, with Rye corn, Maslin, some kind of Barley, Turkey corn, and such others, whereof bread is made, and especially that which the Frenchmen call, for the excellency thereof, Wheat corn, and the Latins Frumentum and Tri●●cum: they must have the stones gathered off in Winter, upon ground that hath lain fallow: which thing, for to spare cost and charges, may be done by little jackboyes and girls, which with their hands stooping down, and filling Mands and little Baskets, may carry them into the midst of the high ways, and into the furrows and rupts of Carts, or else unto the end of every land, there casting them in some unprofitable place. And if this work be done in the height of the Spring, or in the Summer season, it will not be amiss, because it will be much better, and easier treading upon the lands, and the ardours of the field being then new, the stones will be a great deal the better perceived: or if this labour be done at the fall of the leaf, it will not be amiss, because it is both the time of the last ardour, and when the field should be best cleansed, as also the fittest time to mend and repair the high ways against Winter. The work is so needful, as that if the field be not cleansed from stones, though otherwise it should be duly and orderly ploughed, though otherwise it were fat and fruitful of his own nature, yet would it bear less than any other piece of ground: and on the contrary, how lean soever it be, if yet it be clean withal and freed from stones, it will not let to bring forth in good and plentiful sort. Sometimes before the gathering of the stones off, some use to weed it, and to pull up by the root the briars, thorns, bushes, and great herbs growing thereupon: but such labour may seem most requisite in an overgrown ground before the first breaking up of the same. The stubble is to be taken away and rid from off the ground where wheat, or other corn, or oats or other grain have grown, so soon as the corn itself is shorn and cut down.  
And these weeds and quickes which grow upon the arable lands, 
To destroy weeds.  would be torn up by the roots with a sharp harrow, or as some husbandmen use, plucked up by the roots with a pair of wooden nippers made for the purpose, and this would be done in the Summer time after every great shower of rain, for so they are utterly destroyed, whereas the cutting them up by the ground doth but abate them for a while, and makes them after spring a great deal the faster: now for to destroy those smaller roots of weeds, which lie hidden in the ground, and are unperceivable till they do mischief, you shall strike into your plow-rest many sharp drags, or crooked pieces of iron, most directly underneath and looking into the earth; and then in ploughing of your grounds, where you spy a weed before your plough, there clap down your rest upon it, and it will forthwith tear it up by the roots, and in one arder or two you shall make your ground as clear of weeds as is possible: for I must needs discommend that manne● of weeding (how generally soever it be received) which is used after the corn is spindled, for though it taketh away the weed from the eye, yet it so bruiseth and breaketh down the corn, that the discommodity doubleth and trebleth the profit, neither can the weed slay more corn than the feet of the weeder: wherefore I would wish, when extremity urges a man to weed at these ill seasons, that he by no means step out of the furrow, or strive to cut up more weeds than he can reach without hurting the corn thereby.   

CHAP. VIII.  
That the second or next duty to be performed to the ground is to enrich it by manuring it: that so of a lean ground, it may become fruitful.  
But all grounds which are appointed for seed or corn ground, whether they be such as are new broken up, or such as have oftentimes already borne corn, must be enriched and repaired by manure in the beginning of Winter about the eighteeenth of November, or the beginning of December, with sheeps dung that is three years old, or else with Cow and Horse-dung mingled together, 
What manner of dung must be used.  for the helping of it to a temperate heat▪ or with other manure such as the soil affords, or the Farmer's yard can breed, and yet although I speak thus of November and December, being a time much used with us in France, where the ways are fair, the journey little, and the labour easy, yet you shall know that you may lead your manure either in the Spring, or in Summer at all such vacant seasons when you cannot follow more necessary labour, at when by wet or other weather you cannot lead your hay or corn, than you may lead your manure: for albeit husbandmen hold, that the later you lead your manure, the better, yet it is not good to drive so long, for fear of prevention, but to take any fit time or leisure that is offered you through the whole year. The dung is to be laid on in hills, little lumps, or heaps, and that along as you mean to cast up your furrows in ploughing, and after to spread it in his season, whether it be rotten dung, or marl. And it shall chiefly be done in Winter, that so the rain and snow dropping and falling down upon it, it may be overcome and caused to re●●nt. The unskilful and bad husbandman spreadeth it all hot, but he lacketh not a fair forest of weeds, as reward of his hasty pains: for dung being thus at the first sown and spread, though it be overcome afterward; notwithstanding, see what weeds it hath received from the beasts houses, as being there scattered, it yieldeth for his first fruits back again upon the land, and therewithal impaireth much the first crop of corn that shall follow after, howsoever others following may prove more natural and plentiful by it, and further, hindereth both the ground and hinds in ●heir working. And this is the cause why the inhabitants of Solong●e and Beaux, the b●st husbandmen, cause their Rosemary to be rotten in Summer, and made manure of in Autumn; and yet many times not hasting, but deferring the use for a longer time. Furthermore, they continue and hold it from father to son as a received verity, That nothing is more dear and precious than dung, 
Nothing more dear than dung.  taken in his season, for the enriching of ground.  
Some take dung as it were hot and half rotten at the end of their field; but that doth much harm: because such dung not being overcome of the snow, rain, and other helps of the heavens, but remaining crude or raw, doth likewise ramaine unprofitable, especially the first year, doing nothing itself, and keeping the better fruit from profiting and coming on as it would; though the second year it may help well, and hinder nothing.  
It is true, that if you would enrich a poor field, 
The diversity of manure.  that it is better done by the dung newly gathered out of the beasts houses, than with such as is old: and it would be spread in the new of the Moon, a little before the seed be sown, provided yet, that it be then ploughed and turned under the earth. They seem unto me not to do worst, 
St●bble serving in stead of dung  who having gathered their corn in August or September, and cut it somewhat high, do burn the stubble and other weeds which are in the fields, whereby they make a manner of dunging of it by the help of rain falling thereupon. This standeth in stead of the first sort of enriching of their ground, especially in barren and sandy grounds, and such as stand upon a cold moistish clay, or such as have a strong new broken up ground. True it is, that they do not this yearly, because of their need to cover their houses, and of having litter for their beasts. And yet those may seem unto me to be less deceived, who having left their stubble long and high, in the shearing and cutting of it down, do presently thereupon bestow an ear-ring upon such ground, and so underturne the said stubble and weeds, there to let them rot with the Winter rain.  
There is nothing so good as the first manuring and dunging of the ground, 
The first ●●●●ring of the ground is the 〈◊〉.  which if it be neglected, it will not recover it for two years space again: so that for ●uch space he shall gather nothing but Rye in stead of Wheat, and Fetches for Oats, and wild Fetches for kind and natural ones. It is true, that the first is not sufficient of itself for to dung and enrich the earth sufficiently, and to make fruitful those that are barren and lean: but there must be other means used for to effect such a work: and amongst them all, that seemeth unto me the principal, which is the letting of the field to lie a year or two unoccupied, not ceasing the while to husband it both Winter and Summer: as also the first time when you would have it bear, to sow it with Lupins, or rather with Pease, provided that the ground be not over-cold, for than it would profit those Pulse but a little. And if all these means should fall out to be insufficient, it will be good to spread Quicklime upon the ploughed ground in the end of February: for besides that it enricheth a ground greatly, it cleanseth it also, and killeth all bad and dangerous weeds: whereupon it cometh to pass, that the harvest after it is more plentiful, than after any other dung that a man can invent to use. Furthermore, if the ground be light, it will be good to cause some water to overflow the corn for the space of ten days or thereabout, which will likewise stand in stead of a manuring or dunging.  
The dung or marvel is to be spread in the increase of the Moon, 
To spread dung.  about the eighteenth of November, after such time as the rested ground hath passed his time of recreation: but if it be in such grounds as wherein the chiefest kinds of corn are to be sown, than they must be dunged presently after the end of Autumn, that so the ground may have leisure to receive the rain therewithal▪ which will serve to help the seeds the better to rot, thereby providing an aid for the weakness of the earth. In like sort, if this should be for Rye, or for Messing, the ground would be dunged in the heart of Winter, or a little before, notwithstanding that some do stay for the month of March, that it may presently after receive the showers of April, which may do much good towards the later end of September, at which time they sow in fine dust, and windy drowthes, looking for the first rain, and the putrefaction to be wrought by the same. But howsoever the case standeth, seeing it is better to manure the ground, than not to manure it; 
How it is nought to dung a ground too much.  so it is better to dung it oft, than much at once: for as a field starveth, if it be not dunged at all, so it burneth if it be over-dunged: in consideration whereof, the ground must be well weighed; for a good ground hath no such need to be dunged as a lean ground. The moist field would be much more dunged: for seeing it is frozen continually by reason of his moisture, it cometh to pass that the dung by his heat doth resolve and thaw the same again. The dry ground requireth less, because it is hot enough of itself by reason of his dryness: and if you should bestow great store of dung upon it, it might be a cause to make it burnt. Again, your exceeding rich and stiff calies desire little or no manure at all, because it is so rich and fat of itself, that having any more addition, it presently mildeweth the corn, and makes the kernel thereof as black as soot: and therefore the good Husbandman saith, That the manure which is best for these rich soils, is good ploughing in due time, and ripening the mould.  
There must likewise consideration be had of the goodness of the dung: for good dung would lie fast and close together for a season, 
To put dung close together.  and rest itself a year: if it be elder, 
The diversity of dung.  it is so much the worse. The Pigeons dung is the best of all: and next thereto is man's dung, especially if it be mixed with the other filth and sweep of the house: for of it own nature it is very hot. Next unto this is Ass' dung, which is the best of all beasts dung, because this beast doth chew and eat his meat with great leisure, and digesteth it best, and thereupon also maketh a dung most prepared and fitted to be put presently into the earth. Next unto this is the dung of Sheep: then that of Goats: and alike of all others, as Horses, Mares, Oxen, and Kine. The worst of all is Swine's dung, by reason of his great heat, for therewith it presently burneth the earth. For want of dung, the stalks of Lupins cut down, have the force and efficacy of very good dung: or else to sow Lupins on Corn-ground which is lean, and after that they be come up, to put them into the earth again, turning it over them.  
There are many Farms of which one can keep neither bird nor beast to make dung of: and yet the painful Farmer, in this scarcity of manure, may make some of the leaves of Trees and Thorns, and dirt, or parings of the earth gathered out of the streets: he may also take Ferne, and mingle them with the filth and mire of the utter court: or make a deep pit, and gather into it ashes, stubble▪ and stumps of hay or straw, the dirt hanging about spouts, and all other manner of filth that may be scraped and raked together in paring or sweeping the house, or else howsoever. And in the midst of this ditch you must set a piece of wood of Oak to keep away Adders and Snakes, that they come not to breed or abide there. If you have no other but arable grounds, they will not need, that you should divide your dung into divers sorts: but and if you have Vineyards, Meadows, and Corn-ground, you must lay every sort of dung by itself, as that which is of Goats and birds must be stirred every summer, as if you would dig it with Pickaxes or Spades, to the end it may not the sooner, and be better for the ground.  
The cleansing of Ponds, Ditches, or standing Lakes, is a compass or manure not inferior to any before spoken of: and Marle may have pre-eminence before all, in as much as the best before named doth not last above four years at the most; 
Soil of Ponds or Ditches.  and some but two; and some but one: yet Marle will keep the ground rich twenty years, and better. All sorts of ashes, either of Wood or Coale, is a good manure, chiefly for ground that is apt to chap or rive: So is also lime, or Chalk, especially for cold soils; yet your Lime would be scattered very thin upon the same, and your Chalk laid in greater abundance. Also Sea-sand is a very good kind of manure, and both fasteneth a loose mould, and also maketh it a great deal more fertile.   

CHAP. IX.  
That the ground must be ploughed over according to his three earings before that it be sown.  
IN tilling and husbanding the earth as it should be, there are three things chiefly required: first, a Husbandman, furnished with a good understanding and ripe judgement: secondly, cattle fitted for the work: and thirdly, a Plough well appointed and made. But of all other things, it is very requisite, that the Husbandman do know the nature and condition of the earth which he undertaketh to till, thereof to reap fruit and commodity, that so accordingly he may stir it, and give it as many earings as the nature thereof doth require. For in fields which are of a good ground underneath, he must set his coulter and plough so deep therein, as that the better and fatter earth which is underneath, may be turned above: whereas to take the same course in a ground that is barren and lean underneath, were altogether unprofitable. In like manner, there are many fields, which the more that they are eared and ploughed, they become so much the more leaner and barrenner: and such are those which have a ●light mould, which the oftener they are ploughed in the time of heat, so much the more they are pierced of the Sun, and so become the weaker and less able to 〈◊〉 Corne.  
It is true indeed, that there are not many sorts of grounds, but by oft ear-ring ●hey become more fruitful, than and if they were seldomer eared: but howsoever, Wheat or Mesling especially, do desire to have three earings before they be ●owne: one, which is called the first ear-ring; and it must be when as the dung is newly spread (otherwise the dung would lose his force, being wasted and consumed by the heat of the Sun:) and this first ear-ring is for to stir the earth, and 〈◊〉 make it soft for after-plowing, not turning up much earth with the plough, nor piercing deep into the earth this first time, but cutting it in such sort, as that the ●urrowes may be so near together one unto the other, as that a man shall hardly perceive the path or passage of the plough: for by this means all the roots of ●he herbs will be broken, and die. The second ear-ring is in the Spring, at such ●ime as the earth beginneth to open of itself: and then you may cast your 〈◊〉 good and high, and great withal, that so the seed may be the better received into ●he ground.  
But you must understand, that according to the situation of the grounds that are good for Corn or Pulse, as also according to the Country, mould, and heartiness ●hereof, it is used to vary and alter the ploughing and tilling of the ground, for the ●urther benefit of the inhabitants: for at Brie, where they have a slippery and moist ●round, fit to make pots of for necessary business, they plough upon a causey, and as it were upon an Ass' back: and in every five furrows they hold it meet to cast one high ridge, that is very large, and made also like unto a ca●sey, that it may both receive the rain water, and that which springeth out of the earth, which is always moist, and that because of two Rivers lying upon the one side and on the other, and do moisten and water the grounds there continually underneath.  
And for the same purpose (which is also practised in small Beaux, as in Long-boyau, Val de galley, Val-boyau, Nivernois, and Bourbonnois) they make at the end of their ground certain rises of sufficient height: where, betwixt the said rise and arable ground, there is a ditch or pit made within it, after the fashion of a long fat, to receive the waters which run along after great rain: for otherwise they would rot and smother the corn. This troubleth such as travel those countries, exceedingly: and this is the cause of the name, whereby they are called the Grasshoppers of Brie: Insomuch, as that they cannot tell how to do so well, as in a rainy day to go and pull up Darnell, Dane-wort, and other overspreading weeds (which else they could hardly overcome) being a kind of ear-ring of the ground, called of ancient Writers the freeing of Corn-ground from weeds: having further, by such abundance of rain, this scathe done unto their Come, as that it is laid bare now and then, yea, and that though it be never so well harrowed, and the earth of itself strong and mighty.  
There is no need of any such rises or ditches in the parts of France, truly and properly so called, neither in the Isle thereof, nor in the flat and free Country of Blairie, as Long-boyau and Labea●ce (the very Barn and Storehouse of France) the Countries of Oye, Sangterre, or else of Berry and free Poictou. And all gravely Countries may be well excused and freed from all manner of such inconvenience, as appeareth by many places of Picardy and Solongne, even unto Percheron: so that they make their furrows close and near one to another, as is wont to be done in low grounds and valleys.  
The ground must also be ploughed in a fit and convenient time, to the end that it may become fruitful: Wherefore the careful Husbandman shall never plow his ground whiles it is wet; for running through it with the plough at that time, it will do nothing but run upon heaps, especially in tough and clammy grounds, as also in those which be hard, or growing and putting forth their fruit, in as much as this maketh them so sad and close, that it is impossible to make them fine and small mould again. Likewise, it is an absurd thing ever to go about to put the plough into a dyrtie and miry ground, because it is nothing fit to stir or deal any manner of way withal, before it become dry, and so unfit, as that though you could do what you would unto it with the plough, yet there is no casting of any seed into it.  
And if it should fall out, that there were any Tree or Vin●-plant in the ground, you must pass it over, in lifting up the plough from off the shoots which come from the roots, at all times when you perceive yourself to be upon them: or 〈◊〉 you shall cut them off with a hatchet, rather than bruise and break them with the coulter, for fear of breaking the coulter itself, and putting the Oxen or Horse to 〈◊〉 and pains.   

CHAP. X.  
That the ●attell used to plow withal, do differ according to the manner and custom of the Countries.  
IN rough and tough grounds, 
Ploughing with Horse.  as also in free and kindly grounds (as hath been said) where there are required as needful three Horses to a plough of fifty foot (but not so coupled and spanged, as they be in Countries where they use to plow with Mares, Oxen, Asses, or Buffles) you must, after the first caring, break the clods with the rowler, and lay it flat, square, and plain, with a plank. In lean, gravely, and weaker grounds, you shall not stand in need to be at such cost either with horse or man; for it is not requisite that you should draw so deep a draft in the earth: and again, the husbandmen of such Countries have sooner finished and made an end than others, and yet do labour with more leisure, because of the air and climate of their Country. Yet this is but a particular fashion in France: 
Horses & Oxen of France.  therefore to speak more generally, both according to that and other foreign soils, you shall understand, that there be two principal causes to make a man plough with Horses, although he may have Oxen at his pleasure: The one is, when he liveth in a very wet and dyrtie soil, where the ground of itself yieldeth forth such a continual moisture, that the finallest trampling or treading thereupon bringeth it to a very mire; in this case it is best to plow with Horse, because they draw ever directly one after the other, and tread ever in the furrow, without annoying the land, and go also much more light and nimbly than other cattle; whereas Oxen going double, and treading upon the land, would foil it, and make it so miry, that it would be good for no purpose: The other, when a man liveth far from his necessary accommodations, as from his fuel, his fencing, his timber, and other such like necessaries, which he must forcibly use every year; in this case he must ever keep his team of Horses, because they are fittest for travel and long journeys, doing them ever with the greatest speed and least loss: whereas the Ox, being a heavy beast, would soon surfeit, and are indeed so unapt for the same, that a man can hardly do them greater injury. Now for the number of Horses to be used in the plough, it must be according to the greatness of the labour, and the strength of the cattle: for in the heavy and stiff calies, six are ever few enough, either to fallow with, or to plow the Pease-earth with; and faure for any other ardour: in the lighter sands four is sufficient at all times, and three upon any necessity. As for the mixed soils, if they be binding, they will crave as much strength as the calies: but if they be loose, the same that serves the light sands will serve them also. And herein is to be noted, that the stoned Horse is ever better for the draft than either the Mare or Gelding, yet all good and meet for service. Again, they work with the Ass and the Ox, 
Ploughing with Oxen.  as in A●uergne with the young Mule, and in Roman and champaign in Italy with the Buffle: whereas, of a truth, the labour of Oxen is not ready, nor so quick of dispatch in the time of necessity; and for to remedy and help this mischief, you must begin your work with the Oxen sooner, and have a greater number of them than of Horse. The provision of Oxen is of less charges for diet, buying and selling again: whereunto you may add, that you may eat the Ox, or sell him again, after you have had his labour a certain time. True it is, that he that hath wrought all the morning, must rest the afternoon; and the Oxen going earlier to plough, return earlier from labour than the Horse. The greatest commodity coming by them, is, that they better endure the unseasonableness of times, and in sturdy and stiff ground they draw a deeper draft, and acquit themselves in the work with more commendation: again, they ●raue nothing so much shoeing or harness in the Countries where iron and harness is dear, neither are they subject unto so many maladies, save that they must be kep● from being starved with cold, and from the rain, as also care taken that they be well covered.  
This I speak as of our French Oxen, which are not much enured to labour: but if you please to look unto the English Ox, 
English Ox.  you shall see, that he is the worthiest creature of all other for the plough, both in respect of his constancy in labour, and of hi● long endurance therein; as also for his leisurable and certain drawing, without 〈◊〉 or twitches, keeping ever one pace, without going faster or slower: whereas the horse by his courage and fierceness doth, when he is pricked forward, draw so rashly and suddenly, that a good hand can hardly, now and then, keep an even and direct f●●row. These Oxen are fittest for those soils which are tough and firm, without 〈◊〉 spewing moisture in them, because (as was before said) they draw double: ye● 〈◊〉 some places, and in moist grounds, you shall see them draw single, like unto horses, with open collars, and large hams. Touching the number meet for a Blow, the horse and they are all one, for six Oxen will serve well either to fallow or break up Pease earth, and four will perform any other ardour: yet if you will let them have any Tytt or mean jade to go before them, and lead the way (which will, as it were, ea●e the yokes from their necks) it will be a great deal the better, and they will take their labours with much more pleasure: and howsoever our custom is in France, yet they will endure a full days labour as well as a horse, provided that they be driven temperately and gently: for nothing breedeth surfeit so soon in Oxen, as overhasty driving, or heating them without discretion.  
I find not any labour less chargeable than that of Asses, 
To plow with Asses.  such as are to be had in Tabie, Calabrie, Sicily, and in the country of jaffle, being all of them countries where they grow great and fair: for they endure more labour, and are not subject to so many diseases, neither are they so costly to feed. True it is, that they do not so much, neither yet altogether so well: wherefore they are better to be used in lean grounds; except the young Mule of Awergne, which exceedeth all other beasts: but he is troublesome, hard to be brought to draw, and so brainsick, as that there is not the young Mule which hath not his madding fit, and vexeth his master now and then: whereupon it groweth that some use to say, namely, A good young Mule, but a cursed beast. 
A good Mules, but a cursed beast.   
The ploughing with Buffles, as is to be seen in Roman, and elsewhere, is good in grounds that are fat, and standing upon a Potter's clay: and are not chargeable in harness, because that having so short a neck, they stand not in need of any thing but a ring, to hold and keep them by the snout: but in Summer they are dangerous, and fall oftentimes into a frenzy, especially when they see any red clothes; and yet notwithstanding they hold out longer at labour, and are more ready and diligent tha● the Ox. Finally, this poor beast serveth to give milk, besides the work and labo● performed by them: as also their hide is of much more use than that of the Cow or Ox: for in some places Husbandmen do use Mares, Asses, she Mules, and Kin●, to draw and go to plow, after the same manner that the males do.  
I do not intend to trouble myself in this place with the fashion of the Plough, 
The diversity of Ploughs.  neither yet with the divers sorts thereof, that are found in divers and sundry 〈◊〉: so as if you should ask me of the difference betwixt the Ox-plough and the Horse-plough, I intent not to shape you any further answer than this, namely, that according to the loaf, so must the knife be: even so, according to the force and strength of the ground, so you must have your instruments and tools for to cu● and fill the same. Neither will I trouble myself with examining the fashions of our ploughs with 〈◊〉 described of Hesiod, to see whether they be like, or no: no more than I in●end to meddle with the fashion and making of Columella his Hedging-bill, or Wedge, which 〈◊〉 saith in his time to have been named after the French name.   

CHAP. XI.  
Of clodding and ear-ring it the second and third time, and of sowing of it afterward.  
furthermore it is meet, after the first ear-ring of Corn-ground, 
To clod the gr●und.  very diligently to break and take away clods, and to make the ground plain and even, for the better sowing and bestowing of the seed in good proportion and sort upon the ground: which our common Husbandman v●eth to do in the time called of him the dusting time: Notwithstanding that the inhabitants of Beauce do not so strictly stand upon the same: for by reason of the fatness of their grounds, they take the time howsoever it shapeth, having no good assurance of the time, whether it will continue fair, or turn rainy. It is the order and common fashion to break the clods with the Rowler (which would do well to be of Marble in a tough and stiff ground) or else you may break them with a harrow, well toothed with sharp-pointed teeth of iron, and of a good length. But howsoever, you must so labour it, and so oft go over it, as that it may be broken all into dust, if it be possible, that so there may not remain one clod unbroken after that it is sown.  
Yet for the more certain clodding of arable grounds, you shall know, that it must be done according to the nature of the soil, and ever after a good shower of rain, the first which falleth, after the seed is sown. If the ground be a loose soft mould, and very apt to break, than the backside of your harrows being run over the lands, will be sufficient: but if the earth be more hard and binding, than you shall take the rowler of Wood, for that of Marble is a great deal too heavy, and indeed only fit for Grasse-grounds, and not Corne-grounds, as also the teeth of the harrow are too sharp, and tear up the earth too much: and where the wooden rowler will not serve, there you shall take clodding-beetles, made of purpose broad and flat, and with them break the clods so in pieces, that the rain may soften them; & then with your back-harrowes run over them again: and this is called slighting, as well as clodding.  
Wherefore, after that the clods are well broken, and all made plain, for the second ear-ring, 
The second ear-ring.  you shall cut up your grounds again about mid june, if they be fat and moist; or about the month of September, if they be lean and dry: for otherwise your lean ground would be quite dried up and burnt with the Sun, neither would there remain therein any virtue or juice. Above all things you must observe and keep such order in ploughing, as that the ground may not be too dry nor too moist: for great store of moisture maketh them dirt and mire, and too much dryness doth disadvantage the husbandman amain, either because the plough cannot enter the ground, or if it enter, yet it cannot break it small enough, but turneth up thick and broad clods of earth, in such sort, as that afterward it will be hard to plow up the field again: for certainly, there cannot be that done which should and is requisite, when the earth is too hard. Wherefore the ground that hath been ploughed in drought, must have a rainy season found out to be ploughed in afterward again, that so the same being watered and moistened, may be the more easily tilled.  
Yet of the most approvedst husbandmen (for France is not rich in that profession) it is held, that the earth can never be ploughed too dry, so long as the plough is able to run through the same, and one ardour so gotten, is worth three in the moister weather: beside, the greater that the clods are which arise by ploughing thus in dry weather, 〈◊〉 greater store of mould you shall have, which is a good advantage to the grain, neither will it be any thing more difficult to plow, if you stay a good season, and have the earth thoroughly wet before the next ploughing, for these great clods do never arise but in the clay grounds, which are apt to break with any moisture.  
Shortly after the second ear-ring, you shall give it his third ear-ring, 
The third ear-ring.  which must be more light, and such as breaketh not in so deep as the two former. This ear-ring being finished, you must make the ground even and smooth with a harrow presently after, which shall be about the midst of October: than you shall sow and bestow your seed upon the ground in good proportion, but not at any other time than in the increase of the Moon, and never in the decrease: and then likewise it will be the better, if you take the opportunity of a little rain, following the Proverb, which saith, You must sow Wheat in mire, and Barley in dust: and the reason is, because tha● Wheat being hard, and coming near to the nature of Wood, doth bud and 〈◊〉 better and sooner, when it is laid in steep and mollified in dirt: or else for fear of Pismires, which if the Wheat should be sown in a dry ground, would become lords of it by and by, and carry it away. Notwithstanding, if you see that the rain be somewhat long in coming (seeing the times are not in man's power) you shall not defer to sow, especially in dry grounds: for the corn which is sown in dry ground, and well harrowed and covered, doth enjoy and keep the same without corrupting as well as if it were in the Garner: and if there follow any rain, the seed will be up in a day. I presuppose in the mean time, that the Husbandman hath let rest and lie idle his grounds for some two years, wherein he is intending to sow his Wheat, to the end they may bring him a better crop. Furthermore, seedtime is expired and passed about the eighteenth day of November: for then the earth, by the coldness of the air, becometh close shut, and (as it were) rugged, staring, and aghast, so that it will not be able so well to receive the seed, and to cause it to thrive. It is true that in cold places seed must be sown earlier, but in hot places later: whereupon it cometh to pass, that in Italy they sow about the beginning of November; but with us in France, where it is temperate, in October; in cold places, and Coast-countries, in the kallends of September, or rather sooner, to the end that the roots of the come may be grown strong before that the Winter-raine do molest it, or the Ye and Frosts do hurt it. Notwithstanding at what time soever you sow your seed, you must ma●e divers conveyances overthwart the grounds, and conduits to carry away the water out of the Corne. Yet this Seedtime is spoken but as of Wheat only, or Rye, which are called Winter-cornes: for Pease, beans, and Pulse, would be sown in February, and the beginning of March; and Oats and Barley, at the end of March, and beginning of April. Now sometime the husbandman shall have occasion to rejoice in hope of good success, and sometime to fear in doubt of the evil success, of his seed, by reason of the variableness of the time. He shall have good hope of his Seed, if he see the time inclined to sweet, mild, and not violent showers; and unto temperate, not excessive and often showers: for the mild showers resemble the dew; the excessive ones do moisten and cool too much: If in like manner the snow do fall in abundance, and become hard by some frost following thereupon: for such snow letteth and stayeth the earth from spending itself by exhalation, and wasting of his fatness, which otherwise by vapours would be consumed: and if also the said snow in making do wash and water by little and little the earth with his pure and sweet liquor, and (as it were) scum of rain; for that serveth to make the earth fat, provided that presently upon the melting of the snow there fall no showers of rain accompanied with hail: if lastly the frosts come in their proper and due time; for if they be too 〈◊〉 and forward, they burn the young sprouts; and if too late, they hurt them very much.   

CHAP. XII.  
Of the choice and quantity of seed to be sown.  
FOr Wheat to make seed of, 
The choosing of seed Wheat.  the industrious Husbandman shall choose such as is full, thick, heavy, firm, and so hard and strong, as that it cannot but with pain be broken betwixt the teeth, of a red colour, bright, clean, not above a year old, which maketh savoury and well-tasted bread, threshed out of choice and culled ears, which after fanning and winnowing lieth uppermost (as that which is the thickest and most massy) which was grown in a fat ground, but contrarily seated to that wherein such Wheat is to be sown, as from hill to plain, and from moist to dry, and yet so contrary, as that the seed of a bad place be rather sown in a good place, than the seed of a good place sown in a bad: for seed, be it never so good, doth become worse and degenerate easily, when it is sown in a bad plot.  
And for as much as I speak only of Wheat in this place, being the grain of most use in France, you shall understand, that there be divers kinds thereof, as shall be showed hereafter; which sith their names are not familiar in other Countries, I will here repeat those which are most in use amongst our neighbours, especially in England: of which, the first is called whole-straw Wheat, 
Sor●s of Wheat.  because the straw is whole and entire, not having any hollowness within it, and this is of all Wheat the largest and goodliest, and yieldeth the greatest store of flower, yet not of the most pure and most white colour: it prospereth only on the rich stiff clay-grounds, and must necessarily have three earings before it be sown. Next unto it, is the great Pollard Wheat, which hath no aves upon the ears: it is a large Wheat also, and prospereth likewise upon stiff clay-grounds, yet will ask but one ear-ring, because it loves to be sown upon Pease-ground, from whence Pease was reaped the same year. The next is small Pollard, which loves an indifferent earth, as that which is gravelly, or of barren mixture, and it must have ever full three earings. Then Ograve Wheat, which loveth any well-mixed soil, and will grow either after three earings, or but one, so it besowne where Pease is reaped. Then flaxen Wheat, which will joy in any soil, except the stiff clay, or burning sand, provided that it have fully three earings, and be well manured. And lastly, Chylter Wheat, which is like unto flaxen Wheat.  
It will be good before you sow your seed, 
Seed degenerate.  to lay it in steep in water some certain hours, and afterward to spread and lay it abroad somewhere in the shadow to dry, that so it may be ready to roll or run at such time as it is to be cast into the earth: by this means you shall choose the fairest corns that shall stay behind in the bottom of the water, to sow them, which will grow within three or four days: but as for those which swim aloft above the water, they shall be taken away, because they are not worth any thing to sow: for the best use for such, is either to seed Hens, or else to grind, that so you may get out even that s●all quantity of meal and flower that is within them. Some before the sowing of their corn, do sprinkle it over a little with water, wherein have been infused Houseleek, or the stamped seeds and roots of wild Cucumbers, to the end that the corn may not be eaten of Moules, field-mices, or other such like vermin. Yet howsoever this may be a practice in France, it is not received generally amongst Husbandmen, to steep the corn in water, before they sow it, because so much moisture cooleth and drowneth the kernel of it too much: Nay, they are so far from the practice thereof, that a well-reputed Husbandman will not suffer his corn to be so much as washed before it be sown.  
The quantity of corn which must be sown, 
How much corn will serve in sowing.  shall be measured and rated according to the piece of ground: for an arpent of fat ground will for the most part take four bushels of Wheat, a reasonable fat ground will take five, and a lean will take more. It is true, that there must respect be had unto the Country and place where it is sown: for in cold Countries and places that are watery, being also always subject to snows, it is needful to sow a great deal more than in hot Countries, or in temperate and dry places, in as much as the cold and Snow do corrupt the greatest part of the seed. Besides, the time is well to be observed, and the disposition of the air: for in Autumn you must sow less thick: and in Winter, or the times approaching and coming near to Winter, a great deal more: again, in rainy weather you must sow thicker than in dry weather. Yet in England and other Countries which are much colder than France, two bushels of Wheat or Pease will fully sow an acre: and four bushels of Barley, or Oats: and three bushels of Beans: which proportion no man need to alter upon any occasion whatsoever.   

CHAP. XIII.  
Of harrowing and weeding of Corne.  
PResently after that the seed is bestowed in the ground, you must, for your last work, harrow it along and cross overthwart, and after that ●ake it from furrow to furrow, but overthwart only. This would be done with Harrows, having iron teeth rather than wooden ones, because they make the corn settle deeper into the earth, which they do break and make fmall a great deal better, and so by that means do cover the corn with earth, as it requireth, at the least the thickness of four fingers, that so it may be the faster rooted, and the safer from birds: and thus it must be let alone the whole Winter upon the Spring. True it is, that during Winter you must not neglect to make drains and draughts, thereby to carry away the water that falleth in too great abundance by rain.  
Now this manner of harrowing is but for such entire grounds as lie together level, plain, and undistinguished by lands: for were they cast up with ridges, as the lands of many Countries are, then could they by no means be harrowed overthwart. Therefore wheresoever your ground lies, in lands or in common, mixed amongst your neighbours, there you shall ever harrow your lands directly up and down the full length of the lands, beginning at the furrows first, and so ascending up to the ridges. As for the Harrows, as before I said, the wooden Harrow is best for the loose moulds, and the iron Harrows for the tough and binding moulds. As for the Oxe-harrow, 
Oxe-h●rrow.  which is as big as two Horse-harrowes, and hath ever iron teeth, it is best for the roughest earths, especially new broken up swarths, the Horse-harrowes going before, and the Oxe-harrow following after.  
When the Spring time is come, and the Wheat hath taken good root, you must weed your ground of such store of weeds, as Winter rain, and the rankness of the earth itself, have caused to abound and overgrow the corn, newly put up, as Fetches, tame and wild, Poppy, Cockle, and such like: and after once having weeded it, it will be good to do it the second time, as when the ear beginneth to shoot▪ for i● so doing, the corn will prove fair and clean. But in the mean time, you must so weed it at the first, as that the roots be not hurt, but that they may remain covered and laden with the earth, that so they may stand faster in the earth, and grow the more upward. At the second time of weeding you must not bare it much: for and if the Wheat should not shoot up still more and more, it would rot upon the earth, and bring forth nothing. Again, at the second weeding you shall stir and make even the ground a little, that so the corn may not be too close and fast covered 〈◊〉 the ●oot, which would cause it to die also, and rot away, bringing forth nothing. This work and duty is not of small weight and moment, in as much as oftentimes the corn is choked by weeds, and bowed to the earth by their too much loftiness, taking their opportunity of some beating wind or rain. Moreover, you must not be abashed, if the greater part of the ears prove empty, without having any thing at all in them, and the other not to come to perfection and ripeness. Again, when the good corn is accompanied with Fetches, Darnell, and other weeds, the bread is not only made more unpleasant, less savoury, wholesome, and discoloured, but also it cometh not to the one half of good corn, which is not mingled with these filthy weeds: insomuch, as that three load of such corn, after the winnowing of it, do not yield two of pure and clean corn. And which is worse, the field where such seeds are scattered, do not bring forth half so much as those which are charged with nothing but well cleansed and winnowed corn.   

CHAP. XIIII.  
Of mowing, or shearing.  
THe last labour and toil, 
The last labour.  for the which all the other in the whole year going before, was taken, is mowing and cutting down of the corn: which must be attended, after that it once becometh ripe; which will appear, by the turning of the colour into a light yellow throughout, in all parts alike: and before that the grain be altogether hardened and turned red, that so it may grow thicker in the weathering and barn, rather than standing in the fields. For it is most certain, that if it be cut down in good and due season, it will grow bigger, and increase afterward: whereas otherwise, if you stay the mowing or shearing of it down, till it be thoroughly dry, the greatest part of the corn will fall to the ground in shearing of it, and will become a prey for the birds and other beasts. If there happen any violent storm, or whirlwind, it will lay it flat with the earth. You must, of all other times, make choice of the wane of the Moon, or betwixt Moon and Moon, to cut down your corn therein, 
The time to cut down Corne.  if that you would have your corn to keep well: and the best hour, is the break of the day, when it is full of dew. The manner of shearing, is either to cut it in the midst of the straw, to the end you may have stubble 
Stubble.  to cover your country houses, as also to heat the Oven to bake bread, in such countries as are unprovided of wood, as in Beauce: or else to cut it within a foot of the ground, for the greater provision of straw, 
Straw.  which will serve afterward to make Mats 
Mats.  for Beds, or Litter for Horses and other cattle, and (which is yet the greatest profit of all) to employ about the making of Mats, for the use and behoof of the householder in his chambers. That which remaineth, shall either be cut down with Sickles, or Hedging-bills, made fast to the end of a great staff, to make a fire withal for the Winter time: or else it shall be burned in the fields themselves, to make dung, by the means of rain falling thereupon, in grounds especially that are sandy, or standing of a stiff Potter's clay, or which have a strong mould.  
And although this be the French manner of shearing of Wheat or Rye (for of these grains there are no difference) yet in other countries they use to shear after the Sun is risen, and at such time as the corn is most dry, holding (as doubtless it is most probable) that the binding of the corn together in sheaves, whilst the wet dew is upon it, doth either rot or make it mildew quickly. As for the stubble, it is much better to mow it down with Sythes, than cut it up with Sickles, 
Sythes & Sickles.  both because you may go nearer to the ground, and also save much labour, in doing your work sooner and better.  
The corn being cut, shall be gathered together and made into sheaves, and after led and carried into the barn by the Farmer: which must be seated in a sufficient high place, that so it may receive the wind somewhat readily: and yet not that I would have the wind, when it cometh, to be able to go against the houses, or gardens: for besides the annoyance which the small chaff would work in the eyes of the people, and that before they should perceive it, it would furthermore hurt and much annoy the gardens, because that by the same sticking to the leaves of the herbs and trees, as also to their fruits in Autumn, it would dry them, and make them apt and easy to be burnt by the heat of the Sun.   

CHAP. XV.  
Of threshing Corne.  
FOr the last labour of the Husbandman, there remaineth nothing more, but to thrash out the Corn, 
To thrash corn.  for to sow it again, or for to store up and lay aside in the Garner, and this not sooner than till three months passed after the Harvest: for although the Corn should be gathered of full ripeness, yet still it goeth forward to more perfection as it lieth in the Barn. The Gascoines notwithstanding fearing, that Corn left long in the sheaves should not only take a great heat, but grow full of Butterflies, Moths, and small Worms which are wont to spoil it, cause the sheaves to be dried three whole days in the Sun, and that in the field where they were mown, and afterward thrash it in the same place, carrying lastly the Corn so threshed into Garners: so that by that means they stand not in need of Barnes to carry their sheaves into, and there to keep them.  
This is also a custom used both in Ireland, Spain, and the Islands near unto Spain; but I cannot commend the husbandry: for it is most certain, that except Corn may take a kindly sweat in the Mowe, it is never wholesome, nor will yield flower in that abundance, which otherwise it would do. Besides, Corn is ever more safely kept in the ear than in the Garner, 
Corn better kept in the ear than in the Garner,  and take much less putrefaction. Whence it comes, that your great Corn-masters and hoarders of Corn, when they want room to lay their Corn in, will thrash up their oldest store, and then keep it in the chaff till they have occasion to use it, being of this mind, that whilst it lies therein, it will ever keep sweet; and it is a most certain rule: for nothing is a greater preserver of Corn than the own chaff, except it be the care itself; in which, Nature having at first placed it, of necessity it must ever be safest therein. Wherefore, I would have all good husbands to bring their Corn home into the Barn first, and there to let it rest three weeks or a month at least, in which time it will have taken the full sweat, and then to thrash it, 
Bad to thrash sweeting corn  as occasion shall serve. And herein is also to be noted, that if you shall thrash it during the time of sweeting, it will be so dank and soft, that it will by no means grind or make good flower, except it be dried, which also is not held good nor profitable, and especially where it is dried with any other heat than that which the Sun yieldeth, as Kylne, Oven, Stove, or such like.  
Before the threshing of it, 
The floor to thrash cor●e upon.  you must be careful to prepare the floor, and to sprinkle it over with Ox blood, mingled with oil of Olives not salted, and afterward to make it plain and smooth with a Paving-beetle or Rowler, to the end it may not have any clefts or crevices in it, wherein the corn threshed out may be lost, or wherein the Pismires might breed and hide themselves. The best way to thrash it, is with flails, and after to cleanse it from the chaff, husks, and other filth, with the fan, and last of all, to sift it. In any case leave not Wheat long in the sheaf, because it taketh heat, and thereupon becometh full of Butterflies, Moths, and small Wor●s, which eat it up. In the mean time you must not cast away the chaff, which is good mea●, not only for horses and other beasts, mingled with provender, but also for to ripen 〈◊〉, and to keep them as we have said before. In like sort, the Spaniard and 〈…〉 make it serve to keep Snow in all Summer: for they make deep pits in the gro●●d, wherein they put their Snow, and cover it with chaff.   

CHAP. XVI.  
In what manner the Garners are to be made to put Corn in.  
LEt the Garner wherein you shall keep your Wheat, 
Wheat Garners  take his light from the East, and a little aired from the North and West, but principally from the northeast, which keepeth the Corn always dry, and fresh, and cool; but not from the South, nor from any such like coast or quarters. It shall have many open holes, by which the whole vapour of the Corn may pass forth, and the cool gentle air come in: And it must not be floored or planked above, to the end that the winds may easily enter in through the open places and tiles of the roof, that so it may be more fresh and cool at all times. It must be placed far from all moisture, and other evil smells and unpleasant air, and also from all the houses wherein cattle are kept, whether horse, oxen, or other such like: the boarded floor thereof shall be ordered as the earth-floore, that is to say, sprinkled with Neat's blood mingled with oile-olive unsalted, and after smoothed and made plain with a ●owler or paving-beetle, as in which there is not to be left hole or breach, be it never so little, without stopping of it with lime and sand. The said floor where the corn is to be laid, shall be watered with vinegar: the walls must be made trim and dressed over with mortar tempered in water, wherein hath been steeped the roots and leaves of wild Cucumber: or with Lime tempered with sheeps urine, which shall be of much use against all kind of shrewd beasts that use to eat the corn. And thus much for the French experience. But for the custom of other Countries, it shall not be amiss to make your Garners of Oaken boards close joined together, or else lined in the joints with Lime and hair, in such wise, that no corn may run through the same. Others use to keep their corn in great Hutches, or chests of wood, with close covers. But better than any of these it is to make your Garners of Plaster as large as you shall think good, for it keeps it most cool and sound, and is the least troubled with Weevils', Mites, Mice, or such like vermin. Yet to speak truly, and according to the opinion of the best Husbandmen, all these Garners are more proper for Barley, Oats, Rye, or all sorts of Pulse, than for Wheat, because it is a tender grain, and of itself naturally apt to heat and putrify, when it is kept close together in great and thick heaps: and therefore the wiser Farmers do use to spread their Wheat thin (as not above a foot thick at most) upon the Garne-house floor: which floor, if it be of plaster, it is best; boards is the next; and the mud floor is the worst of all: and being to spread, you shall not fail to turn it over once a week at the least, for fear of heating, or growing musty.  
In the Garner thus fitted, shall your corn be laid, being first made very clean, for the cleaner it is, the less subject will it be to Weevils' and other 〈◊〉: It is true that being in the garner, for the defending of it from this vermin, it is good to remove it often, and to have about the heaps some wild Organie, or the dried leaves of Pomegranat-trees, or Wormwood, or dry Southernwood: or which is better, in the midst often load of dry Wheat to mingle one of Millet made very clean: for by the coolness of the Millet, the Wheat will be kept from the vermin and taking of all other manner of heat, and when occasion requireth, this Millet will be easily sifted from the Wheat, by the means of a sieve: and furthermore, that it may somewhat increase, you must cast upon the heaps of corn Sal-nitrum, and the scum thereof, both of them finely powdered, and mixed with very fine earth. And if it should come to pass, that the corn should not prove to last and stand sound for long time, and that therefore it is ground into meal; then for the keeping of the said meal, you must make masses or dry lumps of Cummin and salt powned, and lay them in the midst of the meal. Or if it appear that Palmer-wormes are bred in the corn, or any other such like vermin, by the overheating of it, you must dust it by and by with a sieve, and after spread it abroad, and leave it in the Sun all the while of the great heat, even until evening, and after that it is become hot thus by the Sun, and hath been made very clean, carry it up again into the highest garner that you have, and thus the unnatural heat thereof will cease, and all the 〈◊〉 be killed, and the Wheat so cool as that it will be out of the danger of the former overthrow. Furthermore, as concerning the fanning of Corn, the husbandman must beware lest he be beguiled by the measurers, or yet by the measures; seeing it is a trick they have either in pouring on the corn to press it down with their hand, or else to strike the measure with their knee to cause the corn to run the closer together, that so they may have the better measure: such crafty shifts as this, are the 〈◊〉 that the second measuring is not answerable unto the first.  
And although I speak here only of fanning, of which there are two kinds, the one, a fan with loose clothes like sails, which being turned swiftly about, gathereth a wound that will disperse the corn from the chaff; the other made of Wickers, of a great compass, being the one half plain without an edge, the other half having an edge almost a foot deep, which being turned to the body of the man, and casting the corn to and fro in the same, it disperseth and driveth the chaff from the corn; yet the wynowing of corn before the wound, 
Wynowing of Corne.  either between your corne-barne-doores, or in any other narrow place where the wind being straightened is made to blow with more violence, is as good, and dresseth your corn as clean as any other way whatsoever, and with a great deal less cost and labour, for that way you shall dispatch more corn in an hour than any other way in three, neither will there remain in it so many seeds as by doing otherwise.    

The sowing and ordering of other sorts of Grain.  

CHAP. XVII.  
Of Rye.  
Rye (called in Latin Secale, and of the Ancient Writers Farrago) craveth not such an industrious & careful ordering, nor yet so fat a ground, and so well enriched, as doth the wheat, for it so increaseth in all grounds in such abundance, that of one bare corn there will corn an hundred, be it never so badly ploughed and dunged. Witnesses hereof are the people of Awergne, Lymosin, Perigord, and Forest, but chiefly those of Beauce, Solong●ois, which is abounding in this kind of corn; notwithstanding that the ground thereof for the most part be lean, gravelly, and very slenderly husbanded and tilled by the inhabitants, as those which employ themselves a great deal more busily in keeping of Sheep, than in growing of Corn: and hereby we may learn and take out a new lesson, namely, that negligence is good for something, and now and then bringeth his commodity home with it. It is but a very small and starved grain in respect of Wheat, and the bread which is made thereof is unpleasant, fatty, 〈◊〉, heavy, like paste, black, and more profitable in the time of dearth to slay and kill the sharpness of hunger, in the base and rustical people, than to feed wholesomely, and make good nourishment of: again, such as be wealthy, and men living at ease, make no reckoning of it. It is true that many do mingle it with wheat, to the end that the bread made thereof may continue a longer time moist and tender: yea, and which is more, the physicians of the Court do give directions for the making of bread of this kind of Corn for Kings and Princes to feed upon in the beginning of their meals (especially in Summer) to procure them a loose belly: but they that are careful of their health, especially such as do not exercise and toil their bodies, and students in general, the Monks and such like, must avoid to eat the bread made of the meal of this Corn alone, howsoever the plow-Swaine have this opinion of it, namely, that it maketh the body strong; and for certain it is found by manifest and daily experience that the women of Lions, Awergne, and Forest, by the use of this bread do become very fair, and to have more solid bodies, and more abounding in good and laudable juice or humours, than others commonly have. Some likewise are of judgement, that the water of Rie-bread is more pleasant, and far better than that of Wheat-bread be it never so white. Cooks, used to work in pastry, do make such crusts as they would have to endure long, of Rie-flower. This bread is made to feed dogs, and to fat swine: all other kinds of cattle, especially hens and horse, do abhor and loathe it altogether: This Corn is very subject to rust, because it 〈◊〉 water in the husk or bag wherein it groweth, the remedy whereof consisteth in such means used, as we have already set down: The straw thereof serveth for much use in binding of Vines, because it is flexible and pliant, having been first steeped in water, as likewise the meal thereof, to make cataplasms of, for the suppurating and ripening of impostumes: the decoction of the Corn killeth worms, if there be some Coriander-seed put thereto: in like manner horse-leache do give it to horses which are pained in their bellies.  
And thus much for the opinion and custom of the French, whose soil is so frequent with Wheat, that they little respect the use of other grains. But to resort to the better-knowing husbands, and to whose opinions Seres and divers other later Writers agree, you shall understand that Rye 
Rye.  is a most excellent grain, pleasant, and savoury in taste, and very wholesome to be eaten, in as much as it keepeth the body open, and breedeth not that costiuenes●e which other grains do: and although the bread which it maketh, being made of the meal as it cometh from the mill unsifted and uncleansed, be black, and unlovely to look on, yet it is very wholesome, and more savoury, and better to eat than any bread made of any other grain, except Wheat; nay if it be sifted and cleansed through a fine range, scarce, or boulter, it makes bread as white, as comely, and much more pleasant to eat than any course or leavened Wheat whatsoever. This Rye naturally desireth a warm and dry ground, as especially the red sand, or any clay that is much mingled therewith: it will grow in any clay, and the richer the better, and the corn the larger, provided, that the mould be loose and gentle: it asketh as many earings as Wheat doth, and must ever be sown in one and the selfsame time; yet if the ground be any thing good of itself, it will grow well enough after one ear-ring, provided that it be sown on such ground as Pease were reaped from the same year: for Pease (by reason of their running on the ground, and smothering of the weed) is as good as a sleight manuring of the land: Rye is very quick of growth, and will sprout in three nights at the furthest; it hath no enemy so much as wet, or extreme rain, so that you must sow it in as dry a time as is possible: for it is a common saying amongst Husbandmen, That Rye will be drowned in the hopper, that is, if a shower of rain should but fall in the hopper or seed-basket whilst you were sowing it, that shower would drown it, and the Rye would hardly grow after: therefore your greatest care must be a fair season, and a dry mould; for the contrary kills it.  

Maslin.  
MAslin (called of the Latins Metellum) is not one kind of Corn, but a mixture of Wheat and Rye, or of White corn (which the Latins call Farneze adoreum, even as we shall further declare by and by) and of Rye, in such sort as that these two kinds of corn mingled, are sown, gathered in, and threshed together: the maslin delighteth in a mixed kind of earth and tillage, but for the most consisting of that which is fit for Wheat. The bread made of maslin, is one of the best sorts of bread, and easy to digest. It seldom or never requireth any more than one ear-ring, which is at such time as it is sown only, neither is it ever sown upon the fallows, but upon the Pease-earth, being ever well and carefully harrowed: if you find the sail whereon you sow it to be weak or out of heart, the best means to give it strength is to fold it with sheep immediately before you sow it, so that as soon as you take your fold from the land, you may put your plough into the land, by which means the seed and the manure as it were meeting together, the manure keepeth the seed so warm, and gives it such comfort, that forthwith it takes root, and brings forth the increase most abundantly. Now for the cropping or gathering of this Maslin, 
To crop or gather Maslin.  or blend; corn, you shall ever do it so soon as you see the Rye begins to open or turn his ear downward towards the earth, albeit the Wheat seem a little greenish at the root, and be nothing near ripe, the corn being soft and milky; for the Wheat will ripen, and grow hard in the sheaf, which no other corn will do: and the Rye being suffered but to grow a day beyond his full time, will shed his grain upon the earth, and you shall lose more than one half of your profit: again, you shall not lead your blend-corne so soon as you do your clean Wheat, or your clean, Rye, but making it into good big safe stouckes which will shed the rain from the ears, and containing some sixteen or twenty sheaves in a stoucke, you shall suffer is so to stand in the field to ripen, as well for the hardening of the Wheat, as for withering of the green weeds which growing amongst the Corn will be shorn up therewith, and bound in the sheaves altogether.   

Secourgion.  
SEcourgion is a kind of Corn that is very lean, wrinkled, and starved, somewhat like unto Barley, and it is not used to be sown in France, except in the time of famine and dearth, and then also but in some countries as are barren and very lean, and that to stay the urgent necessity of hunger rather than to feed and nourish. It hath his name from the Latin words Succursus gentium: The greatest part of Perigord and Lymosin do use this sort of Corn: it may seem to be a degenerate kind of Corn, and may be called bad or wild corn. It must be sown in the thickest and fattest ground that may be chosen: howsoever some say otherwise, as that it delighteth in a light ground, in as much as it sprouteth out of the earth, the seventh day after that it is sown, the thicker end running into roots, and the smaller putting forth the green grassy blade which flourisheth and groweth out of the earth. The fittest time for the sowing of it, is about the month of March in cold places, or about the eight or tenth of januarie, if it be a mild Winter, and not sharp and pinching. This is that kind of grain of three months growth, whereof Theophrastus speaketh in his Book of Plants, howsoever Columella do not acknowledge any kind of grain of that age. Theophrastus' in like manner maketh mention of a kind of grain of threescore days or two months growth, and of another of forty days growth. I hear say that in the West-Indies about Florida there grow sorts of corn, some of two, some of three months, and some of forty days: we see it very ordinary in France to have corn in three months, namely, in the countries of Beauce, Touraine, Lyonnoise, Savoy, Awergne, Forest, Provence, Chartrain, and others, in which the corn being sown in March is ripe and ready to be cut down in the third month. The occasion of sowing it so late is either the waters or excessive cold, or snow, or some such other hard weather, which kept and hirdered it from being sown any sooner. Such grains and sorts of corn as are of three or two months, or of forty days, and amongst them especially the Secourgeon, do yield a very white and light flower, because it hath but very little bran, and the grain having drawn very small store of substance for his nourishment, but such as is of the lightest part of the earth (and therefore small store of Bran) by reason of the small space of time that it stayed in the earth: The bread made of this Corn is very white, but withal very light, and of small substance, more fit for Countrie-people and servants in Families than for Masters and wealthy persons: Again, in countries where it is of account, they use to mix Wheat with it, to make household-bread.   

Blanch.  
blanch is a kind of Wheat which the Latins call Farneze clusinum, and old Writers Far adoreum, as a Corn or Graine worthy to be highly thought and made of for his excellency and goodness sake: it is very hard and thick, and requireth a strong and tough ground, though it be not all of the best husbanded. It groweth also very well in places and Countries that are very cold, as not fearing any cold be it never so outrageous: Neither doth it mislike and refuse dry and parched grounds, and such as lie open to the excessive heat of Summer; the Corn cannot be driven from his husk, except it be fried or parched: again, for to grind and make bread of it, they use to fry or parch it, but when they use to sow it, they let it alone with the husk, and in it they keep it for seed. It is very massy and weighty, but not altogether so much as Wheat, but yet more clean and pure than Wheat, and also yieldeth more flower and bran than any one sort of Wheat beside. This kind of Wheat is very rare in France, but very common in Italy, where it is called Sacidate.   

Fine Wheat, or Winter-wheat.  
THere is a kind of small Corn that is very white, which the Latins call Silig●, whereof is made whitebread, called therefore of the Latins Siliginitis. The French cannot as yet sit it with a name. It must be sown in very open places, and such as are hot and thoroughly warmed by the Sun; although it do not utterly refuse an earth that is thick, moist, slimy, and of the nature of Walkers-earth, seeing that good husbandmen do likewise report of it, that there needeth no such great care to be taken about the making of this grain to grow, and withal, that if a man use to sow Wheat in a moist and muddy ground, that after the third sowing it will degenerate into this kind of Wheat. It is that kind of Wheat which amongst the English is called Flaxen-wheat, being as white or whiter than the finest Flax: it is of all sorts of Wheat the hardest, and will endure a more barren and hard ground than any other Wheat will, as the gravely, the flinty, stony, and rough hills against which by the reflection of the Sun only (whose beams it loveth exceedingly) it will grow very abundantly, neither will it prosper upon and rich soil, but being as it were overcome with the strength thereof, it will whither, or not grow at all, or else mil-dew, turn black, and become altogether useless.   

Amel-corne.  
THere is yet another kind of Corn, which the Grecians and Latins call Olyra, of a middle size betwixt Wheat and Barley, unlike altogether unto Winter-wheat whereof we last spoke, but of a sort and faculty like unto spelt, whereof we will speak next in order. Of this grain Dioscorides maketh mention, and Matthiolus calleth it in French Seigle-blanche: the tilling and ordering of it is like unto that of spelt. There is very white bread made thereof: there is but small store thereof in France.   

Spelt-corne.  
SPelt-corne is that which the Latins call Zea, and hereof the ancient ●●mans did make great account, and gave it to name Semen, by the way of excellency, as the Italians in such places as where the said Spelt groweth in great abundance, do call it Biada. The Grain is less, and blacker than Wheat. It is found sometime single, sometime double in an ear set with a long beard. It must be sown in a very strong and hard ground, for otherwise it will not thrive, neither is there any sort of Wheat which so troubleth and weakeneth a ground as this, but the bread that is made thereof is excellent: and of it likewise the Italians use to make a singular kind of Furmentie.   

Course Wheat-flowre: or fine Wheat-meale.  
COurse Wheat-flowre is that which of the Latins is called Similage, and is made of Wheat that is excellent good, having the greatest Bran only sifted from it, but being ground of the best Mill th●● may be gotten, howsoever the French name Semole which seemeth to be derived from these Latin ones Sine mola, may 〈◊〉 to argue the contrary. We have not any of the Corn in this Country whereof the Semole is made: but in Provence it is sown in great quantity: as also in Champanie, and in the Country of Naples, and from thence there is great store of this 〈◊〉 meal brought, which Physiti●ns do prescribe to their sick patients to make Panade or pap-meat of, with the broth of a Capon, notwithstanding that 〈◊〉 and the greatest part of Physicians do affirm, that the fine meal called of the French Semole, is of a gros●e and slimy juice, and not digested without difficulty, and thereupon injurious to such as have need of a fine and attenuating nourishment. It is certain that it is of great nourishment, as is also the bread that is made thereof. In steed of Semole we use Maslin; and as concerning the Wheat whereof the course flower Semole is made, it craveth such ground and manner of husbanding as Maslin doth.   

Furmentie.  
FVrmentie is that which the Latins call Alica or Chondrus, and it is a kind of Wheat, whereof (after that it hath been steeped for some time in water, and afterward brayed and husked, and then in the end dried again in the Sun and ground somewhat grossly) is made a kind of gross meal, resembling 〈◊〉 very much, whereof sometimes is wont to be made pap-meat, sometimes it is mixed in meat-broth, and sometimes panade withal: all which meats, to say the truth, do nourish a great deal more than they profit the health of the body, in as much as they engender a thick, clammy, and gros●e juice, very hurtful for them that are subject unto obstructions, or unto the stone and gravel.   

Turkie-Wheat.  
TVrkie-wheat (so called, or rather Indian wheat, because it came first from the West-Indies into Turkey, and from thence into France, not that it is sowed there any otherwise than for pleasure, or for to cause some admiration at the strange things which Frenchmen themselves do admire and make much account of) 〈◊〉 be sown very carefully after this manner: the field must be diligently tilled according to all the sorts of earings which are wont to be bestowed upon any 〈◊〉 ground, afterward toward the end of March, at such time as the Sun beginneth to afford his hot and comfortable beams in franker and freer sort, the said wheat must be steeped in water two whole days, and when this is done, to keep it till the earth receive some pretty showers: which happening, then presently to open the earth with some sharp stake, and that all along as straight as a line, but with equal and sufficient distances: and to cast into every one of these holes four or five grains of this wheat, and by and by to close in the earth again with your foot, and so in this sort to fill and set a whole field with this Corne. If the earth be fat, and the seed full and well ●ed, it will not fail to sprout within seven days, and to be ready to mow within forty days, two months, three months, or at the furthest four months, sooner or later according to the goodness of the ground, and power of the Sun, that is to say, earlier in a hot place and good ground that lieth open upon the Sun, but more late in a cold ground, and a lean place. It hath the like temperature that our wheat hath, but somewhat more hot, as may easily be gathered by the sweetness of the bread that is made thereof: the meal thereof is whiter than that which is made of our wheat, but the bread made thereof is more gross, thick, or close, and of a more slimy substance, in such sort as that the nourishment made thereof is likewise more gross, and apt to engender obstructions: wher●●ore if the dearth of wheat and famine do force and compel you to sow of this Turkish-wheat, to make bread thereof, it will do better if you mingle it with the flower of our wheat, than and if you should use it by itself all alone. The meal of this wheat in as much as it is thick and clammy, will be good to make cataplasms of, to ripen impostumes withal: for being apt to stop the pores of the skin by his clamminess, it cannot choose but work such effect.   

Sarasins-wheat.  
SArasins-wheat is a grain very ordinary and common throughout all France, and more abounding without comparison than the foresaid Turkie-wheat: it must be sown in all manner of grounds, because it refuseth not to grow in any, whether it be gravelly, or of any other qualities whatsoever, and that especially in April in hot places, or somewhat later in those that are cold, and it is so forward and hasty, at that it will ripen twice, and yield you two crops in a year, in one and the same ground, being in a hot ground, as is to be seen in Italy. It may be mown at the end of three months after it is sown: in this country it is most used in the fatting of hogs, pigeons, and other fowls, and in the time of dearth and famine to make bread, which will be a great deal better, if with this corn be mingled the corn of our country wheat. It may be made into gross meal, even as the grain called furmentie, but better without comparison than that of millet to be employed in meat-broths, in panades and pap-meats, as also to make 〈◊〉 with cheese and butter. This is a meat that is pleasant enough, and not much loading or charging the stomach, notwithstanding that it be windy, for therein it is not so excessive as the pease or beans.   

Goat's wheat, and Typh wheat.  
THere are yet remaining two other sorts of Wheat, which the Latins call Trag●● Cerealis, and Typha Cerealis, whereof Dioscorides and Galen do make mention. Typh wheat is very like to our Rye, and doth make a very black bread, and very unpleasant also when it is old, though it be otherwise very pleasant when it is new baked, after the manner of Rye. The Goat's wheat is not very much unlike unto th● grain called Furmentie, save only that his meal yieldeth more bran without comparison, and so maketh a fitter bread to loosen the belly than to feed or nourish it. These wheats are not so much as to be seen in France, and therefore I mean not to make any longer discourse thereof.     

Of all manner of March-Corne.  

CHAP. XVIII.  
Barley.  
AFter that we have thus largely spoken of Wheat and other Corn, 
〈◊〉.  it remaineth that we should consequently speak of all manner of pulse: the ordering and husbanding whereof, to speak in general, is like unto that of the other grain going before, as namely, in the gathering of stones from off them, in manuring and giving them their first, second, and third ea●ing, as also in clodding, sowing, harrowing, and mowing: but differing notwithstanding in some things, as namely, in their nature; and therefore it will be best to make a particular description thereof; especially of Barley, which howsoever it is of sleight use in France, because of the great profit of the vine, and the plenty of Wheat in which the kingdom aboundeth, yet in other Countries it is of best respect, especially in England, where the greatest sort doth grow, and where they make Beer thereof so good and excellent, that not any French Wine is more pleasant, or more wholesome. Therefore to speak first of Barley, ●●cording to the opinion of the French husbandman, which is not to be held most authentical.  
Barley must be sown in a lean, dry, and small ground, or else in a ground that is very fat throughout, because it doth bring down and diminish the fatness of a ground mightily: and for that cause it is either cast into the ground that is very far, the force and goodness whereof it shall not be able to hurt: or into a lea●e ground, wherein a man should not sow any thing else so well. It must be sown in a ground that hath had two earings, in some countries in the month of October, but in this country after the fifteenth day of April, according to the common proverb (at S. George's day you must sow your Barley, and lay your Oats away) if the ground be fat, but and if it be in a lean ground, it must be sown sooner, not ●laying for any rain, in as much as that according to the proverb, Wheat must be sown in 〈◊〉, and Barley in dust: for Barley cannot endure any great store of moisture, being of itself dry, open, and cold: again, Barley being sown in moist places, and much watered with rainwater, doth easily canker, and turn into darnel and oats: the same manner of ordering is given to the barley called mundified barley, and that because the chaff thereof falleth presently, and cleaveth not unto the corn, as it doth in common barley. When you perceive it somewhat ripe, you must mow it sooner than any other corn: for it hath a brittle stalk or straw which is very apt to break, when it is very dry, and the corn being but weakly enclosed within his husk, doth easily and of itself fall unto the earth: and hence also it becometh more easy to thrash and shake out, than any other grain. After the corn is mown, it will be good to let the earth lie idle a year, or else to manure it thoroughly, and so to take away all the evil quality that is remaining and left behind. 
〈◊〉- bread.  In a dear year it is usual to make bread of barley, as we shall declare hereafter, and that better for the poor people than for the rich, and yet in one point to be praised, in as much as it is good & wholesome for them that have the gout: the assured truth whereof, is found out rather by experience than reason. Notwithstanding in as much as Barley (as Galen 〈◊〉) whether it be in bread or in pap-meat, in p●isan●s, in mundified barley, or otherwise employed, doth cool, and yield a thin kind of nourishment, and somewhat cleanseth the body, in that respect it may be profitable for them that have the 〈◊〉, as those that are full of humours, and subject to distillations falling down upon the mints.  
There is made of Barley a certain kind of drink, 
Mundified Barley.  which is commonly called aptisane, and a meat that is good for sick persons, called mundified barley, which th● good wife of the Farm may make in this sort; Take barley well cleansed and husked, boil it till it burst, and till it become like unto a pap-meat, after beat it in a mortar, and when you have so done, strain it through a very fine strainer, put unto it sugar, or the juice of sweet almonds, or of poppy-seed, melons, or lettuses, according as occasion shall be offered. Or else, Take of the best and newest barley, put it in a mortar, and cast upon it warm water, as it were to wet it, but not to make it swim, afterward beat it gently with a wooden pestle, in such sort as that the husk that covereth it may be forced off, then chafe it betwixt your hands, that so you may free it quite from husks; then afterward dry it in the Sun: when you have this done, take a handful of the said barley, and put it in a pot, which it may fill to the half, and filling up the other half with water, let it boil by little and little until such time as it be burst, and become like pap-meat, let it run through a linen cloth, and so strain out the juice.  
Thus much for the French opinion of Barley: 
How Barley ought to be sown.  but to come to the true knowledge thereof, from the opinions of those that are better experienced in the same, you shall understand that Barley ought to be sown upon the best, richest, and best husbanded ground you have, and although it will grow in any soil whatsoever that is well husbanded, not being too extreme cold and moist, yet the better the earth is into which you sow it, the better and the larger the corn is when it groweth, and much more serviceable for any use you shall please to employ it. That Barley which groweth on the stiff calies is the best, being large, white, and full like a Buntings beak. That which grows on the mixed soil, is the second best: and that which groweth on the sands, is the worst. Barley asketh the greatest tillage of all grains, because it must ever lie in a loose and gentle earth, and therefore when it hath lest it ought to have full four earings before it be sown, as in the fertile rich calies, it must first be fallowed at the later end of April (for to stay till May the ground may be too dry) and this arder of fallowing must cast down the ground, that is to say, the furrows must be all turned down from the ridge, and the ridge left open, so as the earth must receive seasoning: At mid-May you shall manure it, and in june you shall give it the second ear-ring, which is called Sommer-stirring, and in this ardour you shall set up the land, that is, you shall plow all the furrows upward toward the ridge of the land, closing up that which was before opened, and lapping in the manure into the earth in such wise that not any thereof be uncovered; then at August you shall give it the third ardour or ear-ring, which is called foiling, and that is to cast the land down again, as you did when you fallowed it, and this ardour is of all other one of the best, especially for the destroying of weeds and thistles; then in October you shall give it the fourth ardour or ear-ring, which is called Winter-ridging, and in that ardour you shall ever set up the land again, as you did at the Sommer-stirring; and then in March and April following, you shall sow it. Now touching the manner of sowing of these stiff calies, you shall first make you seedsman cast his seed over the land, in such sufficient manner as you shall think meet: then taking the plough, and beginning in the furrow, you shall cast the land downward over the seed, till you have ploughed all the land, and left only the ridge open, then holding the plough croswise overthwart the ridge, you shall close the ridge, and draw the mould into it, than you shall make your seedsman cast another cast or two of the seed upon the ridge only, and then harrow it with wooden toothed harrows, and this manner of sowing is called sowing under furrow. Now whereas I have showed you in the ploughing of your land, that you must first cast down your land, than ridge it up, then foil it down, and lastly, set it up for the whole Winter following: you shall understand that it is the best and most orderliest husbanding of land, breedeth the greatest plenty of mould, and covereth the manure closest, and maketh it soon rot in the earth; yet notwithstanding for as much as Barley is a tender grain, and may by to means endure any cold or wet, if you find that your lands do lie too flat, so that the Water cannot descend from them, but either choketh them, or keeps them too wet, than you shall set up your land, and not cast it down in any ardour till you have brought it to that convenient height that the water may have free passage from the same; and so on the contrary part, when your lands lie too high, you shall cast the furrows downward, until you have brought them to that lowness which shall be convenient; and when you have so done, than you shall cast them down, and set them up again in such order as hath been before mentioned. There is also another manner or sowing of barley upon these fertile and rich grounds, which is called sowing upon the junames, 
junames.  that is, to sow barley on the same ground from whence but the harvest before you reaped your Barley, and it must be done in this sort; as soon as you have reaped your barley, which is commonly in August, you shall forthwith (if the ground do require it) manure as much as you intent to sow Barley again upon, and as soon as you have manured it, immediately (if the ground be not too hard) you shall plow it, either setting it up, or casting it down, as the land shall require; or if it be too hard, than you shall stay for a shower of rain, yet the drier it is ploughed, the better it is both for the land and the come: the land being thus ploughed, you shall let it lie till November, and then you shall plow it again, but in this ear-ring you shall be all means set it up, and not cast down the land, and so ●et it lie till seedtime, and then sow it under furrow as was before showed. This barley which groweth thus upon the junames is the fairest, whitest, and goodliest Corn of all other, and is the only principal Corn you can reserve for seed of all other; and therefore you must have a great regard to the election of the barley you thus sow upon the junames: for the sowing of Barley upon any mixed earths, or hasell-grounds, which are calies and sands, or calys and gravells mixed together, you shall husband the grounds in all points as you do the clay-grounds, only you shall differ in the times, for these mixed earths must be fallowed in januarie, Sommer-stirred in May, foiled in August, and Winter-rigged in October: as for the sowing of them, you shall not sow them under furrow, but aloft, because they are of binding natures; so that after the sowing should any sudden rain fall, and then a dryness follow it, it would so bake the earth together, that the Corn would not possible be able to sprout through it; and therefore (as I before said) you shall sow it aloft, that is to say, you shall first plow it, beginning at the ridge, and setting the furrows upward, then cast on your seed, and lastly harrow it. Now for sowing Barley upon sand-grounds, you shall husband it like unto the mixed earths, only you shall give it an ea●ing more, that is to say, a double foiling, and you shall forbear to sow it till it be about Whitsuntide, for the heat of the sand is so great, that it will make the Corn very swift in growth, and ripen very suddenly. Barley, in what soil soever it is sown, must be exceeding well slighted, clotted, stoned, and weeded, for it is so very tender in the growth, that the smallest clot or stone will keep it back, and the least weed will choke it. Barley 
Barley.  is of most precious estimation with all those which know the true use thereof, especially for the making of malt, of which is made Ale or Beer, drinks so wholesome and excellent for man's body, that no nation which doth enjoy it, hath any blessing to prefer before it: as touching the order of making of malt, 
Malt.  it is in this sort, first after your barley hath been clean winnowed and dressed, you shall put it into a cistern or fat made for the purpose, and there sleep it in water the space of three nights, then drain the water from it clean, and so let it lie in the fat one night more, then take it forth of the fat, and lay it upon a floor made either of boards, plaster, or earth: the earth floor is warmest, and best for Winter, the plaster floor is coldest and best for Summer, and the boarded floor is between both: as soon as you have laid it on the floo●●, you shall make it into a great big couch or heap a yard thick or better; which couch you shall make either long, round, or square at your pleasure, and according to the quantity of your corn, it shall thus lie in the couch till you see it begin to sprout and put forth little white jags or strings which is called the coming of the mal●, and them you shall reane and turn it, bringing that which was the outside into the midst. and that which was in the midst unto the our-side, that so it may come all alike, for that which is in the midst, and lieth warmest, will ever come the first. Now so soon as you see it is all comed, you shall forthwith spread open your couch upon the floor, laying it not above a handful deep at the most, that so the corn may cool, and not sprout or come any further, not forgetting but every day the space of three weeks, or within three days of three weeks at the least, to turn the malt upon the floor twice or thrice a day, least forbearing so to do, the corn heat, and by that means aker-spire, which is, to sprout at both ends, and so loose the heart of the grain, and make the malt good for nothing. When you have thus given it full (●at and floor) three weeks, than you shall lay it on a well-bedded k●lne upon a good hair cloth, and there with a gentle fire dry it: the best fuel to make this ●ire on, is straw, either Wheat, Rye, or Barley. Braken or Ferne is good also, go●sse is too sharp, and wood is the worst of all, for it leaveth (through the sharpness of the smoke) an ill taste or savour upon the malt, yet here in France there be kilnes made of Brick, with such furnaces that carry away the smoke, that you may burn what fuel you please without annoyance, neither are they so dangerous for the casualty of fire, as the ●ther plain kilnes in England and other places are. After your malt is well dried, you shall with your hands rub it well upon the kilne, to get off the come or sproutings which before the drying did stick unto it; for it is a general rule, that the cleaner your malt is from come, and the snugger and smother it looks like Barley (provided it be well malted) the better it is, and evermore the more marketable: for the come is of this nature, to drink up the liquor in which your malt is mashed, when you make Bear or Ale, and so by that means to scant you much of your proportion. When your malt hath been well rubbed, and is reasosonable clean, than you shall shovel both the malt and the corn together, and so put them together into a close garner made for the purpose, where you shall let it lie at least a month or six weeks before you use it to ripen in the come, for that makes ever the best yielding malt: then when you please to use it, you shall either winnow it, or try it through a screen made of wires for the purpose, and then grind it, and brew it as occasion shall serve. Now touching the choice of the best malt, you shall ever take that which is made of best and cleanest corn without weed-seeds, ●are, or like filthiness; yet if it have here and there an oat it is the better, and not the worse: it shall to your eye appear bright, white, full, and clean without come, in smell it shall be pleasant and sweet, and not sharp of the smoke, in handling it shall be brittle and apt to break, and the kernel shall be white and meallie, and in taste it shall be strong, and exceeding sweet, and the grains which you shall champ in your mouth, if you take them forth, and press them between your fingers, they shall yield you a white juice like milk, but thick and luscious: but if in the biting or breaking they be hard and unapt to bruise, than it is a sign that there is in it much barley unmalted, and so the malt of a great deal the less profit. Barley as it is thus most excellent for the making of drink, so it is good also for bread, but not of the French manner, which maketh bread thereof simple of itself, for indeed that bread of all other is least nourishing, and most unsavoury: but to mix it with any other grain, as with wheat, rye, pease, or beans, with any one or with all of them, it maketh very good & most wholesome bread: it is used in England most for hind-seruants, adding to a bushel of it, and a bushel of pease, one peck of wheat, and another of rye, and then laying it in strong l●uen, and scalding the meal well, to take away the strong smell of the pease, and sure this is a very strong and well-relished bread, and most wholesome for any man that shall labour hard, as is found by experience in England and other places. This barley being boiled in water till it break, and so given to eat whilst it is sweet, is the best food that can be for the feeding or fatting of swine of all sorts, whether they be brawns, or porkets, or bacon-hogges': it also farteth a horse very suddenly, but such fat will not endure labour: the light corn, or hinder ends of barley, are excellent for the seeding of all sorts of poultry, as capons, hens, turkeys, geeeses, or what else strayeth about the Farmer's yard or house: a leaven made of clean barley-meal, and milk is the best food that can be for the cramming of all sorts of poultry; many other virtues are in Barley, but none of greater use than these already rehearsed.  
Oats 
Oats.  notwithstanding that they grow amongst Wheat and Barley without being sown, as an evil and unprofitable thing, notwithstanding for the profit coming of them for the feeding of great cattle, as also of men in the time of necessity, they deserve a proper and convement kind of husbanding. They love to be sown in lean places, which are dry, well aired, and have been alreared twice eared, and that in February, or March, but not later: they crave watering, and then they grow both fairer, and fuller set. They must be gathered presently after that Rye and Barley are in.  
Although Oats be not used to make bread of, except it be in the time of great dearth, notwithstanding some do beat them in a mortar, and do make a meal thereof called Oatmeal, 
Oatmeal.  which is boiled either alone, or else with flesh, to use in manner of a panade. Physicians are of judgement that Oatmeal so made doth feed very well, and is good against the gravel 
Gravel.  and difficulty of urine: for the truth whereof, I refer you to the Britain's and Ange●ines, which use it for the same effects. When it is boiled all alone, for the making of it the more pleasant, there is wont to be put unto it cowes-milke, goats-milk, or the juice of sweet almonds with sugar. The Flemings use to make pap-meat thereof, which they love exceeding well. 
Water distilled of Oats.  The Muscovites distil the water of oats, and use it for want of wine, and such water heateth and maketh drunk no less than Wine.  
Thus much of the French opinion of Oats, who are indeed but half knowing, or not so much, in the excellency of the grain; but to come to their knowledge who have the full proof and trial thereof, you shall understand that it is a grain of no less worth and estimation than any of the other, and questionless may much less be banished a Commonwealth than of the other, in as much as where none of the other will grow, there this will; you shall then know, that Oats will grow in any soil whatsoever, as either in fertile or barren, hot or cold, dry or moist, nor doth it ask much labour: for in fertile soils it will grow with one ear-ring, as namely at seedtime, which is ever about the end of March, or beginning of April: it will grow also after any other grain, as after wheat, rye, barley, or pulse, but it is best sowing it after barley or pulse, because to sow it after Wheat or Rye would pill the ground too much, and make it barren too soon: In barren grounds it will grow with two arders, or three at the most, as one at Midsummer, another at Michaelmas, and the third at seedtime, or else at Michaelmas, and at seedtime only: it must be sown under furrow, like barley in loose moulds, and after two or three arders: but above furrow, in fast earths; and where it hath but one arder only, it must be well harrowed, according to the strength of the mould, that is to say, with wooden-teeths in loose moulds, and with iron teeth in fast moulds: they must be cropped as soon as they turn colour, and appear a little yellow, for else they will shed their grain, as being the losest corn of all other.  
These Oats are of divers most excellent uses both for men and also for cattle, as first for Oatmeal which is made in this sort; as soon as your Oats have been threshed and wynowed, you shall lay them on your kilne, and with a soft fire dry them very well, and then carry them to the milne, either the Windmill, the Water-mill, or the Horse-mill, and there let the Miller cut them, and hull them, but by no means crush them to fine meal, but only drive the clean kernel from the courser hull; then with a fan or a gentle wound winnow the empty hulls from the Corn, and if so be that you find they be not all clean hulled, then pass them through the mill again, and then wynow them again, and thus do till the nulls be clean taken off; which hulls are a very good provender for horses: as for the Groats, which is usually called common or coarse Oatmeal, they are excellent to make porridge of all kinds, and for puddings of all sorts, or for any other pap-meat or panada whatsoever: it is also an excellent food at Sea, being boiled in Water, or otherwise used after the manner of gravel. This oatmeal being ground into ●ine meal like other corn, maketh divers kinds of very good bread, chiefly where other corn is not to be had. If you mix the fine meal of Oats with Wheat meal, it maketh very dainty Oat-cakes, either thick or thin, and is of great estimation where they are known. These Oats being maulted, as you malt Barley, make a very good malt, and that malt both very good Ale and Beer, only a little more sharp than that which is made of Barley. Lastly, those Oats are of all other foods the best that may be for the feeding of horse, or fatting of cattle: they are also good to seed all sorts of Pulleine, especially Geese, Swans, and all manner of waterfowl, which take much pleasure therein.  

Millet.  
MIllet (as those know very well which dwell in the Country Bearne, Bigorre, and Armignac) after that it hath been steeped some certain time in water, would be sown, either morning or evening, in the cool thereof, in light and small moulded ground: and it groweth not only in gravelly ground, but also in sand, when the country it wet and moist: but in any case it would not be sown in dry grounds, and such as consist of Fuller's earth, or are marly, neither must it be sown before the Spring, for it requireth heat: wherefore it may conveniently be sown in the end of the month of March, or else somewhat later, that so it may enjoy the benefit of the dew a long time. It putteth not the husbandman to any great charges, for a little seed will sow a great deal of ground. So soon as it is sown, it must be pressed down with a hurdle of Wickers well laden, to keep it from the heat of the Sun, in the springing up thereof: for otherwise the seed would grow up and dry away, through the vehemency and heat of the Sunbeams. Notwithstanding, it would be oft and very well weeded, for the ●ooting up of all manner of ill weeds, especially the black Millet. So soon as it may be spied peeping forth of the earth, and before that by the operation of the Sun the corn do show, it must be plucked up by the hand, and be laid in the Sun afterward to dry; and lastly, shut up in some place where it may be kept: and being thus ordered, it lasteth longer than any other manner of corn. Millet doth good unto the fields wherein it is gathered, in this respect; namely, that worms will not hurt the corn that shall be sown there presently after any whit at all, seeing they will leave the grain that is sown, and cleave to the straw of the Millet.  
In the time of dearth they use to make bread of Millet, but unpleasant enough, especially when it is settled: and the inhabitants of Gasco●gne and campaign do use a pappe-meat made of Millet with milk, and that not of the pleasantest taste: as well the bread as the pappe-meat, made of Millet, is of small nourishment: besides that, they make obstructions; and that, because Millet is cold in the first degree, and dry in the third. Millet fried with salt, and flowers of Camomile, and put into a bag, doth serve against the pains of the colic and wring of the belly. To keep Purgatives, as Rhubarb, Agarick, yea and flesh also, from rottenness and corruption, it is good to bury them in Millet.   

Sesame.  
SEsame would be sown in a black ground that is somewhat rotten and moist. It groweth also in sandy and fat gravely grounds, or in mingled grounds, and it is very fruitful, even no les●e than Millet or Panic. It is true, that the good householder needeth not trouble his brain much with the sowing of it, seeing it is apt to make the ground altogether barren, and yet is good for nothing except the oil that is pressed out of it, and the cakes which liquorish women use to make of the meal. 
Oil and cakes of Sesame.  It must not be sown but in the midst of Summer, whiles the times continue dry, and that there is no rain looked for of a long time; for the rain doth hurt it after it is sown, clean contrary to other plants, which (all of them) rejoice in rain after they are sown. The oil which is pressed out of the seed of Sesame, doth never freeze, and is the lightest of all other Oils, and yet being mixed with Wine or Aquavitae, sinketh to the bottom. There is no account to be made of this grain for nourishment, because it is given to overcome the stomach, and is hardly digested, as is all oily matter.   

Lentils.  
LEntils must be sown at two times, in Autumn, and most commonly, especially in France and cold Countries, in the Spring time, whiles the Moon increaseth, unto the twelfth thereof, and either in a small or little mould, or in a fat and fertile ground: for when they be in flower, they destroy and spoil themselves through too much moisture, or by putting too far out of the earth. And to the end they may grow the more speedily and the greater, they must be mixed with dry dung before they be sown, and four or five days after that they have been so laid to rest in this dung, to sow them. They will keep long, and continue, if they be mingled with ashes: or if they be put in pots wherein oil and preserves have been kept: or and if they be sprinkled with vinegar mixed with Beniovin.  
Lentils (howsoever ancient Philosophers had them in estimation) are of hard digestion, hurtful to the stomach, filling the guts full of wind, darkening the sight, and causing fearful dreams: and withal, are nothing good, if they be not boiled with flesh, or fried with oil.   

Fasels.  
FAsels grow in stubbly grounds, or rather a great deal better in fat grounds, which are tilled and sown every year: and they are to be sown betwixt the tenth of October, and the first of November; or else in March, as other pul●e, after that the ground hath been eared about the eleventh of November. They must be sown after that they have been steeped in water, for to make them grow the mose easily, and that at large when they are sown, and always as they ripen to gather them. They make far grounds where they be sown: they are accustomed to bear much fruit: they keep a long time: they swell and grow greater in boiling, and are of a good pleasant taste unto all m●ns mouths. It is true, that they are windy, and hard to digest: but yet notwithstanding, they are apt to provoke unto venery, if after they be boiled, they be powdered over with Pepper, Galanga, and Sugar: and yet more specially, if they be boiled in fat milk until they burst. If you mind to take away their windiness, eat them with Mustard or Caraway seed. If you have been bitten of a Horse, take Fasels, chew them, and apply them so chewed unto the green wound. Young gentlewomen, that strive to be beautiful, may distil a water of Fasels that is singular good for the same end and purpose.   

Lupins.  
LVpines crave no great husbandry, are good cheap, and do more good to the ground than any other seed: for when as Vineyards and arable grounds are become lean, they stand in stead of very good manure unto them. Likewise, for want of dung they may be sown in grounds that stand in need to be dunged, if after they have put forth their flowers the second time, they be ploughed under the ground: they grow well in a lean ground, and such as is tired and worn out with sowing: and they may be sown in any ground, especially in stubbly grounds, such as are not tilled: for in what sort soever they be sown, they will abide the roughness of the ground, and negligence of the husbandman: neither do they crave any weeding, as well in respect of their root, which is single, as also for that if it were hurt, they would die presently, and because also that it should be but labour lost: for they are so far off from being infected and wronged with weeds, that they even kill them, and cause them to die. And this is the cause why many sow them in the midst of Vineyards, to the end they may draw unto them all the bitterness of the Vineyard, as being the quality most familiar unto them, and with which they best agree. Notwithstanding they may not be sown deep: for when they flower, they are made no account of. Of all other kinds of Pulse they only stand not in need to be laid up in Garners, but rather upon some floor, where the smoke may com● unto them: for if moisture take them, they will grow full of worms, which eat up that which should make them sprout, and that which is remaining, can do no good: they must be gathered after rain, for if it should be dry weather, they would fall out of their cod, and be lost.  
Lupins are good to feed Oxen in Winter, 
Wherefore Lupins are good.  but they must be steeped in salted and river water, and afterward boiled: they serve also for to feed men, to make bread thereof, when it is a time of dearth of other corn. Some do note this special property in them, which is, that they turn about every day with the Sun: insomuch, as that by them workmen are taught the time of the day, though it be not clear and Sunshine.  
Lupins stamped and laid upon the navel, 
Worms in little children.  do● kill worms in little children: the decoction thereof doth provoke the terms of women, and taketh away the obstructions of the sight, by reason whereof, many do wish them to be taken of young maidens and women which have pale colours. Their meal is singular good in cataplasms to resolve the swelling of the King's evil, and other hard tumors, as well boiled in honey and vinegar, as in honey and water: and likewise for the Scia●ica.   

beans.  
Beans must be sown in a fat soil, or else a ground that is well manured, and eared with two earings: and although it be in stubbly grounds, and seated in low bottoms, whither all the fat and substance of the higher parts doth descend; notwithstanding the earth must be ●li●ed and cut small, and the clods broken before they be sown: for albeit that amongst all the other sorts of pulse there be not any that do so little waste and the strength and juice of the earth; notwithstanding they desire to be well and deep covered within the earth: they must be diligently weeded, at such time as they peep out of the earth, for so the fruit will be much more, and their cods far the tenderer. They may be sown at two times of the year, in Autumn where it is a strong ground, and the beans be great; and in the Spring, especially in this Country, in a weak and light ground, the beans being but small, and of the common size: those which are sown in Autumn are more worth than the other, so that the hinds let not to say, That they had rather eat the husks or stalks of beans sown in due time, than the beans themselves of three months old, because they yield more fruit, and have a greater and better stored grain. But at what time soever you sow them, you must have special regard to sow them all about the fifteenth day after the change of the Moon, because that in so doing, th●y will be the be●ter loaden, and because they will not be so much assailed of little vermin, as and if the Moon were new. The day before they be sown, you must steep them in the lees of Olives, or in water of Nitre, to the end that they may bear the more fruit, be more easy to boil, and not to be subject to be eaten of Weevils' or Larks. They must likewise reap and pull them up in the new of the Moon, before day, and after leave them in the air to dry, and thrash them out before the full Moon, and afterward carry them into the Garner, for being thus ordered, vermin will not breed in them. Again, they prove more profitable, being planted, than sown, in a good ground, that is well dressed, tilled, fatted, and manured: which said ground, if it be sown the year following with Wheat, will yield a more copious and plentiful harvest, in as much as Beans do fatten a ground more than any other kind of Pulse. If you would keep them long, you must sprinkle them with salt water: but if you mean to boil them, you must be sure to keep the salt from them, because salt-water doth harden them: they must not be left in the cold air, for the cold also doth make them the harder to boil. To keep them from being even of worms, they must be anointed or rubbed over with oile-olive, one after another, until such time as they be well liquored with this oil. The flowers of Beans, notwithstanding that they be of a pleasant and delightsome smell, do hurt a weak brain, 
The cause why there are many fools, when Beans flower.  and such a one as is easily carried away and overcome. And hereupon it cometh to pass, that there are a great number of fools, when Beans are in flower.  
Thus much for the French experience of beans, which doth indeed more concern the Garden-Beane, than those which are continually in use amongst Husbandmen. Therefore to come to the profit and true knowledge of the husbanding of Beans, you shall understand, that they are only to be sown in a rich stiff ground that is very fertile, as namely the black or blue clay, for in other earths they ●oy but a little: and they will grow with one ea●ing only, which would be done at the beginning of januarie upon such earth as hath borne Barley before, or else upon greeneswarth, which hath not been ploughed long before: it must be ploughed deep, and have a great furrow turned up: than you shall let it lie, till it have taken frost and rain: then upon the next fair season, being about or soon after S. Valentine's day, you shall sow it and harrow it. As for the weeding of Beans, it is to no purpose; for they are of themselves so swift of growth, that they will outgrow all weeds. And if they have any Pease mixed amongst them (which should ever be, for it is the surest seed) they will smother up and destroy all sorts of weeds. They are, because of their upright growing, better to be mown with scythes, than cut to reaped with hooks: they ask little withering; for so soon as the cod turns black, the stalk dries. The use of them is principally for provender for Horses, or to mix with Barley, Wheat, or Rye, to make bread for hind-seruants, or for hunting or running Horses: but then commonly they are used simply of themselves, or else mixed with Wheat only: for the mixture of Barley or Rye is not good for Horses of that nature, except for some cause physical, as to keep them soluble in their bodies, and so forth. The Garden-Beane is good for men to eat, being boiled and mixed with butter, vinegar, and pepper; or for want of butter, with oil-olive. The cod also are a very good food, being boiled whilst they are green and tender. Lastly, the water which is distilled from the flowers of Beans, is good to take away the morphew or spots in men or women's faces.   

Small Peason.  
SMall Pease are no less profitable for the fatting of ground that is lean, than Lupins. It is true that if you look to have good store of them, and well-codded, you must sow them in fat and warm grounds, and in a temperate and moist time, as in February or March, and sometime in September, in the increase of the Moon: and yet it is hard for them to endure and hold out the Winter's cold, for they always desire the full fruition of the Sun, and do grow a great deal the fairer, when they do enjoy it accordingly, and when also they are borne up to that end on sticks, rather than let fall flat to the ground, to creep upon it: they must be sown thin, because their stalks do spread themselves further than any one other kind of pulse. They are very subject to be eaten within of Worms: and yet those which are so eaten of Worms, are better to sow than the other which are whole and sound: For this cause, if you will prevent the Worms that they may not hurt and hinder your corn, sow Peason first in the place. It is true, that for the better growth and prospering of them, the thick and gross seed is most convenient to be sown, especially if it be laid in water to steep therein a night, because thereby they grow the more easily, and lose some part of their saltness, in being steeped, by which means they recover their natural verdure again. They must be gathered in the decrease of the Moon, presently upon their being ripe, for else they dry up, and fall out of their swads. The earth wherein they are sown, standeth in need but of one ear-ring.   

Cich Peason.  
CIch Peason do likewise grow in fat and moist places: they must be sown in a rainy time: they do greatly load and burden the earth, and for that cause are neglected of the wiser sort of husbandmen. Notwithstanding, if you will sow them, you must steep them in warm water a day before, that so they may grow and put forth of the earth the sooner and greater. Some to have them grow the fairer, do steep them and their cod in nitrous water. To keep them that passengers and other folk may not gather them to eat when they are ripe, you must water them five mornings together before the Sun rise with water wherein have been steeped the seeds of wild Cucumber and Wormwood, and the dew within five days after will have taken away all the bitterness thereof. Such practices are likewise good for to be used about small Peason and beans. The use of them is good for such as are slow to perform the act of carnal copulation, and especially to carry away gravel, and to break the stone, as also for such as have weak lungs and low and weak voices. They are also good against melancholy, and do cut off troublesome thoughts and cogitations, and put in place thereof jolly conceits and merry moods: and then they being laid forth in the Moonshine when it is in the increase, and before the Sun rise, they must be sprinkled with oil-olive, afterward steeped in warm water, to soften them, and lastly, boiled for to be eaten. The way to use them, is rather to sup up their broth, made with the roots of Parsley, than to ear the Peason.   

Small Cich Peason.  
SMall Cich Pease, called of the Latins Cicercula, must be sown in fat places, and in a moist time, as in januarie or February: they do less harm to a field than any other pulse: but for the most part they never come to profit: for when they are in flower, they cannot abide drought, nor any strong Southern winds, at such time as they leave flowering.   

Great wild Tare, and bitter Fetch.  
THe great wild Tare and bitter Fetch do desire lean places, and such as ar● not moist: for sometimes by putting forth too freely, and growing too much, they overthrow themselves. They may be sown in Autumn, or in the end of januarie, and all the month of February, but not in March, because if it should be sown in this month, it would hurt the cattle, especially Oxen, troubling them in their brains.   

Fetches.  
THere are two seed-times for Fetches: the first, when they are sown for to feed cattle, and it is about the fifteenth day of September: the second, in February, or March, and this is for to make bread of for to eat, being mixed with other corn: both of them may be sown in untilled grounds, but it is better when they are sown in grounds that have had their three earings. This seed loveth not the dew, and therefore it must be sown two or three hours after Sunne-rise, when all the moisture thereof is spent and consumed, either by the wind, or by the Sun: and it must not alone be sown, but it must also be covered the very same day, because that if the night should come upon it, and wet it but a little before it were covered, it would quickly become corrupt and putrefied. The ground wherein it is sown, needeth not any more than one ear-ring, and when it is sown, it needeth no weeding. In any case it must not be sown before the fifteenth day of the Moon, for otherwise the Snails will annoy it. In like manner it must not be sown near unto any Vine or Orchard, or any place where there are trees growing, because it draweth unto it the juice of such plants as be near it: and yet the Fetch doth not make the ground lean, but rather fat: and that it is so, appear; because that so soon as the Fetch is taken away out of the fields, there may Peason, Millet, or any other sort of Pulse be sown.   

Panic.  
HE that would sow Panic, must make choice of a light, gravely, sandy, or stony ground, and such a one as is situate amongst hills, and on the tops of hills, and yet whereas there is no little resort of water, for that it being hot by nature, groweth and putteth forth more easily than Millet. It must be sown in Summer: and it groweth so speedily, as that it may be mown within forty days after that it is sown. The inhabitants of Gascoigne make bread thereof, but it is very unpleasant, because it is very short and apt to crumble away, even like ashes or sand. The Perigordians fry it with butter, or oil: others eat it with milk, or meat-broth.   

Fenugreeke, Cummin, and Mustardseed.  
FOr the sowing of Fenugreeke, you must make choice of such ground as you would for the Fetch, which you must not cut the second time, seeing the first, if it be done thick and small, and not deep, will serve: for if the grain should be covered above four fingers, it would not be able to sprout and spring up, and therefore the plough and harrow both must go but lightly over it. The meal of Fenugreeke, with Brimstone and Nitre, doth take away the freckles of the face. If you mingle it with a fourth part of the seeds of Cresses in vinegar, it will prove a singular remedy for the falling of the hair called Tinea. If you boil it in honeyed water, putting thereto some Swine's grease, it will resolve the swelling of the testicles, hands, feet, and under the ears, and is profitable against the wrenches of joints. The decoction thereof drunk oftentimes, doth infinite good to such as have been troubled with an old cough, and likewise for the ulcers of the breast: for the distillations and rheums falling upon the eyes, you must wet clothes in the decoction of this seed, and apply them unto the brows. And as for Cummin and Mustardseed, we have spoken of them in the second Book.   

Medick fodder, or Snaile-claver.  
THere is not either any Pulse or other feeding which is more agreeable or more precious for the feeding of beasts, than Snaile-claver, called in French Saint foin, for that it may seem to spring out of the earth, and as it were of a more special favour from God, not only for the nourishing and fatting of herds of cattle, but also to serve for Physic, for beasts that are sick, and in that respect it is called of the Latins Medica. Some call it Burgundy hay, because the Burgundians 〈◊〉 been always very careful for the sowing and tilling of this herb. The inhabitants of Picardy call it Foinasse, and many have given it the name of great Trefoil. Howsoever the name go, the benefit of this gras●e is so great, as that every casefull husbandman ought continually to reserve the better part of his grounds, to be sown therewith. Make choice therefore of the sowing and growing of great store of this gras●e, of an even ground that is very clean and fat, easy to be ploughed, and which hath had three earings before it was sown, as also which hath been well dunged, well harrowed, and digged and delved rather in the decrease of the Moon, than ploughed with the plough, beginning the work in june, afterward in August, October, December, and February, to the end that the weeds that are in the ground may be sufficiently killed, as well by the heat of Summer, at the cold of Winter. After that you have made the ground well pleasing, and fit by such industry, begin to sow it in the end of April, during the new of the Moon, and toward the latter end of the day; for being watered by the dew of the night, it will spring more speedily and easily out of the earth, than and if it were sown in the heat of the day, because it would be burst continually, and would come but to small effect and profit. You must not be niggardly in sowing of it: for by how much the more seed you sow, by so much the more thick will the grass grow; neither will there grow any other grass there; and so there will also the more profit grow and rise thereupon to the good householder. So soon as it is sown, you must harrow it every manner of way, as longways, broad-ways, and overthwart, with harrowe● or rakes of wood set thick with teeth, but not of iron, because it is an utter enemy to iron: afterward you must water it gently for the first time; for and if you should water it forcibly, and with abundant store of water, you should drive the seed all to one side of the field, and yet you must not water it after September unto the end of April. It will be good to cut it down with a 〈◊〉 five or six times the first year, and so proportionably the years following; for it endureth ten years, yea thirty as Pliny sayeth, without standing in need of being sown again. The fit time to cut it down is May, june, july, and August, and the new of the Moon: in the mean time you shall not let it lie upon heaps any longer than a day in the meadows, for if it should stay there any long time, it would raise such a hear, as that it would smother and kill whatsoever were under it, to the keeping of it for ever growing again: wherefore it will be good to carry it elsewhere, and to dry it assoon as possibly may be, stirring it every day, from day to day. Again, you must not let the cattle feed near unto this grass, in as much as not their tooth only, but their very breathing on it also is very noisome unto it, and that so greatly, as that it afterward becometh either barren, or else dieth presently: it must not be given green for cattle to eat, lest it make them sick by reason of the moisture and heat that is therein: it must stay till it be dry before you give it them to eat, and then also but in small quantity; for that this grass begetteth in them such store of blo●d, as that of the much eating thereof, they would be strangled therewith. The good husbandman must be careful to gather and reserve seed of this snail claver, to sow the same when it shall be requisite: it must not be gathered the first year that it beareth, by reason of his weakness; but in all the other following, and that in the months of june and july, so soon as the husks wherein the seed is contained shall appear dry, and the seeds themselves be turned yellow.   

Mixed provender.  
Mixed provender must be sown in fat and well manured places, and such as have been twice eared: it will be very good if it be sown with piled barley, sometimes it consisteth of barley, oats, fetches, and fenugreeke, which are let grow hand over head, and are cut afterward either green or ripe, to make fodder of for cattle in Winter.   

Rice.  
IF you will sow rice you may do it: but it is like to prove rather a work of curiosity than of profit; for rice is a commodity properly belonging and growing amongst the Indians, from whence also it is brought hither unto us in France. Therefore for the sowing of rice either white or red, choose out some place that is very moist, and in case you have no such amongst your arable ground, then choose out some field that is lean, foul, and nothing well cleansed, or some other which is light and weak, but yet even, and through which you may convey some little brook, or gutter of water. Ear the ground thrice, where you mean to sow your rice, and when you have thus ploughed it over thrice, sow your rice therein, which you must first steep for one whole day in water: so soon as you have sown it, draw your littlebrooke along through it, and there suffer it to continue five whole months the depth of two singers: and when as you perceive the blade to begin to shoot forth his ear (knowing that it also flowreth and seedeth at the same instant) then double the quantity of water to keep the fruit from blasting or spoiling otherwise. If you order it thus, you shall not only reap great quantity of rice, but you may also sow it three years together one after another, without giving any rest at all to the ground, and yet the last year will be no less fruitful than the former: yea, which is more, you shall make the field more fat, frolic, in better plight, and cleaner from weeds, and cleaner from noisome beasts than it was before: yea, and further than this, you may sow therein for three years more, one kind of grain or other, wh●ther wheat, or meslin, whereof you shall not repent you in the time of harvest, you shall find it to fair and profitable. There is one inconvenience in rice, which is, that it causeth an ill air by reason of the abundance of water which it craveth for the space of five whole months: but to recompense the same withal, it proveth very profitable for food and sustenance; for thereof is made pottage, and thereof also is bread made, either with rye or mille●, or all three together, It is true, that it is much given to make obstructions, and it restraineth fluxes as mightily: and this is the cause why such as have great looseness in their bodies do use it oftentimes, especially, if it be parched and boiled in cows milk, wherein many little 〈◊〉 of the river have been quenched: if you boil it in milk, adding thereto sugar and 〈◊〉, it will provoke unto venery. Many do think that it maketh fat; but seeing that (according to the Physicians) it is not digested in the stomach but very hardly, it must needs nourish but a little, and then how can it possibly make one fat? indeed it may be said rather to puff up than to make fat.   

Hemp.  
Hemp must be sown in fat and well dunged grounds, and watered with some little brook, or else in fl●t and moist countries, where much labour and ploughing hath been bestowed: for the fatter the ground is, the thicker will the bark or pilling be. It must be sown in March, and gathered when the seed is ripe, and afterward dried either in the Sun, Wind, or Smoke, and then laid in water for to be watered, that so the pilling may the more easily depurt from the stalks, afterward to be used in making of ropes and cloth, a labour and travail well beseeming and fit for women.  
This is the opinion of the French, but not the general opinion of the better experienced: for, the rich ground which is spoken of here to sow hemp in, must not be taken for the rich stiff black clay, or for any clay at all: for although they will bear hemp; yet they put forth so much bun, and so little pilling, that indeed the hemp that groweth therein is good for nothing: therefore the best ground to sow hemp on, is the richest of all mixed earths, whose mould is driest, losest, blackest, and quickliest ripe, with little ear-ring, as namely with two ardours at the most, which would be in October the first, and the last in March, which is the best and most convenient time for sowing. Hemp must be exceedingly well harrowed and clotted, and the mould must be made as small as dust; for the seed is very tender at the first sprouting: but being once gotten above the earth, it ou●groweth all other weeds whatsoever; and out of its own nature, it doth choke and destroy them: whence it comes, that hemp never needeth any weeding: it must be diligently and carefully kept and tended (after the first 〈…〉 appear above the earth) from birds, for the seed is so sweet and so much desired of all small birds, that without great and diligent care they will not leave you any in the earth. Now for the best time of gathering your hemp, it is according to the common custom of housewives, about Saint Margaret's day, being towards the latter end of july: But more particularly, you shall understand that it is best pulling your hemp for the pill as soon as it doth begin to turn yellowish, and the leaves to hang downward looking unto the earth: but if for seed, than not before the seed look black, and be ready to shed: hemp must ever be pulled up by the roots, and first spread thin upon the earth, than afterwards bound up in bundles, which they do call baits, than it must be c●rryed to the water to ripen, of which water the running stream is the best, and the standing pond is the worst: yet it must be done with great heed; for hemp is very poisonous, and it doth not only infect the waters, but it doth also poison much fish: Hemp must lie three days and three nights covered in the water; than it must be clean washed out of the water, and afterwards brought home and dried either in the Sun or upon the kilne. There be some housewives, which (either for sloth, or for want of a convenient place to water in) do ripen their hemp upon the ground, by suffering it to lie at the least fifteen nights upon the s●me, taking the dews which do fall Morning and Evening, and other rain by which it ripeneth; provided that it be turned every day once: but this manner of ripening is not good; for besides that it is unkindly, and doth oftentimes cause the hemp to be rotten, it also maketh the hemp to be very black and foul; so that it doth never make white cloth. After the ripening and drying of your hemp, you shall broke it in brakes which are made of wood for the same purpose, and this labour would ever as near as you can be done in the Sunshine: after the breaking of hemp, you shall swingle it, than beat it, then heckle it: and if you intent to have very fine cloth of it, you shall after the first heckling, beat it again, and then heckle it through a finer heckle, then spin it, after warp it, and lastly weave it. Thus much for the hemp which is used for to make cloth withal: but for such as shall be preserved for cordage, or the roper, you shall only after the ripening pill it, and then either sell or employ it.  
Hemp seed is very good to make hens lay many eggs, 
The seed of hemp. To make hens lay eggs.  and that in the depth of Winter, and greatest coldness of the same. Many do burn the thickest roots of the male hemp, and of the same so burnt and made into powder, do make gunpowder. The juice or decoction of the green herb being strongly strained, and powered in some place where there are earthwormes, doth cause them to come forth by and by: likewise being dropped into the ears, it causeth the worms or other beasts which shall be gotten in thither to come out presently, and this we have learned of fishermen, which by this wile do take worms to serve them for their hooks. Hemp seed must neither be eaten nor drunk, because it sendeth up many fumes unto the brain, which will cause the same to ache▪ and therefore women do greatly transgress the rules of Physic, which give this bruised seed in drink, to such as are troubled with the falling sickness or headache. This is a thing to be wondered at in hemp, that seeing there are two sorts of it, the male and the female, yet the female beareth not the seed, but the male.   

Line.  
LIne must not be sown in any ground, but where there riseth great profit; and this followeth and is caused by reason of the seed which impaireth all sorts of grounds very much, and for that cause it must be sown in a very fat ground, and such a one also as it reasonably moist. In any case the ground where line-seed is sown, must be curiously handled and cleansed, and with manifold earings ploughed and turned over so oft and so long, as that it become like dust: and furthermore the good housewife must be careful when the line is grown, to free it from being 〈◊〉 with the weed using to wind about it, and which of some is called 〈◊〉, and that not once but oft: to the end that in gathering the seed, in beating it with beetles, heckling and spinning of it, such filth may not remain among the tow. It must be gathered when it is ripe, and when the colour of it groweth yellow, and after laid up in some dry place, that so it may be defended from the rain and dew, which are utter enemies unto it: when it is dry, it must be threshed as soon as may be (to the end that the mice eat it not) with wooden mallets, to get the seed out of it, and presently after that it shallbe carried to the water about the change of the Moon, that it may lie therein three or four days in july or August, till it become soft and tender, to the end that the pilling or bark thereof may the more easily be separated from the stalks for the making of cloth. When it is drawn out of the water, it must be laid on a heap, all round, but two or three fathoms broad, loading it above with boards and stones, and after that spread in the Sun, to the end it may dry the better. The finest line, which is without seed (notwithstanding it be the least and lower of growth than the rest) is the best, being soft and fine after the manner as it were of silk: whereas that which is long and thick, is also more rough, and boisterous in spinning. 
To make white thread.  You shall make very fine and white sowing thread of your sine flax in this sort: Let it be watered in running water five or six days in july or August in the change of the Moon: so soon as it is drawn out of the water, spread it in the Sun, that it may dry, never casting it into any heaps, for that which is laid upon heaps after the coming of it out of the water, that it may take a heat, and being pressed down to that end, doth become black, and turneth into a dark and obscure colour.  
This line after it hath received breaking and the first hackling, you shall take the strickes, and plaiting them into a plat of three, make a good big roll thereof, and put it into a smooth and round trough made for the purpose: in the same manner as you beat hemp, so you shall beat this flax till it handle as soft as any silk, then unplat the strickes again, and heckle it through the second heckle, the which must be much finer than the first: which done, plate up the strickes again, and then beat it the second time, and then unplat as before, and heckle it the third time through the finest heckle that can be gotten, then spin this ●ow, and it will make you yarn either for Lawn, Holland, or Combricke, or for the finest sisters thread that can be sowed with: as for the hurds which do fall from the heckle, you shall have a great and diligent care to keep them light and loose; for by reason of the much beating, they will be exceeding soft, and apt to clotter together, and abide in lumps, and in the drawing of the thread, it will handle very woolly: yet be well assured, that from the first hurds, you shall make a most exceeding fine mydling, from the second a very fine linen, and from the third a pure good holland. Many other labours are bestowed upon fla●ce: but in this already rehearsed, consisteth the whole art of the housewife; yet herein by the way is to be noted, that ever before you beat your flax, you shall bestow great drying of it, letting it stand each several time at the least four and twenty hours within the air of the fire before you beat it, for drying causeth it to break.  
Out of the seed of line, 
Oil of linseed.  you may press an oil which will never 〈…〉 so cold: it is used of Physicians, Painters, and many other sorts of workmen. It is singular good to soften hard things, for the pain of the hemorrhoids, chape and tumors of the fundament called Condylomata, being washed in rosewater, it ●●reth burnings: it is marvelous good in pleurisies, if so be that it be 〈…〉 is old heateth and procureth vomit.   

Navets and Turnips.  
NAuets and Turnips delight in a light and fine would, and not in a 〈…〉 sad ground; and yet turnips grow better in moist ground● 〈…〉 on the tops and sides of hills, in dry and petty grounds, such as those are which are sandy and gravelly. Howsoever it is, the ground where they are sown, must have been oftentimes turned and cast, harrowed, and dunged; for by these means they will not only grow well, but the ground (after that they be gathered being thus prepared) will bring forth fairer corn. Turnips are sown twice in the year, in February, and in August, in a well manured ground, and you may not suffer them, after that they have gotten some little growth, to put up any further out of the earth, for and if they should still grow more and more above the earth, their root would become hard, and full of small and little holes. See more of navets and turnips in our second book.    

CHAP. XIX.  
Advertisements concerning corn and pulse.  
WIse and prudent husbandmen must not plow their grounds, cut their vines, or prune or have any dealing about trees from the eighteenth day of November unto the seven and twentieth of December.  
Sow your corn as soon as you can, and stay not to sow it in the Winter: Neither do you ever sow the corn which grew in a fat soil, whether it be wheat or rye, or any other such, in a lean and barren field; but rather sow that corn in a fat and fertile soil, which grew in a lean and barren ground: and to be brief, sow in a well conditioned ground that which was grown in an ill conditioned ground. In sowing your seed see that your hand answer your foot, and standing upon your feet, see that your right foot especially be moved when your right hand doth move. In sowing of wheat you must cast it with a full hand, or by handfuls: but in sowing barely, rye, oats, and many other kinds of grain, especially such as is shut up in husks, as millet, panic and rape seed, must be sown and cast into the earth with only three fingers.  
To prevent the frost that it may not hurt the corn that is sown, especially, 
〈◊〉.  such as is sown in cold grounds, as those which are most subject unto frosts, you must cast and spread lime upon the said grounds before they besowne: or else, which is better, mingle a sixth or eight part of lime amongst the corn which you mean to sow, and so sow them together.  
To keep your seed from being eaten of birds, mice, or pis●yres, water it before you sow it with the juice of ho●se-leeke: or according to Virgil's advice, with water wherein nitre hath been infused.  
To cause peason, beans and other pulse to be tender and easily boiled, you must lay them a day before they be sown, in water wherein there hath been nitre dissolved; or else to mingle amongst them in sowing of them some dung and nitre: and if notwithstanding after all these means used, they cannot yet be well boiled, then put into the pot wherein they are boiling, a little mustard seed, and in a short time they will relent and seethe in pieces.  
Beans being sown near trees, cause their roots to dry and wither: beans will keep long if you water them with sea water▪ notwithstanding that they will not boil any thing at all in salt or sea water.  
Cich pease will become greater, if you infuse them in warm water before they be sown: or if you steep them in their cod in water wherein nitre hath been infused: if you would have them early, sow them when you sow barley.  
Lentils 
Lentils.  will grow very fair, if they be infused in their cod in warm water with nitre; or if they be rubbed over with dry ox-dung before they be sown.  
You must not sow millet thick, 
Mille●.  if so be you would have it good: for example's sake, a handful is enough to sow half an arpent withal; for if you should 〈…〉 more you must but pull it up when you come to the weeding of it.  
Sow your lupins before all other kinds of corn. 
Lupins.  without staying or 〈…〉 rain: before they flower, you may put oxen in amongst them, and 〈◊〉 all the other sorts of herbs they will eat; but they will not touch or come near unto the 〈◊〉, because that they are bitter: you may make them sweet, if you steep them three whole days in sea and river water mingled together.  
Sow all manner of pulse in the increase of the Moon, except peason, and g●ther them as soon as they be ripe; for otherwise their cod will open and the 〈◊〉 fall out.  
Gather seeds and all manner of grain in the change of the Moon, if you would have them to keep, and do with them as we have said before. If you have need to sell corn, sell it in the increase of the Moon, and not at any other time, because at such time they grow and become bigger in the garner, than they are wound to be at other times.   

CHAP. XX.  
Of the Bakehouse.  
IN vain should the husbandman toil himself in tilling his ground so carefully according to the form and manner which we have before described, and in like careful sort to gather in, heap together and keep his corn, if he hoped not for some fruit and profit of his pains and labours. But what that profit is which he receiveth of his corn, I 〈◊〉 myself unto the sale, which he may yearly make unto foreign and strange 〈…〉, as whereby there redoundeth unto him an incredible sum of money. Witnesses in this point may be the infinite number of rich husbandmen in France, and namely in Beauce, Brie, and Picardy, who live in better estate and fuller of money, than many great Seigneours and Gentlemen: and I refer myself likewise unto the divers sorts of bread which they make of their corn, for the feeding and sustaining of themselves and their families, as also their cakes, cheesecakes, custards, flawnes, tarts, fritters, and a thousand other pretty knacks and dainty conceits, which may be made and wrought of the meal which their corn yieldeth. And yet further I report me to the beer, (which standeth in steed of wine in the countries where the vine cannot bear fruit) made commonly with wheat and barley. And lastly to the sale of bread which he may practise and use every day, without any whit disaduantaging himself; as we see in the husbandmen of Gonesse near to the City of Paris.  
Now therefore seeing that matters stand in this sort, me thinks it should be an unseemly thing, not only for the farmer, but also for the Lord of this our farm, to use to send to the town or else whither to buy bread, custards, 〈◊〉, cakes, tarts, beer, and other such necessary things, for the food and 〈◊〉 of his house, either yet to borrow of their neighbour's strangers, as bakers, paste-cookes, and brewers for the use, or to be beholden unto them for any of 〈…〉, when they stand in need of them: For it is my intent ●nd 〈…〉 country house should be another Pandora, furnished and flowing with 〈◊〉 all manner of good things and commodities, in such sort, as that the neighbour towns might have recourse and seek unto it in cases of their 〈…〉, but without taking or receiving any thing at their hands but 〈◊〉, as the price and sale of the wares shall amount and come unto, which 〈◊〉 sendeth and furnisheth them withal day by day. I 〈◊〉 therefore 〈…〉 a baker, panter, worker in pastry, and a brewer when need shall be 〈…〉, that he should not be ignorant of any thing which might help to keep, sustain, and enrich his house.  

Whereof Bread is made.  
ANd to the intent that I may enter into my purposed matter of the Bakehouse, I do not here intent to cry or search out, who was the first inventor of Bread-making, or what meats were in use amongst them of ancient time, before the making of Bread was found out, or whether it was the man or woman's labour to play the Baker: these I leave to such as make their whole profession that way, to discourse of; contenting myself to teach and instruct my Farmer what grain or corn he may employ and use for the making of bread. For certain there may be bread made of all sorts of corn, but not of all sorts of grain: for Pulse (as we call them) that is to say, such grain as is enclosed in cods or husks, and which are not cut down with Sith or Sickle, but gathered by plucking them from the earth by the roots, as Pease, beans, Rice, Lentils, great Cich-pease, small Cich-pease, Lupins, Fasels, Fetches, Fenugreeke and other such like, are not fit to make bread of, except in time of famine, and when as other corn doth ●aile altogether, or else fall to be exceeding dear: according as we see in such times of hard distress, bread of Oats, Barley, beans, Rice, Millet, and Panic (for such I have seen in Perigord) yea of Bran, Fish's dried in the Sun, Acorns, Chestnuts, and Ferne roots (for such have I seen in base Britain) or which is more, of Bricks, Tiles and Slates, as is reported to have been made by the inhabitants of Sancerra, who during the time that they were besieged, did make and eat bread made of Slates.   

Of Corn, and of such differences and sorts of the same as will make good bread.  
THe excellentest, wholsomest and best kind of grain for to make bread of, 
To make choist of your corn.  is corn; of which as there are many differences and divers sorts; according to the regions, countries, grounds, and soils where they grow, according to the industry of the husbandman: so likewise there are divers sorts of bread, made differing as well in savour and taste, as in manner of nourishing. Therefore that you may be able to make your choice wisely of all sorts of corn of every country that is fit to make bread of, you must see that it be thick, full, gross, massi●, firm, of colour somewhat inclining to yellow, clean, yielding great store of clean and white meal; which being s●eept and boiled in water doth quickly swell, which being newly threshed, cometh presently from the sheaf: for that which is old threshed, although it be drier than that which is new threshed, as also more light, apt and ready for to make meal, & to keep in ●●ale, notwithstanding the bread is not of so pleasant a taste, seeing it hath lost a gre●t part of his well relishing juice, and hath gotten as it were another nature by the alteration of the air: for certainly even so deal the Corne-Merchants who, well bethinking themselves at what time to sell their corn, do not thrash it before the very same month, wherein they mean to sell it; and as on the other side the Baker will not buy (if possibly he may choose) any other corn to make good bread of, than that which being new threshed, cometh fresh from the shease.  
The excellentest corn in all France, and which they use most in Paris, 
Good corn.  are those sorts which com● out of Beauce, France, Bri●, Picardy, champaign, and Bassignie in Burgundy: howsoever also these in Berre●, Poictou, Zanctonges, ●●goulmois, Lymoges, Normandy, Li●agne, Languedoc and Awergne, be not altogether to be rejected. The corn of Beauce maketh a fai●er show than the corn of any other country, because it is growing in a fertile and a fat soil, and such a one a● i● not dry, 
Corn of Beauce.  and it hath in it a band which showeth great when it is in bread, altho●●gh there 〈◊〉 less quantity of paste. The corn of France hath a shor●●● and 〈…〉 that 〈…〉, 
Corn of France.  because it groweth in a ground neither too fat no● too lean, but indifferent; so that the bread that is made thereof, is not of so great show as that of the 〈◊〉 of Beauce: but yet to make some manner of recompense, more white, and such as ●●teth better than that of Beauce. The corn of Brie is of a less grain than that of France and Beauce: as also a lo●e of this corn is of less quantity than that of 〈◊〉 corn, and of less whiteness and pleasure in eating, than that which is made of the corn of France, because that Brie is a country of sweet cherries▪ and yet notwithstanding it is found, that the country properly and truly called Brie doth surpass and go beyond the two other in massiness of corn: and the cause making it so▪ to be, is the shortness and thickness of the skin thereof, which is evidently more apparent in it than in the rest, which make it to weigh the more. The corn of Picardy is of a less grain than any of the other three aforesaid, and so the bread of this corn is not so good, great, white, or profitable: because that this corn is more hard, stiff, stubborn, and uneasy to grind than the others, and therefore such as out of which the flower cannot be well drawn, which causeth men commonly to call the corn of Picardy more vile and filthy than the rest, seeing when it is ground, the bran thereof detaineth and keepeth back of the flower within it. champaign notwithstanding that it flow and abound with corn, and make a very fair and great show, yet it is inferior unto the other aforesaid countries; because the corn thereof yieldeth less bread than the others, because naturally it is given to be choking, and to run upon wreaths betwixt the millstones, and more redious to grind than others: again it is long, thin, and cloven in the midst, which maketh that it carrieth so much waste bulk.  
Generally wheat the smaller it is, and the thinner the husk is, the better and whiter the meal is which cometh from it, as is both seen in France and in other countries: for in England the wheat which groweth on the rich stiff soils, and is called whole straw wheat, being a great large corn with a thick husk, is ever the coarsest and blackest of all wheats, yet good to the yield, and rich in meal, but the flaxen, and chilter wheat, which are much smaller and thinner huskt, and grow upon barrenner grounds, as for the most part upon the junams' and such like, do ever yield the finest and whitest meal, and therefore are most sought after, for the making of fine maunchets, sweet biscuit, jumballs, and such like 〈◊〉 pasts.   

To grind corn.  
THe husbandman having made good choice of his corn, shall send it to the mill whether it go with water or with wind, according as the country shall be 〈◊〉 fit and convenient for: or and if he have choice and may send it to either, than 〈◊〉 shall rather choose to send it to a watermill, carried about with a very swift 〈◊〉 for the more forcible turning about of the stone, and which hath his 〈◊〉 of a very hard greet and all of one piece if it be possible, such as are in B●ie and champaign, especially, at Ferte under joarre: for, the millstones that are tender and soft, do easily break and quickly grow out of frame, and withal do continually 〈◊〉 some gravel in turning about, which being mixed with the meal, taketh away all the pleasantness and good savour of the bread, and becometh oftentimes troublesome unto the teeth. Many do counsel and advise to beat the corn in a 〈◊〉 before it be sent to the mill to be ground, and in beating of it to sprinkle it over with 〈◊〉, and after to dry it in the Sun, and then in the end to send it to the mill. Some 〈◊〉 not send it to the mill except it be very dry, and when as it is not dry, they set it in the Sun to dry; as holding this opinion that the drier it is the more 〈◊〉 it yieldeth. Others besprinkle it with salt water, hoping by such watering of it, 〈◊〉 the meal will become more white, and that they shall have greater quantity of 〈◊〉. Of old time as may be gathered out of Aristotle's problems, barley was won to be p●rched before it was ground. In France none of these ways of preparing their 〈◊〉 to the mill are used, but as the corn is, so they send it to the mill. It is true, that the miller is to lay his stones in such sort, as that according to the owners will, 〈…〉 make a greater or a smaller meal, as also according as the corn itself shall be more gross, hard, small or soft. Yet the less the corn is bruised the finer the meal will be, and the grosser your bran is, the better and whiter will your paste be: whence it comes that the skilful Baker will ever choose the great black Cullen stones to grind his fine Wheat upon, which no more but bruising, and, as it were, crushing the corn makes the meal as pure and as white as Snow. As for the dryness or dankness of corn, it is certain that no grain, except Wheat, can be too dry, but that the skilful Miller says should ever stick to the Hopper: whence it comes that he will, when he finds his Wheat too dry, dash or sprinkle some water upon it, which makes it grind a great deal the better, and makes the meal much whiter.   

Of Meal, Mil-dust, flower of Meal, Bran, fine Meal, Wheat, Starch, and mundified Barley.  
THe corn being ground is turned into Meal, in such sort as that meal is no other thing but that which cometh of the corn when it is ground: and so the meal falleth out to be such as the corn was, that is to say, very white, if so be that the corn were pure and clean, thick and short, such as the corn of France (properly so called) is, black and full of bran: if the corn were starved, small, wrinkled, full of filth and dirt▪ long and flat, 
To keep Mea●e.  such is the meal of Rye. But the husbandman before the grinding of his corn and turning of it into meal, must think with himself whether he will keep it long or no: such as he will not keep, there is no need why he should care of what corn he causeth it to be ground, as whether it be old or new threshed, neither yet how and in what manner: but such as he doth intend to keep for some time, as in a storehouse for to answer the times of necessity, he must choose the driest corn that he can meet withal, because that if it be not very dry, it might very quickly take heat in the meal; and so it is meet that it should be old threshed and not new, and coming from the sheaf (although the bread that is made of corn old threshed be not so good as that which is made of new threshed corn, and that which cometh fresh from the sheaf) for the meal that cometh of corn old threshed & reserved a long time in the garner, keepeth better than that which cometh of new threshed corn, because that the corn being driven and laid naked from his first and utmost husk and coat, taketh the air, as also his undermost covering wherewith it is covered, and so groweth drier and harder, not only in his coat, but also in the meal and marrow enclosed therein. Whereupon it cometh to pass that this meal being left naked and void of any coat by the grinding of the Mill, becometh more apt to keep in being the more dry. On the contrary, the meal of new threshed corn, is not of so good continuance, but spoileth sooner, because that the corn new threshed, retaining yet his native moisture, maketh the meal the more moist and heavy, and that it can not be so dry: whereupon it falleth out to be more inclinable and ready to corrupt. For even as dryness doth prevent and hinder putrefaction, so moisture doth hasten and help forward the same. And that it is so, we see by experience, that the painful husbandmen for the good keeping of their corn, do leave it in the sheaf mowed up in the Barn, there to Winter and sweat, causing it after such sweat to be threshed, that so they may shift it out of its place into another that is more dry, and laying up higher in a more open air: where being laid and gathered together in heaps, after a long and not high raised manner, he diligently bestirreth himself to cause it to be removed from place to place, that so it may take the air by little and little, but especially to air that which lieth underneath, by laying it about: wherefore it is not to be doubted but that the meal which is made of corn that hath been thus ordered in the Garner, is of much better continuance than that which is of corn coming newly out of the sheaf. Besides, the husbandm●n must give in charge (if so be he would have his meal to keep long) to the Miller, to grind his corn somewhat gross: for if it be ground fine, it is not possible for him to keep it so long in good state and condition. Notwithstanding, for the well keeping of all sorts of meal, whether it be of corn new or old threshed, you must make choice of the highest room of all your dwelling place, whether it be tower, town, or townhouse, and being placed there as in a storehouse, it shall be let rest full fifteen days, to relieve and ease itself of the travel which it hath had in the grinding: after which time of rest, for the better and longer keeping of it, it will be needful to change it oft from one place to another, and by this means it will be kept a whole half year, and being often removed and changed from one place to another, it will be increased a fifth or sixth part at the least, o● which, notwithstanding, there cannot be made so good bread, as of the meal that is newly ground. And thus much for the farmer's duty about baking, which consisteth in choosing the corn, causing it to be ground, and laying up of the meal in some garner, either to be kept, or to be presently used about the making of bread. The ordering of the meal, and making of the bread belongeth unto the housewife, according to the custom of the ancient Romans, amongst whom, the women of special note and account did work and knead the meal, and made bread with their own, hands, as Plutarch reporteth in his Problems. The housewife then being possessed of so much meal in the garner, shall go about to do her endeavour to make bread: but before she begin to make it, she shall separate the finer part thereof from the grosser, with some temze, searce, or bolter, to the end that of these several sorts of meal, she may make several sorts of bread: the finest part of the meal is called the flower of meal, and of the Latins Pollen, whereof the pasterers or cooks for pastry do make wafers, and such like dainty knacks: the grossest part is the bran, called of the Latins Furfur, which cometh of the coat or husk cleaving next unto the narrow and kernel of the corn. Betwixt the flower of the meal and the bran, there are yet other parts of the meal, more or less fine, or more or less gross, according to the wideness or narrowness of the temze or bolter through which they pass, and according to the difference and diversity of these parts, there are made different and divers sorts of bread, that is to say, more or less white, according to the taking forth of two, three, or four parts of the bran, by the help and means of the bolter: besides these parts and several sorts, there is yet another sort of meal, which is called mill-dust, 
Mill-dust.  and this riseth up from the corn, as it is upon the mill, grinding under the millstone, but hereof there is no use for bread, the miller's use to sell it only for the use of bookbinder's and goldsmiths, to make their pastewithall: there is yet another kind of meal, which the Italians call Semole, which is fine meal, or course flower, called of the Latins Simila, or Similago, whereof we have spoken before: We have it not in this country, it is brought unto us from Italy and Naples, neither do men use to make bread with this, but either thicken their meat-broths, or else make pap-meat. It is as fine as the flower of meal, but not so white, notwithstanding, having a colour half like the straw colour: It is of a very good juice and nourishment. There is yet further another sort of very white meal, that is very fine, which is commonly called in French Amydon, and of the Greeks and Latins Amylon, as though it were made without millstones. It hath heretofore been made divers ways, but in this country they use to make it in this sort: They choose the fairest and purest wheat that may be got, and cause it to be ground very finely: which done, they cast the ground meal into a vessel which the other fill up with water, scumming off the bran that swimmeth aloft, and after passing all the water through a cloth or strainer, and then they put new water into the vessel, which they likewise strain in such manner as they did the former, leaving the white meal in the 〈◊〉 whither it is settled: and this they dry in the heat of the Sun about the dog days; and when it is dried, it becometh hard, and is afterward broken into gobbets, and so made into fine meal.  
You may make meal likewise of other corn, than of wheat, as of barley, 〈◊〉▪ mes●●, secourgeon, and many other sorts of grain, whereof we have said before that bread is wont to be made in the time of dearth and famine, or else in poor countries that have want of other, or at least of better corn. Barley meal is very full of bran: and hence it cometh that the bread made thereof, 
Barley meal  doth losen the belly. Notwithstanding, there was in old time made of Barley a sort of meal which was called Polenta, 
Polenta.  that is to say, of Barley newly dried, then fried, and afterward ground: and this was used to make pappe-meate of, or else to put in meat broths to thicken them. Some do the like with mundified Barley.  
The Meal of Rye is likewise full of bran, 
The meal of Rice and Oats, Oatmeal, Ricemeale.  but that of Oates is yet more full: notwithstanding that, Oatmeal which is made of Oats husked, is a welcome dish to the tables of great Lords. The Meal of Rice is whiter than any of the rest. As for the Meal of Pulse, it is oftener made by being brayed in the mortar, than by grinding: howsoever, it may more commodiously and a great deal better be made with the Mill.   

Leaven.  
Leaven, called in Latin Fermentum, because it puffeth up, and swelleth in continuance of time, is a lump of paste left of the last mass of dough, covered and hidden in the meal which is kneaded, to take away the clamminess and cleaving property which is in the meal that is purposed to be made into bread. This Leaven becometh sour by continuance of time, and thereby maketh the bread more delightsome, and of a more pleasant taste. Again, we see that bread, by how much the more leaven it hath, by so much the more wholesome and well relishing it is, over and above that which hath less store of Leaven in it. It is indifferently hot, and a little cold: hot by reason of the putrefaction which it is cast into, and cold by the nature of the meal. This Leaven is made divers sorts of ways, according to the manners and fashions of countries: we make it of Wheat passed to make Wheat bread, and of Rye paste to make Rye bread: some put unto it Salt, some Vinegar, and many Verjuice made of Crabs. The workers in Pastry do use the rising of Beer to make their Wigs withal, as we shall have further occasion to speak of it in laying open the way to make Beer. People of old and ancient times did make it divers ways, as Pliny reporteth. The Flemings do mightily boil their Wheat, and take off the scum that riseth thereof in boiling, which they let grow thick, and use the same in stead of Leaven: and that is the cause why their bread is a great deal lighter than ours. Howsoever it is, the Leaven which men-bakers and women-bakers do use to make their bread withal, may be kept fifteen days and not any more because after such time it corrupteth and decayeth. But to be sure▪ it is not good to keep it so long: for to keep it you must work it up into a round paste, cover and hide it over in meal; and beside, in winter it must be covered over withgood store of clothes in the kneading trough. When the good wife of the house is purposed to bake her paste, she must two or three days before, or, which is better, over night, kneade in her said Leavens with hot water, or else with cold, according to the time and diversity of the corn, whereof she meaneth to make her bread, as we will speak further of by and by. The workers in paste-meates do use but very little Leaven in their crusts, or none at all, either because it would make so small a quantity of passed as they use to make their crusts of, too sour, or else because the Leaven would draw unto it all the Butter, or such other fat as they should mingle amongst their paste, for as much as Leaven hath the power to draw moisture unto it, as we may easily prove by Apostumes, which when we would have to ripen and swell up higher, we use to apply a paister of Leaven to them. Furthermore, if it should happen that the Baker, or good wife of the house should find her leaven too sour, and that she cannot come by any other, the remedy must be to knead her leaven with hotter water than she would if it were in its proper nature and kind, that so by the heat of the water the Leaven may recover some strength, and somewhat renew its natural force, having lost its natural heat, whereas on the contrary, when the Leaven is in its kind and as it should be, there is not any thing but cold water to be used about it.   

The making of bread according to the diversity of corn whereof it is made.  
THe housewife must be ruled and advised in the making of her bread, by the nature and condition of the meal whereof she maketh it: wherefore if she dwell in Beauce, 
Bread of corn growing in Beauce.  or dwelling out of Beauce, do make her bread of the corn growing in Beauce (the meal of which corn for certainty, holdeth the chief and principal place of account amongst all the sorts of meal of France) she shall be careful in any case, to make her levens at certain and well appointed hours: In Summer she shall refresh her leaven with cold water at noon day, and renew it again at five a clock, and lastly at nine, without failing of keeping these hours in very precise manner: This water thus used in Summer must be drawn fresh out of the Well, or from the fountain and river, because that Well water as it is more heavy than the other, so it maketh the bread more heavy: and on the contrary, spring water, or water from the river, as it is lighter, so it maketh lighter bread. In Winter she must renew her leaven with fresh water warmed or made hot: and with this water both Winter and Summer, she shall wet her arms, and knead her passed thoroughly, turning it over and over, hither and thither, on every side, for a long space and many times, that so all the parts thereof may show that she hath been there, and that all the clamminess and cleaving quality of the same may be thoroughly broken and dried up, that so the bread may be the more short and finer in chawing, and not eating like paste in the teeth, mouth, and stomach. After such handling of it, she shall take the pains to turn her paste oftentimes, that so it become not leaven, for otherwise it would not eat so well. It is true that when the leaven is faulty, the meal of the corn of Beauce hath such a band and list as that she might easily cover and hide such fault, provided that the baker whether man or woman, at the kneading thereof would but help it a little with some fresh water.  
If the farmer's wife do dwell in France, 
Bread made of the corn of France.  or make bread of the corn growing sometime in France, she shall not use so much leaven thereunto as she did unto the meal made of the corn grown in Beauce, both because the corn cometh short in yielding like quantity of paste, for like quantity of corn, as also because the meal hath not so good a band, neither yet is it altogether so clammy: and therefore you must use a mean and reasonable measure in your leaven, and withal let your water be less hot, than in the kneading of Beauce meal; for if you knead it with water that is more hot than needeth, the paste will swell up the more a great deal, and afterward will dry out of all reason.  
To make bread of the corn that was grown in Brie, 
Bread made of the corn of Brie.  you must use a quite other manner of order, because that country corn is much more churlish than that of France or Beauce: the first flower that cometh out of husk or skin of the said corn, is better bound than the others, because the corn is shorter, and so hangeth in the bolter as doth the oatmeal, contrary to the nature of other corn, in as much as the said oatmeal is sweeter than the other sorts of corn, which causeth that the bolter letteth some small quantity of meal somewhat roundly ground to cross it overthwartly, and that may be the second ●lower: and this was not, neither should it be shorter than the corn of Picardy.  
Picardy corn must be much corrected, 
Bread of Picardy.  as being hard to be well ordered, either in paste or in any other such manner of usages, as also for that it craveth a very h●●ouen, and when it is in it, it maketh such a covering to the bread, as though there were no manner of leaven in it at all. It is hard to bake, and hard to take colour, which may seem somewhat strange; for seeing that it is so sour and dry, it should arg●e that the bread should the sooner be baked in the oven: but the hardness and heaviness of the meal is the cause that it is so hard to bake: as also there may be joined thereto for another reason, the crust that groweth upon the same presently; for it is a means to hinder the heat of the oven, that it cannot enter into the inward parts of the bread so easily as it should: and this is the cause that maketh the bread to be always as it were ●at.  
The meal of the corn of champaign craveth a newer made leaven when it is to be made into bread, 
Bread made of the corn which was grown in campaign.  because it hath a smatch of the earth, which would make it to be become worse in past, if it should not have added unto it such leaven as were excellent good, as also for that the corn coming out of the sheaf, doth smell of the ground whereon it grew, and this cannot be amended without great diligence used, and care had in the making of the bread.  
Besides these breads made of these several corns, you shall understand that generally the breads which are most in use are first the manchet, which is the finest of all other, and is made of the purest and best part of the meal finely bolted or searst, and made light with barm only, and not with leaven, neither must it be made too light or spongy, but of a good solid temper, firm and fast wrought: the next to it is fine cheat bread, which is made of the next meal to the finest, and brought only to differ through the coarseness of the boulter, which being a little wider than the first gives more liberty to the meal to pass away and go nearer to the bran: this must be made light both with leaven and barm, yet very well wrought and made altogether as firm as the manchet: the next to this is course cheat bread, the which is made of the coarsest meal as being bolted as clean from the bran as it can possibly be got, and the boulter which is for this purpose must be a course searse or a fine temze: this bread must be made light with leaven only, neither is it much material how spongy or open it appears; for this kind of bread is ever to be puffed up and made to appear in as great quantity as possible it may be: the last sort of bread is that which is made for peasants or hind servants, and it is made of meal unboulted, the bran and the meal being all knodden together, and in this case your meal would be ground as fine as is possible. There be some that after they have ground their meal gross, and bolted out the manchets, they will then send that which is remaining to the mill again, and have it newly ground over again as fine as it possible may be, and of it they make this course hinds bread: and of a certainty it is a well allowed husbandry; for thereby you shall reap a double commodity. This bread some mix with leaven, some do not: but certainly the leaven is best, for it gives unto the bread a pleasant and delightsome taste, whereas the other wanting the same hath a very rough, waterish and unwholesome taste, and it is only profitable in this, that a man not taking any delight to eat it, it will last a great deal the longer: this bread would be baked in great loaves, and that somewhat hard also.  
Meslin thriveth not so well, 
Bread made of meslin.  as not yielding so much when it is made in bread: it is by nature fat, as also the meal thereof being bolted: it is no easy thing to pull out ones hands when they are in kneading of it: the good housewife that hath not been acquainted to work in this kind of corn, doth find herself much encumbered therewith, and that in part, because the better part of the meal useth to stay behind with the bran; and therefore for the profit of the house it were better to bolt the meal of rye and mes●in, than to sift it, because the bolter with the working of the arms, doth cause the bran to let go the meal that is within it, which is more than either the pocket or searce will do, because they make no moving or stirring of the meal, but from one place to another.  
The paste therefore being well kneaded, shifted, and prepared, as need requireth, it must be parted into round pieces, of reasonable greatness & thickness, to be set in the oven made reasonably hot, even in such sort as that the bread may (according to the greatness, thickness, & quality of the paste) be sufficiently baked: for a weighty and thick loaf of paste made of the corn of Picardy, would have a longer and greater baking than a small loaf, and that made of the corn of Beauce or France. If the oven be too hot, the crust will be scorched, and within it will remain raw and unbaked, the heat not being able to enter and pierce to the inner parts, the crust that is so hard dried upon it being a let thereunto.  
In the mean time it must not be forgotten that when any man is 〈◊〉 to make salt bread, or to mix anise seed therewith, or any other such mixture, 〈◊〉 Bee must mingle and put the same thereto, whether it be salt or anise seed, or any such thing, at such time as the past is in kneading.  
There are likewise divers sort● of bread made of one and the same meal, according as the bolter, pocket, temze or searce shall be, through which it passeth. Of the meal wholly together, and having nothing sifted out, is made household bread. And when the greatest of the bran is taken away, then there is usually made thereof citizens bread. Again, when as the bran is clean taken away, they use to make thereof small white lo●●es: and when as the grossest part of the white flower is taken away, and nothing left but the very fine, they use to make chapter bread, wafers, tarts, cakes, and other works of pastry. Some also do make bread as it were of pure bran, and therein likewise sometimes to be found straws and chaff, and that for to feed dogs withal.  
The fittest place for the baking of bread is the oven, because it admitt●th the heat of the fire equally and indifferently on all sides: upon the hearth or gridyron, the one part of the loaf baketh, and the other remaineth raw: and under the ash●● it is not so well baked.  
The fire that is for to heat the oven, must be faggot wood, or bille●, or shiuer● of thick wood that hath no stinking or unsavoury smell: or for want of wood, straw or stubble, as is used in Beauce, or of thick reeds, according as the country will most conveniently afford.  
The bread must be baken in the oven, in a good sort and mean, and with a reasonable heat: for overgreat a heat would scorch the crust that is above, and so 〈◊〉 itself of inward entrance, to the causing of the said inward part to remain raw and paste-like: a lesser heat than is meet and convenient would let it remain all raw: after it is baken enough it shall be drawn forth out of the oven, and laid to rest and abide in a place that is neither stinking nor unsavoury, nor yet infected with any evil air; for the hot bread doth easily draw and suck in any vehemous or corrupt quality of the air. In moist places bread doth soon become hoary and sustie: and in too dry a place it becometh mouldy and rank. The good husband that is right careful of his profit to the end that his bread may last the longer, and that they may eat the less of it, doth set it in some cellar or place which is under the ground, or in some other place which is moist: and his rye bread in some place near unto the fire hearth.   

The bread made of other sorts of corn as also of certain pulse.  
BArley bread 
Barley bread.  must be made of the best barley that may be found or gotten, and not of the meal whole and entire, as it cometh from the mill, but of that part of it which hath been ●em●ed and cleansed from his gross bran. It is true that the bread will be very dry, very apt to crumble, and of a sour taste; so that it would be better to mingle amongst this meal, some meal of pure wheat, or mes●in. The manner of seasoning it with leaven, as also of kneading and baking of it, is no other, than is used in wheat. After the same manner is bread made of Secourgion: but neither the one nor the other is fit for the eating either of the Lord of the f●rme or of his farmer, but rather for the servants, and that especially in the time of dearth, for their better contentation, although there be no great store of nourishment to be loo●ed fo● from the same. After this sort also they make bread of oats, which is seldom or not at all eaten, except it be in the time of extreme famine; for indeed it 〈◊〉 very unpleasantly.  
Bread may be made of millet as also of panic, 
Bread of mills  but such as is very dry and brittle, and yet the Gascoines use it very commonly, and especially the Biarnoyes, who for this cause are called millet mangers of their neighbours dwelling 〈◊〉. The Biarnoyes do make hasty pudding after this manner: They take three or 〈◊〉 pounds of the meal of the millet for the morning, and as much for the evening, they set it upon the fire in a Kettle whereinto there is powered five or six pints of water: thus they let them boil together, until such time as that it swell up to the top of the kettle, and then taking it from off the fire, they stir it well about with a round stick, so long as until the paste be very thoroughly broken and made all one, than afterward taking it out of the kettle, they divide it with a thread into many pieces and eat it in that sort with cheese, or with thin salted milk.  
Bread is likewise made of rye, 
Bread made of rye.  but such as eateth very clammy, whereof we have spoken in the discourse of rye: for the taking away of the clamminess thereof it will be good to mingle barley flower with it, or rather wheat flower, or else to take the flower of the rye meal: it will be of a wax colour, if yet while it is hot you lay upon it some heavy meal.  
It is used likewise, to make bread of rice, beans, spelt corn, and many other sorts of corn and pulse, and that after the same sort that wheat corn bread is made.  
In like manner the industry and endeavour of the baker may be the cause of the making of many sorts of bread, as that which is called the finest bread, or Court bread which is the lightest of all the rest, and which is very exactly kneaded, full of leaven and of a well raised paste. Biscuit 
Biscuit.  bread which is of three sorts, one that is made of rye, another that is made of maslin, or barley or oats, or of all the foresaid mixed together, fit for Sailors to live withal, which undertake long voyages by sea, or for such as are besieged within some ●ort or hold, because it will keep a long time: this kind of bread hath not much leu●n in it: the second kind of biscuit is made of pure wheat without any mixture, fit for the poor that are infected with the pox, to make their diet bread upon: 
Spiced bread.  the third sort is made of the flower of meal, and it is usual to put to the paste thereof sugar, cinnamon, pepper or ginger, and sometimes anise seeds, and it serveth to eat in the time of abstinence, as Lent, and such other. At reins they use to make spiced bread with honey and a little quantity of pepper or cynamome. The Bakers which belong unto the Court make their bread with milk. 
Bread of milk.     

CHAP. XXI.  
Of the pantry.  
IT is most certain that bread is the chiefest thing whereby man is fed and nourished: and that it is so, we see that other victuals, how pleasant soever they be unto the taste, how well soever prepared and set out with good sauces, do (for the most part of them) cause very oft a distaste and loathing of themselves; but only bread holdeth out without dislike growing thereupon whether it be in sickness or in health, it is the thing which appetite doth last of all refuse, and first like of and receive again in time of sickness: in health it is the beginning and ending of our meat, very pleasant and delightsome with all kind of meats. In like manner of a certainty bread is by a marvelous benefit of nature endued with all sorts of tastes and relishes, which particularly are the provocations and allurements causing us to affect and eat this or that or any kind of meat whatsoever. Some whereof do please us by reason of their sweetness, other some by reason of their sowernes, some by reason of their saltness, and other some by reason of their sharpness, and some by reason of their pleasant smell: and all these well pleasing relishes, making savoury unto us all other sorts of meat, doth bread contain and comprehend in itself. Again other victuals, have they never so good a taste, can neither be pleasant nor profitable for the health in eating, if bread be not eaten with them, in as much as the bread by its own good nature doth correct the faults that are in other meats, and maketh them stronger and of more power in their properties and qualities: and hereupon grew the common proverb, which is that all meat is good and profitable, when it is accompanied with bread. Again we find by daily observation, that such as eat their meat, whether it be flesh or any such sort of victuals without bread, have always a stinking breath; so that I cannot but greatly marvel who was the Author of the common proverb: 
Omais repl●tio mala, panis autem pessima.  viz. That all repletion of whatsoever meat was evil, but especially that of bread: if it be not, because that bread (by reason of much solid and firm nourishment which it bringeth unto the body, if it happen to be eaten in excessive quantity) doth fill the veins with abundant store of blood, but such as is not apt to flow and stir, and such as is not apt and easy to be evaporated and discussed, being given to endure and continue like solid things in a constant and stayed course: of the which blood all the body being nourished, is made more corpulent, full and massy; and so by reason of this fullness the less perspirable, because the pores and passages of the skin, by the which the whole body should have means for the breathing out of his superfluous vapours, are stopped; and thereby the body made subject unto many diseases, and sudden death: such was the issue ordinarily befalling professed Wrestlers, and that as we may gather by reading, procured and wrought especially in those men, by using of much bread and swine's flesh. And I will further confess (as Galen teacheth us) that of all the errors, and inconveniencies happening to the health, through the bad digestion and ill concoction of the stomach, those are the most grievous, which grow of the ill digesting of bread, rather than where flesh or such meat are badly digested, because that bread doth more trouble nature and is a longer time in digesting. But all this notwithstanding there is no cause, why bread should not still be preferred before all other sorts of victuals, seeing these discommodities arise not of the mean & reasonable use, but of the excessive use rather of the same, which is the high way to 〈◊〉 and make hurtful not bread only, but whatsoever other good and excellent things; so greatly every where and in all good things, is the merry mean commended. Again whatsoever hath been hitherto said of bread, hath been not to charge it with begetting the said vices and diseases, by any evil juice that is in it, but indeed by the superfluousness of humours, which may rather be accounted for a virtue and commendation unto it, than any dispraise: but the further discourse of this matter I leave for another place. Seeing then the life of men consisteth more in the use of bread than of all other things, who so is careful of his health and life, must make choice of his bread, according as his substance, calling, and natural disposition shall direct and guide him.  
The bread that is made of wheat meal whole and entire, 
Bread made of the whole flower.  as from which there is nothing taken by temze, is fit and meet for hinds and other workefolkes, as deluers, porters, and such other persons as are in continual travel, because they have need of such like food, as consisteth of a gross, thick, and clammy juice, and in like manner such bread fitteth them best, which hath no leaven in it, is not much baked, but remaineth somewhat doughie and clammy, and which beside is made of the meal of Secourgeon, of rye mingled with wheat, of chestnuts, rice, beans, and such other gross sort of pulse.  
The bread that is made of the flower of the meal, 
Bread of the flower of meal  being the purest and finest part thereof, is good for idle and unlaboured persons, such as are students, 〈…〉 and other fine and dainty persons, which stand in need to be fed with ●ood of light and easy digestion. Such is the white bread which is sold of the bakers, and 〈◊〉 bread: as also that which is well leavened, knodden, somewhat salt, somewhat hollow, and well risen, like unto court bread.  
The bread that is made only of rye flower, is very black, heavy, 〈◊〉, slimy and melancholic, and for that cause hard to digest: as also fit to be 〈◊〉 of th● country people and poor inhabitants of the land, but not for men of 〈…〉 living at their ease: It is true that Physicians do chiefly comm●nd it in Summer in the beginning of meat for to loosen the belly, as we see it practised in the 〈◊〉 of great states: but such bread must not be made of the entire meal of rye, but such as is well sifted: and it must bear the colour of wax, and be new baked; for that which is old groweth sour, and looseth his pleasant smell. The women of Lyonnois, to the end they may be fair and have a fresh colour, and solid and substantial bodies, do use no other bread but such as is made of rye. Such as are much altered and changed, in steed of ptisanes, cidre, beer, or any other such drink, may drink of breaded water, that is to say, water wherein rye bread hath been well beaten and laboured.  
Bread made of barley meal only is very dry, easy to crumble away, and of very small nourishment, and therefore fitter to loosen the belly than to feed or nourish, by virtue and force of a detergent faculty, wherewith barley is greatly furnished: And this is the cause why at Rome this kind of bread is made no account of, as for to be used of men, leaving it as a food for cattle, or else in reproach, for fainthearted and dastardly soldiers; for it was utterly forbidden for ever being set before such as were valiant and courageous in fight, because of the small quantity of nutritive parts or nourishment that is in it. It is true that many do imagine that the use of barley bread doth make them less subject unto the gout: contrary to that which Aristotle saith in his Problems, That bakers and such as use baking are weakened thereby; but yet more than the rest, such as use to handle and work much in barley stuff. The thing I leave to be tried by the sequel.  
Oaten bread is not commended, both because the employing of oats that way were to rob cattle of their due food and provender (a great argument of famine) as also because such bread is of an unpleasant taste. It is better to use oatmeal made of oats freed from their husk, as we have said before in the treatise of pottage used either in flesh time, or in the time of Lent.  
Bread made of millet and panic is very common in Bearne and Gascoigne, not only amongst the vulgar sort, but also in the houses of great Lords; but these do use it rather for daintiness sake, or for want of a good stomach, than otherwise: it is very dry, light, and easily crumbling, and so fit for to dry up a stomach and body that is very moist. It is pleasant in taste when it is new and well baked, especially when it is eaten coming hot out of the oven, for than it tasteth and eateth with a marvelous pleasant sweetness: Likewise in countries where such bread is made account of, the bakers carry it presently after it is drawn into the town, and cry hot millet bread hot; but after it is become hard, it looseth all his grace.  
Bread made of pure and clean meslin, is very good to be eaten according to the mediocrity of the substance thereof, in such sort as that many compare it with the bread made of Similago, which was in old times the best and most excellent wheat that was.  
There is no regard to be made of the bread made of the bran which cometh of the meal, 
Bread of bran.  that hath its flower taken from it, and is commonly called meal bran: it is better to leave it for the hounds or shepherds dogs, or such as serve for the keeping and watch of the house.  
In England and other places they make a great and profitabe use of this meal, as namely, a certain bread which they call horsebread, and is so general among them, that you shall not find an Inn, Alehouse or common Harbour, which doth want the ●●me: how excellent good and wholesome it is for horses, I will not boast, because the bran is naturally hot and burning of itself, and breeds many inflammations and hot diseases amongst horses: yet certain it is, it will feed much, and for traveling horses it is a good food, and well allowable during their labour or time of traveling: but in their time of rest not so good nor wholesome, especially, that which is of the common or worse sort; for you must understand that there be two kinds of this common horsebread: the first kind of it, is that which is made of Bran or Chyssell only, and knoden with cold water, without any mixture of other meal with it more than that which they mould it in, which seemeth only to bind the chisel together, which otherwise would fall in sunder: the other kind of bread is, when they take two bushels of Bran or chisel, and add unto it one bushel of bean or pease meal, and ●o kneade it up in water scalding hot, and after the 〈◊〉 are moulded, to roll them in spelted beans crushed and bruised in a mill, and so bake it well: This bread is not altogether so unwholesome as the former, and may very well serve to feed horses with all the year; for it is both hearty and strong, only a little too heavy, which maketh it hard of digestion, and so more hurtful to horses of tender stomachs, or such as want exercise, which is the only means of speedy evacuation.  
Soft bread 
Soft bread.  (otherwise called of the French Painm●llet, or Pain de 〈◊〉) is to be made for none but great Lords. 
Biscuit.  Biscuit bread made of the flower of white meal, is for such as take the diet▪ Biscuit made of rye and such other grain of the inferior sort, is for mariners and such as are besieged in towns. The spiced bread is for such as are sweet ●oothed and li●ourishly given.  
The most excellent and best bread of all other (if you have need at any time to make choice) is that which is made of good and pure wheat, 
The mark●s and sign●s of good bread.  that is new, not old, not corrupted, or any way spoiled, moist, or long kept, having been well ground, well sifted, well wrought into paste with good store of leaven, and sufficient quantity of river or spring water, rather than that which is taken out of Wells, but never out of ●ennes, pools, or fi●h ponds, nor yet out of troubled, dyrtie, muddy, unclean or salted water: being well raised and thoroughly kneaded and turned on every side, and let rest certain hours, being well covered and somewhat salted, of a reasonable mass of paste, not too exceeding great, that so it may take the heat of the fire equally on every side as well above as below: which is baked in the oven with a reasonable fire, and such a one as did burn clear, feeding upon wood rather than upon straw, stubble, reed, rotten or medicinable wood: which is indifferently baked; so as that by over much and long baking the crust is not scorched, not the sweet juice of paste, which is as it were the life and substance of the meal, is not spent and consumed: or so as by too slight and slender baking, the inner part of the bread remain raw, and so become a heavy and burdensome bread unto the stomach very hardly to be digested, and engendering great store of windiness and spittle, drawn out of the oven in time and place, and set up where there is a good air, and not in any filthy or stinking air, that there it may evaporate the superfluous moisture that is in it. Such bread having been thus prepared and ordered, must not be eaten too hastily, as when it is new baked, nor yet the same day, but the day following in Summer, or the third day after in Winter: for new bread especially that which is hot, doth re●aine a great part of the moisture, clamminess and 〈◊〉 which 〈◊〉 had in the kneading, and to being eaten new, would procure the inflammation and puffing up of the stomach, provoke thirst, be hardly digested, subvert and overthrow the stomach, and cause obstructions in the liver and inward parts. It is true that physicians do greatly commend in faintings and swoonings the smelling of the 〈◊〉 part of the loaf coming new out of the oven, and sprinkled with wine. Old baked bread, especially that which is three or four days old, looseth all its best grace and savour, and in steed thereof falleth into dryness and hardness, and so becometh hard of digestion, passeth slowly down into the bowels, causeth costiveness, and begetteth a melancholy juice and nourishment. The crust of bread 
Crust of bread.  notwithstanding it be of better taste and relish than the crumbs, and that the commo● people do think that it maketh a stronger body, yet it engendereth a choleric, adust and melancholy juice, and that is the cause why in houses of great personages they use to chip their bread.  

What quantity of bread must be eaten.  
THe quantity of bread that every man ought to eat every day, 
The quantity of bread that is to be eaten.  cannot 〈◊〉 and strictly be set down, with regard had to the time, (for in Winter men eat more than in Summer) age, disposition of the body, every particular 〈◊〉 manner of living▪ and the custom of the country or place, without the omitting of 〈◊〉 other circumstances. It is true that Courties, Canons, Monks, and Scholars of Colleges do keep and observe some rule that way, but not so constantly, but that it may be broken, as occasions may be offered, which may persuade either to use more or less.   

The divers uses of bread:  
BRead is diversly used: but the two most common ways are to eat it either alone, or with other meats, whereunto it serveth not only, as we have said before, in steed of a sauce that is full pleasant and delightful: but also to correct their vices and faults if they have any, and to help and strengthen their properties and virtues, in so much that all meat is wholesome and healthful, if it be accompanied with bread. Sometimes it is toasted being cut into divers thin shives, for to eat after all other meat, for the drying of the stomach that is too moist, and to hinder especially in fat folks, that the meat which they have taken, be not so suddenly dispersed into all the several parts of the body. Some say likewise, that toasted bread being often eaten, doth make fat folks lean, and consumeth such phlegm as may be gathered in the stomach: and being eaten all dry, in a morning fasting, it likewise drieth up and stayeth all manner of rheums and humours falling or gathered into any part or member whatsoever. This is the cause why Physicians appoint biscuit bread for such as are troubled with rheums and distillations. Some v●e toasted bread steeped in Wine with sugar and cynamome, to procure an appetite unto a dull stomach, either in sickness or in health. Some do make sippers or small ●●ices (as they call them) of bread dried upon the coals, which they steep an hour or more in Water and Wine, and after force them through a strainer or temze, adding thereto the powder of some small spice, and so make very pleasant sauces therewithal.  
Washed bread 
Washed bread.  is a meat very profitable for the health, in as much as it giveth a light kind of nourishment unto the body, without making of any obstructions: and this because the washing of it doth wholly take away the heaviness and clammines belonging unto the earthy parts thereof, and so maketh it light and altogether airy: That this is true, you shall find by experience, because that if you cast it into the water it swimmeth a fit like a piece of cork; and again, if you weigh it after that it is washed, you will wonder at the lightness of it; for indeed you shall find it not to be so heavy by the half. Old men of ancient time did cut it in slices, and washing it in water, made great account of it in sharp agues and such other diseases, because it is of small and light nourishment, according as is required in such sicknesses: and in these days we make no less account of it, save that we use not to wash it in water, but in the broth of meat, as of veal or capon possibly, because of the daintiness of this age, or else for the party's feebleness sake, which (it may be) falleth out to be greater than it was in the bodies of those which lived long a go. In steed of this washed bread, we use a sort of bread which we call Panade, or a cooling bread, which is thus prepared: They take and crumble small the crummie part of a white loaf, not new, but old baked, or they grate it very small, after which they steep it certain hours in warm water, or in cold water, changing the same three or four times, and in the end boiling it at a small-coale fire in an earthen pot, with buttered water, or some other fat put thereto. They that will make it after a finer fashion, steep it, and boil it in some capon broth, or the broth of a pullet, or some other such like meat, stirring it a long time and oft with a spoon: this Panade is good for such as are troubled with long diseases, as also for such as are in health, but are troubled with crudities upon their stomach, of what cause soever they come, as also for them that have but bad digestion; but chiefly good for such as by exquisite diet do go about to cure the pox. This Panade doth not heat as bread doth of itself, not being washed, or prepared thus in Panade. The meal of Amydon made in bread or pap-meat, doth nourish in like manner that Panade doth. We have set down before how Amydon is to be made. Young children that suck in like manner may be fed with Panade, and it is a great deal better meat for them than the 〈…〉 accustomed to be made them with cows milk and Wheat flower, because that such pap-meate causeth infinite obstructions, fevers, headache and worms.  
Some use the meal of certain sorts of corn, and of many sorts of Pulse, after the manner of pap-meate, as we have already said when we spoke of mundified Barley, which is a thing so highly commended of ancient Physicians. But besides such manner of preparing of it, as we have already delivered in the Chapter of mundified Barley, these two following may seem unto me to be most excellent: boil your Barley in a great deal of water, as it were almost to the consumption of the water; gather the cream that is uppermost, and take it with a spoon, and make thereof ●●●dified Barley. Otherwise thus: take the meal of Barley well sifted, put it in a bag▪ and boil it in a great quantity of water, the space of five or 〈◊〉 hours, afterward draw the bag out of the pot, and let it drop, and strain it in a press: let it stand & dry, and being dry, grate it as you would do dry paste, and make mundified Barley of it. Some are of judgement that Barley thus prepared is not so windy. Some do now and then put unto it bread crumbs and bruised Almonds, to make it more nourishing. It moisteneth, nourisheth reasonably, but cooleth much: it procureth not any gripes in the body, neither doth it puff up and swell the body or stomach; but to be brief, it performeth all the helps whereof Hypocrates speaketh. Some likewise do make pap-meate of Wheat meal and Rice, which in truth do nourish more than mundified Barley: but they load the stomach heavily, and cause great windiness, and that because, for the most part, they are boiled in cows milk. The pap-meate made of Millet, Panic, Oats, and especially of Lentils, besides that they are very unpleasant, are of very hard digestion, in so much, as that the day after they be eaten they are to be found in the stomach. The pap-meates made of Cich Pease, 〈◊〉, beans, Fetches, Lupins, and other such like pulse, do swell up the belly, and beget gross and melancholic blood.    

CHAP. XXII.  
Of Pastry or baked meats.  
We have spoken of the making, differences, and profit of bread, which may be made of any manner of grain, corn, or pulse: now we will say somewhat of the skill to make Cakes, Cheesecakes, Flawnes, 〈◊〉, and other baked meats, the which we desire to be in our housewife, that now and then she may take occasion at sometimes of the year, to present her Master and Mistress with one dish or other, as also be able to serve and set before her family somewhat extraordinary at feast times to cheer them up withal. Such baked meats are of divers sorts, according to the matter whereof they are made, the manner of their baking, their shape and fashion, the time when they are to be in use, and the country wherein they are made. The matter is as it were the groundwork of all sorts of baked meats, and that is, the flower of Wheat meal forced through a Bolter or fine Searce, whereunto many other things being added, do cause a variety of baked meats. That it is so, some make Wafers of the flower of Wheat meal very well soaked in water, and tempered a long time therewith, until it come to a certain thickness, mixing therewith a little salt finely powdered, and after causing the same to be baked betwixt two irons made hot, first with a reasonable gentle fire, and 〈◊〉 anointed with the oil of Nuts: these kinds of Wafers a man may see made in many places openly, and abroad upon festival and solemn feast days. 〈◊〉 may be made a tenderer and more delicate kind of Wafers, in soaking the 〈◊〉 of the Wheat meal in white wine and water mixed together, and thoroughly laboured and wrought, putting thereto afterward the yolks of Eggs, a little Sugar and 〈…〉 so baking all together between two irons, having within them many razed & chequered draughts after the manner of small squares, after that the said irons have been anointed with fresh Butter or Oil olive. This sort of Wafers is wont to be set on Tables at the second courses in solemn banquets. That which the Parisians do call Mest●er, is made of the same flower of Wheat meal, tempered with water and white wine, putting thereto a little sugar, and boiling it all betwixt two irons, after the manner which you used in making of Wa●ers, but that it must not be altogether so thick. The kind of Wafers called Oublies, are made with Honey in stead of Sugar. Singing breads are made after the manner of Oublies, sane only that the meal whereof they are kneaden is not mingled with Honey, Sugar, or any manner of Leaven whatsoever. Estriez and Bridaveaux, and such other dainty baked things, are made of the same stuff, and after the same manner that fine Wafers are, before described. Marchpanes 
Marchpanes.  are made of very little flower, but with addition of greater quantity of filberts, Pine Nuts, Pistaces, Almonds, and rosed Sugar; and they are the most wholesome, delicate, and pleasant tarts, of all the rest. The Poplins are made of the same flower, kneaden with milk, yolks of eggs, fresh butter. The leaved cakes take not so much flower, and they are made without milk. Tarts 
Tarts.  are made after divers fashions, and according to the time: some with fruits, that is to say, Apples, Pears, Cherries and Plumbs, especially in Summer: others with Gooseberries, kernels of Crabs and Strawberries in the beginning of Summer. The Italians do make Tarts of herbs, as Scariole, lettuce, Blites, Sorrell, B●glosse, and other herbs chopped small, and finely tempered together. The greatest part do make them with Cheese or Cream, and many of all these things mixed together. I● so be that the Tarts be of divers matter and colour, that is to say, of Plums, Cherries, Gooseberries, Cheese, or Cream. Some make with Butter, Cheese, and yolks of Eggs, divers sorts of Cakes, Flammickes, Cheesecakes, Talmice and little Lenten loaves. Wigs are made with paste of flower of meal and fresh butter. Fritters and other such sweet conceits accustomed to be in request upon great days and before Lent, are made of the flower of meal, kneaden with the yolks of Eggs and Milk, and fried in a Skillet with fresh Butter. To conclude, look how many countries, so many fashions of passed works: in all which notwithstanding this is for the most part common, namely, that they use not any Leaven in any of them all, but only the rising of Beer, and that because leaven made of paste would make them too sour, or in●ect them which some other taste too unpleasant and unbeseeming baked meat, and hinder the whole and entire incorporating of things mingled amongst the meal whereof it is made.  
Yet all this formerly spoken of, doth not so truly belong to the Pastry as to the Confectionarie or Closet of sweet meats, tarts only excepted: yet in as much as they are principal ornaments to the housewife, they are not meet here to be omitted. To come then to the true Pastry, which is the making of those pastes which are meet for the lapping in or containing of all manner of baked meats, whether it be flesh, fish, roots, herbs, fruits, or other composition whatsoever; you shall understand that they are of four kinds: the first for the preservation or long keeping of meats, whose proper and true-natures are to be eaten cold, as Venison of all kinds, Kids, Beef, Veal, Mutton, Lamb, Turkeyes, gamon's of Bacon, or any great or dainty fowl: the second for the containing of loose bodies, at Dousets', Custards, Tarts, Cheesecakes and such like: the third for the receiving of fine, dainty, and tender bodies, as Chuets, Umbles, Chickens, Calves feet, or any other good thing which is to be eaten hot: and the last is that which is called pu●t paste, being of all other the most daintiest and pleasantest in taste, and may be employed to any use that any of the former will serve for, according to the fancy and skill of the Cook, or the taste of him that is Master of the Family. To speak then first of that paste which is for the preservation of mea●s, or to keep them longest cold in good and wholesome temper, it is ever best to be made of Rye flower, finely bolted and kneaden with hot water, and barreled butter, yet in such sort that the paste may be somewhat stiff and ●ough; and thereby very apt to rise without cracking or breaking, which is the greatest danger belonging to this kind of past, and the coffins raised hereof must be very thick and substantial, for thereby they preserve their inmeats a great deal the better, and they must also above all things be exceedingly well baked, because any doughinesse or rawness in the crust soon putrifyeth that which is baked within it: these pa●●es may also for show or feasts (though worse in regard of continuance) be made of wheat meal finely bolted, and then it would have much more butter than the rye paste, and be knodden as stiff as is possible, so it rise without cracks or breaking: as for the l●king it asketh much less than the rye paste, in as much as it is a drier grain and not so moist in the working. The second paste which is for loose bodies, or any thing that is liquid, would be made of the finest wheat meal that can be gotten, and of the finest bolting: it must be knodden with hot water, a little butter, and many eggs, both to make it light and strong in the rising, as also to make it hold from cracking, lest thereby the moisture run forth and so you lose both cost and labour: This paste is commonly half baked before you put the moisture into it; for thereby it is made to hold much the stronger and better. The third past, which is for all manner of dainty things which are to be eaten hot, must be the tenderest, shortest, and pleasantest of all ordinary past, and therefore must be made of the finest wheat flower you can get, and also most finely bolted: and this flower if before you knead it, you put it into a clean earthen pot, and bake it in an oven and hour or two, it will be much better: it must be knodden with two parts butter (either fresh or salt) or with sweet seam, and but one part hot water, together with an egg or two to make it hold rising, and this paste must be made reasonable stiff, because the weak paste ever falleth after the hand, and either riseth not at all, or else so little that it is not comely to look on, which every good cook must shun, because that pie which is as much cover as crust is ever a sign of an unskilful workman. Lastly for the puff past, you shall make it of fi●er flower (if it be possible) than any of the other, and you shall to two parts of the flower add a third part of sugar finely beaten and ●earst: and this you shall knead with cold butter and no water at all; and ever as you fold, turn, and mould the paste about, so shall you put cold sweet butter between the folds, and so work it to a very stiff and well tempered paste, and so ●oule it forth either for tart, florentine, pas●y, or any other thing that may lie flat in the baking; for by reason of the much brittleness and tenderness of the past, it will not abide my higher raising, but will fall one leaf of the paste from another, and so loose the 〈◊〉 or gravy which should be held in the same: which to prevent and to make the crust a great deal the more delicate, whensoever you intent to bake any pasty of fallow or red Deer, or any other flesh to be eaten hot, you shall first knead a sufficient quantity of the second sort of paste which is for liquid bodies, and having rolled it forth as thin as conveniently you can, and of a sufficient largeness to receive that which you are to bake, you shall then knead another quantity of the puff paste and 〈◊〉 it likewise forth, (yet much thicker) and then lay it upon your first tough paste, and then put in your meat, suet, spice, and other necessaries, and so in both those pastes fold it up close and so bake it, and you shall find when it comes to eating that the inmost of those two crusts will give that admirable content which any curious taste can desire: and thus you may bake any other pie by making two coffins to pass one into another, and closing them up and baking them with a moderate heat, for this paste of all other must by no means be either burnt or over-dried, but by all artificial means be kept in the strength of his moisture; and believe in all the art of cookery there is not any knowledge (except seasoning) which is more excellent or more worthy to be embraced of every good housewife: and yet all manner of baked 〈◊〉 are more for the pleasing of the taste than for the health of the body, in as ●uch as they are given to load the stomach very heavily, and not to digest very 〈◊〉. It is true that being eaten at the end of meals after other meats, they may serve in steed of marmalade, to send the former victuals down into the bottom of the stomach, and to press together the belly.   

CHAP. XXIII.  
Of the brewhouse.  
THe vine cannot grow in many places of France to prosper: but to recompense such a want▪ there groweth all sorts of corn very fruitful and in great abundance, as in Normandy, Brittany, Picardy, and other coasts lying upon the North side of the land, where the cold seizeth most strongly, and where the rugged and stern winds do overblow the earth with their coldness; so that in those countries, necessity, the mother of all skill and cunning invention, hath stirred up the men to devise some kind of drink made of corn to serve them in steed of wine. Of that sort is their drink called beer, ale, small beer, mead, gootale, beer and bread, and many other drinks, which the Germans, Flemings, Polonians, English, Scots, and other nations towards the North, do use in steed of wine.  
This is the manner of making beer at Paris. The fairest, purest, and cleanest barley and oats that may be gotten, being provided, and thrice as much barley being taken as oats, but of both such a quantity as may be proportionable to the intended quantity of beer, they put them to steep together in a fat for the space of four and twenty hours more or less, according to the age of the corn in a sufficient quantity of river water, rather than either Spring or Wellwater, and after this steeping time, they take and carry them up into a garner, to lay them on heaps to sprout: being sprouted they spread them abroad round about the gar●er for to rot and putrify: being rotten they cast them into rows: from out of the garner they carry them to the kill for to dry: being dried, they carry them again into the garner or some chamber, or into some other place for to fan them and cleanse them from all their dust and filth, and from thence to the mill, there to grind them and make them into meal. Which done, they put this meal into a fat, pouring upon the same hot scalding and boiling water, proportionably and according to the quantity of the meal, that is to say, four barrels of water, and a tun and a half of water to four seam or quarters of meal, leaving the same for the space of an hour to drink in this water, afterward they put the meal aside with their stirrers: being thus cleared the one from the other, they pour in as much boiling water as they did before; then afterward they take two mands (made like unto bee-hives) of osier, and these they sink and thrust down amongst the corn, and cause to be so kept by two or three men, to the end that in the mean time some other man may by the inside of these mands draw and drain out the water wherein the meal hath steeped, and pour it into another fat close by: Then they take all the wort or drained water and pour it into some sufficient large copper, holding betwixt ●iue or six tons more or les●e, causing it to boil in a furnace a good hour, and afterward emptying the copper of the boiling water that is therein, they put it in with pans again very softly, and all boiling into the fat amongst the corn, or dross of the flower from which it was drained before, and there they let it remain a certain time, afterward they draw forth the thinnest of the liquor, as clear as may be, by a stopple which they have for the purpose in the bottom of the fat, and that they pour again into the copper suffering it to boil there for the space of twelve hours: and into this thin clear liquor being thus in the copper, they put some five or six pounds of the flowers of hop● very dry and sweet. When the hops and liquor shall have thus boiled twelve hours▪ they empty the copper again, and put the wort to cool at leisure into other vessels called ●●otes or coolers, and they be broad like unto the fats, but only one foot deep. When it is cold, they put it to turn into a small vessel containing a half a tun, with two kettles of beer and of the rising of beer 
Beer rising.  already thoroughly made, for the better cleansing and purifying of the same. This rising is made of the froth which riseth out of the Fat, when the best and clearest Wort is newly turned in and falleth to the bottom in the Tubs, which froth turneth into Leaven, and becometh hard, and with the same do the Bakers or Cooks making baked meats, now and then 〈◊〉 themselves to make their Wigs, Buns and most part of their finest baked mea●s: they renew the force and strength of yeast or leaven every hour with Beer already made, so long as till the said leaven or yeast become strong enough of itself; which you shall know when you see that it is well risen: even as workers in paste do g●esse and gather, when they see their paste well risen. The Beer being sufficiently ripened and leavened, they run it up into barrels or half barrels, & there they let it boil and 〈◊〉 24. hours in their said vessels, than they bung up the said vessels, and give them 〈◊〉 sometimes, for otherwise they would burst. And thus much concerning the manner of making of beer amongst the Parisians: for with this beer thus made they 〈◊〉 themselves, & it endureth all times & seasons, & standeth out good both Winter and Summer, Harvest and Spring. And whereas it goeth for good payment and 〈◊〉, that the beer brewed in March is the best, it may possibly be so, by reason that then the hops are in their prime and chiefest force and virtue.  
The Germans do make their▪ Ale with Barley only, not using any hops: sometimes they put thereunto a fourth or sixth part of Wheat, to make it more substantial and nourishing. Very often in stead or for want of the flowers of hop●, they 〈◊〉 in of the seed of the said hops.  
The Bohemians and Polonians do make theirs with Barley and Wheat, which they steep in the decoction of the seed or flowers of hops, so greatly standing upon the requisitenes of their hops thereunto, as that they were want to punish grieu●uly such as did cut down, or unprofitably destroy any hops amongst them. Again they husband and dress their hops as carefully as we do our Vines: they gather the flowers and fruit at a certain time, not suffering any thing to perish and be lost: in as much as the decoction of hops doth not only ferment and leaven the corn & grain that is steeped therein, but withal endueth the Ale or Beer with a resemblance of some sort of Wine.  
The English, Flemings, as also the Picards, do make their beer with equal quantity of barley and wheat very well boiled, which the Englishmen and Flemings do call Ale and Gud Ale, or double Beer, and the Picards call it double Quoit. They sometimes put thereto some darnel, to give it a quicker and sharper taste. The Flemings do put thereto the crumbs of bread, apples, butter, and a little 〈◊〉▪ to make it the thicker. The English to make it the more pleasant, do put into the vessels Sugar, Cinnamom, and Cloves, stirring and rolling the said vessels afterward very much. The Flemings also do mix therewith sometimes honey and spices, 〈◊〉 make, as it were, a kind of hippocras, which they call Mede or Meet. But howsoever, according to the mingling, steeping, fermenting & boiling together of the grain, in use for the making of their Beer: so the beer becometh sharp, bitter, sweetish, waterish, strong, mighty, weak, clear, troubled, more or less durable, and of other such like qualities.  
Yet to speak a little more particularly of the English, which are indeed the ●rue masters of Beer and Ale, for as yet I have but roaved wildly at their practice, You shall understand that generally they have but these two drinks in use, that i●▪ 〈◊〉 and Ale: and of these they have divers kinds, as first strong Ale or good Ale, 〈◊〉 middle Ale, and lastly small Ale: so likewise of Beer; they have March beer, 〈◊〉 hold beer, and small beer: the first is for strangers, the second for the Master, 〈◊〉 and better sort of the family, and the last is for ploughmen or hind 〈◊〉. As touching the making of these several drinks: all Ale, of what kind soever it be, is made of the best, cleanest, and sweetest Barley malt that can be got, without any other mixture, except it be in those countries where Barley will not grow, and then Oatmeal will serve, or Oatmeal and Barley malt mixed together, according to the wealth of the Farmer. Now four bushels of good Barley malt will make a 〈◊〉 of strong Ale, another barrel of middle Ale, and half a barrel of small Ale. The general use is by no means to put any hops into ale, making that the difference betwixt it and beer, that the one hath hops, the other none: but the wiser huswives do find an error in that opinion, and say the utter want of hops is ●he reason why ale lasteth so little a time, but either dieth or foureth, & therefore they will to every barrel of the best ale allow half a pound of good hops: ale asketh less boiling than beer, and so a little less cooling except it be bottle ale, & then it must not only be cooled sufficiently, but also blynckt a little to give it a quick & sharp taste: as soon as you have drawn of your best ale, you must put in your middle ale, and as soon as you draw of it, you must put in your small ale: your best ale must be barmed as soon as it is cooled, and after it hath risen and wrought and been divers times well beaten in, than it shall be tuned in open or close vessels, but the open is best if it be soon spent, and the close best, if you must let it lie long: as for your middle or small ale, they would not be barmed all at once, but kept and put to barm as you have occasion to spend it, that is to say, some at one time & some at another. Now for your beer you shall understand, that your March-beer, which is so called, because it is commoly brewed in that month as being the principal of all other, would be made of the best barley malt that can be got, for no oate-malt of itself will make the same: and to every quarter of good barley male you shall add a peck of oats, a peck of wheat, & a peck of pease, and grind them all together, and they will make a hogshead of March-beer, an hogshead of household beer, and a barrel of small beer: to this proportion of malt you must allow also three pounds of the best hops; but if they be but indifferent, than you must allow a better quantity: you must boil it well, than mash it, then boil it very well the second time with the hops, then drawing it from the hops put it into the coolers and cool it, after put it to barm, & beat it in as you did your strong ale many times for a day and a night together, then tun it, and after it hath purged well in the hogshead or other vessel, then close the bung hole, and give it ven● as occasion shall serve, and so let it lie till it be ripe, which will be in no less space than three quarters or half a year at the soon: as for your beer of the second running, you shall use it like the first, and both put it to barm & tun it in the same manner, only it will be ripe in four or five weeks at the furthest: but for your small beer, you shall use it like your small ale, and put to the barm as you have occasion to drink it. There is another kind of brewing of household beer (for this before mentioned is but for one month in the year) and that is to allow to every hogshead of beer half a quarter of barley-malt, which is a good proportion for the family either of nobleman, knight or gentleman: and to every quarter of malt a pound and a half of the best hops: as for the second running of this beer (for it will bear but one besides the best) it will either be good for hind servants, if such be in the family, or else be an excellent relief for such as labour hard for their living. The grains, washings of tubs, a●d all other excrements which fall from the brewhouse, are a very good food for swine, and keep them in good plight till they come to be fatted for the slaughter.  
To prevent the decay of beer, 
The faults of beer.  and to cause it that it may continue and stand good a long time, cast into your beer vessels a great bag full of many tender ears of wheat, and there leave them a long time: and if it begin to fade and wear out of heart, hang two or three whole eggs in the vessel. If it have lost its good relish, you may recover it again by casting into the vessel the roots of Ireos▪ ginger, cloves, nutmegs, bay berries, and organy.  
As concerning the temperature of beer there is no doubt but that it is hot, 
The temperature of beer.  and that more or less according to the things going to the compounding and making thereof: for notwithstanding that barley by nature is cold, nevertheless by means of the steeping, fermenting, putrefying, kill and boiling, that it endureth whiles the beer is making, it is impossible but that it should be made and become somewhat hot, then furthermore the hops, whether flowers or seeds, being mixed therewithal, doth by its heat, temper and alter very much the natural coldness of the barley. If that wine (as Galen saith) be nothing else but a water, which in process of time purchaseth a hot substance to itself in the stock and woody parts of the vine, by the means and force of the heat of the Sun, in like case, barley in the making of beer purchaseth a heat by his long lying in steep, boiling and putrefying which it endureth. Again the taste and relish of beer doth argue the same to be hot, seeing if it be good it must be either sharp, or bitter, or sweet; for that which is sour or sharp, like vinegar, or eager, is not good nor well made: The effects of beer do likewise prou● it to be hot, for it maketh drunken, yea and that a great deal more than wine doth, by reason of its vaporous and thick substance: it seedeth also and nourisheth, especially that which is made partly of wheat or the grain called furmentie. Yet further, if it be distilled in an alembecke, it maketh Aqua vitae, no less than the wine. It is true that beer though it be hot, yet it is in divers and sundry degrees of hea●e according to the temperature of the ingredients: for that which is made of barley and spel● corn without hops, or with a very small quantity of hops, is the least hot of all the rest; and that in such sort as that it becometh a fit drink to quench the thirst and to cool the body during the scorching Summer heat: that which is made of barley and oats is a little hotter: as that which is made of barley and wheat is yet more hot and very much given to feed and nourish. But howsoever, all beer of what corn soever it be made, is of a more thick substance and harder of digestion than wine, and which (if either it be ill boiled, or newly made or troubled,) engendereth obstructions and inflations or puffing and swelling up of the inward parts, headache, colic, stone, gravel, strangury, and heat and scalding of the urine, especially if it be sharp withal: if it be too old and drawing toward sourness, it hurteth the stomach and sinuie parts; as also it begetteth the leprosy, if we will believe Dioscorides: And therefore you must learn to drink only such as is well boiled, fined, and grown to a mean and indifferent age.  
Notwithstanding that beer (as Dioscorides will have it) be enemy to the 〈◊〉, and that those which are drunk by taking excessively of the same, have their members and parts more weak, than they which have become drunken with wine: yet the truth is, that it comforteth the wearied by running or much walking, if so be that such persons do but foment and bathe their feet in beer reasonably warm.  
You may fat your hens and capons 
The fa●ting of 〈◊〉 and capons  in a short time, if in steed of water you give them beer to drink, or if you mingle their meat with beer.  
If you boil new hops with beer and keep them in your mouth, it will stay the toothache. 
Toothache.   
Bakers or makers of baked meats (as we have said before) do use (in steed of leue● to knead their crust withal) the hardened froth of beer, which because it is windy and flatuous, doth make the bread light as it were full of eyes.  
The grounds of beer doth serve to polish and scour brazen vessel, 
To scour vessel  if they be● laid to steep therein some certain time.    
The end of the fifth Book.   

THE six BOOK OF THE COUNTRY HOUSE.  

The Vine.  

CHAP. I.  
Of the profit rising of a well dressed Vine and Vineyard.  
HItherto we have entreated of the husbanding, tilling, ordering and dressing of garden plots, orchards, and arable ground: it now remaineth that we speak of the vine, whereupon for certainty dependeth the greatest part of the revenues and riches of a householder, howsoever many make small account of the vine, and do more esteem to have possession of meadows, pasture, woods, and other grounds, than to stand to the revenues growing by vines, in as much as for the most part they yield not the fruit which may recompense the charges laid out about them: But for all this the vine is not to be discredited, seeing this is not the fault of the ground, but of the people that till it, and either for covetousness or ignorance, or negligence offend in the tilling thereof. It is true that the husbanding and ordering of the vine is chargeable, painful, and a matter of great care, by reason of the tenderness of the wood, which being well considered, may seem to have come to pass by a special providence of God, directing the same and making it so weak, tender, and feeble, to the end that this plant might not serve for any other thing, than to bring forth the excellent and precious liquor of wine, which is so needful for the sustentation and life of man: for if it were fit for any thing else, as the wood of other trees is, it would be employed, and wine thereby would become a great deal more dear than it is.  
The greatest part of vine dressers do not esteem in what ground the vine be planted, but do make choice of the worst quarter in all the country, as if the worst ground, and that which is good for nothing else, were the best to plant vines in. Others have not the judgement to know and choose their plants, and for that cause do oftentimes plant their vineyards with such young vines as are nought. Again many having no respect of the time to come, do in such sort order and dress the vine, as if they thought to live but an hour, burdening and loading it with so many branches and shoots for propagation, and leaving upon it so much wood, as that it cannot prosper any long time. Others although they know the way to order and dress it well, do yet continually omit certain courses and seasons, as being more busily employed about their own profit, than their masters welfare.  
Likewise I would always advise the Lord of our country farm, that he would not altogether commit the care and charge of his vineyard unto his farmer, but that he himself would lay the chief burden about it, upon himself: for as the master's eye maketh the horse fat, so the careful industry of the Lord or chief owner maketh the field fruitful and to bear great store of increase; and for that likewise the owner and Lord of the vine will not only spare it better, but also see that it be not defrauded of any such toil and labour as it requireth, contrary (for the most part) to the practice of such as are but secondarily interes●ed in such matters: the vine being such a piece of inheritance as wherein every small fault committed, doth draw after it great loss, and such as oftentimes cannot be remedied or repaired, but by supplanting what is done, and replanting it a new. And that it is no otherwise, but just so, mark and see, if ever you hear the Guespines' of Orleans, or the Bea●uoies, and those of the duchy of Burgundy (which have large grounds employed in vine●yards) to complain themselves of their vines, and that because themselves take the whole care and reserve the principal oversight unto themselves. On the contrary, the Parisians have no other complaints or agreevances to talk of but of their vines, 
The Parisians negligent overseers and husbands about their vines.  and that because they credit deceitful and ignorant workmen to sway the work; whose covetousness, ignorance, and negligence is for the most part of the cause that they reap not the fruit of their vines in such plentiful manner, as they should, or at the least that the fruit which they do reap, is not so durable as it would. And this you must think that vines will yield a larger revenue a great deal than gardens or other arable grounds, if they be well and diligently husbanded; for there are few arpents of vines to be found which yield not every year, one year helping another, ten or twelve tuns of wine which is a great revenue, and yet remaineth unreckoned a great benefit and avails which may be made of small plants and imps, which may be gathered to transport or transplant into any other place, which will easily amount to more than will satisfy and answer all the costs and charges which are laid out any manner of way about the vines: wherefore either the revenue rising of such plants by sale, or the hope of the vintage and gathering of wine, must be the spur to prick forward the master of this our country farm, to look to the ordering and dressing of the vines himself.   

CHAP. II.  
What soil and air the vine doth most delight in.  
THe vine groweth not but in certain places that are fit and natural for it, 
Two things to be considered in the planting of vines.  which is a thing to be accounted of by us, so much the more excellent, because the special property of this plant is more commended by men than any other, in respect of the good it ministereth, which i● that in such places as it groweth in, the men are found to be more strong and mighty by the use of it, than other men are, which for want of it, are forced to use other drinks.  
As concerning the soil to plant it in, there must two things be considered, the quality of the ground where it is to be planted, and the disposition and inclination of the air which ruleth in that place. As concerning the quality of the ground, you shall choose such a one as is not very churlish and close, neither yet very light and open, but yet of the two, more inclining unto a small mould and open ground, neither lean nor very fat, & yet somewhat the rather inclining to the fat, not champion, nor a very plain and flat, (and yet in such grounds there grow more wine) neither very stiff and strait, but rather somewhat raised than otherwise, that so it may be the better aided and succoured by the favourable beams of the Sun, neither dri● nor moist and waterish (because that in such kind of ground the vine continueth not long, neither doth it bring forth good wine, but such as is quickly perished) and yet indifferently served with water: not such a one as hath any fresh springs or fountains, either breaking out even with the uppermost face of the earth, neither yet carried along within, in the depth of the earth below, but only in such sort, as that near unto them there may be water to moisten their roots withal: and the same moisture must not be either bitter or salt, to the end that the taste and ●auor of the wine may not be spoiled. So that by this it appeareth that it is not meet to plant Vines in deep and low valleys, albeit they might, and would bring forth grapes in great abundance, and that because they would not ripen in due time, and so there would be made of them no better than a green wine of small value: add hereunto, that Vines seated in low valleys, are very much endangered by the Frosts of the Winter and Spring time, and are also subject to have their grapes to burst, and to run out their juice and to rot, which would cause a mus●ie and foughtie taste in the wine: and therewithal, when the year is rainy, the kernels cleave and burst out through the abundance of moisture; by reason whereof the grape being in this sort too much moistened, and nothing at all dried, the wine becometh unsavoury and apt to grow sour, and fall into many other faults. And if you happen to light on such a place, then choose to plant there such plants, and young shoots as may bear clusters, not too thick set, but growing somewhat thin, that so the Sun may pierce through them: much less may you plant those Vines which have their pith taken out, and bring forth a firm and solid grape, in cold and moist grounds: as neither yet in a hot and dry ground, such Vines as have substance enough in them, and bear a grape somewhat soft. But chiefly, if your place be so well appointed by nature, as that it consist of and contain grounds that are fit and meet upon the tops of great hills, together with some low and small hills, then make choice of them to plant your Vines thereupon. It is true that it will hardly grow there at the first, but having once taken root, it will yield a very pleasant and noble wine, such as the wines of Ay, Hadre, Argentueil, Meudon, and Seurre be.  
In general, if you would plant a Vine which may profit you in bringing forth abundant store of good fruit, you must see that the ground be gentle, easy, fine, and indifferent light to be stirred: not as though such a ground only were good for Vines, but for that it is most kind, natural, and best agreeing for Vines to be planted in sandy, stony, gravelly, and flinty ground, as also such as consisteth of a Potter's clay in the bottom, and covered over with earth is good, provided, that they be intermingled with some fat earth, and that they be often refreshed by being digged even to the vein of stones, or rock. In a sandy, clayey, and churlish stubborn ground, the first digging and casting of it must be good & deep: and such grounds also would be thrice digged or cast at the least. Such grounds bring forth strong and delicate wines: but such grounds as have of stones or flints great store upon the uppermost face of the earth, are not fit for Vines, because in Summer they stand at a stay, by reason of the great heat of the Sun, being beat back upon them by the said stones: and they do no better in Winter, because of the excessive cold which in like manner then troubleth them. True it is, that if a Vine be planted in a gravelly, rocky and stony ground, that then it will not be needful to cast so deep, because the root is not so far down into the earth, as is the new planted Vineyard which is made in a sandy ●oile, and it is contented with twice digging for the most part. A soil standing upon Walkers clay or marvel, as loeg●y upon Yonne, is very good for Vines, but the ground standing upon a Potter's clay is not good. In like sort the gravelly ground is not altogether fit: for though it yield a dainty good wine, yet it yieldeth but a ve●ie little: and there also the new planted Vineyard is very subject unto the having of his grapes washed away. The dry and burning earth doth yield lean Vines if it be not helped by the dunghill.  
As concerning the power of the Sun, 
●hat air is fit and requisite for the Vine.  and disposition of the air, the Vine delighteth not to be planted upon the tops of mountains, and much less in places lying open unto the North-east wind: but it delighteth in an air that is rather hot than cold, and fair rather than rainy: it cannot abide tempests and storms: it reioiceeth in a small, gentle, and friendly wind, and would be turned toward the East or South. It is true that generally in cold places vines must stand upon the South, and in hot places upon the North or East: provided that they be sheltered at such time from the winds, as well of the South as of the East: if the place be subject to Winds, it will be better that it should be to the Northern or Western Winds than otherwise: in temperate places either upon the East or West; but the best is towards the East.  
Furthermore in as much as it is a very difficult thing to find all these commodities and good properties of ground and air in every country; the good workman shall fit the plants of his vines unto the nature of the places and countries: wherefore in a fat and fertile ground he shall set the young plant of a small vine, and such a one as beareth but little, as the Morillion, the Melier and the Aubain: and in a lean ground the plant that is very fruitful, as that of Samoureau, Tresseau, Lombard, Ouch, Muscadet, Beawois, and Pulceau: in a thick and close ground, the plant that is strong and putteth forth great store of wood and leaves, as that of Morillion, Morlou, Tresseau, and Pulceau: in a small mould and reasonable fat ground, the plant which putteth forth but a little wood, as that of Samoureau, Lombard, and Beaulnois: and by this means the defect and want, or the excess and superfluity of any quality in the young plant of the vine, shall be supplied or corrected by the nature of the ground, and that in such sort and manner as that of two excesses shall spring one mean and well tempered thing, which is a point to be wished and requisite in the growing of all sorts of plants. Furthermore he may not plant in moist places the young plant which is given to bear tender and gross grapes, as that of Samoureau, Govet, Mourlous, Pulceau, Cinquaine, and Tresseau. In places ●ossed with winds and storms, he must provide to plant such a kind of vine as is wont to bring forth hard grapes and sticking fast and close unto the stalk: but on the contrary, that which shall have accustomed to bear tender grapes in places that are hot and given to be mild. In dry countries he must plant those vines, the fruit whereof is wont lightly either through rain or the dew to rot, as those be of samoureau, Govet, Pinot, Blank, and Beaunoys: and in a moist place, those which are wont to spoil and perish through dryness. In countries which are troubled with hail, such as are of a hard and large leaf, for such are able the better to defend and cover the fruit.   

CHAP. III.  
How that there is not planted any vine by the way of making a seed nursery, except it be only for pleasure.  
I Am of that mind, that a man cannot but hinder and injury himself in making nurcerices of vines, for besides that the tree doth not grow sooner of kernels than it doth of the plant, there is also this inconvenience, namely, that the vine growing of knernels doth not yield any thing of profit or good for use. This is indeed a work for such as love their pleasure, and have in their purses largely to defray the charges thereof, being able thereby to sow seeds out of some strange country, afterward to raise a nursery of stocks of the same when they are grown up for to be transplanted and removed into a better ground, and that they may graft thereon, and afterward again remove the stocks so grafted into a better ground also, that so about two years after they may reap the fruit thereof, which is wont to be both great and dainty enough: but yet this same new vineyard thus planted is the least durable of all others. 
〈…〉  Again, in this country we do not trouble ourselves in planting vines to run upon trees, in such sort as any man may easily see that they do in Lombardie and other places: neither yet with such as are raised upon single and double shadowing arbours, 
Vines after the fashion of an arbour.  neither yet with such as use to creep along and spread themselves upon elms or other trees; for the wine never proveth so good, as well because the root of the tree is corrupted, after the manner as it falleth out with coleworts; as also because this plant loveth not to be hoist and mounted too high, neither yet shadowed with any building of timberwork, higher than the stature of a perfect man.   

CHAP. FOUR  
How that before you plant your vine, you must learn out what wine the earth will bear, where you are purposed to plant it.  
Whosoever doth purpose to plant vines, 
How to try what wine the ground will best bea●e.  must not so much trust unto the marks and signs of a good ground, ceclared and set down before, as first to see that he have made trial what wine the ground will best bear, where he mindeth to plant his vine; for it were but labour lost, and money cast away to plant a vine for so small increase as can nothing like answer and content your expectation. Thus than you may try and prove your ground: make a pit in the ground where you mean to plant it, of two foot depth, and of the earth cast out of the pit, take a clod, and put it in a glass full of rain water that is very deane, mingle and beat together this earth and water, then let it rest, until such time as the earth have made his perfect residence and settling in the bottom of the glass, which is easily perceived by the clearness of the glass which will follow thereupon: and after that the earth is thoroughly settled, taste the water, and look what relish or taste it hath, such would the wine be; and therefore a vine yielding such a relished wine fittest to be planted there: therefore if you find therein a bitter taste, 
To manure vi●es is a dangerous thing.  a saltie or alum like, or any other such unpleasant taste, avoid and cease to plant any vine in any such ground. Which if it be true, then to dung and manure vines is altogether to be condemned, because it is very hard that earth fed and nourished with dung, should not taste and retain the smatch of the dung, and so by consequence communicate the same with the wine. Wherefore the Parisians are foully and foolishly overseen to load and lay upon their vines year by year such great quantity of dung, and that is the cause for the most part, why their wines have an unpleasant taste, and do easily and very quickly corrupt: and yet further the dung doth cause the vines to grow old by and by and become barren, because they put forth all their goodness the first year.   

CHAP. V.  
Of the choice of young vine plants.  
THe choice of young plants whether they be crossets, 
The choice of young vine plants.  marquets, or the tenaiss, must not be put to the discretion of the seller, who little careth to take the fit season for the gathering of the said young plants, neither yet for the goodness of them, but altogether to his diligent & heedful care which is the workemaster: and for that cause it were best for men to take them of their own vines, or else at least to have those which he shall buy, warranted to bee● good: he must also have regard to the quality of the air and situation of the ground where he will set his plants, that so he may fit them for the same. For and if the ground lie upon the South, he shall choose the young branches of vines which he will plant from the same part and quarter: if he mean to plant them in a high place, he shall gather the plants upon some high and tall vine: and if low, then out of some vineyard that is very low: planting in a hot, cold, dry, or moist ground, he shall choose his plants for the renewing of any failing or decayed, of the like situation: by this means the plant will fasten the sooner in the ground, and it will bring forth fruit sooner and a great deal better than if it should be otherwise. Likewise he must not keep the young plant any long time before he plant it: for, no more than trees which are to be removed, can the vine well and easily endure after it is cut to be long unplanted: neither yet would it be carried far, or removed out of its own soil into another, because it feareth the change of earth and air: and thereupon it cometh that the young plants brought out of strange countries, as of Beaune, Rochel, and Bordeaux cannot prosper so well in our soil, as those which grew there first. To make good choice therefore of crossets to plant new vines of, you must see that the vine from which you gather such Crosslets be but sparingly furnished with pith, because that such a one is not only fruitful and bearing abundantly, but because also it is not so subject to the iniuriousnesse of time, as Snow, Fogs, Frosts, and the burning of the Sun in the time of Summer, as those which have much pith in them: afterward when the vines begin to bud, you must diligently view, about the beginning of September, those that are most laden with grapes, and which are most fruitful, and have most eyes in their branches, which have not been injured or hurt by the hardness of weather, and which are neither young not old, but in their chiefest strength, and middle age, or not much passed. Of such vines must your branches be gathered (in the increase of the new Moon, somewhat late of the day in the afternoon) not of such as grow most low, not yet of such as grow highest, but of the middle growth, and such as are round, smooth, and fi●me, having many eyes, and about three fingers of old wood together with the new. It must be planted presently, that so it may take the sooner in the earth, whiles yet it is in life: or else presently as soon as it is cut off to wrap it in its own earth, not tying it hard, as also, if you would keep it a long time, to put it in a vessel full of earth, well closed and stopped perfectly on every side, that so the air may not any way wrong it: or else, if it be to be carried into any far country, to stick it in an onion, or wild garlic, and then before planting of it to steep it in water, especially if the ground from whence it is gathered be dry by nature. The vine-dressers of the duchy of Burgundy before the planting of crossets do cause them to be steeped one whole day or a night in running water, and find by experience that the said crossets do take more easily. Others cause the branch to be set and planted by and by, that so it may take the sooner.   

CHAP. VI  
The manner and way to plant Vines.  
THe first casting of the earth for to plant the vine, must be done in the Spring or Summer, in which first digging or casting of it, the ground must be cleansed of all superfluities, as roots, weeds, and stones: it must be digged and renewed oftentimes, to the end that the earth which is uppermost, may be brought unto the bottom, and that in the bottom may be turned uppermost, to moisten and refresh that which is dry, and to heat and dry that which is moist & thick, and afterward made even and cast into many furrows & pits of a foot and a half breadth, & depth, till you come to the hard stone in the bottoms, and the knights or guides of the one side & the other, 
〈◊〉  of such a thickness above, as may answer to the depth of the furrow, which yet must be made hollower in a rough and crabbed ground than in sandy, flinty, or wet ground: in the bottoms of the sides of which furrows, there may be put stones, so that they be no bigger than a loaf and covered with earth, for the cooling of the vines in the heat of Summer, as also to the end that upon great rain, the water may find passage, and not stand at the roots of the plants. Whereupon your ground being well laid with stones in this sort, and rested and settled after the first dressing of it, and being in the time of this rest turned o●er and wrought for the taking away of the couch grass and other weeds, you must spy out some calm and quiet weather to plant in, according to the place where you shall be, and the nature of your ground: prepare, make ready, sharpen, and cut off the root and hairy threads of your young plants, and fit them well for the South Sun: plant them in the midst of the furrow, in the plain flat, where your foot useth to ●read, and one right over against another, and after the manner of a Burgundian cross, for to make them (after that they are covered with earth, and old made dung, or with the earth which hath been cast out of the furrows, and thrown on the ridges) leap to the two sides of the furrows towards the ridge of either part; for so they bear more fruit, and this is called the double plant, which must be understood of the plants only, which are so planted in doubt that if one do die, the other may escape, or that and if they both take, the one of them may be taken up, to put in place where others have failed: For howsoever the plant set of a crosset may make the better foot and root, yet for certain it is harder to take than the marquot, although the marquot be not so lasting and of such continuance, in as much as the crossets do put forth roots of themselves. Furthermore, you must cut off the greatest wood, and most knotty from the vine stock, which you know to be the fairest and most fertile, and it must consist both of old and new wood: It continueth four years without fruit, and on the other side, without some misfortune it is seen to continue thirty years in his vigour and lustiness. After it is cut off, it must be cut fit not leaving above three or four joints at the most, two whereof (in planting it) may stand above ground: and if it have put forth any eielet, you may rub it off with your finger, or nip it off with your nail.  
If you make lesser furrows, you must plant them after the fashion called ●n godeau, after the Angevin fashion, setting every one distant from another two foot, one marquot betwixt two knights or guides as is usually observed in planting of stocks in the nursery of fruit trees: 
Chevaliers.  and after that to leave it four years in the same state, that it may be laid down again when it is grown, that is, some two or three years after it hath put forth strong and able wood, in such sort, as that to vines so planted there need no propping or under bearing; for the chief and principal foot as it is in trees, doth sufficiently bear up the sciences putting forth of the same. In Languedoc and Provence 
The manner of planting of vines in Languedoc and Provence. The olive tree is no hindrance to the vine.  they plant them in this sort, but they prick them down a great deal further off one from another, and set an olive tree betwixt every two, which nothing hindereth by his shadow either their growth, or the Sun from having full power upon them. And yet they leave not so, but as is used in Italy, they set in every furrow five or six rows of pulse or wheat, and yet so as that there groweth no entanglement betwixt them and the vine, as not being set or planted amongst them▪ and yet they let not to plant the olive trees in corn fields, providing as hath been heretofore said, that the shadow, thereof do not any thing hinder the growth of the grain.  
The marquot would be planted 
To plant the marquot.  as soon as it is raised from his stock, with his whole furniture of twigs, and that alone in the midst of the furrow, because of his small sprigs, seeing there is no doubt made of the taking of it: again, it must have a bed and spreading place of great length: it groweth sooner (as hath been said) than the crosset; but in like manner as the grafted one, it endureth the least and shortest time of all the rest.  
After that you have planted your crossets or marquots, you must bow them well at the foot to make them take root, and afterward cast down the earth of the ridges both of the one side and the other, that so it may fall upon the said plants. At Clublyes, Towerois, and Auxerrois, in planting of marquots (but not having any hairy roots) they writhe them about very gently, and until they crack and cleave a little, not suffering them to come together again.  
There is another manner of planting of Crossets, and not the Marquots (for his hairy root cannot endure and abide it) which is called by the terms of planting, en barrhe, en fiche, or as it is called in Anjou, en godeau, and it is by pricking down on a row the said plants, or else so as that two may stand right over against one that is alone, as the manner is to do with Willows, and afterward to cover them over, and to pile and beat them, as hath been said.  
Furthermore, to the end that the new plant may take root very speedily, 
To ●ause the new plant to take root very speedily.  it will be good to put to the root thereof acorns and fetches, bruised and ground together somewhat gross, or else Beane straw, or dung that is old and made long since, or the chaff of Wheat, which is fittest of all, if there may be found any that hath lain rotting somewhere in standing water for the space of one year or more, or fat earth, if in case that the ground where you plant your Vine be but a lean earth: but if it be a fat soil, it will be fit to put therein the dross of the pressing of grapes, mixed with dung made of the dross of white grapes, if the plant be of a black Vine, or of black grapes, if the plant be of a white Vine. Some do pour urine thereupon, to work the feat withal, and others the lees of Wine. It is true that some hold it for certain, that urine is altogether contrary to the Vine plant, and that is causeth the same to look pale and white, and in succession of time to kill the stalk, whether it be Crosset, or a Marquot.  
You must not mingle, if it be possible, any other plants amongst the Vines 
That nothing must be sown amongst the Vines.  (howsoever some do sow amongst them beans, Gourds, and Cucumbers) because that whatsoever is sown amongst the Vines, doth steal away from them their nourishment, and becometh wonderful harmful and injurious: above all other things the Vine hateth the Colwort, as we have already said in the second Book.  
Again, Vines must not be planted of divers plants, 
That vines must not be planted of divers plants  because all vines do not grow at one time, neither are they all of one nature: for some bear early fruits, and some late fruits. Likewise the fruits themselves do differ one from another: for some are red, some black, some white, some sweet, some eager and sour, some durable, and other some not durable. Wine is better old than new: some is drunk presently after it is made. One delighteth in one manner of dressing, and another in another: wherefore you must not mingle divers plants together, for there is nothing that so much spoileth Vines, as when the grapes that are early ripe are gathered with the late ripe ones, and the white with the black, because they are of contrary natures. And if any man be desirous to have many sorts than he must plant them apart one from the other, that so he may order them, enrich, cut, and gather them in their nature and season, that is to say, the more forward and fruitful first, and the backward and late ones last: or, which is better, if a man desire to have divers sorts of young plants, to the end that if one miss he may be in possibility to have others that will speed, in stead of mingling divers plants together in the same ground, he must have so many enclosures, or quarters for Vines (to the end they may by them be every one separated and distinguished from another) as he will have plan●s and diversities of plants.   

CHAP. VII.  
In what ground, with what manner of enriching, and at what time of the year, the young vine ought chiefly to be planted.  
TO plant a new vineyard of a French vine, it behoveth the Lord of the farm (if he himself would see the fruit of his first labours) to have care and consideration of the ground and of the young vineyard, which he meaneth to replenish with young plants, as we have said: for he may be well assured, that in a sturdy, stiff, juicy, and fat ground, the vine will bear much fruit, and requireth less to be enriched and helped, save that it may after some two of three years stand in need to have some little supply of fresh and new earth, wherein pulse have lately grown, or else some little relief at the foot, according to the time and nature of the country. In a gravely and flinty ground, as suppose it might be in Vaugirard and Venues, where vines yield not so much increase, the earth must be the ofter tilled, dressed, and dunged for the purpose, but such manuring must be with neat's dung, and not with the dung of horse, swine, sheep, or leistals, with all which all manner of ground whatsoever, is made worse, rather than amended: besides that such amends doth impair the taste of wine, and maketh the vine sooner to grow old and out of date, because that the overmuch trust that the workman putteth in the heat of these, doth make him negligent, even as it fareth with them which put unquenched lime to the feet of plants, 
To put unquenched lime to the roots of vines.  to make them bear the timelier fruit, as also for to make them the sooner ripe: seeing also that the workmen given to follow these courses, do not vouchsafe them the labour of digging about the feet, neither yet to turn up and dig their vineyards divers times, 
The qualities of bad vine dressers.  as the season shall fit and require, loving rather to put their masters to the charges of dung, young plants, and props, then that they would in a rainy and fit time take pains and dig them oft, yea rather spending the time of their labouring in taverning, or else in wrangling with some of their nearest and dearest kinsfolks, and that oftentimes for nothing: notwithstanding that the thing which is the principal and chiefest cause of the bringing forth of wine as well commendable for goodness, as abounding in store, is by bestowing as many dress upon the vine, as can be devised, or any way afforded.  
Wherefore you may undertake the planting of the French vine in the increase of the Moon, when it is four or five days old, and that from about the beginning of December, or the midst of December, until the next frosts that follow, and then also according to their fierceness and sharpness, which if it fall out to be great, you shall surcease and give over your work, for to go about to break the ground, and lay open the earth, when it is taken and hardened by the frost, is but so much labour for you, and so much loss unto the earth, because that under the crust of the frost it inwardly gathereth its strength together afresh, that afterward it may show forth i●s whole force and power in the Spring. Wherefore in cold places it will be better to plant your vine before the Spring, as on the contrary, in hot, dry, and unwatered places in Autumn, to the end that the rain which shall fall all Winter, may supply the defect of other water, and that the roots may the sooner take in the earth, and then and at that time principally when nature ministereth most nourishment unto the roots.  
My counsel is, that in planting vines there be not any holes made, but rather little pits of a fathom and a half in wideness, and as much in depth, and this is to be done in October if you mind to plant your vines in February, or else in August, if you mean to plant your branches before Winter.  
The principal tools of a vine-dresser, are the mattock to dig and turn over the ground withal, the forked pick axe to make pits withal, th● spade, the weed fork to cast up weeds withal, the rake, a little saw, a great hedging bill, a little hedging bill, to crop and cut off the wood, and to make young branches, and an apgar to gra●t the Vine withal.   

CHAP. VIII.  
Of the plant of the Black Vine.  
COncerning the natural plant of the black Vine, it groweth every where: the wild doth yield a sharp and rough wine, such as that which groweth of ground newly broken up: but the Vine that is intended to be for Claret wine, is planted half of black and half of white Wine, and thereupon standeth in need of another manner of dressing and seat than the common Vine doth: in like sort it is harder to order well, as requiring a very great care to be taken about it, because the wine which cometh thereof is most pleasant to the eye, and of excellent taste, albeit that it do not nourish so much.  
The young plants of the black Vine are the Morillion, 
Four sorts of the black Vine  the Samoyrea●, the Negrier, and the Neraut: Besides which, for to make Claret Wine, it is accustomed to add the young white wine plant. And for the mingling of them afterward to make a Claret, it will in a manner suffice, if among three or four plants or branches of the black there be one of the white.  
The best of the black plants is the Morillion, the wood whereof being cut, sendeth forth a redder liquor than any of the other: and the best of this sort is the short one, being jointed, within the breadth of every three fingers at the most, and growing more or less thick, according as the country is, bearing and nourishing it: it beareth a well packed fruit, and hath a rounder leaf than any other of that sort.  
The other Morillion 
There be three sorts of the Morillion.  hath a long wood, jointed with joints at the end of every four fingers at the least, it is thicker and fuller of pith within: and in cutting also it is pithy, and so more loose: the bark, except that on the outside, is very red, and the leaf three forked after the manner of a goose foot, and like unto the leaf of the figtree. This second Morillion is otherwise called wild Pinot: it beareth but few clear grapes, and those also small, but the wine proveth strong, yea better than that of the ●irst Morillion.  
The third Morillion called Beccane hath a blackewood, and the fruit is like unto it: in the blossom it maketh a great show of Wine, but when it cometh to ripeness, half the fruit, and sometimes more, falleth away. The branch is longest jointed of all the rest, and groweth more in length and height of wood than any of the other. This third kind of Morillion is called Le frane Merillon lampereau: it ripeneth before the other Vine plants, and yieldeth good wine and as much as both the other.  
The Samoyreau is likewise found to be of three sorts: 
There be three sorts of the Samoy●ea●.  the best of which branches is short jointed, and of a very hard wood: the other draweth very near unto it: The third sort is called indented Samoyreau, otherwise white Prunelat, and that because that his wood is whiter than the other: the wine it yieldeth is of an unpleasant taste, and it beareth but some years. It hath furthermore this fault, that when the fruit should come to be gathered, it is for the most part found fallen down and shed upon the earth.  
The Negrier, called red Prunelat, hath a red bark: the wood is long jointed, of a thick and gross pitch, a leaf very much cut, and the grape great, clear, very red and last ripe. Wherefore there needeth to plant but a few of these red plants, for the colouring of the other black, and fastening of them: it keepeth and defendeth itself from the frost, because it hath a high stock.  
The Neraut, called the black Bourguignon, 
Neraut Bourg●ignon.  hath the same nature with the white Bourguignon, a hard and a very black wood, a fast and small pith, joints one upon another, an indifferent leaf and altogether round, the foot thereof being very red, the fruit very thick and close standing one by another, as though it were a piled or packed thing: it saveth itself better from the frost than any other: there needeth not so much to be planted of it, for it maketh a deep colour, in such sort as that they which have great store of it planted, make wine for woollen-diers, and ●ell it very dear.  
The small Rochel and Bourdelais of the same nature, are scarce to be found, because they are not any great bearers, neither yet good for any thing but making of arbours: the wood is red, as shall be said afterward in increating of the white vine, except because it is ●ound a little redder, & of a very vermilion colour where it is cut off   

CHAP. IX.  
Of the plants of the white vine.  
THe best young plant of the white vine is the Frumenteau, 
Frumenteau.  whose wood draweth towards a yellow colour: next unto it is the Muscadet, which beareth a red wood: next unto the Muscadet 
Mauscadet.  is the ●ine Pinet of Anjou, 
Pinet of Anjou  which hath a wood drawing near unto a green, and the fruit yellow as wax.  
There is no young plant that is more apt to bear and endure the frost than the Govest, 
Govest.  which beareth a tawny coloured wood, and is very thick in his stock, having a round leaf, and yielding much fruit. There is another kind of Govest which is called sage Govest, so called because of the taste that it maketh in the mouth: it is smally in request, notwithstanding that it yield great store of wine, and be no more subject to the frost than the other Govest of the same ●ort.  
The fruitfullest of all the white vine plants, is that which is called the white Bourguignon 
The Burguignon.  or Mourlon, or else the Clozier, whose joints are distant some two fingers and a half, and the fruit having a short tail is thicker and closer grown than the Rochel, the leaf is very round, after the manner of Govests: in continuance it defendeth itself from frosts.  
That which the Parisians by reason of his operation do call Foirard, 
The Foirard.  and the Burgundians Cinquian, because it beareth but upon the fifth part of quantity, notwithstanding it bring forth very great fruit, and the wood thereof is drawing somewhat near unto a blue, and as it were affording much work for the hedgebill, yet notwithstanding it is the least of all in value and goodness of juice.  
The Mes●ier, 
The Mes●ier.  otherwise called the Saruinien, beareth much fruit: and for this cause many give themselves to plant it abundantly. It hath a wood of colour betwixt a yellow and a red, and yieldeth not very much to the frost: the leaves thereof are in a manner round. As concerning the differences of this kind of vine branch, I find them to be three: the one is called the common Mes●ier, 
Three sorts of M●s●●er.  and this beareth great store of fruit: the other is called the gross M●s●ier, as having his wood & fruit very gross and great: and the third is called the frank Meslier, and this beareth a better and an opener fruit than the rest▪  
The Bourdelais, 
The Bourdelais.  otherwise named Legrais is best to make arbours of in gardens: and yet some plant it because it is a great bearer of fruit: the wood thereof is red, and grosser than any other young vine plant, and accordingly growing up in greater height, craveth also a longer frame to run upon: in like manner it yieldeth a grosser fruit, and for a good plant, there is small need of it, as there is also of the Rochel, which hath a whiter wood than any of the black vines have, and notwithstanding it is but little subject to the frost: but howsoever, it ripeneth more slowly, and there must not be set above a quarter of a hundred of branches in a quarter, for it maketh a green wine, notwithstanding that it give it his sharpness, and make it dry, and holding little of the liquor.   

CHAP. X.  
Of the manner of dressing of the Vine, as well that which is newly planted, as that which is grown up and old.  
AFter that the plant hath been dressed and ordered in such sort as hath already been said, and that you may perceive that it beginneth to put forth wood the first year, and to take earth (which is a thing that should be known by mid-May) when also you find that his shoot is able to endure dressing, you must begin with it and cut it with a hedgebill: this may be done if it have any shoots put forth more than one principal branch, that so by this means it may join all his force and strength together into one stock or leg, but in cutting it, you must take heed and see that it be done, as far off from the body of the stock as possibly may be, and not betwixt two earths, lest the body and trunk thereof might dry up: so likewise you must see, not to let it enjoy his wood, but to prune and lop it, taking away such sprigs as may grow upon it, that so it may swell up into a firmer stalk: as is wont to be practised in Anjou and Languedoc. It must likewise be observed that the cutting of it in the old of the Moon, causeth the fleshy parts of the grapes to be more gros●e and better fed, and that such cutting doth serve and profit much in Vines growing in a gross ground, or in valleys, as also in those vines which are given to be over rank of wood: afterward you must trim them, for the first dressing of a plant hath his first manner of work and travel. In trimming of them the second time, there must pains be taken about the ridges, lest that weeds should overgrow and get the head of the plants, and yet always with this charge and care, that in digging and stirring of the earth you do not wound the roots of the vine, being assured that it always more feareth and is hurt by the encounter of edge-tools than a man could think: and it must not only be digged with a mattock somewhat deep, or forked pickaxe, but also the weeds which could not be wholly cast up, must be turned in, beaten down, and broken in their roots: and first before this be done, there must good regard be taken every where, what plants of branches or undergrowth are dead since the first seating of them, which was in the end of December, or in the beginning of januarie, and in their place to plant others in this time of May, if so be you be disposed: in which month, they are sometimes seen to grow and prosper, but and if you do not in this month make such supply of those which are dead, than you shall stay till the beginning of December following, and you shall note very well the places where any are wanting, that so you may the better bear them in mind.  
The second year you shall begin to give to the young plant all such helps of dressing and trimming as are thought meet for the vine that is already grown, and hath been planted a long time, the matter of propagating of it only excepted; for the more pain and labour that is bestowed upon this new and young plant in the new of the Moon, and in a time of mild and gentle rain, by so much always it proveth the better and the more precious.  
If the third year when you dig and trim them, there be any perceiverance and show that the bud will likewise blossom and flower, you must nip it off with your nail.  
In the same year, 
To dung the young vine.  the plants first planted must be dunged, and the furrows made very clean, and scoured of all manner of weeds, and by the same means there must be dung laid unto and spread about it, which that it may be the best and most agreeable, would be Cowes-dung, but for want thereof, the best next is Horse-dung, and last Swines-dung, and where it cannot be come by, than any such as the poor workman can get, except it be marvel, or fresh and black mould which is the best help of all others for the vine: and yet the good vine-dresser saith that the good vine of Pierrotte or Griotte craveth and loveth more pain, and less manuring, that it may not be constrained to cast and let fall his fruit before the due time.  
The fourth year likewise it must be picked and freed with the hand in very nimble and fine manner, 
To prune and 〈◊〉 the new vine.  and not to be touched with any iron instrument, to the taking away of the feeble and bad buds, the fair and beautiful being let alone, to see if they will prove as good as the young planted branch itself out of which they sprung: and this must be done about May.  
Therefore to speak in general of the tilling, 
To dig and turn over the ground after the first manner and fashion.  ordering and dressing of the vine whether it be new planted or old grown, the first labour to be bestowed upon it, is called the digging of it after the first fashion, which others call the tanning of it; for by it the earth is made the more supple and tractable. In this piece of work is contained the laying bare of the roots of the principal stocks, and if the plant be grown high, than this may be done in the calm and quiet time of March, according to the difference and alteration of places: for in this i'll and cold place, which is subject unto frosts and blast, as also in places seated in the upper parts and tops of mountains, this first order and fashion of dressing them, must be done in the after end of Winter which is called mid-May.  
The second fashion of dressing and tilling the vine, 
To dig it after the second manner and fashion.  is to weed, rake, and cut the same, as hath been said before: but before this work come in hand, the plants must be fitted by being cut, that so they may be able to continue in the place where they are planted, and not to be tossed and carried to and fro with strong and blustering winds.  
The third sort of labour to be performeed in dressing of vines, is to propagate them: 
Propagation the third manner and fashion of vines dressing.  but this work fitteth them not, for the second year, no nor yet for the third year, except in some certain places, and in such vines as at that age are grown to very strong wood.  
The third year besides the foresaid dress, if the plant be strong and seated in a good ground, and that it hath put forth fair and goodly wood, it is wont to be propagated betwixt mid-Aprill, (and for sureness sake) unto mid-May, and then the propagated branches are buried in the places where the ridges are broken & cast down, and that alike on both sides, by which means is made the chequer whereof Columella speaketh.  
In this same third year of the new plant, according to the strength of the wood which it hath put forth, notwithstanding for the cause above mentioned, you have with your nail nipped off such buds as were ready to blossom: yet according to the store that it hath of strong wood, after you have cut it and amended the stock, some begin to prop, underset, and bind it, for the bearing up of the fair and jolly branches thereof, that they may not fall and lie flat upon the ground: which done, you must go over it with the second fashion of dressing of it: and yet before this be done, it must be raised, thrust up and bound with his first band.  
Vines are propagated 
The propagate vines.  in Aduent and januarie after they have been cut, howbeit in places that are more i'll, they be let alone till February and March, and for the doing hereof, they make choice of the fairest branch, that they can find grown out of the stock, cutting off the rest of the branches some two joints from the stalk. Sometimes if they were of a fair stock, some use to take two of the fairest branches of the chiefest plant, and then lay them very gently one after another low under foot, in a pit that shall have been made in the ridges, afterward they must be covered with earth: some do lay the chief branch that is to be propagated very deep, to the end that the year after that it shall have been dressed, and the branches handsomely laid down in the earth without any offence or hurt done unto them, it may abide the manuring with dung; for the chief and mother branch is not wont to be manured at any time, but rather it is to be uncovered and laid ope● at the foot in januarie, & in the beginning of December, when the propagated branch is manured, to the end it may the better take in the snow and rain water which may make it to have a thick foot: In Chablyes and throughout all To●uerroies and Awerroys, they use to propagate their vines in October, and in the beginning of December when they fall calm, in stony and gravelly grounds. And from mid-May unto mid-Aprill they propagate their vines in the said conutries, in their sandy grounds, and such as stand on a potter's clay, and not sooner than that, because the water that would stand in the pits, would rot and kill the young branches newly planted, because of the frosts there continued both in Winter and in the Spring.  
After August you must dress your vine again, whether it be young or old, 
The sec●nd dressing of the vine.  binding it over again by reason of his former young sprigs which might have been hurt by the first band and withered away, and now at this time it must have two bands bestowed upon it, though they use not so to do in Anjou and Tourraine, because their dressing of their vines is divers, and differing from that which we use. We have forgotten how that at mid-May, before the raifing of the plant, it must be stripped of his buds, and in doing hereof to be heedy and wary, that the principal sprigs which shall be about the blossom, be not hurt or touched, except there be too many of them upon one stock.  
For the third dressing of the vine, 
The third dressing of the vine.  which shall be in August, it is wont to be trimmed and tied again, after which in a gentle & calm weather, after some rain hath fallen, the earth must be stirred with the pickax very gently and softly, and the weeds turned underneath: and sometimes it is weeded, if the year have been rainy. Besides which ordinary dress, you must be further advertised that indeed it is requisite never to go without a spade in your hand, whiles you are amongst vines, if so be that you would have them to prosper, and that this business be not posted over to rascally fellows or maids, especially the propagating of them, and the stripping of them of their buds. To conclude and shut up the whole matter of the dressing of the vine set down in his divers sorts here before, it is to be understood in general, that in the months of December and januarie, the new propagated plant must be cut, and the old one of the year passed looked unto, in laying bare the foot of the old, and dressing a new the propagated one, and manuring of it, if there be any need. In March and April it must be cut, 
The conclusion of the three sort● of ●●essing due to the vine.  and more new plants made at the same time, also some lay bare their vines, and manure such as have need: within a sho●t time after, they must be laid bare again, as also covered again afterward: before they blossom and flower, they must be stripped of their buds with your hand, especially whiles the branches shall appear so tender, as that they will scarce abide touching with one's finger, for fear of spoiling and breaking off: then shortly afterwards to prop them up with rails and stays, to tie them with soft and nimble bands, and of all this while, not to forget to give them their several orders, such as have been● mentioned and spoken of before.   

CHAP. XI.  
Of the manner of grafting the vine.  
THe vine in this country is seldom grafted, 
To graft vines.  notwithstanding we will speak a word or two of it, having already in the third book handled this point more largely, where we have spoken of all the sorts and properties of grafting. The vine than may be grafted either: upon itself or on other trees. The vine grafted upon a vine, is after two manner of ways, the on● in the stock, the other in the branch. To graft a vine in the stock, you must make choice of a gross & firm one, and such as is full of moisture, not being too old, cutting it close by the ground, or which is better a foot within ground. The grafts that you mean to graft▪ must be round, firm, full of little eyes and set one near unto another, and cut in the decreease of the Moon, and taken from the stock and foot of the vine. The manner of grafting of them, is to insert and set the graft into the body of the vine about two fingers deep. And you shall do the like, if you would graft the vine upon the branches of the vine.  
At Auxerrois and especially at Chablies, they have another manner of grafting beside the former and they use it much, it is in this sort: They cut off all the green buds and sprigs from the stock, except only the shoot or branch which was put forth the year before, which they leave of the length of some two ●oot. This branch they cleave the breadth of two or three fingers, they hollow and also make fit the cleft within on every side, to the end that the graft of the branch being made cornered, may fit the said cleft the better, and in this cloven they put the graft (consisting both of old and new wood) made sharp at the end, which shall go into the cleft with his pith, shaped in manner of a wedge, over which they cause the said cloven branch so to close and come together in such proportion as that the rinds of every part of the cleft may join, after which they bind it gently without straiting of it much, with a cloven osier having the woody part taken away, in such sort as that there remain almost nothing but the very pilling, that so it may be the softer to tie them and the sooner rotten. This done, they lay the said grafted in the earth about half a foot, and cover it with soft earth. Neither do they forget to pick off the buds or sprigs that may grow on the same stock that year, to the end there may be no attraction or rising of the sap, for the putting forth and feeding of any thing else but the young graft, which for the first year groweth for the most part about two or three foot. Then at the end of two years they propagate the stock and the graft, which by such means will put forth many new shoots. The like may be practised in one of the twigs putting up at the foot of the stock.  
The vine is grafted after the same manner upon trees, as cherry-trees, plum-trees, and others such like, and thereof Columella in●reateth very largely in his Elm grove, whereunto I will refer you, seeing in this our country of France there is account or estimation made of the grafting of vines.   

CHAP. XII.  
Of certain petty practices and experiments touching and concerning the vines.  
YOu shall have your vines to bear abundantly, 
Abundance of grapes.  and withal a very good and durable wine, if your vine-dresser wear a garland of ivy at such time as he croppeth and cutteth your vines, if we may believe Palladius: but indeed the surest way is if there be cast into the pit with it when it is planted, the acorns of oaks brayed, and ground-fetches.  
You shall perceive before the vintage, that there will be a great abundance of wines, 
Abundance of wine.  if whiles you pluck very lightly with your fingers one grape off from the bunch, there follow and issue forth some liquor after it. In like manner a plentiful harvest of wheat, doth prognosticate a plentiful vintage of wine. Rains in the Spring time do foreshow that the wines coming after will be strong and mighty.  
Men of old and ancient times passed have highly esteemed of the treacle vine, 
The treacle vin●  in respect of the great virtue which his win● hath against the bitings of serpents, and other venomous beasts: and not only the wine but also his leaves stamped and applied in form of a cataplasm unto the grieved part, as also the ashes of the branches. The manner of preparing of it, is to cleave three or four fingers of the neither end of the branch, which you mean to plant: and after that you have taken out the pith, you must put in steed of the pith some quantity of treacle: afterward you must cover it and wrap it in paper, and set the cloven end into the ground: som● othery not contented with this course, do pour treacle upon the roots of the Vine.  
A Vine may after the same manner be made laxative, 
The laxative Vine.  as, if in the cloven branch you put some soluble purge, or if the roots thereof be watered with some laxative things. Note notwithstanding that the branch, taken from the treacle or laxative Vine to be planted, will not hold the properties of the said Vine whereof it was gathered, because the treacle and laxative drugs do lose their force and power in the Vine in process of time.  
Your Vine will bear a Wine apt to procure sleep, 
To plant a Vine whose wine shall procure sleep.  if after the manner used in your treacle wine, you put Opium, of the juice of Mandrakes, in the cleft which you shall have made in the body of the Vine.  
To make grapes to grow without kernels, 
Grapes without kernels.  take the pith out of the branch that you mean to plant, and yet not from the one end to the other, but only so much as is to stand within the ground: afterward wrap it in wet paper, or graft it in an Onion (for the Onion helpeth the branch very well to grow) and so plant it. There are some that do advise to water it oft with water wherein hath lain to steep some Beniovin, and that so long as till it hath put forth some buds.  
To have grapes in the spring, 
Grapes in the Spring.  you must graft the branch of a black Vine upon a Cherry tree.  
To cause a Vine to bud betimes, 
To make a Vine to bud early.  you must rub the eyes of the branch newly cut, with water wherein hath been steeped Sal nitrum, and within eight days after it will bud.  
To make your clusters to consist partly of white, 
Clust●rs bearing both red and white grapes.  and partly of black grapes, you must take two divers branches, differing the one from the other, and cleave them in the midst, having regard that the cloven run not through any of their eyes, as also that there be not any part of their pith lost: then afterward you must join them together, and that in such sort as that their eyes may be near one unto another, and that in such sort as that they may touch, and of two, there may become but one only: afterward the branches must be well tied together with paper, and cover them with clammy earth, or with the leaves of the heads of Onions, and to plant them in this order, and to water them often, so long as until the buds do put forth.  
To keep grapes 
To keep grapes.  all winter long, you must cut them down after the full Moon in a fair and calm season, about eight a clock in the morning when the dew is vanished, and afterward dip them in the Sea water over head and ears, or else in salt brine mixed with a little boiling wine, laying them afterward upon barley straw. Some put them in a vessel full of new wine, or else in a vessel close covered and luted: Other some do keep them in honey, others anoint them over with the juice of Purslane, others keep them in Oat chaff.   

CHAP. XIII.  
Of the diseases of the Vine, and the remedies for the same.  
Sometimes the Vine is troubled with violence of winds, or else by the unwariness of the Vine dresser, wounding the same with his pickaxe: in these cases you must cover the bruised or hurt place with go●●es dung or sheeps dung, mingled amongst very choice earth, and cast the ground round about them oftentimes with the pickeaxe.  
The Vines will not be spoiled with the frost, 
To guard the Vine from the ●rost.  if in divers places amongst th●● there be made heaps of dry dung or chaff, and when you perceive that frosts are toward, to set the same on fire, for the smoke rising thereof will break the force of the frost: notwithstanding, if it come to pass that the Vine be already spoiled, and the fruit destroyed, it must be cut off very short, that so his strength may yet continue in the remainder; for the year following it will b●are twice as much fruit.  
The vine will not be blasted, 
The blasting of vines.  if when it is about to bud, you cut it as late as it may; for this late cutting of it, will make it to be in blossom at such time as the Sun is in his greatest and most fervent heat.  
To break off such mists and fogs 
Against mist and fogs.  as are already gathered in the air, for fear they should fall upon the vines, you must make a smoke round about the vineyard, with the dung of goats well kindled and set on fire. Against such fogs as have already hurt the vines, you must stamp the roots or leaves of wild cucumbers, or of coloquintida, and lay them to steep in water, and with the same to water the vines, after the mists. Some say that if there be many bay trees planted in the vineyard, that then all the maliciousness of the mists will fall upon their boughs.  
Some say that the barren vine will become fruitful, 
To make the barren vine fruitful.  if the body thereof be watered with man or woman's water that hath been made long before, and dropped upon the vine stock by little and little, and if therewithal presently after it be laid about with dung mixed with earth, and this cure must be done in Autumn.  
Vines are perceived to want moisture, 
The withered vine.  when their leaves turn very red: this disease must be holpen by watering them with sea water, or man or woman's urine.  
The vine sometimes poureth forth great store of tears, 
Remedies for the weeping of the vine.  whereupon it cometh to pass that it looseth his force altogether. The remedy is to break the bark of the vine upon the body thereof, and to anoint the wound with oil boiled to the half, or else with the lees of oil not salted, and afterward to water it with the strongest vinegar that may possibly be found.  
The vine sometimes falls into such a scattering disease, 
The scattering vine.  as that it letteth its grapes fall off: the marks and signs thereof are when the leaves thereof become white and dry, and the branch falleth broad, lenow, and soft: this is to be remedied with ashes beaten and mixed with strong vinegar, and rubbed about the foot of the vine, and by watering all that is round about the stock.  
The vine shooting out into over many branches, 
The vine that is too full of branches.  must be cut off very short, and if for all this it give not over, it must be barred at the roots, and river gravel laid round about the stock, together with a few ashes, or else some stones, for to cool the same.  
If the grapes wither and dry away as they hang upon the vine, 
Withering grapes.  you must take away such as are already withered and water the rest with vinegar and ashes of vine branches: or for the more certainty, water the foot of the vine with strong urine which hath stood a long time.  
There are some vines that do rot the fruit which they have newly brought forth, 
The rotting of grapes.  before such time as they become fully grown and ripe: to cure this mischief, you must put old ashes unto their roots, or gravel, or else barley meal mixed with seed of porcelain about the stock and body.  
To prevent that the biting or breath of oxen and kine (which are very hurtful unto vines) may not do them any hurt at all: you must wate● the foot of every vine stock with water wherein the hides of oxen or kine, 
The biting of the ox or cow.  or some such other beasts have been steeped and mollified; for oxen and kine have the stench of this water in such detestation, as that they will not abide to come near unto the vine.  
Caterpillars, 
Against caterpillars and lice.  lice, and such other like small vermin will not hurt ●he bud, or the leaf of the vine, if the hook or hedgebill wherewith you prune and cut away the superfluous bough● of your vine be anointed over with the blood of a male goat, or the fat of an ass, or of a bear, or with the oil wherein caterpillars, or brayed garlic have been boiled, or if you anoint and rub them with the purse and sheath of a badgers stones after that it hath been ground.  
To drive away little noisome beasts which are called locusts, 
Against locusts.  from the vines, you must procure smokes to be raised amongst the vines of the dung of oxen, or Galba●um, or of some old shoe-soles, or of hartshorn, or of woman's hair, or for to plant amongst the said plants some pionie.  
To preserve the vines from being annoyed of the small beasts called shrews, you must cut them in the night when the Moon is in the sign Leo, 
Against the ●ouse-like beast alled a Shrew.  Scorpio, Sagittarius, or Taurus, or else you must water your vines with water wherein have been steeped in the Sun for the space of ten days, ten river or sea craie fishes.  
Pismires 
Pismires.  fretting in sunder the wood of the vine, even unto the marrow, will not hurt the same at all, if you anoint and rub the stock with the dung of kine or grea●e of asses.  
The bay-tree, 
That Coleworts are hartfull to vines.  and coleworts do likewise hurt vines very much if they be planted in the same ground, but especially the coleworts, which the vine hateth above all the rest, there being a natural and deadly contrariety betwixt those two plants, in so much as that coleworts are a preservative from drunkenness, at we shall further declare by and by, wherefore the good vine-dresser shall never sow or plan● any coleworts, baie-trees, or hazel, in his garden of vines.   

CHAP. XIIII.  
Of the manner of gathering grapes, or of vintage.  
THe last pain and labour to be taken with the vine is the gathering of the fruit, 
The gathering of the fruit of vines.  which may not be attempted by the vine-dresser, until the grapes be ripe, 
To know when grapes are ripe.  which is manifestly perceived by their growing black, as also by having their kernels black and all bare, as being altogether separated from the flesh or pulp of the grape, if so be that there be any pressing of the grapes. Or else, if after taking away a kernel or two out of a grape, you find that the room whereout they were taken, doth not lessen, but abideth as large as it was, not being filled up by the other kernels coming in place. You must gather them in fair and calm weather, 
The time and hour of gathering grapes.  not in rainy weather, nor when the grapes are full of dew, but when it is wasted and gone, and the air is become somewhat hot rather than cold, for so the wine will be the better, and endure good a longer time, yea (if it be possible) in the wain of the Moon, and when it is under the earth; at the least after that the Moon is eighteen or twenty days old, for so the wines will be stronger, and last better, than if the grapes should be gathered in the new of the Moon. It is true that before the gathering of them, you must have all the furniture necessary thereto in readiness, as baskets and vessels to●gather them into, great hedge-bills, and small oncs very sharp, cask well hooped, and made very clean by washing, cleanefats, and every way well fitted, tub, great and small stands, well pitched and fitted for the purpose, and presses aired, scoured, washed, and furnished with their necessary implements.  
The grape-gatherers 
The duty of grape gathetherers.  shall do their endeavour to put asunder the leaves, green, sour, withered, and rotte● grapes, from those that are ripe and whole, to the end that the wine may not be i●dammaged and made worse than it would be. And for the making of perfect good and dainty wine, to choose ou● the finest of the grapes from amongst the common and gross ones, as also the white from the black, not mingling the two best sorts together of any kind, as if there should be a mingling of the well tasted grape with those which are sweet, or of the white which is strong, with another which is weak and of a sad colour. The gathered grapes must be left in the ground at the least for a day or two, and that uncovered (provided that it rain not) for so they will become better, in as much as both the Sun, the dew, and the earth do refine and purify them, as taking from them whatsoever bad and unprofitable moisture that is in them: then after that to leave them in the fat, but not above two days, after which time, the next morning they must be trodden out equally, and in such sort, as that there may not any of the grapes of the clusters remain whole. It is true that the treaders 
Treaders of grapes.  must not go into the fat before their feet be well washed, and their whole bodies be made very clean, and covered with a shirt, to the end that their sweat may not hurt the Wine, & they must likewise abstain from eating therein.  
The grapes being trodden, 
What time Wines must work together after they be trodden.  the wine or liquor must be let boil and work together for the space of four and twenty hours, more or less, according as it is purposed that the wine should be: for the longer it worketh together, the grosser, deeper coloured, and mightier it will be; as the less it worketh together, the finer, more thin, subtle, and delicate it will be. Likewise, if you would have a strong & mighty wine, you must in this time of the working cover your Fat with some cover, that so the vapour thereof may not breath out, or his force and strength spend.  
The dross and gross parts of the grapes that are trodden, which shall have some juice and liquor yet left and remaining in them, shall be carried to the press for to be pressed out, and there it shall abide three or four strokes. It is true that this which is thus pressed out will make the other les●e pleasant, and therefore it will be best to put that which floweth and runneth out of its own accord by treading, by itself; and the other which is pressed out, by itself. But howsoever you bestow them, the cask into which you shall put them must not be quite filled up: but have some space left empty for the boiling up of the new Wine, 
Vessels to put Wine in.  and the casting forth of such scum and forth as shall rise out of it with ease: It is true that you must be filling up of it every day, so long as till it appear that the Wine hath rid itself from all its scum and f●oth. And yet as then it may not be bunged up, but rather some stone or wisp of Hay laid upon the bunghole: and after, when it shall manifestly appear that the wine is thoroughly settled and pacified, than you may bung the cask. The cask must be all this while either in the open air, or else in some barn that is well aired: for it is not to be laid into any Cellar under ground, before such time as the new wine have utterly ceased and cast off his rage. And withal, you must beware not to fill up the wine already cooled and turned up with wine which is yet hot and boiling, for be it either white or claret, it will make it fat.  
After that the wine is thoroughly settled, and ceaseth to boil and work any more, it may be carried down into some Cellar, 
The couching of the Wine in the Cellar.  which must stand upon the North, paved with gravel or dry earth, and free and far off from all ill smells, horse-stables, sinks, baths, 
What manner of Cellar must be provided.  and marshy places, not having any thing shut up and kept in it which is of evil smell, as Cheese, Garlic, Onions, Oils, or Hides: for there is nothing more subject to be infected than wine, 
Wine ●pt to be infected.  especially that which is new.  
Your vessels must be so ranked in order, as that they touch not one another, having some distance left betwixt them, that so they may the more easily be looked unto all they year. The vessels to avoid the venting which commonly happeneth unto wine, must have the bunghole very well stopped with gravel, and not stirred or touched at any time, until the time to drink the wine become. If, upon some hap, the good householder presently, or a little after the time of Vintage, be not minded to sell some part of his Wine, according as opportunity may serve for his profit: notwithstanding I find that men in times past (to the end they might have a purer, neater, and more subtle wine, after that the wine hath purged and cast forth his scum, ceasing to boil) did use to put it into new vessels, that is to say, did change it out of one vessel into another, having this opinion, that wine separated from its lees, doth make a more subtle kind of mother in Winter, and becometh more delicate and durable, and refineth itself far better in the spring time, than it would have done upon the first lees; as also that when wine standeth long upon the first lees, which are thick and sour, it easily looseth its natural verdure, and getteth a sharp and unpleasant ●aste, and a thick substance. They did furthermore observe the time and course of the heavens: for they never drew wine out of one vessel into another; but when the Northern wind did blow, when the the Moon was either new or under the earth, and when as Roses had put forth their first flowers, and the Vine his buds. And Hesiodus following this custom, doth counsel men that in changing wine out of one vessel into another, they should separate the Wine which is the uppermost in the vessel, from that which draweth somewhat near unto the lees, and both of them from that which is in the midst of the vessel, because that the wine which is next unto the bunghole, 
The wine in the midst of the vessel is the best.  is evaporated much, as being next unto the air: and that which is in the bottom corrupteth very easily, as being near unto the lose: but contrarily that which is in the midst is most durable and convenient for nourishment. Such custom used by those of ancient time, is not observed now adays, especially in the countries of France, and therefore we will not say any thing of this changing of wine out of one vessel into another.   

CHAP. XV.  
Of the time of piercing the vessels and tasting the wine and how to draw it without causing it to take wind.  
MEn of ancient time 
The time to pierce wines according to those of ancient time.  did attribute so much unto the influence of the star●, as that they did pierce their vessels either for tasting or drinking of their wine, at the rising of the Sun or the Moon, having this opinion, that at such times the wine doth move, and therefore ought not in any case to be touched or dealt withal. We do not so curiously pry into the matter, but we pierce our vessels at all times, and as oft, as either necessity or commodity will persuade and doth require. Notwithstanding in piercing of them, 
The way to pierce wines.  you must have this wisdom, as to beware that they take as little wind as possibly may be, and when there is but a very little drawn of it, you must presently fill up the vessel again for fear of spending of itself. As concerning the tasting of wine, 
To taste wine.  whether it be to sell or drink, or if it be to find out whether there be any that is in danger to be turned, some do give counsel, that it is good to make the assay at such time as the northeast wind bloweth, because at such times it is more pure and neat than at others: others think it best when the Southwind bloweth, 
At what time and how wine is to be tasted.  because this wound stirreth and moveth the wine very much, and showeth it in deed to be the same that it is: but howsoever it is, it is not good to taste the wine fasting; for before meat wine hath but a dull and dead taste, neither yet after that you have drunk of other wine, nor after you have got a full belly. Furthermore the as●aier of wines must not have eaten any sour thing, salt, bitter, or any other thing which may alter his taste, but must only have eaten something without having digested it.  
When our householder is disposed to pierce his wine, 
To give ven● unto wine.  and that he meaneth to draw it by a little and a little for his own drinking, and leasurably without giving unto it any vent at all: he must pierce it in the upper part of the vessel with a pearcer which is for the same purpose, and put into the hole the quill of a feather which must be open on both sides, and it must be as long as three fingers are broad: and that upon the top of that end of the quill which shall be upward, he put some cotton, covering the said cotton afterward with half a Walnut-shell, and upon it again some ashes or wet lime laid: and when he hath done all this, let him set the tap in the vessel: and by this means he shall draw his wine easily, and unto the lees without giving of it any vent.   

CHAP. XVI.  
Certain small things to be observed concerning Wine.  
WHen the case so standeth, as that the Vintage proveth small, and that the Lord of the farm, in respect of sparing, desireth to make a small Wine, wherewith he would pass over the requisite provision of his house in stead of a better and stronger wine, he shall make it in this sort after the manner of a rap Vine. In the time of Vintage he shall cause to be taken a good quantity of the knots of the grapes called Pinots and Sarminians, when they are very ripe and have a hard skin, and of these knots alone and whole, without bursting of them, he shall cause a vessel to be filled near full; which he shall cause to be set down upon one of the ends, and afterward cause it to be taken down again, and set upon a cantling, and so shall cause to be turned into it two pints of good wine that is old and mighty. This being done, he shall cause there to be water boiled, whereof when it is hot, he shall go forward, and proceed to the filling up of the vessel, and so shall leave it until his small wine have done boiling, and be become thoroughly cold (which is sometimes sooner, sometimes later, according as the year proveth hot or cold) whereunto he may then put a ●ap to draw out of the same, and to begin to drink thereof. And as oft as he draweth out thereof, he shall fill up his vessel again with so much cold water as he drew forth of his wine, and so by that means keep his vessel always full. And by this means his said small wine will pass over the greatest part of the year in one state of goodness. And when this small wine shall begin to grow too weak, he shall draw out thereof a quart, and put in place thereof as much good old wine. And in drinking of it he shall hold on (if so it seem good unto him) his putting in of water, as before, except that it be found too weak to put in any more wine, and then he shall make his workefolkes to drink of it, filling it up still daily with water, as before. The colour of this small Wine is very pleasant and fair.  
The way to keep new wine that it shed not in the time of the boiling in the vessel, 
Of the boiling over of the new wine, while it is in working.  is to put about the hole at which the new wine cometh forth, a wreath of Pennie-royall, Calamint, or Organie: or else you shall anoint the edges of the said hole within with Milk, or Cheese made of cows milk: or else you shall cast into the vessel of Wine a morsel of Cheese, for it will keep in the great heat of the new Wine.  
To cause new Wine to be quickly purged, 
How new Wine is purged.  you must put into fifteen quarts of new Wine, half a pint of Vinegar, and within three days it will be sinned.  
If you desire to have new Wine all the year, 
To have new Wine all the year long.  you must take the new Wine which distilleth by itself from the grapes before they be trodden, and put it the same day in a vessel pitched within and without, in such sort, as that the vessel may be half full, and very well stopped with plaster above: and thus the new Wine will continue a long time in its sweetness: and yet it will be kept thus a great while longer, if you put the vessel in a Well or River, covered with some little skin, and so leave it there thirty days: for in not having boiled, it will continue always sweet, and will be preserved by the heat of the pitch: or else it will be good to bruise the grapes very gently, without much straining of them, and the new Wine which shall issue out of them by that means, will keep new a long time. Othersome do lay their vessel filled with sweet Wine in moist gravel: some do pitch their vessels within and without, and so lay it only out of the water: other some do cover it with the dross of the wine press, and afterward to heap upon it moist gravel.  
To know if there be any water either in new Wine or other, 
To know if there be any Water in the Wine.  take a withered rush, and cast it into the Wine, and if there be any water in it, it will draw thereof unto it: or else take raw and wild Pears, and cutting them in the midst, make them clean: or, if you will, take Mulberries, and cast them into the Wine; for if they swim aloft it is a neat Wine, but and if they sink there is water therein. Some do anoint a reed or a piece of wood, or paper, hay, or some other little bundle of berbes, or of straw, which they dry, and put into the Wine, and after drawing them out, they take trial and knowledge thereof; for if the Wine have water in it, drops thereof will gather unto the oil. Others cast unquenched lime into the Wine, and if there be water amongst the Wine, the lime will dissolve and melt, whereas if the Wine be neat, it will bind and fasten the lime together. Some take of the Wine and pour it in a frying pan, wherein there is boiling oil, and if there be any water it will make a great noise, and will boil ragiously: again, others cast an egg into the Wine, for if the egg descend and sink down, then there is water in the Wine, but if it do not descend, than there is no water in it.  
If the year fall out rainy, 
The way to corrective overmuch wa●rishhesse of Wine.  and that it happen that the grapes hanging yet upon the vine be much wet, or if it fall out that after the time of gathering them, there fall some great store of rain, so as that the grapes are watered and wet more a great deal than is needful, they must of necessity be trodden, and then if you perceive the new Wine coming of that vintage to have small strength in it, (which knowledge you may come by, in tasting it after that the Wine shall be put up in vessels, and shall first begin to boil and work in them) it must presently be changed and drawn out into another vessel, for so all the watery parts that are in it, will stay behind in the bottom: for as much as the Wine will yet stand charged, you shall put to every fifteen quarters of Wine one pint and a half of salt. Others do boil the Wine upon the fire, so long, as till the third part be consumed, and the rest they use four years after.  
If it should happen that the new Wine prepared in such sort as we have spoken of, 
To recover the new Wine which beginneth to sour.  after long time should begin to sour and turn eager: to meet with this mischief, you must cast to steep therein a pint of grapes boiled, till they be full swollen, afterward straining them out into an eight part of new Wine, or else cause the said new Wine to run through ●iuer gravel.  
If you would have new Wine settled in four and twenty hours without boiling of it, 
To cause new win● to s●ttle quickly.  that so you might presently use it, fill a vessel with the small chips of wood called in French Sayett●, which the inhabitants of Champagne do call Buchettes: upon these chips cast your new Wine, and within the foresaid four and twenty hours, you shall have a settled Wine without having cast any scum. The inhabitants of Champagne, especially the towns men of Troy, use this receipt not only to cause Wine to settle quickly, but also to make rap Wine withal.  
If it come to pass that Wine have water in it, and if we find it to be so, by the means lately laid down: to separate then this water from this Wine, 
To separate water from wine.  you must put into the vessel of Wine melted allow, and after stopping the mouth of the said vessel▪ with a sponge drenched in oil, to turn the mouth of the vessel so stopped downward, and so the water only will come forth: or else cause a vessel of i●ie wood to be made, and put therein such quantity of Wine as it will be able to hold, the water will come forth presently, and the Wine will abide pure and neat.  
You shall make an odoriferous sweet smelling Wine in this manner: 
To make an odoriferous Wine.  take a few myrtle berries, dry and bray the same, and put them in a little barrel of Wine, and letting them so rest for ten days, afterward open the barrel and use the Wine. You shall work the like effect, if you take the blossoms of the grapes (those especially which grow upon the shrubby vines) when the vine is in flower, and cast them into the vessel of Wine, the brims of the Wine vessel being rubbed over with the leaves of the pine and cypress tree, and a●ter cast into the Wine, for they make it very odoriferous: or more easily, you must hang therein an orange, or a pome cytron which is not very gross and thick, and prick it full of cloves, and that in such sort as it may not touch the Wine, & after shut up the vessel close, or else infuse and steep in Aqua vitae the simples or such matter as you have your Wine to smell of, and afterward straining the same Aqua vitae, to put it into the vessel amongst the Wine.  
To make red Wine of white, and chose of red Wine white: Take common salt eight drams and put in in five pints of red wine: 
To make white wine red, and red wine white.  or else pour into red wine some whey, with the ashes of the branches of the white vine, and turn and roll it well for the space of forty days, then let it rest, and it will become white wine. On the contrary, white wine will become red, if you put into it the ashes of the branches of the red vine: or if you cast into white wine the powder of honey boiled to the hardness of a stone, and then made into powder, changing it from one vessel into another to mingle them together: you may do this the more easily, if you cast into the white wine the dried or green roots of all the sorts of ●orrell.  
To make claret wine, 
To make claret wine.  beat the whites of three eggs in a dish, until the froth arise, and add thereto some white salt, and as much wine, beat them all together again until such time as that they become very white, afterward fill up the platter with wine, and put all into the vessel of wine and keep it.  
You shall make a wine that will bear great store of water, 
Wine be●ring great store of water.  if drying the roots of hollihockes you shave and scrape them, casting the said shavings into the wine, which afterward you must roll and mingle together very carefully.  
Wine will have no flower, 
Wine that flowreth not.  if you put in the wine the flowers of the vine gathered and dried, or the meal of fetches, changing the wine into another vessel, when the meal and the flowers are settled down to the bottom.  
You shall make the boiled wine called Cute, 
Boiled wine.  if you boil new wine that is good, lovely, and very sweet, until the third part thereof be consumed, and then when it is grown cold, you must put it into vessels for your use.  
To make sweet wine that will so continue all the year, 
To continu● wine sweet all the year long.  you must gather your grapes whole, and let them lie spread three days in the Sun, and tread them the fourth about noon. The sweet wine, that is to say, the very liquor which shall run out into the fat, before the drossy substance come under the press, must be taken away, be put by its self, and boiled, and after it is boiled, put to nineteen quarters of it an ounce of Ireos or corn flag well brayed, and strain this wine without the lees, which being done, it will continue sweet, firm and wholesome for the body.  
To make wine like unto Greekish wine, 
Greekish wine.  you must gather from the vines early grapes very ripe, and those you shall dry in the Sun three days, and tread them out in the fourth, and the wine thus made you shall put in a vessel, having care to cause it to purge and cast out the filth within it, as also its lees, at such time as it shall boil. And the fifth day after that it shall be purged, you shall put into it two pounds of reboiled salt, or very small beaten salt, or at the least one pound in eighteen quarts and a half of wine.  
To make a weak and feebie wine to become an excellent good wine: take a handful of the leaves of Tota bona, and a handful of fennel and smallage seed, and cast them into the vessel.  
To make good household wine, 
Good household wine.  you must cast how much the tenth part of the wine cometh to which you have drawn or made in one day, and to cast as much spring water upon the dross, out of which the said wine was gathered and pressed: with this you must mingle the scum taken off from the wine in the boiling of seething of it, as also the lees remaining in the bottom of the treading fat, which shall be lee lie and steep in the same a whole night: the day following, you must tread them all together with your feet, and afterward press them out: than you must put that which shall come forth into vessels, and stop it up when it hath boiled and purged.  
To cause troubled wines and such as are full of lees to settle, 
To cause troubled wine to settle.  pour into thirty quarters of wine, half a pint of the lees of oil boiled till the third part be wasted, and the wines will settle by and by and return unto their former estate: or else, which is better and more easy, cast into the wine vessel the whites of six or seven eggs, and stir them together very well with a stick.  
You may take away the force and strength of wine, 
The taking away of the strength of the wine.  if you put into it some juice of coleworts, which you shall have bruised before hand, and thereupon drawn out the juice.  
To drink great store of Wine and not to be drunk, 
To drink much wine and yet not to be drunk.  you must eat of the roasted lungs of a goat: or otherwise, eat six or seven bitter almonds fasting: or otherwise, eat raw coleworts before you drink, and you shall not become drunk. Some say that a great drinker shall never become drunk, if he wear a wreath of jua moscata about his head: or, if at his first draft he repeat this verse of Homer's, jupiter his alta sonuit clementer ab Ida, which is to say, jupiter was heard speaking in a soft and gentle manner from the high mount of Ida.  
To provoke hatred of Wine, 
To hate wine.  you must take the thin liquor which droppeth from the branches after they be cut, and put it in the drunken man's glass against such time as he shall drink, but so as that he know not any thing of its; and thereupon his appetite and lust to drink Wine will depart quite away from him: or else, cause him to drink with white wine the blossoms of rye, gathered at such time as the rye bloometh: or else, take three or four e●les alive, and let them lie in wine till they die, and afterward cause this wine to be drunk off by such as are given to be drunk: or else, take a green frog, which is ordinarily found in fre●h springs, and let the same lie in wine till she die: otherwise, mark diligently where the owl haunteth, that so you may get some of her eggs, fry them, and give them to the drunken gallant to eat.  
To make drunken men to become sober, 
To make them which are drunk sober.  you must make them eat colewoorts and some manner of confections made of honey: or else drink great draughts of vinegar.  
To be the means that wine shall not become strong, 
To cause wine that it shall not become strong.  take a piece of salt lord, and tie it to the hole by which you turn up your wine into the vessel, with so strong a thread as may bear up the lard, which lard must hang in such manner, as that it may but touch the uppermost part of the wine: and this will keep the wine from becoming strong, through his fatness and saltness, which hinder the separating and refining of the same, which is the thing that giveth strength unto the wine.  
To cause new wine to become old by and by, 
To make old wine of n●w.  take bitter almonds and melilot, of each an ounce, of liquorice three ounces, of the flowers of lavender as much, of aloes hepaticke two ounces, bray them all and tie them together in a linen cloth, and so sink them in the wine.  
You shall find out and know whether the wine will keep long or not, 
Wine that will keep long.  after this manner: when the wine shall be turned up, you must, within a certain time after, change it into another vessel, leaving the lees behind in the first vessel, which must be very well stopped on every side, and then afterward you must diligently try out and see, whether the lees do change and begin to get any ill smell or no, or whether they breed any gnats, or such other little wild beasts, and if you perceive that nothing of all these falleth out, than you need not fear the turning of your wine: but if it fall out otherwise, you may assure yourself, that such wine is apt to corrupt and become nought. Others do put down to the bottom of the vessel and elder pipe, or some other of such like wood, as may be made hollow, through which they take the sent of lees, and so are thoroughly certified how they smell, and according as they find the lees to be conditioned, so they judge of the state of the wine. Some take upon them to foretell by the covers of vessels, wherein if they find and perceive the savour of wine, they by and by judge the wine to be good: but if in them they find the savour of water, they make no great reckoning of any such wine. Others judge them by the savour and relish of the wine, which if they find to be sharp in the beginning▪ they hope well of the goodness thereof: but and if they taste flat and soft, than they fear the contrary: if when the wine is put into the vessels, it be fat and gluey, it is a good sign: but if it be void of all strength, it will easily be turned.  
To keep wine at all times, 
The keeping of wine.  cast of the powder of roch allome powdered very finely into the vessel, whereinto you shall turn your new wine: or the powder of salt finely powdered: or pebble stones, and little flints, taken out of some brook: or aqua vitae: or else hang in the vessel by the bung, a glass viol full of quick silver, but very well and close stopped every where, and let it lower and lower as the wine shall sink lower and lower, so that the viol may hang within the wine continually: or else power common oil upon it.   

CHAP. XVII.  
A discourse of certain wines that serve for the use of Physic.  
AS we have said in the second Book, 
To make medicinable wines.  that the provident housewife must sow and plant upon some bed in her Kitchen garden certain medicinable herbs: in like manner it will not be amiss, that the farmer or his wife should yearly, in Vintage time, make and compound wines for the necessities that may grow by reason of diseases happening amongst their family. Wherefore, to the end we may not forget any thing which may fall out to be necessary for the better keeping of our Country Farm, we would not omit the manner of compounding such wines: which notwithstanding the good wife must not use or give others counsel to use hand over head, at hap hazard▪ and without good reason: for it is not good to use them where there is an ague, neither yet till forty days passed after that they be made. Their vessels must be always kept close shut, for else they will grow sour, or else spend themselves very easily: and after that it is perceived by the taste, that they retain the relish of the simples infused, it will be good to take the said simples out of the vessels.  
To make wine of Roses: take dry Roses of the mountains, 
Rose-wine.  anise, and Honey, of every one alike, and a little Saffron, bind them together, and put them in the wine: this wine is very good for the weakness of the stomach, and for pleurisies.  
For to make wine of Wormwood: take Sea Wormwood, 
Wormewood-wine.  or for want thereof, common Wormwood, especially that which hath the small stalks and short leaves, about eight drams; stamp them, and bind them in a cloth which is not over-thicke woven, and so cast it into the vessel, afterward pour new wine in upon it, and that after such a proportion, as that for every three pints of wine there may be an ounce of Wormwood, and so to hold on till the vessels be full, leaving a vent open, that so it may not fall a boiling again. The use of this wine is good for the pain of the stomach and liver, and to kill such worms as are in the guts.  
To make wine of Horehound that is good for the cough in the Vintage time, 
Wine of Horehound.  you must gather of the crops and tender stalks of Horehound, growing especially in such places as are lean and untilled, and afterward cause them to be dried in the Sun, & made up into bundles, tying them together with a rush sinking them in the vessel: in sixty five quarts of new wine, you must put eight pound of Horehound to boil therewith, after that the Horehound shall be taken out, and the wine stopped up very diligently.  
The wine of anise and Dill, 
Wine of anise, Dill, Pears, Bays, Asarum bacchar, and Sage.  against the difficulty of urine, the wine of Pears against the flux of the belly: the wine of Bays against the ache of the belly & wring in the same: the wine of Asarum bacchar, against the jaundice, Dropsy, and tertian ague: the wine of Sage against the pains and weakness of the sinews, and they are made as the wine of Wormwood.  
For to make wine of Thyme: you must gather the Thyme wine it is in flower, 
Wine of Thyme.  and drying it, stamp it and put thereof the quantity of a twelfth part in a vessel of thirty quarts of white wine.  
To make wine of betony: take betony the leaves and seed about one pound, 
betony wine.  put them in twenty quarts of new wine: when seven months are past, change the wine into a new vessel.  
For to make wine of Hyssop: take the leaves of Hyssop well pouned, 
Hyssop wine.  make them fast in a very fine cloth, and cast them into twenty quarts of new wine: this wine is good against the diseases of the lungs, an old cough, and shortness of breath.  
Wine of Pomegranates is made of Pomegranates that are scarce ripe, 
Wine of pomegranates, quintes, mulberries, and services.  being thoroughly bruised, and put in a vessel in three quarts of thick red Wine, to use against the flux of the belly: to the same end serveth the Wine made of services, mulberries and quinces. You may see a large discourse of Wines in the fifth Book of Dioscorides.   

CHAP. XVIII.  
Of such faults and accidents as happen to Wine.  
WIne is not exempt from loss and inconveniencies any more than all other things which are contained under the cope of Heaven, 
How Wines must be ordered in cellars or rooms under ground.  therefore to meet with all the inconveniencies which may happen to Wine, you must carefully and often look unto the Wine-vessell: notwithstanding, from the time that the said vessels are covered and stopped up, unto the Spring Equinoctial, it will be sufficient to fill up and handle the Wine once every six and twenty days, but after this time, twice in the said space: and if the Wine begin to flower, than you must look to it more oft, lest the flower thereof should fall to the bottom and spoil the Wine. Look by how much the heat is the greater, by so much you must visit and look to your Wines the ofter, and ever keep it with filling of it up, refreshing and giving of it vent, for so long as it holdeth cold, it will remain and continue sound and entire.  
If your Wine should begin to wax sour, 
Against the eagerness or sourness of Wines.  you must put in the bottom of the vessel a pot full of water well stopped, and thereupon also, stopping the vessel, leave therein some small hole to vent at, the third day after, you must draw out the pot, and you shall find the water therein stinking, but the wine sound and neat.  
Wines are most subject to turn, 
At what time Wine is most apt to turn and corrupt.  especially about the eleventh day of june, being the summers solstice: and the time when the vine flowreth, somewhat before the dog days enter through the great change of heat and cold, and generally when the Southern wind bloweth, whether it be in Summer or Winter: as also in time of great rain, of great winds, earthquakes, or mighty thunders, and whenas vines or roses begin to flower: to keep them from turning, you must put into them when they boil up and work, boiled salt, or else the seed of smallage, barley bran, and the leaves of the bay-tree, or ashes of the branches of the vine, with fennel seed brayed.  
Others do appoint these remedies: take the roots of mugwort, and cinquefoil, make them in powder, and when the Wine shall have boiled, put them in, and it will not turn nor change. Likewise if you lay your vessels in vaulted cellars, or if you put in them a plate of iron or flint stones, or leaven made of rye paste, or a covering upon the vessel, you keep your Wine from all inconveniencies that might happen unto it by thunder and lightning.  
Sweet almonds cast into red Wine, keep it from turning: the ashes of oake-wood cast into the Wine do the like: the meal of the white fetch doth save the Wine from turning, and keepeth it in his soundness: allom● broken in pieces doth the like: as also brimsone, lime, sand and plaster.  
If it happen that the Wine be turned, 
To help the ●ine that is turned.  you must cast into the vessel a good quantity of beaten pepper; and which is better, change its vessel: take cetaine whites of eggs, which after that you have beaten them very well a long time, and taken off the froth rising upon them, cast them into the vessel and roll it: or else, take twelve kernels of old wal-nuts, draw a thread through them, roast them under the ashes, and whiles they are yet hot, hang them in the vessel within the Wine, & leave them there so long as until you see the Wine to have recovered his former colour.  
If the Wine be become troubled, 
For troubled Wine.  it will quickly grow clear and become fined again, with the kernel of a pine apple, or of peaches, or with the whites of eggs and a little salt: otherwise, take half a pound of roch allome, and as much sugar, make a very small powder thereof and cast it into the vessel.  
If it appear and show manifest unto you that your Wine would mar and spoil, 
To help Wine the beginneth to wax away and di●.  take this course with it: If it be claret Wine, take the yelke of an egg, and if it be white, take only the white of an egg, putting thereto only three ounces of clear bright stones taken out of some swift running river, make them into powder with two ounces of salt powdered very small, and mingled all together: after that, put the Wine into another vessel that is neat and clean, and not tainted with any manner of smell before hand: which done, cast into the same all the foresaid composition, and mingle it with the Wine five or six times a day, until three or four days be passed: remember and mark to do this same before such time as the Wine be all together marred; for when it is once thoroughly corrupted and marred, this composition will serve you to no end, and the labour and time is but lost that you bestow about it.  
To restore again into his former and sound estate, the Wine that is grown fat, fusty, and hath taken wind: cast into the vessel cowes●milke somewhat salted: some cast thereinto allome, lime, and brimstone, but not without their great hurt that shall drink the same: but indeed it would do better, if they would put into it some juniper berries and Ireos' roots.  
If that your Wine do continue to hold and still retain any ill quality by its having taken wind, you must make it lose the same, by making two or three towers in the vessels, and afterward setting it again upon his cantling, and then to fill it up.  
To take away the fusty smell of wine, 
To take away the fusty smell of Wine.  you must take meddlers ripened upon the straw, and opening them in four quarters, tie them with a small thread, and thereby make them fast unto the bunghole of the vessel, in such sort as that they may hang all covered over in the Wine: having left them thus for the space of a month, then take them out, and by this means you shall likewise take away the ill smell of your Wine; or else take bayberries, and boiling them in Wine, cast the same afterward into the said vessel: otherwise, make a bag and fill it with sage, putting it in the vessel, but not laying it in the Wine: 
To help the sourness of Wine.  the same remedy serveth to recover Wine that is become sour; if you had not rather choose for the helping of your Wine to cast into it some leek seed.  
To keep Wines from souring, 
To keep the Wine from souring.  you must place the vessel in a cold place, very full and well stopped, so as they may not have any breathing place: or else if you want the benefit of a cold place, and that you are forced to set it in a place that is hot: or else if the Wine fail through having been a long time pierced: to keep it from falling quit sour, you must hang at a small chord a great piece of lard well wrapped in a linen cloth, and let it down by the bunghole into the midst of the Wine: and as the Wine shall grow lower and lower, so you must still let lower the lard, that so it may always continue in the midst. In the mean time, the vessel must be continually well covered and stopped: and by how much the piece of lard shall be the greater, so much the better will it keep the Wine from souring. Some advice and give counsel for the same purpose to put into the vessel oil olive, 
Oil olive a preuenter of the the sourness of Wine.  in such quantity as that it may only cover the uppermost face of the Wine: and when the Wine is all drawn out, the oil may easily be separate from the lees, and ga●dered into a vessel by itself.  
To take away the waterishness and overmuch moisture of Wine. 
For wattrish Wine.  you must put into the vessel the leaves of the pomegranete tree.  
If any beast be fallen into the vessel of Wine, 
Against venom or venomous beasts falling into Wine.  and dead therein, as an adder, rat, or mouse, to soon as the dead body is fou●d, you must burn it, and cast the coal ashes into the vessel whereinto it had fallen before, and stir it about with a wooden stick: others give counsel to put hot bread into the Wine, or any iron ring, and then the venom will vanish and depart.   

CHAP. XIX.  
Of the manner of making Vinegar.  
Vinegar cometh through the defect of wine, 
Vinegar is a ●ault of wine.  as we may understand by that which is gone before: the riotousness and pleasure of men, hath been the cause that Vinegar came ever in request, not only for sauces, but also for many other uses: It shall not therefore be thought unreasonable to use a word or two about making of Vinegar.  
The most common way to make Vinegar is on this sort: They use to take good wine, and therewithal to ●ill the vessel to the half, leaving it unstopped and set in a hot place, as in some corn fit, or in some gutter betwixt the tiles.  
If you desire to make Vinegar in haste, you must cast into your wine, salt, pepper, and sour leaven mingled together: and yet to make it the more hastily, you must heat red hot some stone, tile, or gad of steel, and put it all hot into the wine, or else the mouth of the vessel must stand always open, or else the vessel must be set in the Sun three or four days▪ and therewithal a little salt put in the vessel: or else fill a new earthen pot that is not half baked with wine, and stop it well, afterward put it in a kettle full of boiled water upon the fire, and letting it there remain a long time in the boiling water, it will grow sour; or else put into the wine a beet root stamped, or a radish root, 
Radish and beet roots ma●e vinegar.  or medlars, cervises or horns, mulberries, unripe sloes, or a shive of barley bread new baked: or else you must take of the blossoms of the cervise tree in there season, and drying them in the Sun after the manner of rose-leaves, either in a glass vessel, or in one of black earth, fill up the same vessel with pure Vinegar or Wine, and so set it forth again into the Sun or in the chimney end to the heat of the fire, and in a short time it will become strong and very sharp Vinegar: but if you would restore it again to his former state of wine, than you must cast, of colewort roots into it. 
The roots of cale-words make Vinegar to ●u●ne again into wine.    

CHAP. XX.  
Of some observations and instructions concerning Vinegar.  
TO make strong vinegar, 
Strong Vinegar.  take the fruit of the cornel tree, when it beginneth to grow red, and of bramble berries, such as grow in the fields, when they are half ripe, dry them, make them into powder, and with a little strong Vinegar, you shall make little pretty balls, which you shall dry in the Sun, afterward you must take wine, and heat it, and when it is hot put into it this composition, and it will be turned very speedily into very strong Vinegar.  
To make Vinegar with corrupted wine: take a rotten and corrupt wine and boil it, 
To make Vinegar o● marred wine.  taking away all the scum that riseth in the boiling thereof, thus let it continue upon the fire till it be boiled away one third part, then put it into a vessel wherein hath been Vinegar, putting thereto some chervil, cover the vessel in such sort, that there get no air into it, and in a short time it will prove good and strong Vinegar.  
To make dry Vinegar 
Dri● Vinegar.  to carry whither a man listeth, take of wild cherries when they begin to be ripe (and yet the fruit of the cornel tree is better) of mulberries when they be red, and unripe grapes th●t are very thick, and of wild a corns before they be ripe, stamped all together, then take of the best Vinegar you can find, and mingle them all together, make up the mass into small loaves, setting them to dry in the Sun: and when you would make Vinegar, temper some of these small loaves in wine, and you shall have very good Vinegar. Otherwise, take the unripe juice of corn that is very green, and stamp the same putting Vinegar thereto, and thereof make a past, whereof you shall make little loaves to be dried in the Sun, and when you would have Vinegar, temper of these loaves in so much wine as you shall see sufficient, and you shall have very good Vinegar.  
To make rose-vinegar, 
Rose Vinegar.  take good white Vinegar, and put therein red roses, either new or dried, keeping them many days in the vessel, and afterward taking them out, put them in another glass, and so keep them in a cool place: after the same manner you may make Vinegar of elder-tree flowers.  
To make Vinegar without wine, put into a vessel soft and dainty peaches, 
To make vinegar without wine.  and upon them parched barley, letting them putrify all a whole day, then strain them and use the liquor: or else take old figs and burnt barley, together with the inner parts of oranges, put all these into a vessel, and stir them up very well and oft, and whenas they are become putrefied and resolved, strain them out and use the liquor.  
To make sweet Vinegar, 
Sweet vinegar.  take five pints of strong Vinegar, and with as much new wine reserved upon the treading out of the grapes, add some quantity of pitch, and and put altogether in a vessel which you must stop very carefully: and after that all these have continued together for the space of some thirty days, you may use thereof for Vinegar: otherwise, take a vessel of new wine, and mingle it with two vessels of Vinegar, and boil them together till the third part be consumed. Some do add three vessels of spring water unto two of new wine and one of Vinegar, boiling them all together until the third part be consumed.  
To make mighty strong Vinegar, 
Mighty strong vinegar.  dry the gross of grapes two whole days, than put it in new wine, put thereto some of the unripe juice of corn, and you shall make a strong Vinegar, whereof you may have the use within seven days after: or otherwise, put pellitory of Spain into Vinegar and it will make it strong. Furthermore, if you boil the fourth or fifth part of Vinegar upon the fire, and put it unto that which is before prescribed, putting it after all this in the Sun some eight days, you shall have a pleasant and strong vinegar. The roots of couchgrass when they are old, boiled grapes, the leaves of the wild pear tree stamped, the roots of brambles and whey, the quick coals of burned acorns, and boiled ciche pease and hot tiles, even every one of these by themselves being cast into Vinegar do make the same strong.  
Pepper vinegar 
Pepper vinegar  is made by casting into vinegar or hanging therein whole pepper made up in a linen cloth, for the space of eight days,  
You sh●ll know if there be any water in the vinegar, 
Water in vinegar.  if you put into it any Salnitrum, for than if it swell up as though it would boil, you may boldly say that there is water in it.  
To make vinegar good to help digestion, and for your health, take eight drams of the sea onion, and two pints of vinegar, put them together into a vessel, and with them as much of pepper, mints, and juniper berries, then use it afterward.  
To make vinegar of sea onions, 
Vinegar of sea onions.  you must put ten such onions salted into fifty quarts of sweet new wine, and four pints and a half of strong vinegar, and if it be not sharp enough, than twice so much, in a pot holding fifty four quarts, & boil them till the fourth part be consumed: or if the wine be sweet, it must be boiled to the spending of the third part, but such wine may be of his own distilling out of the grapes before they be trodden and very clear: otherwise, put into a vessel thirty pints of strong vinegar, wherein let steep for the space of twelve days, the inward part of a white sea onion which hath been in the Sun thirty days: after that, take the vinegar and let it settle and abide in some place where you will to use it afterward. Dioscorides in his one and twentieth chapter of his fourth book describeth another manner of it.  
It is to observed and noted that all sorts of vinegar are best helped to keep their tartness, by putting into their vessels at the bung hole a stick of red withie.   

CHAP. XXI.  
Of the manner of making of Verivice.  
THe most common manner of making of Verivice in this country, is to gather the green grapes from of the vine frames, or the grapes which are not yet ripe, and are left upon the vines after vintage, and having gathered them, to tread and press them afterward, after the manner of ripe grapes, putting the liquor or juice thereof into vessels, and salting the same by and by, after that it hath purged out all its scum and filth, by boiling as new wine doth. In the Northern countries they do also make Verivice of crabs mingling a little salt therewithal. Some make a dry Verivice after this manner: they take the greenest that they can get, pressing the juice thereout, which afterward they boil in a brazen vessel until it become thick, and as it were congealed, than they dry it in the Sun, and keep it for their use: othersome boil it not at all, but dry it in the Sun, till it come to the thickness of honey.  
To make your Verivice look more green, and to be better, and to prevent that it may not turn and become mouldy or hoary, you must the day after it is turned up into its vessel, pluck a bunch or two of black grapes, and cast them into the vessel at the bunghole, even in whole clusters, and then to salt it after that it hath been boiled.   

CHAP. XXII.  
Containing certain discourses by the way of invention, nature, faculties, differences, and necessity of Wine.  
AS we have in the former book at large entreated of bread, and of the differences thereof, according to the use wherein it is employed, namely, the nourishment of man's body; so now after the manner of ordering and husbanding of the vine, and so of the fruit which cometh of such husbanding thereof, which is Wine, it shall not seem unreasonable, if summarily, we discourse and stand upon the necessity, nature, faculties, and differences of Wine, whereof we make so great account ordinarily in our drinking thereof.  
And to the end that we may now come to the matter: 
The necessity of drink.  Seeing not only the substance of man's body, but of all other living creatures is subject, (through vital heat continually working in them) unto a perpetual waist, and expending of itself: nature being provident over her own works, hath given unto and put in all sorts of living creatures, an incredible desire of eating and drinking, to the end that this waste and loss of substance might be repaired and restored by the well bounded increase coming of eating and drinking; for otherwise, natural heat destitute of such her food and nourishment, would quickly be choked and quenched. Now the substance of every living body is threefold: the first is, and consisteth of spirits: the second of humours: the third of solid parts: all which three substances may possibly be repaired by a solid substance, if so be that such solid nourishment could easily be digested and distributed, throughout the whole habit and universal mass of the body. But seeing that such is the solidness, hardness, and grossness thereof, as that it cannot, it was needful that it should be accompanied with some floating and fluid liquor, which might stand in steed of a waggon or chariot to convey and carry it up and down the body. join also thereunto, that this fluent liquor hath without comparison a greater power than the solid nourishment to let and hinder the drying up of the solid parts, and to temper all such heat, as otherwise, upon every light motion, might at every moment offend and hurt them. This loss and continual expense of this threefold substance (which in the end doth first bring old age; and afterward death) doth grow through that jar and disagreement which is in the four elements, whereupon the whole body is compounded and framed: which elements also, notwithstanding that they may seem united and joined together in a certain kind of harmony, consent, amity, and inviolable bond, yet by reason of secret rancour and mutual disagreement happening through their contrary qualities, they do so war one upon another, as that by little and little they do procure the ruin, dissolution, and utter overthrow of that body which before they had consented to frame and compose. Physicians over and beside this, do acknowledge another cause of this expense of nature, and bringing in of old age, and lastly death, which is fore-slowed and kept off by eating and drinking; and that is natural heat, which feedeth upon the radical moisture, seated in the substance of the solid parts: which moisture, the sooner that it is dried up, wasted, and consumed by the foresaid heat, so much the shorter is the course of life. But this radical moisture, and the continual loss of spirits, it repaired by the addition of eating and drinking, and so the life drawn forth to a longer term. Wherefore, Nature being careful of the preservation and long continuance of the bodies of living creatures, which otherwise, for the occasions above named, would grow old and perish in a few hours, taketh not any other course for the same but by eating and drinking, which are the two means to sustain and preserve (so much as is possible) the lives of all living things. And as for eating, let us leave off to have any thing to do with it, as having spoken thereof in the former book, and let us come to the second, which is drinking.  

The common drink of all living creatures is water.  
OLd and ancient Histories do sufficiently testify, that water was the first drink which men used generally throughout the world, and wherewith they contented themselves a long time, to use it only for the quenching of their thirst: but afterward, when voluptuousness seized upon men's appetite, they invented and set before them divers sorts of drinks. Wherefore having rejected water as a tastlesse and unsavoury thing, they have in place thereof (in all such Coasts and Countries as where the heat of the Sun might bring forth and lead along the grape unto his full ripeness) chosen Wine for the most excellent and delightsome drink of all others: as in other cold Countries, and such whereas the Vine could not grow, they have either still continued their drinking of water, or fetched and procured wine from other places, or else have prepared some other kind of drink coming near in some measure unto wine, which by the delicateness thereof might rejoice the heart, and gratify the taste. Whereupon, some in stead of water have taken up the use of Wine, and others of Beer and Ale: some of Cider and Perrie, and others, of all sorts: some of honeyed water, or water sweetened with sugar: and others, of other drinks pressed and strained out from fruits, or the decoctions of roots. All France, Italy, Sicily, Spain, and all other Countries which are far off from the North, do content themselves with wine, the Nation of the Turks excepted: who, being incensed either by the superstition of Mahumet, or stirred up thereunto by the ancient custom of Turks, do utterly abhor wine, and use in stead thereof honeyed water. England, Scotland, Dalmatia, Polonia, Sarmatia, and other Northern Countries do use partly wine, as procuring the same from other places, and partly Beer, in such sort, as that by how much the Countries are the colder, by so much the more they are given and addicted to wine and drunkenness: witness hereof is not only Germany, but also Frizeland, Dalmatia, and Flanders, the inhabitants of which countries do not only strive who shall drink most, and extol drunkenness unto the skies, but also do scoff at sobriety, and so highly disdain such people as strive to live soberly and temperately, as that they think them the most unworthy of their alliance and company. And yet (notwithstanding that so many sorts of drinks be grown in request in stead of water in many countries) wine seemeth to me to bear the bell, as being the most pleasant, delightsome, and excellent drink that can be found or thought upon.   

What is meant by wines.  
THe juice then of the grape, which either runneth from the grape being full ripe, or is pressed out with feet, or the press, before it be boiled, is called new or sweet wine, but after that it hath boiled, and thereby cast forth all his scum and dregs, it is properly called wine. Wherefore this boiling or working, by which in fine it is fined and settled from all his excrements, is not any manner of putrefaction, but rather an effect of natural heat engendered and naturally rooted in the same: for whereas the juice newly drawn out of the grape, doth contain in it many excrements, and those divers in nature, which the natural heat thereof cannot (without great strife, enforcement, and contending) concoct and overcome: it is necessary, that in this contention it should work out a heat, boiling, and very great perturbation, by reason of the strugglings of the two contrary heats: that is to say, the natural, which doth concoct the crude and raw matter of the new wine, and by that means separateth the excrementous parts from it: and on the other side, the strange and accidental heat which is kindled and raised in the crude and raw parts of the new wine, which encountering the natural heat no otherwise than is done in the crises of sharp sicknesses, at such time as natural heat doth concoct the crude and raw matter of the disease, and attempteth to make separation of the noisome and annoying matter, many disturbances, shake, heats, and other grievous symptoms do fiercely assail the party, until such time as natural heat (having overcome) proceed to the separating of the good and natural humours from the excrementous ones, and expel those which were the cause of the malady. And even so it falleth out in the boiling or working of new wines, wherein the accidental heat is overcome by the heat of nature, without any work of putrifacation: the heterogene and unnatural matter being separated from the homogene and natural: the unprofitable and excrementous humour consumed, and the flatulent or windy parts thereof discussed: and to be brief, all the profitable juice is in such sort concocted and digested, as that that which before was crude, flatulent, and hard to be digested, is become gentle, tractable, favourable, and very agreeable for men's use, as though it were quite changed and altered from his nature. Of new pressed wine is made the wine called Cute, in Latin Sapa: 
Sapa.  and it is by boiling the new pressed wine so long, as till that there remain but one of three parts. Of new pressed wine is also made another Cute, called of the Latins Defrutum: 
Defrutum.  and this is by boiling of the new wine only so long, as till the half part be consumed, and the rest become of the thickness of honey. Sometimes there is a wine made called Passum, 
Passum.  and it is when the grapes have endured the heat a long time upon the Vine.   

The inventors and first finders out of wine.  
Such as have written in Hebrew, as also the Scripture itself, doth testify, that No 
Noe.  was the first author of wine. Nicander Colophonius saith in his verses, that wine was called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Greek, 
Why wine is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Greek.  of the name of a man which was called Oenus, and first pressed out the new liquor out of the grape into his drinking cup. Others write, that Icarus 
Icarus.  was the first inventor thereof: and that very shortly after his invention he had condign punishment therefore, as being slain of the dressers of his vineyards, they being drunk. Whereupon Propertius saith, 
O Icarus, th'Athenian clown  
Deservedly thy life throws down.  Athenaeus saith, That the Vine was first found near unto the Mount Aetna, and that a dog passing that way, plucked up a little branch of a Vine tree out of the earth, and that Oresteus, son of Deucalion, which reigned in that Country, caused the same branch to be planted again, whereout there sprang many shoots of Vines, which he called Oenus, of the name of the dog which had plucked the same branch out of the ground: whereupon also the ancient greeks called Vines Oenas. The Latins say, That the Vine is called Vitis, quasi vita, because that wine doth quickly restore the vital spirits being wasted and spent, and doth comfort, repair, increase, and strengthen the natural heat that is weakened, which is the principal instrument of life, insomuch, as that by the use of wine it is made more freely disposed than it was before to perform all manner of actions requisite for the life of man. Old Writers are not of one mind concerning the first original and invention of the Vine, for every one of them almost hath his several opinion. But as concerning myself, I think that the Vine was brought forth of the earth, as other grass, herbs, and trees were from the beginning of the world, and that it brought forth grapes of itself without any tilling or dressing, and those like unto them which the wild Vine (called of us Labrusca) doth now bring forth, but that the first fathers did not so quickly know the use and profit of the Vine. For in America, Florida, and the newfound Countries, there are great store of Vines growing plentifully, and in great abundance, without any art or industry of men, although the use of wine be as yet unknown to the inhabitants of those Countries. Plato in his C●atylus saith, That wine is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quasi 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, that is to say, judgement, consideratenesse, and advisedness, because it furnisheth the intellectual part with judgement and advise, because by his quickness it restoreth the spirits, whereby it strengtheneth the mind as well as the body, as Mnestheus hath very well reported of it. Some likewise say, That the greeks call 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quasi 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, that is to say, profit and utility, because it is infinitely profitable. 
Why it is called Vinum.  The Latins call it Vinum ● vi, by reason of the violence it offereth to the spirit of man, when it is taken out of measure. The cause likewise why the old Writers called it Temetum, was because the immoderate use thereof holdeth captive and corrupteth the mind, 
Why Temetum.  that is to say, the understanding. We will define wine to be a juice extracted and pressed out of ripe grapes, purified and fined, contained in vessels sit for the receiving of the same, convenient and agreeable unto man's life, and therefore the liquors of the grape newly pressed out, is not to be called wine, because it is not fined, 
The definition of wine.  neither yet doth verjuice deserve the name of wine, because it is pressed out of grapes as yet not ripe.   

The temperature of Wine, and of the liquor newly pressed out of the grapes.  
THe new pressed juice of the grape is of temperature hot in the first degree, but wine is hot in the second degree, yea in the third, if it be old: it is likewise of dryness proportionable to his heat. It is true, that according to the regions, grounds, inclination, and disposition of the year, and such other differences, which do alter and change his temperature very much, it falleth out to be sometimes more, sometimes less, hot. The wines that Spain, Italy, Langu●doc, the Country of Narbone in France, Gascoigne, and other hot Countries do bring forth, prove hot and dry in the end of the second, yea in the beginning of the third degree, especially when the constitution of the year falleth out to be hot and dry, and when they are of a middle age. But such wines as grow in grounds about Paris, or other Countries which draw toward the Western or Northern quarter, do scarcely fall out to prove hot in the beginning of the second degree, no not in a hot and dry year, and though they be grown to a middle age, as not having passed the age of the first year. For when the years fall out cold and moist, all these kinds of wines for the most part growing in these Countries, become green and raw, and for the same cause called green wines, and those so weak, that hardly may they be judged to be hot in the first degree, and the year expired and gone about, their heat being likewise expired and spent, they either become altogether sour, or having lost their smell and taste prove to be nought and corrupted. 
Old wines are hotes than the new.  Whereupon that which the old writers have delivered concerning the temperatures and qualities of old Wines cannot be proved true of such Wines as grow in these countries, wherein the greatest part of French Wines within three or six months, or at the furthest by the end of the year, grow to the ●ull top and perfection of their goodness: whereas on the contrary, such as grow in hot countries, and become themselves more hot, will not be at the best, before the fifth, sixth, yea before the tenth year; which if it be so, you must think that the sinews and other senses of the body, do receive most harm by old Wines which grow in hot and dry countries: and that they are the less offended and hurt of the old Wines which grow in this our French soil which is more cold. In this country new Wine being sufficiently boiled up and fined, as it is more pleasant to the taste, 
New wine 〈…〉 in France.  so it is more hot, clean contrary to that which groweth in hot countries. Dioscorides writeth that old wine, for as much as it is hotter, doth hurt them very much which feel some weakness in some of their inward parts; but we cannot say the like of our wine when it is old, but rather of our wine when it is new, for the same reasons. Wherefore it followeth, that the opinion of Dioscorides and divers other Physicians, touching the heat and temperature of old wines, is to be understood of wines that grow in countries that are more hot, and not of such wines as (if they be dainty and delicate wines) will attain the height of their goodness, and sum of their perfection in six or eight months, or at the furthest by the end of the year, in such sort, as that the same being ended, they wax sour: yea, if they be right noble wines, they be well forward upon and toward their perfection in the beginning of the second year, or somewhat after. The force and natural heat of the dilicatest French wines is gone after the first year is once past: but in a noble wine it fadeth and falleth away by little and little, not before the second year be past. The wines of Gascoigne and Anjou, growing in a hot and dry season, draw very near unto the nature and temperature of the wines, whereof old writers have spoken: because the greatest part of them may be kept unto the the third year. The wines of Orleans are at the best the second year, and it stayeth with them to the end, but when the second year endeth, they begin to lose their goodness.  
Now if the case stand thus in hot countries, it is better to abstain from old wines, than from new which are altogether fined: for their old wines do heat out of measure; but the new wines stir not up any heat that may molest and trouble, and yet they also be very hurtful, because they digest very hardly, and beget many obstructions. Wherefore in countries that are more hot, new wines may be drunk without any prejudice to the health, being of a thin substance and well fined, because they have but a weak heat. But in these our countries which are cold and moist, old wines may be used, as also the new which are of a thin substance, well purged and fined. Notwithstanding our country old wines, in as much as after some long time they lose their heat, and thereby heat the less, are not so hurtful▪ unto the head as the new, or those which are of a middle age.  
The juice thereof newly pressed from the grape (in as much as it is raw, 
The juice of the grapes not 〈…〉 wrought.  windy, and of hard digestion, if therewithal it do not overturn the stomach, and provoke flux of the belly) doth stay a long time in the stomach and places thereabout, swelling and blowing up the same, and therein begetting rebellious obstructions hardly taken away and removed, as also it causeth troublesome dreams, and cold and durable diseases.  
New wines which are not as yet thoroughly digested, 
New wines or the juice of grapes which have ●ately wrought up.  are in temperature and faculty very like unto the new pressed liquor of grapes, for even they are so far off from perfection, as that they also become of hard digestion, and which is more, do not easily pass through the bowels and veins, or provoke urine any thing at all, being the great and sovereign helps which are to be looked for to come from wine. Yea Yea furthermore, they oftentimes hang and lie long in the body, and become very subject to sour in the stomach, if there be but some small quantity thereof taken more than is convenient.  
Wine which is well and sufficiently digested and wrought, 
The benefit of wine.  and thereby purified and fined from all such excrements and lees, as either the new pressed liquor is wont to cast up, or the same after further digestion is wont to settle down to the bottom, hath its virtues and properties all quite contrary, unto the vices and inconveniencies which accompany the raw liquor and newly concocted wines: for it is concocted easily, and carried through the bowels and veins quickly, it bringeth down and assuageth the fullness and swellings rising about the principal parts of windy or distending causes, as crudities and such like: it delivereth the womb or matrix from such obstructions, as the natural excrements thereof are wont to breed therein: it increaseth the strength of all the instrumental parts: it maketh way for the evacuation of all manner of excrements, and so provoketh sweat, but principally urine: it causeth sleep, and cureth cold poisons: it strengtheneth the stomach more than all the rest of the parts of the body, as being first received and entertained into the same, and hereupon in becometh a great friend to digestion, provoketh appetite succoureth and relieveth the heart by special property, thereby speedily repairing such natural and vital spirits, as have been wasted by sudden evacuation, wastings, or other occasions: it nourisheth also, preserveth, sustaineth and strengtheneth natural heat, whereas it beginneth to fail. Hereby it worketh upon the understanding awaking, and raising it up, cheereth, and encourageth the faint and languishing, and recreateth and rejoiceth the spirits, in regard whereof, Homer saith, that the Gods have given wine to men, for the driving away of their cares and troubles. And Socrates a guest at Plato's feast, praiseth the moderate use of wines in feasts and banquets, because (as he saith) it quickeneth a man to that which is good, and maketh the mind more ready to execute his offices and duties. Lastly, wine maketh the colour more lively and cherri-like and is found a most excellent, speedy, and singular remedy against all sownings and faintings which happen through excessive evacuation, or crudities molesting and troubling the upper mouth of the stomach. And in as much as it attenuateth, concocteth, and discusseth crud and cold humours, and flatuosities abounding in phlegmatic and melancholic persons, it becometh a most excellent drink, not only for phlegmatic and melancholic ones, but also for all such as are of a cold and moist disposition of body, but especially for old folks, and principally in Summer, in such countries as are given to be cold.   

The annoyances, hurts, and discommodities of wine.  
ANd yet notwithstanding that wine surpass in excellency and goodness all other sorts of drinks, it worketh many annoyances by reason of its quantity, quality, or vaporousnesse. 
The hurts and inconveniencies that wine worketh.  The most notorious and common annoyance that the vaporousnesse of the wine doth cause, is drunkenness, 
Drunkenness.  which as Athenaeus recordeth, maketh men sots and senseless, and yet so talkative and prattling, as that they cannot hold their peace, neither yet conceal any thing they know: whereupon the proverb groweth, that wine goeth barefoot, 
Wine goeth barefoot.  because the drunkard lieth open and naked on every side, and covereth or hideth things no more than the steele-glasse, for which cause the Poet Aeschilus' hath written, that the pictures of men's bodies are commonly to be seen in brass: but the shape and fashion of the mind in wine; And Plato affirmeth, that the manners and disposition of every man is known by wine. The Poet Theognis doth likewise advertise us, that as gold is proved in the fire, so the understanding part of man by wine, in these verses: 
Quale sit admotis explorant ignibus aurum:  
Mens hominis vinum, sana sit anne probat.   
Notwithstanding, when the brain is full of phlegm, the immoderate use of wine doth not so much make such men to be given to much talk, as to feel great heaviness in their heads, and to fall into deep and sound sleep. Ancient writers, as saith Plutarch, consecrated the disease called the Lethargy, unto Dionysius, because that such as spoil themselves with drinking of wine, for the most part fall into such kind of blockishness, feeling such a drowsy heaviness in the head, forgetting to remember what they should do, and suffering themselves to fall right down like dead men: For wine (as Aristotle observeth) fitteth the several natures of divers humours, 
〈◊〉 filleth the dispositions of the d●●nkers.  and applieth itself thereunto, howsoever that when it maketh drunken, it driveth the understanding from her accustomed estate, corrupteth the memory, and disturbeth all the senses. Notwithstanding, it maketh not all drunkards in all points alike, for some it maketh lumpish and drowsy, as such (as I have said before) as have their brains replete with phlegm: other merry and jocund, and those which are sanguined: many to be given to contentions, and much prattle, as such as are subject to yellow choler: othersome be given to pick quarrels, do wrongs, and work much harm, and those are such as are subject to black choler: and again, other some mute and dreaming, as those which are subject to a cold melancholic humour. Furthermore, such as become foolish and senseless by having drunk too much wine, their brain being filled with great quantity of blood and spirit, do● feel a heat throughout their whole body, but chiefly in their head, except they be such as wax cold and benumbed through their folly, as in whom the natural heat is not quickened and kindled, but rather smothered and choked by reason of the excessive quantity of wine which they have taken: no otherwise than the fire is quenched when there is too much wood heaped upon it, and the flame of the lamp put out when there is too much oil in the lamp. For as a little deal of fire is choked through a great heap of wood: even so natural heat is oftentimes strangled upon the sudden, by the excessive and immoderate drinking of wine. But and if it be yet so drunk immoderately, as that it cannot extinguish and suddenly destroy the natural heat, at the least by snubbing and checking of natural heat, hurting and enfeebling his actions, as also in diminishing the strength of the body by surcharging of it with heavy loads of superfluities: accidently it cooleth in such sort, as that it bringeth to nothing and quite undoth the provocations and acts of lust, which of itself and by its own nature it might otherwise marvelously provoke. 
That drunkards their seed and nature is not apt for generation.  And hereupon it is that Aristotle sayeth, That the seed of drunkards becometh dead and fruitlesle, and their children blocke-headed groutndles. Wherefore even as wine (when as by its fervent vapours it assaileth the head, and ●illeth the brain) provoketh drunkenness and foolishness: so when the said vapours are thickened somewhat and congealed into a serous and waterish substance, by the coldness of the head, if they be not discussed and spent by the power and force of nature, the excrement which shall be thereby engendered (although that the drunken sit being passed over, the party come again to the enjoying of his former estate, and seem to be well) if it remain long time in the brain, and being fast settled therein, grow further and gather more unto it, doth in the end stir up many diseases of the head, as hardness of hearing, deafness, noises in the ears, blindness, the falling sickness, convulsions, palsies, apoplexies, and many other such like, of all which, it is not otherwise to be accounted the cause and original, than by way of accident, as also of that sudden strangling disease, which it causeth not but very seldom. On the other side, if this excrement gathered in the brain by the immoderate use of wine, happen to fall down upon the inferior parts, it will breed many distillations, and catarrhs, hoarseness, rheums, coughs, gouts, difficulty of breathing▪ and many other symptoms, very hard to be cured: yea and by its vaporoushes, how soberly, and in how moderate quantity soever it be drunk, it becometh noisome and hurtful to such as have a weak brain, and their sinews and ioin●s infirm and feeble; for unto such people it becometh so egregious an adversary, as that if one troubled with the gout, should at the same time that this pain is upon him, taste but some few drops thereof washing his mouth only therewithal, he shall presently feel his pain increased, and falling into a far greater rage. Yea which is more, such excrement engendered in the head, getteth there such a kind of enmity and adverse quality, and that so at jar and maliciously bend against the joints, as that it rusheth itself in its distillations, rather upon the joints than upon any other parts, and so causeth gouts and joint aches. Finally, this excrement being of a subtle and sharp substance, falleth and penetrat●h easily into the lungs, as also corrupteth and exulcerateth them. There are also other most dangerous annoyances which wine of itself and by its very nature causeth. For in as much as it is of a hot and dry temperature, if it be not drunk moderately and well delayed, by the long use thereof in hot and dry bodies, it is with'ot to over heat and dry their noble parts, to engender great of choleric humours, which standing without remove and motion, must needs breed many maladies and diseases.  
From hence spring out agues both continual and intermittent, inflammations of the inward parts, as the liver, spleen, and lungs, the pleurisy, passion of the reins, and such other inflammations of many other parts, which have not as yet any proper name assigned them. Hence likewise grow all itches, tetters, wild fires, flying fires, cankers, and all sorts of ulcers. Those therefore that are prone and apt to fall into such inconveniencies of diseases, or which are already through the ill ordering of their life fallen into the same, must altogether abstain the drinking of wine, or at the least drink but a very little, yea though it should be very weak and well delayed with water. The old writers, and amongst others, Cicero in his third book of the nature of the gods, thought it good, that seeing wine doth seldom profit, and hurt very often, that it were better not to permit it at all to be used of those which are sick, rather than under a conceited hope of some doubtful health, to expose and lay them open to manifest danger by the use thereof. Notwithstanding we daily find, that the use of wine is very commodious and profitable for cold and moist complexions being such as are troubled with cold and moist diseases. Wherefore the wise and well advised Physician may tolerate the use thereof, when he knoweth that there is need for the concoction of some cold diseases: yea and oftentimes also in cold diseases, as in such whose conjoined and next cause, he findeth to be nourished and maintained by some primitive and antecedent cause that is hot.   

That it is not good for such as are in health to use pure and unmixed wine.  
THe learned of ancient time have always permitted the moderate use of wine being delayed with water, 
That undelaied wine is not wholesome for such as be in health.  when it should be used of them which were whole, but have always rejected and disallowed pure and undelayed wine, as also surfeiting, and that in their feasts and banquets. For Hesiodus commandeth that there should be three thirds of water mixed with one fourth part of wine, and this not to be used commonly, but at some solemn feasts and banquets. Athenaeus writeth, that the Grecians used to drink two glasses of wine, delayed with five glasses of water, or one glass of wine delayed with three glasses of water. 
What quantity of water is to be put to ●●ine.  And in very truth, our ancient predecessors did put and mingle wine amongst water, and not water amongst wine: for they put but a very little quantity of wine into their water, as Theophrastus reporteth. Which custom and use of sobriety must be followed and imitated by the decrees and appointment of Physicians. And as for the quantity of wine to be drunken, the poet Eb●lus bringeth in Dionysius speaking to that end in this sort.  
Tres tantum pater as, quibus est mens sana propine:  
Quarum quae fuerit prima, salubris erit.  
Proxima delicias factura est, tertia somnnm:  
Luxus erit positum transiliisse modum.  
This decree and ordinance hath been approved by them which have forbidden by their laws, that the Roman priests should not drink any more than three glasses at a meal.  
And as concerning age, wine is hurtful unto young children, as also unto them which are grown up to greater years, 
For what ages wine is m●st fit.  because that wine by his very much dryness destroyeth and overthroweth their hot and moist constitution, which Hypocrates commandeth to be maintained by things that are moist. And that it is so, we see, that such children as use to drink wine, howsoever it be dilayed (their liver being dried and overheated by the continual use of the said wine) do fall, for the most part, into a long and lasting flux of the belly, and in the end into an irrecoverable hectic fever, which the common people call a withering and pining away, and out of which there is not one of a hundred that escapeth. For this cause Galen was altogether against the giving of children any taste of wine, as also any others, who like children are of a hot and moist temperature and constitution, because that by his vaporousnesse it filleth the brain, and doth infinite hurt and mischief. Plato in his precepts of ordering a Commonwealth, commandeth children to be kept from wine till they be fifteen years old, and his reason is, for that fire must not be added unto fire: from fifteen unto forty he permitteth the moderate use thereof: and after this age he adviseth to drink much, and that very good, for the mitigating and qualifying of the discommodious, troublesome, and noisome occurrences which may happen in the life of man. And this his opinion is not altogether to be rejected: for as wine is altogether enemy unto children, so it maketh recompense in the good it doth unto old persons. Pliny saith, That wine hindereth those which prepare themselves to do, speak, or enterprise any good thing: and this was the cause why Plato forbade the use of wine to sage and learned men, except it were in their feasts or sacrifices. The Romans for sundry reasons did likewise forbid the use of wine to women and servants. We read in histories, That the virtues of many famous and great personages, have been obscured and eclipsed by the use of wine. Of this, we have Lysander, Captain of the Lacedæmonians, for a witness, who was a prudent, wise, and good disposer of all his matters and affairs, save that of the use of wine; Antioch●● the great, Demetrius lying for a pledge and hostage at Rome, Alexander of Macedon, Dionysius the younger, the tyrant, Zenocrates the Philosopher, Anacreon and Alcaeus the Lyric Poets, and Aristophanes the Comedian, Ennius, Marcus Antonius Triumuir, Cato Vticensis, and such others. For this cause the Locri inhabiting the Promontory Zephirium in Greece (as Athenaeus recordeth) thought it to be an offence worthy death for to drink wine. Of the same opinion at this day are the Saracens, moved thereto as well by Mahomet's law, as also by the imitating of the ancient custom of the Gentiles and Arabians. Let us then conclude, that wine, not only in excessive quantity, 
That wine is hurtful unto hat and dry natures, and good unto moist ones.  and by reason of his vaporousnesse, doth cause all the annoyances already set down, but that also in respect of his heat and dryness it is most pernicious unto hot and dry natures, as also unto hot and moist ones, if it be not well dilayed, especially if it be continually used, though it be taken in never so moderate a quantity: And yet notwithstanding more or less, according to age, custom, and manner of living, the season of the year, and constitution of the air: because that in old folk, and all such as in whom crude phlegm and melancholic juice doth abound, his heat and dryness is in such sort rebated, that for the most part it is used of them very safely and securely, both as a well nourishing, and likewise as a good Physical help, especially in Winter and cold Countries. You must therefore, in all sorts of natures, so temper all his noisome qualities by the mingling of water, as that it may be taken with the least hurt that possibly may be. When as therefore the wine is mixed with the water, the parts both of the one and the other are broken and parted (as it were) into small invisible portions, whereupon there ariseth betwixt them both a mutual doing and suffering, and their qualities so confounded and becoming one (notwithstanding their former contrariety) as that into how much the less parts the division is made, by so much the more apt and easy they prove to be mingled and made one. Whosoever therefore shall mingle wine with water, or water with wine, must first stir them a long time, and then before he drink them, let them settle and rest a while: because for certainty, the contrary qualities of the wine and water will be so much the more repressed, corrected, rebated and united, by how much they are the longer time and the more exactly mingled together. Although that (if we will examine the things a little near) we shall ●ind that even wine delayed, ceaseth no● to offend and do harm, if it be taken in over great quantity, or at unseasonable times, especially of such as are of a hot and dry disposition, as we shall declare hereafter. But this is enough which hath been said of wine in general: now let us examine all the particular differences of the same.   

The differences of Wine.  
IN wine we are to consider the colour, 
The differences of Wine.  relish, smell, faculty, and consistence, for from these are taken and gathered the principal differences of Wine. As concerning the colour, some is white, some of a light, some of a sad yellow, some betwixt red and white, like to the colour of honey, other some of a deep red, and others of a pleasanter red, black, or dark shadowed.  
White wine generally is of a thinner substance than the red, it is easily concocted and digested, it pierseth speedily through the whole body, worketh more upon the veins, but nourisheth less. That sort of white Wine which is thin, hot and full of Wine, is concocted and distributed more speedily than any of the rest, purging the blood by urine: but it offendeth the head most of all, especially French white Wine. Water by reason of its coldnesses, and red or dark shadowed Wine by reason of its thickness do slowly pass away by urine. The contrary is found in white Wine, especially such as is of a thin substance, and which is hot. That which is of a deep yellow, or somewhat inclining to a yellow, hath his virtues, approaching very near to those of the white Wine.  
Red Wine is wont to be more slow of concoction than all the rest, as also to be distributed throughout the whole body, 
Red Wine or dark coloured.  or carried away by urine, because it is of a grosser substance than any of the rest; but yet to recompense these discommodities withal, it nourisheth more, and offendeth the head less. The lighter red Wine holdeth the mean and middle catch of all the rest. White Wine which is of a thin and watery substance without any verdure or sharpness of taste, such as we have great store of here in our country, is likewise of an easy digestion, and quickly passing and distributed through the body, and yet notwithstanding hurteth not the head, neither increaseth any great store of heat, in so much as that this kind of white Wine is more wholesome and safe both for the sound and sick, than the white Wine which is thin and full of Wine in taste, especially in persons that are fat and full bodied, because it nourisheth less than all the rest. Galen is of judgement, that red and thick Wines are turned without any great pain into blood, and so next unto them the black or deep red and gross wines, if so be they be accompainied with some small smatch of sweetness: and next unto these which are of a light red, those which are of a deep red, thick substance, and astringent faculty, nor for that they can be digested more easily, or distributed more speedily, than white or yellow Wines, but because that being once concocted in the stomach, and sent unto the liver, they are easily changed and turned into blood, notwithstanding they seem not the least removed and differing from the nature of the same: for white and yellow Wines of all other are wont to be the speediliest concocted in the stomach, and to be conveyed unto the liver: but they yield less store of blood than those which are thick and red, and so do fat less. Wherefore yellow Wine, or the redlike Wine being of a thin and piercing substance, by how much it approacheth the nearer unto the faculties of thin white Wine, by so much it begetteth the thinner and more fluent blood, and therewithal hot if it be hot, or temperate if it be waterish and weak, such as the Grecians use to call Oligophorum, which signifieth a Wine admitting but small quantity of water to be mixed therewith: yea a reasonable cold blood, if it be yet somewhat green and unripe. But the deep red Wine which is harsh and rough, whereas for its thickness it is profitable to comfort the loose and wearish stomach, but nourisheth not much: so in like manner it increaseth and redoubleth the obstructions of the liver, spleen, and reins, as also it maketh a thick, 〈◊〉, and melancholic blood, & so withal begetteth many melancholic diseases. The red wine that is somewhat clear and thin, seemeth to hold of both, and so standeth as a mean betwixt them both. Wherefore Dioscorides following the opinion of Hypocrates hath rightly said, that deep red wines were thick, and of hard concoction and digestion: for all thick wines, whether they be of a deep or light red, do nourish (to speak the truth) abundantly, and fat the body, but they put the stomach to more pain in concocting of them, than those which are somewhat clear and of a thin substance. Furthermore, they being of hard digestion and distribution, and not easily passing away by urine, through the long and continual use of them, they engender flatuous swelling, and windieneffe in the belly and bowels. Wherefore yellow and white wines, that are of a subtle substance and very ripe, are to be better accounted of, and esteemed as more wholesome for all such as have need, or desire to be heated, as old folks, phlegmatic, and melancholic persons that be cold of nature, as also for them that lead their lives in idleness, in cold country's and cold seasons, as in Winter, heapinging up great store of superfluities and raw humours in the veins: for they are likewise more profitable for the furtherance of concoction to be made in the stomach, liver, and veins, than those which are waterish and sweet; but very many times they offend and hurt the head and sinews, and make a full brain: for this cause they are enemies and contrary to such as are hot by nature, or have a moist brain, or their sinews and ioin●● weak and subject to distillations: for unto such bodies, the wines that are a littlered and somewhat astringent, are far more meet and convenient, because they be not so fuming, and therefore do not charge the head so heavily. But as for deep red wines, they are most fit and convenient for diggers and deluers, husbandmen, dressers of vines, and others which live a toilsome and painful life. Wherefore white wines, yellow, red, or claret, and of those only such as are of a subtle substance, delicate and watery, (called of the greeks 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which is to say, admitting but small store of water to be mingled with them) are harmless to all, and to be used with all safety and security.  
The white and yellow, or redlike wines which are of a thin and subtle substance, together with the claret, weak, watery, raw, and greenish, being of a cold and moist temperature, (such as are very usual and common in the grounds about Paris) do nourish the body very little, and are harder to be digested, than those which will bear but a little water, but they cool and moisten more than the ●est, and where as they nourish but a little, they are said on the other side to make the body lean. They bring not any detriment or harm unto the head, liver, reins, or bladder, but being long used, they hurt the stomach, bowels, matrix, and spleen very much: and which is more, are professed enemies to all such as are cold and moist by nature, and especially unto old folks. chose, they are somewhat profitable for hot and dry natures, and if natural heat be strong, they pass away, and are evacuated easily by urine, and this is a thing that is common to all green wines which are of a subtle substance. The like judgement is to be had of diseases, for as they are tolerated with all security in hot natures, so in like manner they prolong and increase cold diseases. And thus sufficiently as it seemeth unto me, concerning the nature, quality, and use of wine, gathered from the colour thereof.  
As concerning the relish: some wines are sweet: some sharp: some bitter: some rough and harsh: some sour and tart, and both of them astringent: others of a mixed nature, betwixt sweet and rough; others green or greenish, and these are very common and usual in the grounds about and belonging to Paris.  
In general, all sweet wines, 
Sweet wines.  whether they be white or red, do nourish more than other, heat indifferently, provoke thirst, swell and stop through the much use thereof the prnicipall parts, but the liver and the spleen more than all the rest, especially if they be gross and thick, for look how much the thicker they be, so much the more unwholesome they are. Sweet wine (saith Hypocrates) doth less burden and charge the head, then that which is strong and full of wine, it less offendeth the understanding also, yea it looseth the belly, but it is not good for such as abound with choleric humours, for that it provoketh thirst and windiness. True it is that it is good for such as are much troubled with the cough, because it raiseth up phlegm the more easily in all such, except they be subject to thirst and dryness.  
Sweet white wine 
Sweet white wine.  is of a thinner substance, than sweet red wine. It helpeth spitting more than any other, so that it be not too gross and thick, for it concocteth raw phlegm in the breast, it smootheth and maketh plain the roughness of the inward parts, and in that respect is profitable for the l●ngs, reins, or bladder being rugged or rough: but in the mean time it hurteth the liver, because that as I have here while said, it swelleth and puffeth it up, and causeth obstructions therein. It causeth thirst likewise in hot and dry natures, because it maketh obstructions, and is easily turned into choleticke matter, as all other things are which are sweet. Notwithstanding, it procureth drunkenness less than any other, in as much as it offendeth the head but a little. Dioscorides hath spoken very rightly thereof, saying, that such sweet wine is of thick substance, that it passeth not so easily through the body, and that therefore it nourisheth more than that which is of a thin consistence and substance. He saith further, that it swelleth up the stomach, and like the liquor of grapes before it hath wrought, it looseth and troubleth the belly and inward parts. And this must be understood of sweet wine, which is not come yet to his full ripeness, and not of that which is thin, clear, ripe, and already thoroughly concocted. Which kind of sweet white wines are sent hither in great abundance from the country of Anjou, and they hold their sweetness two or three years.  
Such sweet white wines are not so hurtful as those which are not ripe, or which are thick: they provoke urine sufficiently, loosen the belly, and moisten. Wherefore you must diligently and wisely discern and distinguish the sweet wine which is crud and unconcted, from that which is already ripe, and fit for to be used.  
All sweet white wines do nourish abundantly, but yet more or less, according to the proportion of their thickness and grossness, and for this cause such as have need of restoratives must use sweet wines, especially if their reins liver, and spleen stand sound and free from all infermitie: for when the principal parts be obstructed, and the veins full of gross blood, than wine that is of subtle substance is most needful and profitable. When the veins are replete with cold and gross blood, then sharp, strong, and mighty wines are more convenient. If the veins be full of hot and thick blood, the wine that is sharp and old is not good, but rather a claret or white wine that is very watery, yea, and somewhat greenish, if the stomach will bear it, and the soil of the country permit it.  
Galen affirmeth that no white wine heateth greatly, 
Galens' judgement of white wine.  and that such as heateth much, cannot be sweet. And yet notwithstanding, there are brought unto us out of hot countries many white wines that are very hot. And we have likewise sweet wines partly growing in our own country of France, as at Longiumeau, and Tonnerrois, called white beaten wine: partly brought from the country of Anjou, excellent good, and very hot, which in taste resemble the savour and relish of a Hippocras made of white wine, and will hold and continue sound and perfect good, three, four, yea six years. In Greece their white wines are not found to be very pleasant and sweet, as in this our country there are not to be found any red wines very pleasant, except upon their new pressing out. Notwithstanding the country of Bordelois doth furnish us with sufficient quantity of red wines, that are very sweet, but they are all of them of a thick substance, and their juice or liquor breedeth very many obstructions.  
Harsh and coarse wines do procure urine more than the sweet, 
Rough and harsh wines.  but less than such as are of a middle kind betwixt both, and yet again, those which are tart and sour, do also provoke urine more weakly than those which are of a middle temper. The rough and coarse wine doth corroborate the stomach and principal parts by his astringent faculty, provided that the stomach be furnished with sufficient strength and force of heat, for otherwise in a cold and weak stomach it proveth, for the most part, to be hardly concocted and digested. Of all other wines, it lest hurteth the head, but therewithal it proveth to be the slowest in distributing itself abroad into the veins and substance of the body: for which reasons, it falleth out to be unfit to be used in swoon, sudden faintings, and all other feebleness, looseness, and languishing of the strength, as also where there are any notorious obstructions in the principal parts. But which more is, it bindeth the belly, or else looseth it not sufficiently.  
We have spoken of greenish white wines, 
Green wines.  whereunto the reddish green wine hath like qualities, especially if it be of a thin substance and watery, and yet more, if it be thin, watery, and pale.  
Generally, the green or raspe wine, in as much as it containeth more water than wine, nourisheth the body but a little, is of hard digestion, and so it moveth windiness and wring in the belly, because it is of a cold temperature. Hence it cometh, that old folks, cold and moist natures, and such as have weak stomachs, receive damage by it: and next unto these, such women as have not their terms aright, and are subject to pale and swarth colours. Notwithstanding it passeth away speedily by urine, because it is thin, and annoyeth not the head: and for this reason it is very profitable for all hot and moist natures, as for young folks, which have a boiling and burning blood in them, if their stomach be in good state, especially in Summer time: for which respect, being dilayed with a sufficient quantity of water, it will serve very fitly (in like manner as the wine called of the greeks Oligophorum) in all such agues as wherein wine may be permitted, save only that it is somewhat hard of digestion, and causeth many obstructions. Such green wines, as together with their greenness are astringent or sour, are without comparison more hurtful than any other every way, and in all respects, because they hardly ripen, and concoct, engender obstructions, and pass very slowly either by urine or stool. Notwithstanding, they become ripe in time, if they be let alone in cellars till the raw and crude parts thereof be overcome by their own proper and natural heat. But it shall not seem to exceed the bounds of reason, if we discourse somewhat more freely of the verdure of our wines, to the end we may be able to discern and find out that which is in wines by way of purchase, from that which is naturally in them. Galen writeth, That the astringent quality in wines is separated and remaining apart from their verdure, as their goodness is from their badness: beside, it is very likely, that in hot and dry Countries there are not any green wines growing naturally: but in this our Country of France there are many greenish wines pressed out from grapes that are not yet ripe: but especially in cold and moist years, some which are very thin and watery: others more thick and gross, and by that means either astringent, or else rough and harsh: strong and mighty wines, if they be never so little tainted with greenness, presently they become sour, and altogether unmeet to be drunk. But such as being pressed out from grapes, scarce half ripe, differ not much from the greenness or sharpness of common verjuice, if they be not concocted by little and little through a strong and forcible heat contained in their crude and raw matter, and so in the end become ripe, their greenness being by little and little diminished: and such are not passing of a years continuance; serving rather for the rude and homely people, than for dainty and delicate personages. For certain, all greenness in wine is a fault in those wines wherein it is: but yet that is the worst of all the rest which happeneth unto wines sometimes good and commendable, either by being kept too long, or else by having been ill kept, or otherwise by some other occasion: less dispraiseable and hurtful, without comparison, is that which happeneth in our French wines, which by the weakness of the heat of the Sun, coming short of their sufficient concoction, become green from their first original and growth, as they which are green, by reason of the green and unripe grapes, from whence they are pressed. For such greenness as happeneth unto wines once good and commendable, is hurtful unto all men, and cannot be redressed, thereby making such wines unfit to be employed about any other use than either for medicine or sauces: whereas that which is borne and engrafted into such green wines, if it be not suppressed and digested by natural heat, becometh only hurtful to cold and moist constitutions and old folks, but not unto strong, lusty, and hot natures, neither unto them which are accustomed to travail, and to avoid idleness. You shall find many harsh, rough, and sour wines, which are also green: and in like manner, you shall find some that are green, and yet not rough and course. Such as are rough and green, through their vehement astringency, do close, shut up, dry, and dull the throat, tongue, and other parts of the mouth: whereas such as are simply green, do not the like, but cool them only. The rough and harsh wines, in as much as they are raw and crude, and cannot be concocted and digested of their natural heat that is but weak; yet they close and bind the stomach, and by such occasion stay the flux of the belly. Wines that are simply green, do not the like, if they be not harsh, rough, and astringent withal: and they do rather annoy the stomach and all the membranous and nervous parts by reason of their cooling property and quality: which being situate in a thin and subtle matter, and therefore apt to pierce deeply into the parts, and by their qualities provoking and disquieting the substance of the said parts, doth corrupt and dissolve the laudable temperature, force, and constitution of the said stomach, and of the said membranous and sinewy parts. Whereupon it ensueth, that such green wines do for the most part cause crudities, wring, and the flux of the belly, manifold obstructions of the liver and spleen, besides the disease called the Hypochondriake melancholy. Galen denieth, that wines which are hard and green, do heat at all, and that the sour, rough, and harsh relish doth actually consist in a mean matter, participating both of the watery and earthy elements: but that the hard, green, and sour relish doth consist in an earthy and dry substance, which doth not manifestly participate of the water, or any moisture. Whereby it may manifestly appear, that neither the one nor the other relish hath any heat ruling in it, but cold, and that in the tart, harsh, and rough relish accompanied with moisture, but in the sour with dryness. But for as much as wines are seldom consisting of one only simple and pure relish, and that all wines (of what taste or relish soever they be) are in temperature hot and dry, you must understand, that sour and harsh wines are accounted cold, or else not hot, not simply, but by comparison, because indeed they heat less than other wines, and that not quickly, and so soon as they be drunk, but in the end, and aftersome continuance of time: for otherwise the opinion of Galen were not to be received, seeing that we observe and see every day, that all sorts of wines, of what taste or relish soever they be, be they hard or harsh, do heat manifestly, and make men drunk sooner or later, if they be received into a hot and strong stomach: for their heat, as a thing buried in crude and raw matter, although it be a long time first, and with great difficulty, breaketh forth at the last, manifesting itself in the end, and bringing forth the fruits of his maturity: and this we may find in our French wines, which nourish, maintain, recreate, yea, and make drunk the Husbandmen, Vine-dressers, and other persons of poor handicrafts using to drink the same. But let this suffice which hath been said of the natural taste and relish of wines: and now let us search out the causes of the sourness or tartness, incident to good and commendable wines. 
The cause of sourness in wines.  Some think, that wines grow sour through heat, because that dainty, weak, and feeble wines are changed and turn sour in the Spring time and Summer, and in Winter retain their natural qualities entire and sound. This opinion is confirmed, because that weak wines being stirred and tumbled in forcible sort, or carried far, or laid in cellars that are open upon the South or Eastern quarter, do quickly become sour. And contrarily, such as are not tossed to and fro, or removed, but kept in cellars lying upon the North, do not sour at all: as if it were by the cold, that their virtues and good qualities were preserved, and by the heat, that they were changed and corrupted. So as the like in all points doth befall wines which are weak and waterish, to that which happeneth unto a burning candle, and to small and weak sparks of fire, which if you lay open in the hot Sun, or before any great and vehement flame, you shall see them languish, yea wax dark, and altogether to fade away and go out. It is then through heat, that all the weakest wines turn sour, and that by having their weak heat spent and overcome by an outward and accidental heat, which is more strong, causing the same to fade, and for the most part vanish quite away: For a weak nature cannot endure either any strong heat, or vehement motion, but fainting under them, it becometh wasted and spent, and in fine perisheth. But chose, wines which have their heat strong, and consist of such matter as is not easy or apt to be wasted and spent, being removed, rolled, transported, or else laid open to the South Sun, or kept in any hot place, do not only not sour quickly, and in a short time, but rather become a great deal the more ripe, and are made more ready and better to be drunk. For that which befalleth through long continuance of time to strong, mighty, and noble wines, which are shut up and laid in cold ca●es under the earth, by the means, power, virtue, and efficacy of their own and natural heat, which concocteth, digesteth▪ and ripeneth by little and little their crude and raw matter: the same is effected and wrought in a short time in wines which are heated by art, that is to say, by stirring and rolling, and by the heat of the Sun, or of some fine subtle fire, which doth concoct and digest the most crude and raw matter that they can be found to have. For as the enduring of the heat of the Sun, and the under-going of vehement exercises, maketh stronger and more able the bodies of men that are hot and lusty, but on the contrary, doth overthrow, weaken, dissolve, and cool weak bodies: even so, hot wines are sooner ripe, concocted, and digested, by heat, or moving either of the Sun, or of some hot fire made near unto them: but those which are more weak and watery, if you heat them overmuch, do take great damage and harm, and are weakened more by the working of such vehement heat, either of the Sun, stirring, or fire, which corrupteth and spendeth at once, and in a moment, some part and portion of their weak and feeble heat, which afterward, in like manner, by little and little, will be overcome and wasted, and thereupon such wines weakened and made unsavoury. It is the mean and middle heat therefore that all things receive profit by: seeing the immoderate and extreme is no less harmful than cold. Wherefore, after that the weak heat of wine shall, for the most part, become wasted and spent, by the outward heat of the air compassing it round about, it groweth sour: and so likewise it is wont to fall out by the maliciousness of strong and piercing cold, breaking the heart of the weak heat in the wine, and thereby killing the same. For when the said heat is quite overcome and banished, so as that the wine looseth his fragrant odour and pleasant sent of wine, it is not said to sour, and therefore not called vinegar, but indeed is called by the name, not of wine, but of decayed and spent wine, which the Latins call Vappa. Furthermore, whereas amongst watery, weak, and feeble wines, there are some raw and greenish ones, which we have declared already to be enemies unto cold and moist natures: and other, which are neither raw, not greenish, but delicate ones, and thoroughly ripe, but therewithal of a thin and subtle substance, and which for their easiness to be concocted, and speediness in being distributed, become very good and profitable both for sound and sick, and are called of the greeks Oligophora, because they will not admit the mingling of any great quantity of water with them: The first may, without any injury offered unto their strength, abide to be stirred and carried to and fro, especially if with this natural greenness there be joined some harshness and roughness. But the second cannot endure to be removed or carried to and fro: the reason is, the heat of the first is hid, and lieth in a crude and raw matter, whereof it standeth it upon, as much as lieth in it, to acquit and rid itself: a ready help whereunto, is the moving and stirring of the same, because hereby it is enabled the sooner to show forth itself, and to manifest his force in more powerful and cheerful manner than before, because the crude and raw matter wherein it lay, as it were covered and hid, is become refined and concocted in process of time. chose, the weak heat of the second sort, which consisteth in a thin matter or substance, and that already concocted, is spent and overthrown with the least motion and hea●, and therefore doth very easily evaporate and breathe out all his force and strength. It seemeth that the opinion of Galen and other ancient Writers, affirming that no green wine doth heat, must be understood of this second sort of wine, called of the Grecians Oligophora, for that it is possible, that the old Writers never knew, neither ever heard tell, that any greenish wines were naturally growing in places and countries that are hot and scorching. 
That there is great difference betwixt sourness and greenness in wines.  Certainly, there is great difference betwixt that tartness or sourness, which is an accidental vice or fault in wines, and that greenness or sharpness, which is a natural taste and relish in them, pressed out either from grapes naturally green, or else from grapes which have not as yet grown to their full maturity and ripeness. For the tartness of wines, besides the great sharpness and acrimony therein, being such as is in vinegar, whereby it disquie●eth and offendeth the stomach, membranes, and all the sinews, is likewise of that nature, as that it cannot by any skill or cunning be subdued and corrected in such manner, as that the wine once tainted therewith, can at any time be restored unto his former goodness, and made such as may be drunk without the prejudice and hazard of man's health. But on the contrary, the greenness which continueth in wines, as bred in them, besides that it is always free from the foresaid sharpness and acrimony, is found not to continue any long time, in as much as the raw and cold matter, wherein the heat of green wine consisteth, is concocted by little and little, and thereupon this heat (thus as it were buried in this crude matter) doth by little and little grow strong, and showeth ●orth his force more effectually: so that the said greenness is by degrees diminished and wrought out, and the wine made a convenient and profitable drink for the use of men: yea, and that also even where this greenness, through the weakness and imbecility of heat, cannot any whit be wrought out and taken away: for so we find it, seeing that green wines are not refrained, but ordinarily drunk, and used.  
Dioscorides was of judgement, That sour and rough wines caused headache and drunkenness, whereas our harsh and rough wines, the rougher they are, do offend and annoy the head so much the less. And for a certainty, all manner of drink, by how much it is the more odoriferous, and of a thin and subtle substance, so much the more it disquieteth and disturbeth the brain with his vapours, and ministereth larger matter for the nourishment of rheums and distillations. Notwithstanding, if sour and rough wines do happen once to cause drunkenness, than such drunkenness fall●th out to be of the worst sort, and most rebellious and hard to be overcome. So then, all our sourish, harsh, and rough wines, such as are those of Burgundy, as they are nothing so odoriferous, so neither do they cause any whit like so many exhalations and vapours, and therefore also do they less offend the head, and procure drunkenness, than any others: And so as that Galen hath therefore testified of them, that they ought to be well accounted of and esteemed profitable and fit to be used of such as have the gout, as also of all others which are subject to the distillations of the brain.  
Such wines are called apparel or bastard wines, 
What wines are to be called bastards.  which (betwixt the sweet and astringent ones) have neither manifest sweetness, nor manifest astriction, but indeed participate and contain in them both the qualities.   

Of the consistence of Wine.  
AS concerning the consistence of wine, some is of a thin, subtle, and clear substance, 
The consistence of wine.  and othersome of a thick and gross, and some of a mean and middle consistence betwixt both. Of those which are of a thin and subtle substance, some are weak and waterish, which the Grecians call 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, that is to say, not admitting the mixture of any quantity of water, of which we will speak more amply hereafter, being (as it were) like unto water in thinness and colour, and having little or no sent in them, neither yet any manifest heat. They nourish but very little, for there is is but a very little of their substance turned into blood: but they cause great store of urine, and agree better than any other wines, with all sorts of natures, if we may believe Gal●n. There are other weak, waterish, and greenish wines, very ordinary in this country, which are hurtful unto old men, and all other cold constitutions, as having in them very small store of heat: and yet sometime profitable unto hot constitutions, as in Summer, according to our former advertisement. There are others that are very good, but hot and strong, of an easy concoction, and speedily distributed, but nothing less vapourous than white wines, whereupon they trouble the brain, and make men drunken, and so prove hurtful to such as are rheumatic and subject to distillations. Such wines are brought hither out of Gascoigne, very well pleasing princes, and men of great estate, all of them being of a yellow colour, either deeper or lighter. The wines of Ay, as they are inferior to them of Gascoigne in strength, so they are better, and without comparison more wholesome.  
The gross and thick wines, some of them are simply such, and consist in mediocrity, and othersome are very gross and thick. We have heretofore declared that gross wines are of a more hard concoction, and slow digestion than other wines are; but being once concocted and digested, they yield a more firm and solid nourishment unto the body. And of them more than the rest, such as are very gross and thick, which for certain are hardest to be concocted and digested of all others. These sorts of wine, for that they engender many rebellious and obstinate obstructions, are not fit to be used but of dressers of vineyards, and such other as lead a toilsome life, as we have declared before. Such wines as are indifferent thin, and indifferent thick, are profitable for many purposes, and the rather in that they charge not the head as the strong wines do, and those which are of subtle substance: neither yet engender obstructions, as those which are thick and gross do. The wine called of the Grecians Oligophorum, is the holesomest of all others.  
Wine smelleth well, 
The 〈◊〉 or smell of wine.  or else nothing at all. The odoriferous wines are very apt and commodious for the begetting of good humours, and to recreate and fetch again the powers of the body, but they assail and charge the head, especially, if it be of a subtle substance, and of a reddish or yellowish colour, or of a deep yellow: they are also more hot than the other sorts of wines. For that which is such, doth help very much for the making of concoction easy, and for the begetting of fine and subtle blood, but it filleth the head full of vapours and heat, and greatly offendeth the sinews and understanding: whereupon it proveth very apt to cause headache and a world of rheum. The wine that hath small or no smell, no not any more than water, is called waterish. Such utter deprivation or want of smell in wine, is a mighty note, and most certain mark that the same is but a weak and cold wine: as the strong and mighty smell of the same, is a very notable sign of his force and strength. Such wine as is neither of an ill smell, neither yet without smell, but hath a certain s●inging and unpleasant sent, which it hath gotten either of the soil, or of the vessel, or by some other occasion, is not good for any body. For as nothing (as Columella testifieth) draweth to it strange and unnatural scents more speedily than wise. In like sort nothing impaireth or communicateth his hurtful qualities sooner to the heart and noble parts, than wine when it is drunk.  
Amongst wines, 
The virtues of wine.  some are generous and noble wines, and therefore said to be full of wine, contrary to those which are waterish, and admitting the mixture of much water. These heat much, hurt the sinews, make a full brain, stir up frenzies, mightily increaseth the heat of agues, and to be brief, they are not delayed with a great quantity of water, and do good but to a few. There are other which are weak, and for this cause called Oligophora and watery. 
W●ake wines.  These wines are of two sorts, some greenish which have a sensible cooling faculty, fitting choleric stomachs and hot countries, if so be that a strong stomach can bear them, and of these we have spoken before: others which are watery, and of a thin substance, not retaining any smell, but agreeing with all natures, be the stomach never so weak, and especially with those which are often tormented with the megrim or long continued headache: they comfort concoction, provoke urine and sweat, and offend the head nothing at all: more harmless than any other sort of wine: they may be permitted to such as are sick of agues, for that they cannot be said to be of any manifest quality, as other wines may: for they are neither sour, nor astringent, neither yet sweet or sharp, nor yielding any kind of smell. Of these kinds of wine, some (as Galen saith) grow in every country and coast, but much more in this of France than in any other, the greatest part whereof do participate a certain greenness, especially when the years fall out cold and moist. Such wines are called of the Grecians 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. They are not any way noisome or hurtful to the head, but very profitable, because (as Galen saith) they assuage and take away headache, rising of the crudity of the stomach: that is to say, when the stomach being weakened, and (as it were) relaxed by the eating of some hurtful victuals, or by the drinking of some such like water, is made the receptacle of some offending humour, ●lowing thither from the whole body. Which offensive humour so contained in the stomach, becometh corrupt, and from that corruption sendeth up burn and adust fumes unto the brain, which cause like pain in the head to that which cometh of fasting: and from these annoyances the head is delivered by the use of this wine▪ which by and by tempereth these putrefied ●umes, especially if the wine have any astringency in it, whereby the stomach may be fortified and strengthened. For such wines do by and by drive downward that which is hurtful in the stomach, carrying it along with itself, and casting it forth: and therefore very available for such as live a loitering and sitting life, and apply themselves wholly unto the reading and studying of good Authors.   

The differences of Wines, according to the properties of the Countries.  
IT remaineth now, that we briefly discourse of the wines which we use in Paris, and those such as are either grown there, or brought thither out of other Countries and Regions. The French wines offer themselves in the first rank, which growing in the grounds & borders near about Paris, and the whole Isle of France, and other places adjoining thereunto, are amongst all others, and above all others, best agreeing with students, Citizens of Towns: and to be brief, with all such as live a quiet, idle, and restful life, especially those which are made in well seasoned years, or such as show forth their several qualities, every one in his proper and due season. For such wines do not heat, burn, and dry the inward parts of the body, as the wines do which are brought us from Gascoignie, Spain, and other countries more hot, which by reason of excessive heat, and too great dryness, do burn the liver and spleen in such as drink them: Such wines do not make a replete, heavy, or offended head with multitude of vapours, as other wines of Orleans do. In like manner, such wines do not load the body with superfluousness of serous excrements, as do the crude & greenish wines, which grow in these grounds in cold and moist years, or which are brought us hither from other cold Regions and Countries. Such wines likewise engender no obstructions, neither do they gather any quantity of melancholic humour, as do the thick and red wines, which are sent us by sea from Bordeaux. These wines, when they be through ripe, they are of a very p●easant taste, especially such as are yellow, clarert, and white, which are of a hot & dry temperature, as other wines, but not above the first degree, or the beginning of the second: on the contrary, the wines of Spain, Gascoigne, and others such like, are hot & dry in the end of the third degree. Wherefore these our French and native wines ought to be preferred before all strange & foreign ones, seeing they burn and heat the bowels & inward parts overmuch, and that as well for the use of such as are in health, as of those that being sick, are yet permitted their wine. Amongst these our French wines, some are white, othersome are of a deep yellow, commonly called clarets, or reddish wines, which are the most wholesome of all, so that they be not accompanied with any sourness and harshness: for rough & harsh wines, and others which are green, if they become not ripe and mellow in time, by the concocting of their crudity & greenness, they stand for things not fit to be used of any but rude and rustical fellows, which live by toiling their bodies with great labour and travel. The rest are all red, more or less. But of all other French wines, there is very small store of sad and light red coloured ones.  
White claret wines being bright, clear, and through ripe or mellow, in as much as they are of a subtle substance, are easily concocted, digested, and distributed: they provoke urine, nourish the body but a little, but they rejoice the spirit, and are for the same cause taken, longed after, and desired of all. Some of them are ready to be drunk the second or third month: othersome not before the seventh or eight month. All of them begin to fade and lose their goodness in the beginning of the second year. The red, although they be bright and clear, are not of so subtle a substance as the former, and therefore they nourish more, and are more fit for such as live hardly, than for such as live delicately and nicely: and what although they cannot be so easily concocted and digested, nor so speedily distributed, neither yet cause such abundance of urine, as those which are yellow, claret or white: yet travel, often exercises and labour doth overcome all these inconveniencies, yea, and whatsoever greater that such red wines may engender and breed. Amongst them, those which participate and have any sourness or astriction, become not mellow before the Summer heat, whereupon it followeth, that the second year, their crud and raw parts being concocted and digested, they grow to be more excellent than they were in the first.  
The deep red and vermilion coloured are for the most part harsh and rough, and so the most unpleasant and unwholesome of all other: for that they are wont to be ill concocted and digested, and slowly distributed, as also to engender many obstructions, and beget a gross and melancholic blood. And for these causes are not convenient but for such as labour and lead a very toilsome life, in whose bodies they being once concocted and digested, do nourish very much, and make them more strong and lusty to go about and finish their work, and therewithal corroborate their stomach.  
Of white French wines, those are most accounted of, which are clear and bright as rock water, of a subtle substance, neither sweet nor green: such do nourish the body a great deal less than the yellow and claret wines; but in recompense thereof, they are more easily concocted, digested, distributed, and carried more speedily and readily through all the veins. True it is, that they are accompanied with this inconvenience, namely, that they do more assault the head, (and therefore are to be accounted greater enemies unto gourie persons, such as have weak brains, and are subject to rheums and diseases of the ionts, and such likewise as have weak joinus) than the red which are not yet come to their livelihood and maturity, which strengthen and corroborate the mo●th of the stomach, by reason of some easy astringency that is in them. Such as in the first months become somewhat sweet, if they be kept any time, in the end grow so concocted and rip●, that having le●t their sweetness, they prove strong, mighty, and most excellent wines.  
Green wines whether they be white or red, (such as we oftentimes see in these countries, especially in cold and moist years) if they contain any strong heat, as it were buried in their crud and raw parts, if they be kept any time, are wont to concoct themselves, and attain to such a degree of ripeness, as that they are ●ound good, well contenting the taste, and pleasant upon the tongue: such as those are which are not simply green, but together with their greenness do taste somewhat rough and sour: the other become spent, faded, & decayed in the beginning of Summer, by reason of the said evaporating and waist of their weak & feeble hea●e. Wherefore you must drink such wines as are greenish and watery, not having any sharpness or sourness in them, in the beginning of Summer, that so you may be sure, that the great Summer heat shall not cause them to fade utterly, and quite fall away, by the spending of their feeble heat, caused through the vehemency of the Summer heat: but those which are green, rough, and harsh, having a strong heat couched and lying in gross and thick matter, may be kept very securely unto Autumn or Harvest time. Such as are only and simply green, are good and fit for servants drink, and other such folk as live hardly and in great labour, as also for all such as feel a fire and extreme heat in the liver and other inward parts: for such wines in idle and delicate persons, as also all such as are of a cold temperature, or are grown into old age, do not only not become well concocted and digested, but withal engender a mass of many crudities, and much flatuousnesse, become slowly distributed, procure many obstructions, offend the stomach, entrails, and matrix: notwithstanding, they sometimes appease the pains of the reins, and become sovereign for the weak head. And thus much in general, and summarily, of the nature, temperature, qualities, and differences of French wines. For the diversity which is found in them, by reason of several Soils, Towns, Villages, and great or small Boroughs, where they grow, doth in such sort alter and change yearly, through the variableness of the constitutions of the years, as that it would be hard, yea impossible, to lay them down in a certain and assured description. Notwithstanding, the most excellent of and over all the rest, are the French wines of Cous●ye, appointed and ordinarily taken for the King's use. Then those of Seure, both of them being red or claret, noble, strong, and mighty wines, most proper and sit for such as are altogether cast down, and in whom nature is (as it were) wholly spent, falling thereby into many faintings and swoons, whether they be fallen hereinto by excessive and insatiable use of women, or through any other notable and immoderate evacuation. The wines of Vanues, Argentoile, and Montmatre, and all other wines which grow in gravelly or sandy grounds about Paris, are the more healthful. For all these wines, in as much as they are of a thin and subtle substance, without all green or manifest harsh taste (especially in hot and well tempered years) keeping their proper and natural temperature, are easily concocted and digested, and speedily and quickly distributed through the veins: and which yet notwithstanding do not much pester the head, and that because they are not very strong, and therefore do not heat much.  
The wines of Burgundy, which are sent us from Sens, Auxerres, Tonnerre, joigny, and Chablie, are generally all of them red: many of them, yea the greatest part of them, are in their first months astringent and somewhat rough, and thereby do make more solid, bind, comfort, and corroborate a lank and loose stomach, and so they nothing annoy the brain by any great store of vapours or fumes carried up from them: by which reason they prove the most wholesome and convenient of all other for such as have the gout, and are subject to have the distillations of the head falling upon the inferior parts. Notwithstanding if you drink them before they be come to their full and perfect ripeness, you shall well perceive them somewhat the harder to be digested, and to be more slowly distributed than the French claret wines are.  
Wherefore I would advise men, not to use them in the beginning of the year, but rather in the latter end, if so be they be subject to the obstructions of the liver, spleen, and Mesenterium, or such as li●e idly, or yet such as are dilicately given, and have but little natural heat within them, as forsooth being the time wherein they abound with much harshness and astringency: which yet may even then be very well used of them which are accustomed to travel, and have a strong and good stomach. Likewise if you let them ripen and lose by little and little their astringency and harshness, you shall find them as good and pleasant as the French wines. This is the cause why good householders do lay them in cellars, & reserve them diligently to the end of the first year, or to the beginning of the second to send them in●o foreign countries by sea: which being so transported prove better and more excellent than they did in France, or whiles they lay couched upon their cantling, as men call it, because the carrying and transporting of them, increaseth their natural heat, as we have before declared, and causeth it by such motion to grow more ripe and concocted. Notwithstanding, very many of these Burgundian wines in hot and d●ie years, are in some countries found good the first year.  
Amongst the Burgundian wines, those of Beaune be most highly commended, for they are so good as that I dare be bold to prefer them before the wines of Orleans and Ay, which are so much esteemed of in Paris, because they are of a subtle substance, of the colour of a partridges eye, not given to ●ume or fill the head full of vapours, and thereby les●e assailing the head, and hurting the brain, than those of Orleans. Likewise the common verse made of the wine of Beaune, hath been always received for true and currant.  Vinum Belnense, super omnia vina recen●e. 
Such as take a very good taste of those wines, 
Wines of Coussy.  do compare and match them with the wines of the King's yard at Coussy, whose plants when they were young, were otherwise brought from Greece, in such sort, as that the wines of Coussy and Beaune come very near unto the goodness and perfection of the Greekish wines. Some also do compare the wines of Beaune to the wines that grow in the yard of the King of Navarre, 
Wines of Prepaton.  which is some ●iue leagues from Vendosme, called Prepaton, and this name was given it because the plants therein were chosen and taken out of the best in all places. The wine is a claret, of the colour of a partridges eye, of a thin substance, not fuming or being vaporous, of a pleasant taste, and delicate to drink, if there be any wine in the world so qualified. All these three sorts of wine, of Coussy, Beaune, and Prepaton, are the most excellent that are to beyond in all Fr●●ce, & that because both in good and evil years, they are found and tried to be better than any other, and readier to be drunk upon. 
Wines of Dij●n.  Amongst the wines of Beaune, the wine of Dijon must be reckoned, and they are those which grow in the King's vineyard at Cheno●e, Fontaine, Plombiere, and Tolent. True it is, that before a man judge of the goodness and qualities of wines, he must every year consider the estate and constitution of the seasons of every year, as also take a diligent taste of the wines, thereby to give the more assured judgement: because it falleth out sometimes the French wines, sometimes the Burgongni● wines, and other some years the wines of Orleans do prove most excellent, and sometimes the wines of Anjou prove better than all the rest. Yea, and as the number, and to be reckoned up amongst the rest, are the wines of Ay and Isancy, and d●e for the most part hold the first and principal place for their goodness and perfection, wherein they excel all other wines, and are in all good or evil years found better than any other, whether they be French, Bourgongnie, or Anjou wines. The wines of Ay are claret and yellowish, subtle, fine, and in taste very pleasing unto the pala●e, and therefore eagerly ●ought after, for the use of Kings, Princes, and great Lords, being yet therewithal such wines as the greeks call Oligophora, and will not admit the mixture of much water. The wines of Isancy are of a middle consistence and red of colour: when they are come to their ripeness, they prove strong and noble wines, in so much as that you may justly compare them in goodness with the wines of Nera●, notwithstanding they be so highly esteemed of, and had in request for great personages.  
The wines of Orleans are set in the first rank and chief place for goodness and perfection, amongst all the wines of France: Such are red, for the most part, of a middle consistence betwixt thick and thin, of a good taste, strong, and profitable for the stomach and inward parts. They heat more without comparison, and more nourish the body than any French wines, as few excepted, as the wines of Coussy, and Seure. But in the mean time they fill the head and hurt the brain, more than any other, if you continue the use of them any long time, especially in such as have a weak brain, and are subject to cause many distillations, as also in those which are subject to inflammations of the lungs, and disposed by their bodily constitution to fall into pleurisies: yea, these wines are worse than any other for gouty folk, as also for such as are troubled with agues, and others, which have their principal and inward parts of a hot and dry constitution, and to them that are troubled with the diseases of the skin, as the itch, leprosy, benumbedness, tetters, wild fire, scabs, and others such like. But on the contrary, they are most apt for, and best agreeing, with natures and diseases that are cold, and moved of cold causes, in swoons and faintness coming of abundant and excessive evacuation, by too much use of women, watching, or other such like causes, and in like manner, of them which languish upon cold and long diseases. And thus much of that which we can judge to be in the wines of Orleans.  
For as in other Countries and Soils, 
The diversities of the wines of Orleans.  so likewise in the grounds about Orleans the earth doth naturally engender divers qualities and faculties in wine. For amongst others, such as are yellowish, claret, and bright clear, are accounted the excellentest and best of all: such are they which grow and are gathered near unto Orleans, in the boroughs of Sainctay, 
Wines of Sainctay, S. hilaries Chapel, S. Mesmain, and S. de Bouc.  S. hilaries Chapel, S. Mesmain the long, of the Loire, or at Checy. Those which grow at the village of S. de Bouc, are (in good sooth) all of them right noble and excellent wines, but somewhat of a more gros●e and r●ddish consistence, which is the cause that they come not to their best till about Easter. The weakest and feeblest are those of Livet, S. Gy, and Nigray, which yet are more healthful for such as live idly, and follow their study, than the wines which are stronger. At Paris we account for very precious those which are brought us from Messay, 
Wines of Messay, of Orleans.  which although they be far behind in goodness and perfection unto the best wines of Orleans, because they are of a thick consistence, and cost not much: notwithstanding, seeing that by transportation and carriage they become thinner and more ripe, they are the better accounted of, of the Merchants.  
Such as grow near the Abbey of Neighbours, 
Orleans wines of the grounds of the Abbey of Neighbours.  are cousin germane and much alike to the wines of Messay.  
The white wines of Orleans do surrender and partly give over the praise unto French white wines, 
White wines of Orleans.  which is the cause that they are transported but as little as may be out of the Country.  
The wines of Lourye, which do taste somewhat sweet, are accounted the chief of all the rest in that place, as likewise those of Rebechi. The wines of Anjou, such of them as are good, are (in a manner) all of them white and sweet, and for the most part temperate, or hot and dry (when the temperature of the year falleth out hot and dry) strong, noble, and mighty; in such sort, as that amongst all French wines they keep the first place for goodness. All the while they are sweet, thick, and unconcocted, they swell the stomach and the ●lankes, stop the veins, swell the noble parts, and provoke thirst, especially in choleric natures: and sometimes also they loosen the belly. But when as, through their working and boiling up, they have cast out all their dross and dregs, and that they are become sufficiently ripe, concocted, and digested, that is to say, in their middle age (which they attain unto the second year) as than they become fair, bright, and clear, as also very pleasant: so, having lost their ill qualities, mentioned before, they get such qualities, powers, and virtues, as are altogether contrary unto those which they had, at such time as they were sweet, and of a gross consistence: for they become easily concocted, quickly piercing, sufficiently provoking urine, and causing to spit abundantly. When the year falleth cold and rainy, the most part of the wines of Anjou become raw and greenish, as by experience we plainly saw in the years 1576. and 1577.  
When the year is hot and dry, the wines growing in Anjou are strong and mighty, and keep their virtues and qualities entire and whole till they be six or seven years old. But when the year falleth out cold and moist, they prove to be of clean contrary qualities.  
The wines of high Normandy 
Wines of high Normandy.  (I mean not those which are gathered and beaten down with poles) do somewhat resemble the French wines, when the years fall seasonable, and keep their natural temperature: such, for the most part, are of a yellow colour: but not continuing so any long time, they by and by loose their force: which is the cause, that they are easily digested, and quickly distributed and carried along all the veins, without annoying the brain any whit, in as much as they be not strong, or mighty, but oligophorous. But when the years fall out cold and moist, the greatest part of them will not keep well, because they be green, and that in such sort, as that their greenness cannot be concocted and digested by reason of the weakness of their heat, and therefore it behoveth to drink them in the beginning of the first year. 
Wines of Compeigne.  The wines which grow in Compiegne, and other parts of Picardy, are of the same consistence, quality, and virtue that those of Normandy are, and therefore deserve not to be much set by, or desired, but when others are wasting.  
The Countries of Guyenne send us variety of wines. 
Wines of Nerac.  The best of them, are those which grow about Nerac, which come very near unto the goodness of the French wines of Cous●y, which, by reason of their russet colour, are called in the Country Rus●e● wines: in the number whereof, are contained the red wines, or sad, and light red. They nourish sufficient abundantly: but in that they make obstructions, and increase great masses of melancholic humours (especially those which are sweet) they must not be used but of them which live in toil and travail. Those which are of a thin and subtle substance, whether they be white, claret, or of a light yellow, for as much as they have a very pleasant taste, and are easily concocted, and quickly distributed, they are desired and much required at the Tables of great men.  
L●t us conclude then, that amongst all the wines which we use at Paris, as concerning the red, the best are those of Cous●y, Seu●e, Vanues, and Meudon: and as concerning the white, those of Argente●ell: and then those of Ay, Isancy, & Beaune in Bourgongnie, being well ripened: next, those of Orleans. As concerning white, the wines of Longiumeau, Palesiau, Massy, Pont d' Anthony: then those of Bar●urabe, Anjou, and others, which are brought us from Arbois, Gascoigny, & Languedoc. The wines of the grounds near unto Paris, as of Villeiui●ue, Vitry, and jury, which are white; of Fontenay and Montrevill, which are reddish; are not to be much set by, because they are greenish, and of an unpleasant taste. The wines of Gascoignie are without comparison more hot and dry than the wines of Orleans, and yet they be not so vaporous, neither yet assail the head so mightily, as I have proved that the wines of Orleans do.  
The wines which Greece, Languedoc, and Spain do send us, or rather, which the delicacy and voluptuousness of our French throats cause to be fetched from beyond the Sea, such as are Sacks, Muscadels of Frontignan, Malmesies, Bastards (which seem to me to be so called, because they are oftentimes adulterated and falsified with honey, as we see wine Hydromell to be prepared) and Corsic wines, so much used of the Romans, are very pernicious unto us, if we use them as our common drink. Notwithstanding, we prove them very singular good in cold diseases, caused of cold humours, without the hot distemperature of the liver, or of any other noble part: but chiefly and principally Malmsey, which we daily note and observe to be very sovereign in the crudities of the stomach, and colics, by reason of the singular force and virtue it hath in concocting of crude and raw matter, and in dissolving of wind and flatuousnesse. But howsoever ●orraine wines, which are fetched from far Countries, may seem pleasant unto our taste, yet indeed the truth is, that we are not to use them, except it be with as great advise and judgement as may be, because that besides their manifest outward qualities, they have also close and hidden ones, which indeed may become familiar and well agreeing, through some▪ sympathy, with the inhabitants of those Countries where the said wines grow: but unto us they are enemies, by an antipathy or contrariety which is betwixt them and us, which are of a soil and country far unlike. Which point if we regard not, we cannot but for the most part offend against the rules of art, and commit infinite faults in prescribing and laying down such diet, and order of government, as shall be for the direction of other men's lives.  
Some do make and compound spiced wines which somewhat resemble the foresaid foreign wines, and that not so much for the necessity of life or health, as for pleasure, and the deligthing of the swallow: of which sort are the claret, the preparing whereof we have set down before, and hippocras, so called, not that Hipocrates did ever invent it or use it, but (of the mixture and temperature according whereunto the said wine is compounded and made) it is so called of the Greek verb 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, which signifieth to temper. Men ought seldom to temper these wines, because that by their unwonted heat and great vaporousnesse, they procure many troublesome diseases, as the squinancy, strangury, apoplexy, pallie, and other such like: notwithstanding such as feel a certain coldness and weakness in their stomach, may use them, not as their common drink, but sometimes only as remedy or medicine.  
And thus in brief you have what I thought good to deliver concerning the qualities and virtues aswell of such wines as grow in France, as also of them which are brought us from strange countries. By the reading of this slight discourse, the Reader which is careful of his health, may learn to make choice of such wine as is fittest for his own drinking, as he shall perceive to be agreeable and profitable, not only for his nature and disposition, but also for his health. As for example, he that hath a very hot and dry liver, his lungs subject to inflammation, and ready to receive sharp distillations from the brain, and his brain very moist, shall not use hot and dry wines, such as are those of Languedoc, Gascoignie, and Orleans: but he shall content himself with some small French wine, somewhat greenish, and which beareth but small store of water. He likewise which hath a cold stomach, and is subject to cold and windy diseases, shall use the wine that is good, and have nothing to do with the small and green wines, and for this purpose shall make his advantage of this our discourse, which will instruct and teach him the diversity and qualities of wines.     
The end of the sixth Book.   

THE SEVENTH BOOK OF THE COUNTRY FARM.  

The Warren.  

CHAP. I.  
Of the situation of the Warren.  
HItherto we have as briefly as possibly we could run through whatsoever thing belonging to the tilling and dressing of the earth, as gardens, meadows, arable grounds and vines: now it is requisite, that following the order before propounded, we speak of the Warren, of wood, timber trees, parks for wild beasts, breeding of herons, and of hunting.  
We will begin therefore to describe the Warren, 
The profit of the Warren.  the profit whereof is not inferior to that of the pullen, pigeons, and other small cattle, which are bred and fed about our country farm, but chiefly in respect of the selling of coneys, which the good householder may do yearly, and that some years betwixt four score a hundred dozen, beside all those which the Lord of the farm shall stand in need daily to use, either for eating in his house, or for to give away and gratify his friends withal. Again the endeavour, care, and pain about a Warren is nothing so great, as that which is required in the ordering of other small cattle; for coneys stand not in to have a special and set governor, to take care continually of house, handle, make clean, heal them when they are sick, or to dress them their meat, because that of of themselves they build earths and little holes to hide and repose themselves in: and feeding, they look not for any thing but that which the earth of its own accord, without any tilling doth bear and bring forth for them.  
Wherefore for the most profit of your country farm, you must provide and prepare a Warren in such a place, as hath before been spoken of, that is to say, betwixt your corn fields, vineyards, and grounds bearing timber trees, if peradventure you have not the benefit of some under wood near unto your house, where the coneys may settle themselves and make their abode. Notwithstanding in as much as the hunting and taking of coneys, which have their coverts and boroughs in such under woods, is some what more hard and difficult than that of the Warren: and because also that coneys living in small woods multiply nothing so much as those in the Warren, and that especially by reason of foxes, wolves, and other field beasts, whereunto they are oftentimes made a prey by being devoured of them: it will be better, and for your further both ease and profit, to make a Warren apart by itself.  
You must then for the making thereof, reserve some five or six acres of fine dustin, or sandy ground, such as is not fat, strong or close, in a high place lying open upon the Sun, and not in a ●arish or watery ground: for together with that, the ●onie hateth above all things, moisture and cold; yet for the conveniency of her making of here earths, it is requisite that she be in a place, where she may dig with ease for the making of her bed and covert. This piece of ground shall be compassed and be set about after the manner of a park, with reasonable high walls to keep out fox●s, wolves, and other wild beasts, that they may not injury or make war upon this little beast. Within this conigrie, you must plant great store of brambles, mulberry trees, and ●loe trees, strawberry plants, wild pine trees, hurtle berry bushes, goose berry bushes, myrtle trees, and great store of juniper, for the conie loveth the juniper berry above all other things. And as concerning herbs, you must sow (if so be the earth bring not forth someof itself) great store of sowthistle, groundswell, succory, coleworts, lettuces, clarie, taragon, thistles, turnips, cich ●ease, and other such like for the feeding of these little beasts. As for the drawing of some small brook, or bestowing of any water conduit upon them, you need not trouble yourself, seeing the coni● hath moisture more than any thing else. Neither yet do you trouble yourself to prepare them any other lodging, than the holes which they shall dig and work out for themselves.  
And those burroughs or clappers which shall be meet for them to work in, which borough would (if the nature of the ground do not allow it) be cast up somewhat high and s●●ape wise, so as the water may by all means descend, and pass from the same without soaking into it, or drawing it upon any flux of rain whatsoever: upon the tops of these burroughs or clappers, for the better strengthening of them, and holding the loose mould together, you shall plant good store of alders and other rough bushes which are quick of groweth, whose roots once entering into the earth and twinding about the mould, will keep any from falling, more than that which the conie of her own self diggeth: and although out of the preciseness of choice we desire a special place for the conie Warren; yet you shall understand that the most barrenest ground whatsoever (so it lie dry) will serve for the conie Warren, as namely the most driest heath or downs, or those earths which are over run with linge, gorse, whynnes, braken, broom, fern, and such like, for a conie feedeth as a sheep doth, close and near to the ground, and will gather up the smallest chi●e of grass that may be, and also delighteth to crop upon weeds or any other tender bud that groweth within the compasle of her feeding: the snow is her greatest enemy, ●et not so much for the want of food, as for the over moistening of ●er food, and so bringing rottenness: therefore it is mere to have every Winter in your Warren a little cob or stack of hay, wherewith in those extreme times you may fodder your coneys, pricking up little 〈◊〉 thereof in cloven sticks close by the ground, which they will eat with all greediness, for it is a meat at those times which they love exceedingly: for proof whereof do but fodder sheep near unto a cony Warren, and you shall see how evening and morning the coneys will swarm unto the same, eating up whatsoever the sheep shall leave, which is not too hard or rough for their eating.   

CHAP. II.  
That there must a Clapper be made for the better storing and planting of your Warren.  
ANd yet it is not enough to have made and finished the things that are to be done round about the Warren, as to have fenced it, with whatsoever is necessary for the preserving and nourishing of coneys; but you must also store and plant it: for no more than arable ground beareth fruit, except there be seed cast into in: nor the vine any grapes, except it be diligently planted and dressed: so neither think you that your Warren, be it never so nea●ly and necessarily appointed and trimmed up, can breed and feed coneys, except you first put them there. Wherefore for your storing of your Warren, it is requisite that you cast up a clapper, wherein you may put your males and females to kindle every month: for to buy so many as should be needful would be too costly and chargeable for the farmer or householder. Seeing also that it cometh to pass oftentimes, that after he hath sold many unto the vitailers, or for that the foxes have eaten up some great number, the Warren remaineth quite spoiled, and destitute of coneys, in so much as that he must be compelled to store it again. It is better therefore, in respect of the greater commodity and less charges, to make a clapper in some corner of your court, kitchen, or garden, which may be four square, narrow, and fenced in with boards, or plastered walls: indeed it were better to be provided in the Warren, for so the young ones might more commodiously out of the clapper pass into the Warren at some one side of the clapper, which should be cross wrought with lattice work, and should have the holes thereof left so wide, as that the young ones might pass out and in unto their dams.  
Whether therefore the clapper be provided in the Warren, or elsewhere, you must build certain small lodgings paved with boards, and these must have holes in them like to those which the coneys make themselves in the earth, and every one several from another, for the coneys to betake themselves into: and it will be enough for to allow in such places one male to eight or ten females; and yet therewithal to keep the buck close shut up in his lodging, for fear he should hurt and wrong the young ones, for the male conie (contrary to the nature of all other manner of bucks) devoureth the young ones. It is very true, that so soon as it is espied, that the Do hath kindled, she must incontinently be put into some other hole with the male, that so he may Buck her: for this is a most certain thing, that so soon as the do is empty and delivered of her young ones, even so soon she is full again of young, in such sort, as that she bringeth forth young every month in the year: yea, and being great with young, she letteth not to take the Buck, and to continue a second burden, which she bringeth forth afterward in due time. So as that this fruitfulness in coneys hath become so admirable unto many, as that some have upon too slender grounds thought and believed that the Buck should conceive and become great with young aswell as the Do, which is very false and altogether contrary to all natural course in the action of generation, seeing that by nature's course, it is ordained that the female only amongst beasts should conceive and engender, and not the male.  
After that the young ones are grown somewhat great, and become able to leave their dams, you shall carry them into the Warren for to store it therewith, and so let them grow wild: otherwise if you keep them shut up, and fast enclosed in the clapper with their dams, they will become tame, and always continue as it were slumbering and heavy, like unto those which are continually shut up in clappers made for the purpose; and so will have a grosser and more unpleasant flesh.  
And yet notwithstanding, you must beware not to put abroad into your Warren, the old clapper coneys, either males or females: for seeing they have not had their free swing to run abroad as those of the Warren, and have not learned to save themselves from dangers and violences offered them by foxes and other such wild beasts, they would be by and by devoured; so that thereupon it seems better to contain and continue them still in their accustomed clapper.  
Coneys in the clapper are to be said with coleworts, lettuses, groundsel, clarie, succory, sowthistle, tarragon, thistles, cich pease, oats, barely and bran mingled together, and other such like things, as we have spoken of heretofore. In some countries they feed them with man's blood, such as is to be come by when sick persons are let blood: but such manner of feeding of them is stark nought, and maketh their flesh unsavoury in eating, and very prejudicial unto health.  
And surely to speak the truth there is no food that a man can bind a conie to 〈◊〉 which is wholesome for them, because they are beasts which above all other desire freedom of feeding, and to make choice of their own meat. Whence it comes, that the tame conie is nothing so pleasant to eat as the wild, but is of a much ranker taste, and most easy to be discerned.   

CHAP. III.  
How the Coneys in a Warren ought to be handled and ordered.  
ALthough the having of a clapper be very necessary for the storing of a warren, again and again (as we have said before) notwithstanding, for need, one may leave off all use of the clapper, and so, without any further charge or expenses, content himself with putting a certain number of coneys, both males and females, into his warren, of them to have sufficient store by increase of young ones. True it is, that they are not so fruitful, nor of such plentiful increase, and therefore the warren will not be so soon stored by them: for they being accustomed to the warren, become more savage and strange, but less given to engender: and thereupon it cometh, that the Does of the warren bring forth young ones only thrice or four times a year, and those that are kept in house-clappers, once every month: But howsoever it be, if you find it more for your profit to furnish your warren with store after this later manner, it will be sufficient, for six dozen of Does, to put in nine Bucks, having more regard and consideration still unto the Does than to the Bucks, to spare them, if at any time you would take any.  
Their feeding shall be no otherwise than hath already been mentioned: and yet notwithstanding, besides that manner of feeding, if you would have great store of coneys in your warren, and that they should be to sufficiently fed, as that they should become fat, it will be good to sow an acre of ground, or two, with Barley or Oats, not for to make any further harvest of them, than that which they shall leave uneaten. You must have a special care, that they feed upon good nourishment, because their flesh (in like manner as the flesh of Partridges) doth retain the smell and savour of that whereupon they feed: as for example, of juniper, if their waren be full of juniper, and so semblably of other things.  
If you see any conie-hole stopped with hay, or straw, or such other like thing, do not unstop it, but content yourself only to observe it, and to guess that there are young ones within, which the dam nourisheth: for this is the manner of the Do, that from the time that she hath kindled, whether it be in a house, clapper, or in a warren, she shutteth & stoppeth up her hole with hay, straw, or some other grass, such as she can gather together, and to no other end, but that the Buck may not find her young ones, or go into her hole, where if he should once come, he would eat up all her young ones: this thing being assuredly and undoubtedly conceived of the Do, whether she be in her hole, or else go forth to feed, she stoppeth her earth: and if so be that at her return she find the mouth of her hole never so little unstopped, she herself will by and by kill her young ones, having taken opinion, that the Buck is gone in thither. And this is the cause why good hunters will never put their ferret into any earth, whose mouth they see stopped, for fear of disquieting the dam, and causing of her to kill her young ones. True it is, that she doth not keep her hole evermore shut: for at such time as she knoweth her young ones to be grown great, and become strong enough to seek their meat, and to run with others, she beginneth to make a little hole for them to issue and go out at.  
Furthermore, you must not think, that coneys, either males or females, do at any time forget their earth, be it never so far off: for howsoever some say, that comes have no memory, notwithstanding they are always mindful of their hole, be they strayed or wandered never so far from the same. And this is the reason likewise why some say that a good conie will never die out of her earth. 
A good conie dieth always in her earth.  You must likewise conjecture, that the conie is taught by nature to be afraid of the fox, as the sheep of the wolf, which is another case besides his wild and strange nature, why, when he goeth out of his hole, his mind runneth upon nothing but running, thereby forgetting to think upon other coneys holes, and so of the Does, and of the eating of her young ones: for although he be mindful of his own earth, yet he taketh no care, neither casteth any whit about, how he may find out of fall upon that which belongeth to another: likewise the Do to take from him all occasion of any whi● regarding hers: is wont to stop the mouth thereof as hath been said.  
Furthermore, you must be careful round about the verge of your conie Warren in the most secret and obscure places, and where you shall find the greatest suspicion of the tracked of vermin, to place traps and gins which may take and devour them, nei●her shall your traps be made all of one fashion, but of divers fashions, as some of them must be hollow and passable both ways, the which are called coffer traps or hutches: some frall-traps, which are to crush and kill suddenly: some spring-trappes, to snickle or halter either bird or beast, as also pitfalls, and other gins: all which the Warrenner shall diligently and carefully look unto, and bait with the livers of coneys, or some other such beasts: and in the highest part of the Warren, the Warrenner shall place a pair of gallows made of cross poles, on which he shall hang all the vermin which he shall kill, as Foxes, Faulmars', Cats of all kinds, Buzzards, Crows and such like, (all which breed great destruction in the Warren) as well to scar away other from hunting thereabouts, as also to give testimony to the owner of his care and diligence in preserving his ground from such like encumbrances.   

CHAP. FOUR  
Of the difference betwixt the Warren and clapper conie.  
THe Warren conie hath a redder and thinner hair, a swi●ter and slenderer body, she is also more watchful and wild, having a pleasanter flesh, and less engendering melancholy than the clapper conie: for the clapper conie lacking liberty, cannot run not exercise her body, and so becometh more familiar and tame, more gross, fuller of hair, more heavy and drowsy, and therefore less pleasant: again, if it happen by chance that she come into the Warren amongst wild ones, she is by and by devoured of Foxes or other beasts, enemy unto her, having never been acquainted with the the assaults and enimities of the said beasts before. As concerning other matters, 
The virtues and special properties of coneys.  both of them are better to be eaten young and small, than when they are great. Their brain is good to assuage the pain that young children do endure in the breeding of their teeth: notwithstanding, such as would preserve their memory must beware and e●te as little thereof as they can possibly, because it furthereth forgetfulness. The fat of coneys is much more to be commended than any other part, because it is better than any other helps to make lineaments of for the reins which are grieved with the gravel or the stone.    

Of Wood  

CHAP. V.  
What is to be considered before a man go about to plant wood.  
TO order and cause a new wood to be planted, you must know the ground wherein you would plant any thing, as whether it be fat or lean, whether it be of a reasonable depth of earth or no: and likewise if it be subject to waters; because that some trees by nature lo●e the water, as the aller 
The aller.  and others of the same nature: and according to the nature and property of the ground, you must apply yourself to fit it with such, as it may nourish most, both for your profit and pleasure.  
You must see and set down first and before all other things, that the ground be of such goodness as is requisite: and you must likewise understand that two of the noblest trees and esteemed worth most silver, are the oak 
The oak.  and the chestnut tree, 
The chestnut tree.  and that for two principal reasons: the one because they bear such fruits as whereof mixed with a little barley or oats, one may make bread in the time of famine: the other, because it is not in the nature of any tree to afford so good timber as the said two, the oak and chestnut tree do, being either of them considered in its proper quality.  
The third excellent sort of trees is the elm: 
The elm.  and notwithstanding it be inferior to the other, because it beareth no fruit, 
E●me● are barren an● b●are no fruit.  and for that the lease thereof is nothing so pleasant, in respect of the leaves of the oak and the chestnut tree: yet ●he tree is worth the having, even for that it may be headed after the manner of willows, and cut every four years to make props and faggots: but the chestnut tree 
chestnut trees.  is a great deal better, more neat and fine, and bearing more fruit than other trees which are of its nature: neither doth it stand in need of so good and fat a gr●und as doth the oak, and again the Caterpillars and such other vermin do not h●●nt and fall upon it, as they do upon the oak and elm. And further when the locusts come, which is every three years, 
Locusts every three years.  as I myself have seen, they eat not the leaves of the chestnut trees, because they find leaves upon the oaks: for the year of the locusts doth hinder some wood more than of a years growth, whereas besides that privilege, the chestnut tree doth ordinarily grow more in one year than the oak doth in two.  
Yet is the oak accounted the King of the forest, both in respect of his largeness and hudgenesse, as also for his hardness and long endurance; for of all timbers not any is i● so long lasting, or fit for building either upon the land or water, as oak is: it is also the most principal timber that may be either for boards, planks, wainscot, or any other ●eeling whatsoever, and of all manner of oaks, those are preserved and kept as the best and principal which grow upon the clay grounds, as being the finest, hardest, soundest, and most durable timber: those oaks which grow upon the sandy grounds being much more brickle, falser hearted, and much less able to endure the violence of the weather, or the continual beating of the wet, when it must necessarily fall upon the same: whence it comes that the Shipwright or the Mill-wright ever make choice of the strong clay oak, and the joiner of the sand oak, which though it be less durable, yet it is fairest and whitest to look on. The elm besides the benefit of his head (which is commonly for the fire) is a most excellent timber for the ground work of any thing, or to be lodged in the ground for any necessary purpose, especially to make pipes for the conveyance of water; for it is a wood of that infinite toughness, that if it lie close and well hid in the earth, it seldom or never consumeth in the same: it is also rarely good to make bow-staves withal, and excepting the yew is the principal best for that purpose: it is no less good to make axel-trees either for Wagons, Carts, or Wanes, being neither so brickle, nor apt to heat and break as the ash is: the young plants are good to make beeles for yokes, by which oxen draw either in wanes or ploughs: and lastly, is an excellent tree to plant in alleys or walks, or about houses for shade, bearing a large head like the Cicamore, and fully as round, and as much extended: and the leaf naturally of itself being broad, and growing so thick, that hardly neither the Sun nor the rain can possibly pass through the same, neither is it tender but very apt to grow, and may be removed at any time or age, as long as it is portable and meet to be wielded by the strength of any one man.  
It is very true, that the elm groweth easily and plentifully, after that it hath taken with the ground. And who so would for variety sake mingle divers sorts of trees of divers natures, as maple, beech, asp, and such other kinds of wood, may do it, but the more oaks and chestnut trees a man groweth, the better he doth.   

CHAP. VI  
Of the seating and disposing of a wood for growing of high and great timber trees.  
WHo soever hath a fair plot of eight or ten acres of ground, and would make it show fair and beautiful the first year, and that by bringing the wood into some shape and commendable form, with hope of further delight & pleasure from the same in time to come, must for the first year wall it about or else ditch it so well, and plant it with hedges of quickset, as that no cattle may possibly be able to enter thereinto. And if the said plot should come to be ditched, than I am freely contented to utter my opinion at some other time, concerning the fashion that they are to be made after, as also how, when they are made they must be planted or set with quickset.  
But presuppose that the said square plot is enclosed with a wall, and that the said square hath four sides, that is to say, two of length and two of breadth, mine advise is that all the sides of the said wall should be covered and clothed with greenness, and with four sorts of trees, and six foot thick and large, seeing that nature rejoiceth in variety, that so both the walls may be kept from being seen, and there may be a walk betwixt two greene's.  
The said coverts shall be made according to the good liking of the Lord, as for example, one of the sides if it should so seem good unto him, even the South side with hazel and white hawthorn, because these are the first leaves that do first put forth in the spring time, as those also wherein the nightingale doth make her nest: another of the sides with barberrie trees, which are beautiful and serve for very many uses, spreading themselves in comely sort, when they meet with a good ground: The third side being that whereupon the Sun beateth at his rising, with ●ame osiers, which may serve in husbandry, and therewithal also make a fair show: and the fourth side with young peartree plants, with some white thorn plants amongst, as at the end of every four foot square, which are more green than any other sorts of trees, and they will be of use for to graft many fair grafts upon, and good store of great medlars.  
The alleys 
Alleys.  about the said wood must be twelve foot broad, and upon the edges of all the said alleys, as well on those that are toward the wall, as on the other, there must be planted elms every one four fathom from another, having their heads cut off, and their bodies remaining a seven foot high or thereabout, to give some grace and comeliness unto the said alleys: because that if a man should walk in the fairest place in the world, if there be no sweetness to be found in it, it proveth tedious and irksome. For this cause, if it please the Lord of the farm to plant along the said alleys certain fruit trees, 
Fruit-trees.  as also wallnut-trees, and those such as may suit every season of the year, he may do it.  
Further, it may seem that all the said trees should be set from four feet to four feet, and that by the level of a line every way, aswell to please the sight of the eye, as also for that sometimes men are desirous to make alleys within the wood, and then if the draughts be strait, it is more easy for to make them.   

CHAP. VII.  
Of the manner of planting trees in woods of high and tall growth.  
IF you purpose to plant these trees well, you must presently make dithes in manner of furrows, as you are wont to do in the planting of vines, wherein they must be planted, to the end the earth may feed itself in air, and that it may battle and grow fat, with the rain and snow which shall fall during Winter upon them unto the end of December, or unto the beginning of januarie.  
These trenches are not to be made above two foot deep; but they must be well handled in the bottom, and that by laying the good earth upon one side of the furrow, and that which is less worth upon the other, and not to cast it abroad, to the end that if the bottom should prove bad ground, or otherwise to be over deep, then there might be cast into the said furrow or trench some of that good earth which shall be on the side, to the end that the roots of the tree may not busy themselves in searching a bad bottom, in steed of stretching forth themselves, in largeness, and you must so leave the trenches and furrows all Winter long, for the receiving of the rain water when it cometh: and they must be so wide, as that one may turn a yard every way round within.  
The said trees must be planted in December, if it be possible, and that the times be favourable, 
The time to plant trees.  as when it freezeth not: for great frosts are great enemies to the good proceeding of this work.  
You should rather cast to plant trees that are already grown up, than to deal with the sowing of acorns or chestnuts, because it requireth great care and industry to make the said seed to grow: and as concerning the seed itself, that of the chestnut groweth sooner than that of the acorn. And whenas you go about to sow them, it must be done with leaving a foot distance betwixt one and another with the largest, and in the end of great frosts: because that during the said frosts, the moles do eat the chestnuts in the ground.  
As concerning the planting of trees already grown, they must be taken up with as many roots as they can possibly, and after they be taken up, if there by any of their roots broken, to cut the same: and those which are not broken, to cut their ends for to refresh them, the length of three or four fingers, more or less, as the roots may bear it. You must make choice of a young plant, that hath a lively and clean bark, not rough and overgrown with moss, a good and handsome root, a strait shank, and long without scares or frets: and before you plant it, it will be good to cast into the furrow some good earth, taken from the side of the same trench, to the thickness of a finger or two, and upon that, to set the tree which you are to plant, then covering the roots with earth, to sway upon them gently with your hands, that so there may not any air stay about them, and in filling up the said furrows, you must provide that they have some sloping of earth, both on the one side and on the other, in manner of a gutter, to the end that if it rain, the rain and moisture may run away the more easily.  
And to the end that the planted trees may grow the better, you must lay their longest roots all along the trench, on the one side, and on the other: and if by hap it fall out that there be long ones on every side; so as that they cannot easily be laid along in the furrow, you must enlarge the furrow a little in the place where such roots require it to be enlarged, to the end that the said roots may not touch the firm and fast earth, but may be buried and wrapped in soft earth that hath been moved and stirred.  
You must likewise cut off by the top of the shank all the trees which you plant, that is to say, such as you plant to make high and tall timber trees, or which you mind to set along by the sides of the alleys, till you have not left above the length of five or six foot to stand out of the earth, to the end that they may the sooner bear a great quantity of wood: but the trees which you are purposed to plant for low and small wood, must be cut, that there be not left above a foot and a half, for it will be sufficient if they have the length of four inches out of the ground: neither is there any danger in mingling chestnut trees with oaks, except a man be purposed to plant one wood with oaks only, and another with chestnut trees: and as concerning the thickness of the said trees, it needeth no deep advice, for they may be either of the thickness of a chestnut, tennise-ball, or some other such like: but rather the care is, that they be well and newly taken up, and planted the same day they be taken up, or at the farthest the day following.  
Neither is it doubtful, but if they be of much larger and bigger compass, as seven or eight foot in length, (above the ground) and twenty inches in compass: yet they will grow as well and as fast as the younger, especially, the ●lme above all other trees: nor would I wish you, if you can get them, to choose plants of any less bigness. And howbeit that some woodward's are of opinion, that the ash would be planted but of a mean length, because say they, look how m●ch it is above the earth, so much it will shoot out in root under the earth, before it begin to prosper above: yet it is but a false conjecture, and if you intent to have a fair and a large tree, you must choose the fairest and largest plants that you can get, and then planting them in a convenient and due time, and in a fit earth, they will in one Winter recover that root which shall preserve them from perishing ever after: again you must remember that as soon as you have fixed your plants in the earth, and covered them well & close, which is a principal care, you must then forthwith cover the top of the head all over, and at least half a foot downward with clay and moss st●sly well tempered together, and if the clay be apt to chap or rive, than you shall mingle a few ashes therewith, and so keep it close covered till the new branches spread forth and cover the head all over, than when those branches are put out, and are tender, you shall plash and order them at your pleasure, whether it be to make a tree for timber, or for shade, for special mark, or for any other device whatsoeve.  
The wood thus planted, must be twice laboured and tilled, once in the end of April, and the second time at the end of julie, after the fall of some great rain upon thunder: and if the caterpillar shall fall upon it within the year, it must be cleansed and freed from them.   

CHAP. VIII.  
Of the time when wood is to be tilled and husbanded.  
IT is here to be noted that the chief & principal furtherance and comfort that can be given to trees, either reclaimed or wild, is the labour bestowed upon them in due & convenient time, for the more they are husbanded & tilled, so much the more do they grow and prosper in greatness: wherefore dressing and labour is necessary for young plants 
That dressing of the earth is necessarily for young plants.  of all sorts of trees, as well small as great, and especially the four first years, they must be husbanded thoroughly, and plied with two several dress every year as vines are, that is to say, towards the midst of April, when they begin to put forth their buds, and towards the end of june, & this must be done in moist & rainy weather, and not when drying winds or heat doth reign, because the ground then stirred would do nothing but turn to dust, 
Such dressing of the earth in d●y weather in not good.  which would destroy the young springs, and cause them die: again the said earth dressed at such time doth more easily convey the dryness of the dry earth turned down, unto the roots of the trees, which is very contrary unto them; seeing that moisture is the thing that is required for the nourishment of plants: and again if the ground be moist, it joineth itself close unto the roots, and dareth unto them of his moisture. The other reason is, for that the earth being newly opened, by its lying open, giveth passage for the water, rain, or dew, to enter more easily unto the said roots.  
The principal labour to be made about all trees, is to root out all weeds, 
To pull up weeds by the root.  seeing they are given to grow every where in all grounds, and which, if they be suffered to grow up, suck, purloin, and carry away the sap and substance of the earth in such sort, as that there is not left sufficient virtue and power to nourish the roots of the late planted trees well and in good order, and this is perceived by the labour made in dressing of the vine and gardens, the which the more they are husbanded and tilled, so much the more fruit, and young springs they put forth, and become so much the more beautiful and fair. So it will be the chief work after you have planted trees, to cause them to be so dressed in seasons that are moist, and that twice at the least: and that will cause them to grow greater of wood, greater of boughs, and to yield double profit.  
And if extraordinarily the Summer prove rainy, so as that your plants become overgrown with much weeds, it shall be left to the discretion of the husbandman, if he see that his plants be not clean, to bestow a third dressing 
The third dressing of trees.  upon them, to the end that the weeds may not smother the bud, and devour the substance of the earth: for all plants come of heat and moisture; 
The growth of plants cometh by heat and moisture.  and if they be suffered to be entangled with weeds, they will be smothered and in danger to be lost.   

CHAP. IX.  
That wood diligently dressed and husbanded, doth profit more than that which is not so dressed and husbanded.  
I Know that there are many trees which are daily seen to grow without such great pains taking and industry, freely receiving their natural nourishment without aid or assistance, and that by reason of the fruitfulness either of the ground, or of the country; and yet if some one do so escape, a hundred die for it: and this I say for their sakes, who having once planted would be loath to lose their pains, and do conceive that all or the greatest part do thrive and prosper: which conceit is notwithstanding like to deceive them, if they proceed not to dress and husband them in convenient sort, after they have been well planted, as is above declared.  
Wherefore I have applied myself to try the issue of tilling of them according to art and knowledge, 
The experience of dressing trees and of letting of them go undress.  as also of leaving them untilled: and I find that although the tree which groweth in the desert do grow up sometimes upon a perfect growth, notwithstanding it groweth not in so short time, and the greatest part of it dieth: and that which is well tilled and planted, doth grow twice so much, and that not one of ten of them is lost, but that all prosper, of what sort of wild trees soever they by.  
But some may reply, that labour is chargeable and costeth much, but in as much as it lasteth not always, being to continue not past four or five years at the most, much like unto the young plant of a vine, it will be found that the cost will not be great, seeing especially that after such cost, it is freed from any more for ever. For after that wood is once grown up to such height, as that weeds cannot over grow nor overcrow it, (which will be in four or five years if it be husbanded) than it smothereth the weeds that grow under it, and keepeth away from them both the Sun and the air with its shawdow, in such sort as that they die, and are not able to overshadow or do any hurt unto the wood.   

CHAP. X.  
Of removing, lopping, pruning, and making clean of wood.  
THat your plant may grow the better, it is likewise requisite ●o remove trees from a high, dry, and bad soil, into another ground that is more moist and fat, if it may be: by this means, in finding a better soil, the tree will take more easily: and there is no doubt, but the better the ground is, and the better that the plant is ordered, the sooner it will grow, become bigger, bear greater boughs and leaves rather than less, as may be seen in old forests which are situated in fertile and fat countries, or in those which grow in sandy and bad grounds, as in Solonge, 
Wood of Solonge.  where woods continue very small and untimely.  
Woods planted and ordered (as is abovesaid) the first, second, and third year, must not be touched with any edge tool: and yet notwithstanding towards the third and fourth years and those that follow, if you perceive your wood so thick set and spread, as that it riseth not, neither groweth high as it ought, you may cull out and cut away the small sprigs and little boughs as you shall find them, seeing they are good for nothing, and leave behind you some three or four of the principal branches so stripped of their small twigs as your own discretion will best direct you. This pruning of them would be towards the month of March, after that the cold is passed and gone, that so the frost may not hurt the boughs that are cut and newly lopped, and you may continue thus to prune them unto the middeh of April, at what time they begin to bud and put forth, but than it must be done gently, holding the shank of the tree fast and firm without moving or shaking of the roots▪ And this pruning may be done every year, if you will, and by this means, you may cause a new spring of small woods to grow, and to put forth eight or ten branches, fit for to be plants for high and tall trees, by cutting away the side ones, and leaving three or four of the fairest branches growing from the foot of the said small wood, so cut down, according as you shall think good, so that you make choice of such as grow up high and strait: and if they be not altogether strong enough to hold up themselves, you may help them with some pretty small props and sticks, the better to hold them up.   

CHAP. XI.  
Of the manner of sowing acorns for the growing of oaks  
ALl sorts of wild trees grow 
Whereof wild trees 〈◊〉 grow.  of removed plants, having good roots, or of branches, or of the seeds and fruits which they bear, and whereby they renew themselves. Of the removed plant, there hath already enough been said, as that it is more profitable, and of a more speedy and certain growth: and therefore the sooner able to bestow pastime upon his master.  
The second way to grow trees, is to grow them of branches writhe and buried in the earth, gathered in such sort as that they may put forth roots, and take again, as Columella hath very well set down at large: notwithstanding, this way is long in taking root, and putting forth; and not to be practised, but where there are no plants to be come by. Wherefore I will not meddle with it in this place, because it is not done without difficulty and uncertainty, and for that the pleasure thereof is long be-before it is reaped: as also for that in this our country of France, there are many underwoods' and strong hedges, where are to be gathered very easily, and that in great quantity, plants of all sorts of wild trees.  
The third way is to sow them of seed, as of acorns, beech mast, and of the seed that is in the leaves of elms, for they bring forth such trees as those whereupon they themselves did grow: and such seeds may be sown in little furrows made with a hack or grubbing axe, and those not above four or five fingers deep, and therein to cover them again very lightly with broken mould: or else they may be sown with the plough, as beans and all other kinds of grain are: or with a debbell, by which name they call a little stick of half a foot long, and a finger or inch thick. And of the three ways, the best is to plant or sow the acorn or other seed with the dibble, every one half a foot from another, or one foot every one from another, by a strait line, or after the manner used in grounds broken up with the hack, making a small open place in the earth, and therein putting the acorn in the like distance of half a foot all along the furrow: notwithstanding, it is not needful to plant them so near every manner of way; for the earth would not be able to bear so much fruit as would grow, and so it must either be transplanted, or else it would prove out of course like a misborne thing. Wherefore you may leave betwixt every two furrows and plants, four, five, or six foot distance sidewaies: and again, if all prosper not, the worst and most ill favouredly grown may be pulled up.  
And even as small and great wood is to be dressed and husbanded, so also must their seed be ordered, but not after the like sort: for the mattock would pull up the seed, and therefore they must be underdigd very deftly, and the weeds weeded out all along the furrows where the seeds are set, to the end that the weeds do not smother them, and that they do not blind them, taking away their air, Sun, and substance of the earth, whereof every young seed and plant standeth greatly in need, as to be holpen thereby to gather root and life, which is as yet in them very young and tender. By which means, you see that pains and labour taken about acorns and other seeds of trees, causeth them to grow and prosper so, as that they get the better of other plants, which in continuance might overgrow them: b●t if they remain as forsaken things without husbanding, they will be choked up with weeds, and the greatest part of them die: and those which shall escape, will be but of low growth, and appear like an untimely birth, lacking help and dressing, except through long continuance of time they prevail, and then they which planted or sowed, shall not reap any pleasure by them, but their heirs only.  
And in all such sorts of planting and sowing of wild seeds, it is necessary to fence a place sowed or planted, so well and sufficiantly with ditches, hedges, or walls, as that no beast, horse, or other may enter or get in: as also that thereby the wood may be kept from being handled or cut down by passengers: for if the sprig be bruised or broken, the tree remaineth all parched and ready to dry.  
According to this manner of planting of acorns, or chestnuts, they may very well and conveniently be set and planted amongst the plants of trees, and roots that are planted far enough off one from another, for so they may have room betwixt two plants, being distant the quantity of nine or ten foot, or thereabout, seeing it is meet and convenient to nourish trees, and to destroy weeds. By this means the acorns and chestnuts, or any other thing planted with the dibble, or sown in furrows, is dressed amongst the rest, and made to enjoy sufficient scope betwixt two plants, there to take their full growth, until they become like high, or very near with the trees planted or cut, neither do they cost extraordinarily for their dressing, because the whole ground is to be dressed, because of the other plants that are in it. And in as much as it is oftentimes found in countries that there are neither underwoods', woods, bushes, nor hedges whereout any may get a plant growing from roots, I have thought good to entreat a little of the means of making it grow of seed. Like as is wont to be done with fruit trees, and those which are taken from their nurseries, to be transplanted into gardens: so may you do with wild trees, which after that they are grown to a sufficient thickness, and come to bear seed, may be otherwhere either grafted or planted, as you shall wish or desire. For which cause here shall be put down a treatise and chapter thereof, seeing the former entreateth of the intermingling of seed with plants, for to help out the storing of woods which are always to continue.   

CHAP. XII.  
Of the way to make wild trees grow of seed, to be removed afterward into some other place.  
Certain it is (as hath been said before) that every tree groweth either of a plant, or of some great fruit, or of a writhe branch: and for that there are many places where one cannot come by plants easily, it is to be attempted to make the said plant to grow of seed, as is practised in the nurseries of tame a●d garden trees, by dressing and dunging some half acre of good ground, and then to sow it with such good seed as that the trees bear, whereof you would have plants.  
That is to say, with acorns, if you would store yourself with oaks: or with chestnuts, if you desue chestnut trees: or with the grain and seed which groweth in elm trees, if you would have elm plants. The said grains and seeds must be sown in a fat, fertile, well dunged, and somewhat moist ground, and that reasonably thick, therein covering the said seeds two fingers thick, and causing them to be well watered afterwards, and covered with bright straw, to the end that this fruit of young trees sprouting out of the seed, be not eaten and broken by birds: but when they begin to grow, the straw must be taken away, and the weeds growing amongst them weeded out with the hand.  
For which cause the quarters wherein the said seeds are to be sown, must be made long and narrow, that so the weeds may easily be pulled up out of every place, without treading upon the quarters, and that the said weeds may be gathered gently, to avoid the doing of hurt unto the roots of the young trees: and oftentimes they must be watered at night after Sun set, and in the morning before Sun rise.  
And after they be grown three foot high, you must remove them into some other ground before they take any stronger root, and set them good two foot distant one from another, till they have got a competent thickness, such as is before described, and dress and cleanse them from all weeds, and water them in the time of drought. Thus you shall rear plants of all sorts, and of all manner of wild trees, to remove afterward into such places as you will, and such trees will grow very well being transplanted, as are of like age and sort: for so the one of them cannot hurt or injury another.  
This is to be practised in places where no plants of trees can be found in sufficient store: for otherwise in countries furnished with underwoods', and woods, there ar● enough to be found without taking this plant, and tedious protract of time: wherefore this article will be of use, where there is neither underwood, wood, nor plant to become by in hedges or bushes, and not in this country, where there are many to be gotten, and those very good.   

CHAP. XIII.  
Of the pleasure that cometh of the planting of wild woods, as also of the profit coming of the same.  
AMongst the things required for the making of a place of perfect beauty, Cato in his book of Husbandry saith, That it is needful to have nine principal things: 
Nine things requisite for the ma●ing of a beautiful place  The first, is a Vine, yielding great quantity of wine: the second, a Garden, full of little rivers: the third, a Willow grove, and Oziar plot: the fourth, a great River: the fifth, a Meadow: the sixth, a great champion ground: the seventh, Copies of underwood: the eight, plenty of Bushes, and a Warren: and the ninth, a forest of great Trees or Oaks to bear Acorns. Now amongst all these several points of perfect beauty, we may see, that the principal is water and wood: because that having water, one may easily make Meadows, Garden plots, Oziar yards, and Willow plots all along the waters and rivers: and having woods, one may make Vnderwoods', Warrens, Bushes, and high great trees also, if it be lopped and pruned underneath to make it shoot up and grow on high. And he must not leave above three or four branches at the most, and then they will become tall and high by and by, because that the root is disburdened of all, the rest of his boughs▪ by having them cut down: in like sort, the ground sendeth all such nourishment unto these three or four branches, as it had employed in the nourishment of many branches of small wood, and affordeth growth unto the straightest and fairest branches, which are left behind to come to perfection: thus in a small time they become tall and great trees, and bear acorns. So, in like manner, there is not that wood of high and great growth cut down in good and seasonable time, which putteth not forth small wood and bushes, if cattle and beasts be carefully, kept out.  
Whereupon I will conclude that in planting of woods, there are three things principally requisite to the making of a beautiful place, 
Woods have in t●●m three commodities.  that is to say, little wood, great wood, bushes and a warren: for it is the like reason to plant the one and the other; for of the one the other is made: wherefore in respect of the pleasure, profit, and beauty of the place, it is meet and convenient to plant woods.  
But the chief pleasure and pastime which cometh by wild woods, is, that being joined to your house and champion habitation, 
The pleasures and pastimes that the wild woods a●●ord.  (which is the place, where it must be seated or planted) it is pleasant to the sight: for by its diversity of greenness, it marvelously delighteth, and with great contentment recreateth the sight.  
The second pleasure or pastime is, that the woods (being near unto your lodging) are always full of all sorts of pretty birds, which sing Summer and Winter all the day long, and most part of the night, as nightingales, and such other like, whereby their songs become joyful and delightsome to the ear, and so there is a pleasure and great contentment to the ear even to them in the house if it be near unto.  
Another pleasure is, that in the said woods there are always great store of wood coists, popingays, stars, crane's, and other sorts of birds, which make you pastime to see them fly: and there may also pleasure be reaped in taking of them with little engines, as, with a call, nets, the tonnell, or other such like.  
The fourth is, that in the woods there are to be had coneys, hares, squirrels, and other sorts of small beasts pleasant to behold, and of great service for provision of victual.  
The fifth is, that in hot seasons you may purchase a cool air within the said woods, as those which will cover and defend you from the injury and vexation of the Sun, and chose, cooling you, whether the heat will or no: and therein you have also to behold a comfortable greenness, both upon the boughs and ground, which keepeth his grass green through the coolness and shadow of the trees.  
The sixth is, that in Winter being in the said woods, you are out of the injury and force of the winds and great cold, because they break them off: and further, in these woods you are solitary, and may use your leisure, in reading, writing or meditating upon your affairs, without being disquieted or distracted, or drawn to cast your sight abroad over any far distant place or country, in as much as the sight cannot pierce through the boughs or bushes.  
Besides the said pleasures, 
The profit of woods.  there cometh much profit thereof, as well for the feeding of cattle, and that in the shadow, and with store of grass at commandment at all times, as also in respect of the Oak mast, Beech mast, Chestnuts, and other fruits which the trees bear, which serve for the fatting of hogs, and are very necessary for other beasts: and for that also you may, upon certain years, make fall of your woods, to make faggots, fire wood, stakes to hedge in garden plots, and other enclosures, as also rods for Vines to run upon: and if there be cut down any Chestnut-trees, or Hasels, you may (besides the things already named) make your profit of hoops and boards for wine-vessels, in such sort, as that these your woods shall not only do you pleasure, but profit also, if so be you be so disposed to make your use of it.  
By this means you may conjecture, that the ground which is employed in bearing of wood, 
The profit of ground employed about the bearing of wood.  is not any thing inferior in profit unto others which are employed in bearing of Corn and Vines.  
It is very true, that the commandment, or use and profit of it, are longer time in purchasing, and more hardly come by, than that of Corn and Vines, but it recompenseth it with the double in the end: for the first charges once defrayed, nature bringeth forth both the greater and the smaller wood without the help of man, and without any labour: which happeneth not in Corne-grounds and Vineyards, seeing they bear not, except they be continually husbanded and tilled. Wherefore, the ground employed in Beech mast, and wood, yieldeth as much profit as any other, and will stand the house in as great stead, seeing it cannot be any way held or inhabited without wood.  
I have here been the more willing to declare and lay down in brief the pleasure and profit that cometh of woods, to the end, that they which take pains in those courses, may not think that they have lost their time and cost bestowed thereupon, and that they may not be ashamed at the first blow of their travail and long attendance, seeing that afterward both the pleasure and the profit doth abide and continue without any further cost, and that unto them and their posterity.  
Wherefore, my counsel and advise unto the good husband and master of the family, is, that he apply himself to such planting of woods betimes, that so he may the sooner enjoy the pleasures thereof: and that in so doing, he cast them so, as that they may grow as near unto his lodging and house where he meaneth to dwell, as possibly may be, for his further both profit and pleasure: for if no good else should come thereof, yet they would serve to break the raging and blustering winds annoying the house, if they be well placed, and so conveniently, as a man may be able to dispose them.   

CHAP. XIIII.  
A treatise of the nature, properties, and differences of wild trees, and what ground they delight most in.  
SEeing it hath been delivered and laid down here above, what time and manner is to be observed in the planting of all wild trees, and in giving them such tillage, as may easily, and in short time, procure their growth; it hath seemed good unto me, to write some little thing of the nature and sorts of trees which are planted and found ordinarily in the woods and forests of France, and to declare briefly what manner of ground they delight in, and in what soil they prove greatest and most profitable: to the end, that the planters of them be not frustrated of their pains and purpose, and that that which requireth a dry and hot soil, be not planted in a moist and low soil: as also, that the trees which delight in a moist and low country, be not planted in mountains and dry countries: for this falleth out oftentimes to be the cause, that such as bestow their cost in planting, do miss of their intent, and that the plant being in a ground clean contrary unto it, doth not come to any profit. For which cause, I will here in a word express my mind concerning that point, not with any purpose to describe or comprise all the natures, virtues, and properties of trees, neither yet to speak of all kinds of trees, but only to describe and declare the places and grounds wherein they prosper and grow most, as also to make known the diversity that is amongst trees of one and the same sort, and of one and the same name: as which are most fit to be planted, and best for to make shadows to walk or sit in.  
I know, that there are divers sorts of trees that grow both in the Eastern, Northern, and Southern parts of the world, whereof we are almost altogether ignorant, and which, in respect of the diversity of the regions, do not grow at all in this climate: and of these I mind not to speak at all, because my purpose is only in brief to lay down that which is necessary to be known about the planting of common trees, such as are ordinarily to be found in our own forests, and not of strange and foreign ones, the trouble about which would be more than the pleasure. And as for such as are desirous to attain the perfect knowledge of all manner of trees growing in any part of the world, and their virtues, properties, natures, and seeds, they may see the same at large in Theophrastus, in his fourth book of the history of Plants, and in the third book, where he particularly entreateth of the kinds of wild and savage trees: for he particularly runneth through the nature, force, virtue, seed, and manner of planting of every wild tree, as well those of the East, North, and South, as those of the West: but it shall be sufficient for us at this time to declare the nature of five or six sorts of trees which commonly grow in the countries hereby, and of their kinds, and what ground every one delighteth in.  
Now therefore to begin, there are two sorts of trees in general: the one is called water-trees, or trees delighting to grow in or near unto the brinks of waters, 
Trees loving to live near the water.  in meadows, and in low and watery places: the other land trees, or trees delighting to grow upon the firm and solid land, and where the waters by inundations or overflowings use not to come. But first we will speak of the trees living in or about water.   

CHAP. XV.  
Of the Aller, Poplar, Birch, Willow, and other trees haunting the water.  
YOu shall understand, that there are four or five sorts of trees, which of their own nature grow near unto waters, and which, except they have great store of moisture do hardly prosper or grow at all: of which, amongst the rest, the Aller is one that most coveteth the water: for the Aller is of that nature, as that it would be half covered in water, and at the least, the most part of the roots must of necessity be within, and stand lower than the water, for otherwise they would not take, insomuch, as that trees of such nature ought to be planted in moist meadows, and near unto the brooks running along by the said meadows, or in marshes, for in such grounds they take and grow exceeding well. This tree is apt to take in moist places, because it is a white wood, containing much pith, and putting forth great store of boughs in a short time, by reason of the moistness of the waters wherewith it is nourished and fed.  
The said Aller trees may be planted two manner of ways, as namely, either of branches gathered from great Allers, or of live roots digged up in most places, together with the earth, and set again in the like ground, and that in such sort, as that the half of the said roots be lower than the water, and the upper part covered with earth the depth of one finger: and in the mean time, before they be planted, they must have all their branches cut off too, within a finger's length of the root, and it will put forth again many young shoots, after the manner of hazel trees. You may read more of the Aller tree in the fourth book.  
There is another sort of water-wood, which hereabout is commonly called white wood: 
White wood.  of this kind, are the Poplar, Birch, and other sorts of wood, which grow close by the water side, and upon the banks of ditches, springs, and little brooks: and it is a common practice in Italy, to lay their conveyances and pipes to carry their water from rivers throughout their grounds, of those woods. And these kinds of trees may be easily planted of young roots along by the water and river side, both most conveniently and profitably, especially the white Poplar, otherwise called the Asp tree, whose leaves are apt to shake with every small wind. Where roots cannot be got, there may, in their stead, be taken fair and strong plants, such as are used in the planting of Willows. The Birch doth somewhat resemble the white Poplar in his bark, and the Beech tree in his leaf, but it craveth a colder and moister soil than the Poplar. And this is the cause why it groweth so plentifully in cold countries.  
The other sort of water-wood is the Willow: which, as we find by proof, groweth nothing well, except it be in a moist and warrie country, and near joining to waters. The manner of planting of Willows, is commonly, by setting of Willow plants, and those such as are of a good thickness and strength, as namely as great as one may gripe: for look how much the stronger and thicker they be, so much the more shoots will they put forth, and so much the stronger. This tree differeth much from the Aller: for the Aller will have his roots all within water, but the Willow would stand higher, and spread his roots along into the ground that is wet and moist, and near unto water, without having his roots altogether in the water: according whereunto, it is continually seen, that Willows planted upon causeyes & banks, having some ditch of water joining thereunto, & that in such sort, as that their roots may reach but to the brinks and edges of the water, prove fairer, taller, and more plentiful than those which grow in waterish meadows, because that for the ●●st part their roots stand moist in water. You may read of the Holm tree in the fourth book.  
I say not that Willows, Allers, Poplars, & such white wood will not grow in high places, notwithstanding that it is their nature to grow near to water, and do prosper best in such places: and if they be planted in high places, and far from water, they are hardly nourished, and put forth very little in growth: insomuch, as that a hundred such trees as are planted in watery countries, will yield more wood than a thousand planted in a dry country, notwithstanding all the endeavour and husbandry that can be used, yea, and they will perish and die a great deal sooner.  
This I say, because it is easy to make them grow, and to husband them in a high or hilly place, by watering and dressing of them in convenient sort: which labours, as they are not performed without great cost, so if they happen to be neglected, it proveth to be the loss and spoil of the trees: whereas if they be planted in some place that is fit for them, and near unto water, according as their nature requireth, they will prosper without the toil or industry of man used therein. Notwithstanding, for as much as the first years after they be planted they have much to do to shoot and nourish their roots and such branches as are already put forth, it will be best to free them of all such twigs as they shall put forth the first year, to the end they may more easily seed their roots, as also that thereby the force of winds, which would take such hold of offal, may not shake and loosen those which are already fast, for upon such causes trees do many times die, be they never so well planted.  
I know that it is not always required, that such pains should be taken (especially about those which are orderly and conveniently planted) in planting or pruning of them: notwithstanding, I say thus much for them which go about the making of close alleys for walks and shades, that they may cause them to grow much in a short time, for this they shall effect by planting of them in furrows, and not one of them perish: and as for their pain and labour, they shall have the pleasure thereof in shorter time and larger manner.  
Herewithal it must be noted, 
Trees must be well and surely planted at the first.  that whensoever you set or plant any such trees, you must so do it, as that it need not a second doing: for if any of them should die, it would be the harder to set others in their places, so as that they would thrive, because the shadow of the other which live, would cause the same to die, seeing it is usually seen, that the elder and stronger ones do oppress the weaker, keeping them under, and causing them to miscarry. Wherefore the greater care is to be used in the first planting of them, and the more pain to be taken with them, seeing the sequel is a thin● that is so hard to be redressed.  
The time to plant Willows, 
The time to plant Willows, Allers, etc.  Allers, Poplars, and other such woods, is always found best in the beginning of February, or at the later end of januarie, when the great cold is past, being otherwise apt to hurt such plants as are new set, as hath already been said.  
As concerning the properties of these trees thus delighting in watery grounds: the leaves and flowers of the white Poplar, although they be a little hot, do notwithstanding make a very cooling ointment called Populeum, good to take away the heat of inflammations, as also the milk out of women's breasts that are newly delivered.  
Birch-tree yieldeth twigs, which serve to make rods for the punishing of thieves withal, as also to make baskets, little mands, besoms, and coverings for earthen bottles. Of the stock is made charcoal, serving for the melting of metal: And of the rind are made links to give light in the night season: for to such end do country people use them. The juice of the leaves mixed amongst the rennet of a Calf, doth keep cheese from worms and rottenness. If you pierce the stock of the Birch-tree, there will come forth a water, which being drunk a long time, is of power to break the stone of the reins and bladder: being taken in a gargarism, it drieth the ulcers of the mouth: and being used in lotions, it cleanseth and taketh away the filthiness and infections of the skin.   

CHAP. XVI.  
Of Ashes, Elms, and Maple-trees.  
THe Ash doth naturally crave a low and waterish country, 
Ash- 〈◊〉.  and therefore doth grow more plentifully in such places than in high grounds: and therefore, for the most part, they must be planted in such low and watery grounds, though not altogether so low and watery as the Willow, Poplar, and Aller do crave: howbeit notwithstanding they may be planted in indifferent grounds, and Elms will grow well therein. Their proper nature is to delight in moist valleys, for therein they prosper well, and grow up to a great height, with straightness and beautifulness of Timber: Notwithstanding, this is a common wood, which may be planted in all sorts of grounds, howsoever that it like better in fat and moist grounds, than in those which are but indifferent: but they much dislike the dry, rough, stiff, and gravely grounds, if they be not mingled with moisture. The ancient woodward's used to plant them most in hedge-rowes, and on the tops of great banks or ditches, where they might have dry standing, yet be continually fed at the root with a little moisture: which sure was a very good and husbandly manner of planting the Ash, neither shall you at any time see it prosper better, than when it is planted in such places. It is naturally of itself ● little more tender than other wild trees, and desireth a more gentle and loose mould, which maketh them prosper the best in mixed hazel grounds, or in moist sandy ground: yet if they do take in clay grounds, as doubtless with a very little care they will do, one Ash so growing, is better, tougher, and more serviceable than any three which are taken from the sandy or mixed earths. It is a timber of no less precious use than any other whatsoever: for of it are made all your best Pikes, Byll-shafts, Halberd-shafts, and divers other engines for the wars: of it also is made all manner of Blow and Cart-timber whatsoever, as Beams, Heads, Skeathes, Hales, Spyndles, Shelboords, Cart or Wayne bodies, rings for Wheels, Naves, Harrow-buls, Harrow-teeths, Axletrees, and any other instrument or engine which desireth a firm, gentle yet a very tough wood: a timber that must bend before it break, and not by any means be too extreme portable or heavy in the carriage, but both light for the hand of him that shall use it, and also strong enough to endure the stress or labour it shall be put unto; also it must be gentle and soft to cut: all which the Ash is, more than any other tree whatsoever.  
There are three sorts of Elms: 
Elms of three sorts.  The one is, of those which have a small little leaf, and a black stalk: The second hath a large leaf, and a reasonable white stalk: The third of them hath a very large leaf, and the stalk as it were all white. Those which are to be chosen for planting, are those two later, for they are of greater growth, and are wont to prosper better: besides that, they are fairer, and put forth more boughs, making thereby a greater shadow.  
Of these three sorts, there are both males and females: 
Male and female Elms.  we call those females, which bear most fruit, and the thicker seed; and the males we call those which are lesser, and bear their fruit of seed, in the midst of the leaves, and that in such sort, as that they seem to bear neither fruit nor seed. And for this cause there are many that write of Husbandry, affirming the said tree to bear no fruit or seed, and that it groweth either of a plant or shoot. And of this opinion was Trem●lius. Notwithstanding, it is certain, that every leaf beareth his fruit contained within the midst thereof, and thereof will Elmes grow, being sown in due time. And of this opinion is Columella; 
Columella.  and experience itself doth show the same: he making two differing sorts of Elms, calling the one sort, the fairest and tallest Elms of France: and the other sort, Italian Elms. And as concerning those fairest Elms, if they be to be found, they must be planted, because they grow up the sooner that way, and put forth much larger boughs. Theophrastus 
Theophr●stus.  and some other writers do make them less differing, according to the country wherein they grow. I have been the more willing to describe them according to their kind of leaf and wood, that you may the more easily know them. I would have you to look back into the fourth book, and there you shall find their natures and virtues more at large described. The soils in which they most of all delight, is a very stiff clay: and the principal use of them, over and above the making of Bow-staves formerly mentioned, is the making of naves for wagons or cartwheels, for which they are more excellent than any other wood whatsoever; and the more knotty and twound they are, a great deal the ●itter they are for that purpose: so, that as the clean grown, smooth, and even Elm serves for other purposes, so the knotty, uneven, and most crooked Elm will serve for this.  
Amongst these sorts of trees we may place the Maple-trees (called of the Latins Ac●res) because in their nature they somewhat resemble the Elm: They crave the like ground, namely, a fat and moist ground: they grow (as the Elms do) in all arable grounds: they put forth in a short time great branches, and but little greenness. This tree hath a very white body, beareth small leaves like the leaves of three-leaved grass, and doth not breed or gather any great store of vermin. It naturally groweth short● crooked, rugged, and beareth seldom any great length of timber: yet where it groweth otherwise, the timber is very firm, white, close, and durable. It serveth for diverse excellent and good purposes: as namely, it is the best of all other, by reason of the wonderful whiteness thereof, for all manner of inlaid works, which joiners use: also it is excellent for all manner of Turner's ware: as for the making of trenchers, dishes, bowls, sewing knives, and other implements for the Table, provided, it be evermore of at least a year or more seasoning: for if it be wrought green, it will warp, rive, and be indeed for no purpose. Many use to season it in a dry house, but than it asketh a longer time, and the sap will be much longer in consuming: but the best way is to let it lie abroad all the first Winter, and take all wet which falls, for that will drive the natural wet of the sap soon out of it, and then house it the Summer following, and then after you may safely work it at your pleasure.  
The Ash is contrarily inclined: 
The Ash.  for thereon breedeth oftentimes such abundance of vermin, as that thereby all their leaves are eaten and bored very full of little holes. Of this sort of Trees, as well Elmes, as Ashes and Maples, the best are those which grow the soon, and spread out the largest boughs in a short time.  
As concerning the properties of these three kinds of Trees, 
The virtues of the Elm.  we have spoken in the third book, in the Chapter of Balms, how there is made a singular balm of the little fruit that is found enclosed in the leaves of one of the sorts of Elmes. Furthermore, the water which is found enclosed in this little fruit, maketh the face neat and shining, if it be washed therewith: again, double linen clothes being wet in this juice or water, and applied unto children which are bursten, becometh a singular remedy for them. The same juice also put into a glasse-bottle, and buried in the earth, or dung, for the space of five and twenty days, being well stopped, and having the bottom set upon a heap of salt, proveth singular good to cure green wounds, if they be dressed with tents steeped in the said juice.  
The Maple-tree in this country amongst other things is had in request, 
Shooting ●owes.  because of the boughs thereof there are made Bows, and that because they are stiff and hard to bend.  
The Ash-tree hath a singular virtue against the venom of Serpents: for it is such an enemy, and so contrary unto them, as that they dare not draw near or approach unto the shadow thereof: and again, as hath been proved of many, if you make (as it were) a circle of the leaves or boughs of the Ash-tree, and put within the same a Serpent by the one side thereof, and a burning fire on the other side, the Adder will rather adventure to pass through the fire, than over the Ash-tree leaves. For this cause Nature, as one careful of the good of mankind, hath provided, that the Ash should flourish before that Adders and Vipers do use to come out of their holes in the Spring time: as also, that it should not fall his leaves in Autumn, till they have taken up their Winter resting place. Wherefore, if it happen, that any Horse, Cow, or other beasts of the Farmers should be bitten by some serpent or other venomous beasts, there cannot be found a more sovereign remedy, than to stamp the tenderest leaves that are to be found upon the Ash, & straining out the juice, to give it the beast to drink, and afterward to lay upon the grieved part the dr●sse of the stamped leaves: this is likewise a good remedy for men that are bitten of any Adder or Viper. The decoction of the rind of the Ash-tree taken, is singular good to open the obstructions of the Spleen, and to draw out great store of water from such as have the Dropsy, as also to make fat folks lean. Also the keys of the Ash, or that which is the seed thereof, is of most singular use amongst Painters, and being ground, maketh him divers pretty and most useful colours. The Ash is only an enemy unto corn, and will not suffer any to grow by any means within the compass of the shadow thereof: and therefore it should as seldom as might be, be planted in cornfields, except you leave such large space of greeneswarth betwixt it and the corne-lands, that no part of the shadow may extend to the same.   

CHAP. XVII.  
Of Chestnut-trees.  
THe Chesnut-tree is a strong and mighty tree, much like unto the Oak. It is a fast wood, and good to build withal, as also to underprop Vines, and make other works, which are made of Oak. It groweth of the seed of the Chestnut, which is sown after the manner of the acorn, and so it groweth and putteth forth his shoots both sooner and more effectually, and taketh commonly in all grounds, yea even in the sandy or gravely grounds: but yet it shuneth the grounds that lie open to the perching heat of the Sun, affecting altogether the little hills and mountains that are cold and lie upon the North. The seed or fruit thereof (called the Chestnut) is sometimes spoiled, and that after the same manner that the acorn is, as by too much dryness, which maketh it that it cannot bud or blossom: or by too great store of water, putrefying both the Chestnut and acorn, before it can spring out of the earth: or else by cattle, moules, field-mices, and such sorts of vermin, which eat or wound the Chestnut & acorn within the ground. The nature of the young plants of Chestnut-trees and Oaks are much alike, and the manner of dressing them also: and if you would have them to put forth store of boughs, you must cut them after they have been planted three or four years, and not before, and that in the beginning of the Spring time, for so you shall make them put forth twice as much: and yet it is not without danger to use any edge-tool in cutting them, for thereby they oftentimes die. So then, if there put forth any branches or sprigs along the stem, in the first, second, or third year, you may at the beginning of such their putting forth crop them off, and break them away with your hand whiles they are young and tender, and not to take any knife unto them, and then you shall do best.   

CHAP. XVIII.  
Of the Oak and the differences thereof, Hornebeame, Beech, Linden tree, and others.  
YOu shall understand that the oak is a tree bearing most fruit, and affording the most commodity of any tree in France. And for this cause it hath been accustomed to preserve and keep store of these kinds of trees in old woods and forests, 
The different names of the oaks are Robur, Quercus, Ilex.  as being most necessary and profitable. Some do make three sorts of this kind of tree, and of every sort a male and a female: for notwithstanding that the common people call them all by the common name of oak, yet the Latins attribute to every sort his several and proper name, call one sort thereof Robur, another Quercus, and the third Ilex.  
The first of these sorts is a kind of oak which is very thick and strong, having a body that is very thick below, and full of knots, and very mighty, having great roots, and spreading far and wide in the ground: and at the top of the body or bowl which is but short, it beareth many and great quantity of boughs that are also thick, spread abroad and long, taking great room: and for that cause are planted the one from the other a great distance, that so they may have room for their boughs to spread. The wood growing upon this sort of oaks is fitter to make fire wood of, than timber to build withal, because it hath but a short bowl, and riseth not up to any great height and squareness, having his boughs therewithal crooked and writhe. There are many forests to be seen, wherein this kind of oaks doth grow, as namely those whose oaks are thick and short, standing far a sunder, and yet spreading on a great breadth above.  
The other sort of oaks hath both a reasonable thick and long body, as namely of the height of four or five good fathoms, as also four or five reasonable tail and strait boughs growing thereupon, but nor spread forth into any great breadth, as neither the body is so well covered and shadowed therewith as the former. And this sort of oaks is good for beams of houses, and great pieces of timber, to be put in buildings, as also for to saw and clea●e, because it is not knotty and hard as the former. And of th●s sort there are to be seen many forests planted in France, and they are more thick and closer grown with timber, than the others which I am about to speak of, because the boughs of these do rise more strait up, and take not up so much room.  
The third sort of oaks hath a small body, but very strait, and growing to the height of seven or eight fathoms without any boughs, and at the top of their said bodies, bearing, but seal store of boughs and wood, in such sort, as that all the wood is in the bowl, seeming to be only a nosegay at the top. And this kind of wood standeth very near the foot one of another, rising up equally and alike unto a great height and greatness, and the forests furnished with this kind, are very profitable to make all sorts of buildings, whether it be to make the ioyces thereof, or any of the other sorts of long and middle timber, as those required for for walls or roofs. And of this kind of wood there are many forests in this country.  
All these three sorts of wood do bear a great leaf, and that every one like unto another, save that they are some of them large and great, some but indifferent and the third sort small and little. Again, they bear some of them acorns that are more long and thick, othersome, acorns that are more thick and short, and again other some of them, acorns that are smaller and longer.  
Furthermore, there is not any of these three sorts which consisteth not of male and female. 
The male and female of oaks.  The female is commonly called that (as Theophrastus 
Theophrastus.  saith) which beareth the most and strongest fruit: whereupon it followeth, that if those are to be called the females which do bear most store of fruit; we must needs call those males, which bear least fruit. When they bear fruit, or when they bear none, the barren are called the males, 
The barren is called the male, and the fruitful the female.  and the fruitful the females. Theophrastus putteth another difference betwixt those which are fruitless: but I mean not to write any thing thereof at this present, purposing to be brief, & to refer such as are desirous to see the same, to Theophrastus his third book of the history of Plants, under the title of the Oak: as also in like manner for all other sorts of trees, which I spare to speak of, that so I may not exceed my former purpose and intent.  
All these sorts of Oaks are of great continuance and length of life, insomuch, as that some allot unto them to live three hundred years: 
That the life of an Oak containeth 100 years of growth, 100 years of standing in a s●ay, and 100 to perish and die in.  that is to say, one hundred to grow, one hundred to stand at a stay, and one hundred to decline and fall away: which may easily be seen in the old and ancient forests.  
And whereas the Oak is long in coming to his growth, and long in dying, it is no marvel, if the Elm, the Ash, the Maple, and other woods, set in the like and no better ground, do put forth their boughs and branches more speedily and mightily than the Oak: for the nature of those trees is to grow up soon to their p●●fection, and so to die and fade soon; and the nature of the Oak is to grow by leisure, to flourish a long time, and to be long before it die. Now Nature will not be over-chased: as may be seen in a horse, 
The horse at his full growth at five, and a man a● five and twenty.  which cometh to his growth in five years, and man not before he be five and twenty; and so the whole continuance of the one is more durable than that of the other. This I speak in respect of such, as by and by look to have wood to become grown according as they can wish: giving them to know, that to answer their hasty desire, it will be best for them to plant Ashes, Elms, and Maple only, seeing they are given to spring mightily, and in a short time, putting forth more boughs in six years, than the Oak in ten. Whereas they which desire to have a more pleasant, profitable, and durable wood, though it be longer in coming to perfection, must plant Oaks, Chestnut-trees, Horne-beames, and Beech-trees, for they are reasonably long in growing, and of like durableness, and put forth but small store of shoots, like as the Oak, in such sort, as that they become trees of one and the same sort and growth, and to be planted after one manner, and at one time, as hath been said before. It is very true, that the Oak delighteth in a fat, good, and dry ground, even as the Hornebeame and Beech-tree do: notwithstanding, the Hornebeame and Beech will grow more easily in a stony ground or country, although that every sort of trees whatsoever be given to grow the better, by how much the ground is better wherein they are planted. But some do naturally delight in and crave a good ground, as for example the Oak, if you would have it to prosper well: for and if you plant it in an indifferent ground, it will prosper but indifferently: and if it be set in a hard and barren soil, it hardly prospereth, and doth nothing but burn away with the heat of the Sun: and yet Horne-beames and Beeches do grow in grounds that are but indifferent: yea, they may be seen to prosper well in hard and stony grounds.  
The pits are in good season opened, and all the said trees more conveniently planted, in the month of February, when the strength of Winter it well broken, as always hath been said.  
The Horne-beame●tree 
Hornebeame.  (called of the Latins Carpinus) groweth in the same ground, and after the same fashion, that th● Maple doth. The wood of this tree hath in times passed been used to helue husbandmen's tools, and to make yokes for Oxen: but now it is made matter for the fire, being a wood that hath least moisture, but more dryness, and which maketh the b●st coal. Which proceedeth not from the natural defect of the Tree, but from the ill husbanding and planting of the same, when either it is not regarded at the first shooting up, or is cropped by cattle when it is tender, or else planted in a stiffe-binding earth, in which it joyeth not at all, any of which makes it grow crooked, knotty, and without form, and so consequently of small use: but being planted on good ground, whose mould is loose and yielding, and husbanded and defended from other annoyances, it will shoot forth strait and upright, and bear a very smooth and most delicate timber: which timber is of great price and estimation amongst Fletcher's, for it maketh the strongest and best arrow of any wood whatsoever, and is preferred far before either birch or brasil, as being of an indifferent and true poise, neither so light as the one, nor so heavy as the other.  
The beech 
Beech.  (called of the Latins Fagus) as it resembleth the hornebeame very near, so it craveth the like soil and dressing for the making of it to thrive and grow well: it is true, that therefore it is worthy to be had in request, because it bringeth ●orth its fruit which is called beech-mast, and that of no less profit than the acorn, at the least the squirrels, turtle doves, crane's, and such other birds do fat themselves thereupon. The men of ancient time did make their wine vessels, fats, and drinking vessel of the rind of this tree.  
It prospereth exceedingly well in grounds that are full of pebble, flint, and other small stones, whether mixed with sand or clay it mattereth not, provided that the mould be not too much tough and binding, neither exceeding hard and rocky, but apt to break and yield to the root, which by reason of the greatness of the boale or body of the tree, which may ever compare with the oak, aught to have both a strong and a deep hold. The timber of the beech is good for boards or planks, or for any Io●●ers ware, as bed-steeds, tables, stools, chairs, cupboards, chests, or any other thing, except wainscot, or ●eeling, which by reason of the softness of the timber, it is not so much allowed therefore: it is also very good for Turner's ware, and especially, for great washing bowls, trays, and such like, or any other household necessary, which desireth a plain smooth wood, which is gentle to cut, and delicate for the eye to look on.  
The linden tree 
The linden tree  groweth very well in hilly and high mounted places, so that they be notwithstanding moist and somewhat waterish: the wood thereof is fit to make coffers and boxes: and the rind to make cradles or baskets to lay young children in.  
The corke-tree 
The corke-tree.  craveth the like soil with the ash and oak: it is no where to be found in all the forests of France, but in great store in the country of Bearne and Foix. This is a thing worth the noting in this tree, namely, that it may have its bark peeled off without doing of any injury unto the same: and this is ordinarily employed about the making of hives for bees, and for the soles of slipper and pantofles, usually worn during the cold time of Winter.  
The yew-tree (which the Latins call Taxus) is very common in our forests: 
The yew-tree.  it groweth well upon mountains or rocks. The wood thereof is good to make coffers, footstools, bows, arrows, darts, and other such like stately joiners works of, because it hath divers veins, and is not subject to be eaten of worms. Some there are which report, that it is deadly either to eat or sleep under the shadow of it, and that if a man eat of the fruit thereof, it casteth him into an ague and bloody flux.  
And seeing I have resolved to be brief, and not to pass beyond my bounds, it shall be sufficient to have made this short rehearsal, commending such as are desirous to see further into this skill and knowledge, to such books of husbandry as thoroughly entreat of all the parts of the same, seeing they are to be had every where, and seeing that in them such things are to be attained to the ●ull, as I for brevity sake have omitted and left untouched.  
As concerning the virtues and properties of the foresaid trees, the oak hath many things, and those of great commendation. The leaves, his nuts (which are called galls) his messeltoe (as being called the messeltoe of the oak.) The tender leaves thereof which are but as yet budding and putting forth may be distilled, and the water thereof is singular against the fluxes of the liver, to break the stone, 
T●e stone.  and to stay the whites of women. 
The whites o● wom●n.  The greater sort of galls or apples have this property in them, namely to presage 
presages.  and foretell three things, that is to say, war, dearth, pestilence: for if you open them which are whole, you shall find therein either a little ●lie, or a little spider, or a little worm: if the fly fly away, it betokeneth that there will be war: if the little worm do creep, it is a sign of dearth that year: and if the spider do run to and fro, it prognosticateth an infinite number of pestilent diseases. The oak apples dried and made into powder, do speedily stay all manner of flux in the belly. The misseltoe of the oak taken inwardly, doth greatly assuage the torments of such as are taken with the falling sickness. 
Falling sickness.   
The beech-tree is much used to make baskets and mands of for to gather grapes in. And hereof likewise men in old time were wont to make vessels to sacrifice unto their gods. The leaves of the beech-tree chawed, do heal the chaps of the lips, 
Chaps of the lips.  and the frettings of the gums. The fruit of the beech-tree, which is called beech-mast, dried and made into ashes, being mixed with lineaments, is of great force and power against the stone 
The stone.  and gravel. 
The gravel.     

Of the Park for the keeping of wild beasts.  

CHAP. XIX.  
Of the situation of the Parks, and of the manner of ordering the wild beasts therein.  
TO the end we may not leave any thing out of this description of a country farm, whereof the Farmer or Lord of the soil may make any profit, or else take any pleasure, my advice and counsel is, that according as the places and grounds may conveniently afford, there be parks made near unto the farm, therein to breed and keep hares, wild goats, or fallow dear, wild swine, and such other like wild beasts, to the end that the Lord and Master of the place may now and then recreate himself therewith, and take his sport in seeing the said wild beasts hunted; as also that if he be disposed to make any great feast or banquet, 
The profit of the park.  he may therein be sure to find as in his kitchen of larder house for to make ready meat of, besides the benefit which the good husband may make yearly thereof by selling of them.  
The park would be seated (if it be possible) within a wood of high and tall timber trees, 
The situation of the park.  in a place compassed about, and well fenced with walls made of rough stone and lime, or else of bricks and earth-lome, or else with pales made of oak planks. You must foresee that there be some little brook of spring-water running along by the place, or for want of spring-water and natural streams, you must prepare ditches and pools walled and daubed in such sort as that they may receive and keep the rainwater.  
Nor ought the park to consist of one kind of ground only, as all wood, all grass, or all coppise, but of divers, as part high wood, part grass or champion, and part coppise, or under-wood, or thick spring: nor must these several grounds lie open, or as it were in common one with another; but they must be separated one from the other by a strong rail, through which dear or sheep (but no greater cattle) may pass, for they must have the full liberty of every place: neither must the park be situated upon any one entire hill, plain, or else valley, but it must consist of divers hills, divers plains, and divers valleys: the hills which are commonly called the views or discoveries of parks would be all goodly high woods of tall timber, as well for the beauty and gracefulness of the park, as also for the echo and sound which will rebound from the same, when in the times of hunting, either the cries of the hounds, the winding of horns, or the gibbetting of the huntsmen passeth through the same, doubling the music, and making it ten times more delightful: the plains, which are called in parks the lands, would be very champion and fruitful, as well for the breeding of great store of grass and hay for the feeding and nourishing of his dear or other wild beasts, as also for the pleasure of coursing with greyhounds, when at any time the owner shall be disposed to hunt in that manner; for when the hounds shall have hunted the game from the thicks unto the lands, than the greyhounds being placed thereupon, may in the view of the beholder's course upon the same, and beget a delight past equal. The valleys which are called the coverts or places of lere for wild beasts, would be all very thick sprung or underwood, as well for the concealing of them from potchers and purloiners, as for giving them rest and shadow in the day time, who cannot endure to lie open to the view of passengers, or undefended by darkness and obscurity: also these thick coverts are defences for the wild beasts to save them from the cunning scents or noses of hounds when they pursue them, making th●ir doubles and windings therein so intricate and cunningly, that they scape many times their most mortalest mischief: also in these thick coverts, the hunted dear finding an unhunted dear where he lodgeth, will forthwith beat him up and lie down himself in his place, making the hounds undertake the fresh dear, and so escape his own danger, which in the open places he cannot do: and the park is a place that must contain all things for the good and safety of the game it keepeth. Thus you see the park must consist of view, land, and covert, and the situation of ●ill valley, and plain. Now for the water of which formerly we spoke you shall know it is very right necessary in parks, as well for the relief and sustenance of wild beasts, as for the watering, washing, and moistening of the grounds to make them fruitful. Besides whensoever your gain is extremely hunted, and brought to the pinch of extremity, than he will fly to the water, which is called the soil, and there find relief and rescue: for according to the saying of the profit David, As the Hart desireth the water brooks etc. so a dear in his greatest extremity findeth relief and is refreshed by drinking or bathing in the water. For a bet●er proof whereof, I will repeat unto you a notable true and very memorable experiment approved by a gentleman of good worship and place in his country, who being a very good huntsman, and very well experienced in the nature of wild dear, It was his chance to bring up a tame Stag, which by the excellency of his keeping and full feeding, grew a very fair and great dear, as soon as the dear was three years old, he caused him to be broke to the saddle, and being himself a good horseman, and having a good horseman then attending upon him, what through the one's instruction and the others pain, the Stag became so well reclaimed, that not any gelding in his stable was more obedient to the man, better mouthed, or more tractable to carry his rider than the Stag was; in so much that when at any time the gentleman went forth a coursing, or to other pleasure, he would cause the Stag to be ridden forth with him, also when he traveild any small journey the Stag also carried a man with him: but the rider of the Stag found that after he had gone three or four miles, the Stag did ●uer faint and grew weary, which as soon as he imparted to his master, he presently commanded him to ride the Stag when he so fainted to the next water, and there cause him to drink, only calling to mind the saying of David before rehearsed, and he found that so soon as the Stag had drunk, he was as fresh as at his first setting forth, and by that observation only could make the dear travel twenty and five and twenty miles a day without any trouble, by which it is most credibly found, that not any thing can be more necessary in a park than store of sweet & cold water, of which the river is best, the fountain next, and the standing pond the worst, notwithstanding the standing pond how ever it is the worst water, yet it is very commodious, because in it you may breed all sorts of da●●tie fresh fish, as the carp, bream, pike, tench, and perch: also in them you may both feed and breed all manner of wild foul, by framing little Islands in the midst of those lakes or ponds where the swans, bussards, elkes, and other sma●l foul may frame their nests and lay their eggs out of the danger of the water. In the most convenientest land of the park, which is most spacious and fruitful, and which hath the greatest prospect into the park, and where the dear take greatest delight to feed, there you shall build the lodge or house for the Keeper to dwell in, and it shall by all means stand clean, and open every way, so as there may be no secret approach made unto the same, but such as the Keeper may easily behold from his windows: and it shall stand so fair in the view of the land, that from thence a man may see every way round about the same, and some part up into the high woods, and other most secret parts of the park, so that when the least disturbance or trouble is offered vn●o the dear, a man may from that lodge take notice of the same: this house must be made like unto a little forcellet or fort strong and with divers angles, the windows whereof so flanking one another, that when any approach by stealers or other malicious persons shall be made to the same, the Keeper may from thence either with his bows or with some other engines so annoy them, that they shall by no means besiege or coop him up in his house, (which is the practice of many subtle knaves) but that he may despite their force, issue forth and defend himself and his charge against them: if there be any part of the house which the windows cannot flanker as the doors, iaumes, or such like, then over them shall be made little loopeholes, through which the Keeper may either shoot, cast stones or scalding water to make them avoid from the same: close by this lodge shall be built the kennel for the Keeper's hounds, and the cocke-house where he shall keep his fight cocks and hens: also without it shall be made a place for him to hang the horns which his dear shall cast at the latter end of the Spring time: also in your park as well at both the ends of your land which are the next adjoining to the covert, as in all other suspicious places where any man may in the night, course your dear, you shall place long sticks or slaves which are four or five foot in length, and two or three inches in compa●●e, with both the ends sharpened exceeding sharp, and stuck sloapewise into the ground, and standing not above a foot and a half or two foot above the the ground at most, and these you shall set crosswise very thick, that when a stealer shall come to course in the night, his grey▪ hound may run and gored himself against the same: you shall also by no means alongst your pale walk plant fruit trees, blackthorn, or bullies, for they are the occasion of much hurt and destruction to your pale, under the colour of gathering the fruit, and breed a great decay to your quickset, besides many other mischiefs which are excussed by the pretence of getting that fruit only: yet would I not have the park unfurnished of all manner of fruit, for besides the pleasure thereof, they are an excellent mast in which dear infinitely delight, and are ●ed very much with the same. You shall not by any means in one park mix the red dear and the fallow dear together, for the red dear is a masterfull beast, and when the time of bellowing cometh, he grows fierce and outrageous, so that he will be entire Lord of the field, and will kill the fallow dear if they but cross him in his walk: and therefore each must be kept severally in several parks.  
Again Cranes, Raven's, and wild-geese are excellent things to be nourished in a park, and will stand in steed of Keepers unto the same: for in the night time, if any thing stir about the ground to which they are not continually accustomed, they will with their clamours and noise not only give warning to the Keeper, but any that shall dwell near to the ground, not ceasing their noise till the ground be at peace and rest again.  
It is meet also that there should be great store of grass ground in the place, 
Provision of ●ood ●or wild beasts.  and trees bearing fruit: amongst all other trees there is special account made of acorns, wild apples, wild pears, strawberry trees, & other such like, for the feeding of these wild beasts. Notwithstanding the good farmer must not content himself with the provision which the ground bringeth forth of itself: but at such times as the earth is barren, and when there is nothing to ●eed upon in the forests, they must have given unto them of the harvest fruits, and be fed with barley, pure wheat, beans, the droste of the wine pres●e, and whatsoever else is good cheap.  
And to the end that these wild cattle may the better know that there is such provision of meat for them, there must be amongst them some tame ones, and such as have been trained up in the house, for they will follow any whither, and draw the other after them, and so bring them to the place of provision for their feeding. And this order must not only be observed in Winter, but also when they be great with young, and when they have calued, that so they may feed them the better. And to that end there must regard be had to see when they have fauned, that there may be corn given them.  
The wild boar would not be let grow elder than the age of four years, for he groweth unto this time, but afterward paireth and becometh lean by reason of old age: wherefore it is meet that he should be sold whiles he is in his beauty and prime.  
A Stag may be kept a long time, for he is young a great time, and liveth a great while.  
But as concerning small beasts, as hares, they must not be put in a park fenced only with posts and pales: for seeing they are small, they will easily pass through the gaping and open spaces, and having got through, run away: Their parks therefore must be walled about, and their feeding of fourage or mas●in corn, succories, lettuses, cich-pease, barley steeped in rain water; for leverets are not greatly in love with dry corn. As for coneys we have spoken of them in the treatise of the Warren.    

Of the Heronrie.  

CHAP. XX.  
Of the situation of the Heronrie, and of the ordering of the Heronshewes.  
WE have entreated in the first book of certain strange and wild birds, as peacocks, turkeys, pheasants, and small hens, and have said that it is a curious and difficult thing to breed and bring them up: and we may say as much or more of the herne, which is called of the Latins Ardea, as a man would say Ardua, because he is given to fly on high: for there is nothing but charges in this bird, without any profit. True it is that princes and great states, which love the game, may take some pleasure and delight in the fight of the hawk for to take the herne, as also some good liking in swallowing the sweet morsels in eating of the herne, but especially of the stomach and breast: in like manner there are some that say, that a Herne is a princely dish, and meat for a king; but all this pleasure is not come by without double costs. Let us then put case and admit that the Lord and Master of the farm be a Prince or great Lord, and that he beareth a very good will to all manner of game, and to far daintily, than he may so provide, as that he may now and then have some sport and pastime with the Herne, either in taking or eating of the same: wherefore it shall not be a miss if we speak a word or two of the Heronrie, to the end we may not let slip and overpass any thing in general of all that which may be necessary for the beautifying and perfecting of our farm and country house.  
To provide therefore for a Heronrie or place to breed herons in, 
What place is fittest ●o a H●ronrie.  being if you mean to have it, not only for pleasure but also for profit unto the Lord thereof, you must first consider that the herne is but a guest for a time, affecting solitariness, and very fantastical, as not given to stay in any place, but such as pleaseth him very well: and for that cause it is not to be taken as an indifferent thing to place or bestow their provision for their nesting and abode in any place but only where it is conjectured, that in passing along, they have begun to rest & settle themselves, as in a place that is most pleasant and delightsome to them. 
Two things giving occasion to make choice of some certain place for a heronrie.  For the Heronrie must in providing be two manner of ways considered of: as first there must consideration be had of their food and nourishment, that so when it shall please the Lord of the farm to hawk the herne, or to make any great and costly banquet, he may have them ready at his commandment. And secondly to allure and draw herons as they fly along: for the herne that is shut and made fast in a heronrie, calleth unto him such as fly by; for they hearing the voice of the hernshew so shut up and made fast, do thereupon stay and make their nests upon the uppermost and higest part of the heronrie, whereupon it cometh, that having laid their eggs, by and by their young ones are taken to be shut up and made fast in the heronrie.  
Let us conclude then, that before there be any cost made in building a place for the heronshewes to build in, there must diligent care be had in discerning of the commodiousness and fitness of the place, and that is gathered by having known the herne now and then to have contented and pleased himself therewith: for if a man should go about to shut up a herne in such place as he taketh no delight in, he would never have young, but die out of hand. Furthermore, it is requisite that there should pass some small stream of water through the midst of the heronrie, for the heronshew is a water bird, & taketh delight and pleasure in water, as living altogether upon eels, and other such like living fishes. The building of the heronrie must be made altogether for light, wrought with very close latises and cloven plan●●es, about the height of six fathom from the ground, and well covered about, to the end that the heronshewes flying by may make their nests upon the heronrie in fit and commodious sort.  
Their meat must be li●e eels, 
〈…〉  and other s●ch like fishes, sometimes the inner parts of beasts, as also the ●lesh of wolves and dogs cut into small gobbets; and they must have given them to eat until they be full, that so they may be fat against the time of ha●king or banqueting, and not for increase or store; for there are but a few hernes that will lay eggs being restrained of their liberty.  
And yet this I will tell you by the way, 
What place is best to 〈◊〉 at the 〈…〉.  that if the Lord of the farm do take any herne out of the heronrie to make him sport by flying him with the hawk, that then he must beware not to do it near unto the heronrie, for otherwise he should take away the good liking both of flying and enclosed hernes from the heronrie, and so the heronshewes haunting the same in nesting time, would forsake it, and the enclosed would grow displeased, and fall in fear of the like danger.  
Although the heronshew be a royal meat, 
The properties o● the heronshew.  notwithstanding in as much as he is a water bird, his flesh is full of excrementuous parts, hard to be digested, and that above any other foul of the river. There is nothing more to be esteemed of in him for to be eaten, than the flesh which is gathered about his stomach or breast. Moreover, some hold and are of opinion that his bill being steeped for some time in wine, 
To pr●c●re rest and sleep.  doth make the wine forcible and able to procure sleep, and bring the body to rest.    

Of Hunting.  

CHAP. XXI.  
How that there are three sorts of hunting.  
FOllowing our purposed determination, we will entreat a word or two of hunting, not that we would wish our farmer otherwise to affect the game, than by making it sometimes his recreation, and that in the time of vacation, and surcease from his other businesses, as when he should do nothing but sleep, or keep holiday at home.  
Now there are three sorts of hunting, the one of fishes, the other of ●oules, and the third of four footed beasts, as are the Stag, roe Bucke, fallow Deer, wild Boar and Hare. In all these the Lord of the country farm may find occasion to exercise himself, but especially in the hunting of the four footed beasts▪ for fishing is more fit for the farmer's servants, as those whom it best beseemeth to busy their brains on vacant and festival days, with catching fish with the angle or pots made of osiers, that so they may have any extraor dinarie fare for their afternoon drinking or supper. The catching of birds is very pretty and pleasant, but yet if we will believe Plato, a practice more fitting a servile estate than a Governor or Commander. The hunting of four footed beasts, 
The profit of 〈◊〉 ●oure footed beasts.  as an honest exercise hath been received at all times, and permitted by the laws, especially that which was not undertaken in the night, neither yet upon slothfulness and contempt of labour: but rather for the better obtaining of a greater readiness, nimbleness, cheerfulness, and strength of body: but howsoever it is, the master of our country farm, especially if he be any great lord, may exercise himself sometimes, and take some sport in hunting after he hath given order and direction for the doing of all his business, aswell in the city, as at his champion or country house.    

Of hunting or chase of the Stag.  

CHAP. XXII.  
What dogs are best for the course or hunting.  
THe hunting of four footed beasts, as the stag, wild boar, the roe buck, and the hare, is performed principally with dogs, horses, and strength of body, sometimes with ropes and nets, and sometimes with toils: but these two sorts of taking of beasts are more fit for holiday men, milk sops, and cowards, than for men of valour, which delight more in the taking of such beasts, in respect of the exercise of their body and pleasure, than for the filling of the belly.  
Those dogs which are sit for the chase or for hunting, are most generally but of two kinds, yet particularly of divers. The two general sorts of dogs, are those which are called Greyhounds, or Hounds: 
Greyhounds and Hounds.  Greyhounds are those which belong to the leash, and are only for the coursing of all sorts of wild beasts by main swiftness of foot, or by running: they do not any thing more than their eyes govern them unto, being led by a natural instinct or hatred which they bear to all sorts of wild beasts, Hounds are those which by virtue of their scents, smells, or noses do find out all manner of wild beasts, following their footsteps by a leisurely and moderate speed, not suffering the beast to rest till they have tired him, and made themselves Lords of the the pray: all that they do, is as it were blindfold, their eyes seldom or never seeing the game till they come to devour it: and as the Greyhound through his extreme swiftness and running, showeth the greedy delight which he taketh in the sport, without once opening his mouth or making the least sign of any noise, but being as it were dumb and mute; so the hound taking a greater leisure, showeth the delight and pleasure which he taketh in the game, by his continual clamours or opening, spending his mouth in such liberal sort, that he makes the woods, valleys, and hills resound the echo or doublings of his voice; and it is amongst huntsmen taken for a most excellent music: yet this cry of hounds or opening of their mouths, is in no sort allowed to the liam hound, so long as he draweth in the string, all which time he must be exceeding silent, and mute like unto the greyhound, as well for the discovery of the game, or footsteps whatsoever he draweth after, as to hinder all preventions that the adversary may seek when he hath a warning given him by such clamours, for this drawing in the string, is the most sweetest discovery of all other, and must be done with the greatest diligence and privacy. Now to speak of greyhounds▪ first they are of all dogs whatsoever the most noble and princely, strong, nimble, swift, and valiant, and though of slender and very fine proportions, yet so well knit and coupled together, and so seconded with spirit and metal, that they are master of all other dogs whatsoever: nay, it is most certain, that the perfect and true Greyhound will even face to face and tooth to tooth conquer the strongest and fiercest mastiff whatsoever: they are of all dogs the sorest bitten and least amazed with any cruelty in their enemy, whence it comes that men esteem them and prefer them before all other dogs for the encountering of the wolf, and other beasts of his equal cruelty. Now of these Greyhounds, 
Two sorts of Greyhounds.  their Bee two kinds, the long shag-haired, and great boned Greyhound▪ and the smooth, slender and sine shaped Greyhound. Now some will add a third sort which is indifferently mixed between both: but in as much as he is a apparel and bastardly bred between the two former, we will allow him no other place than as contained in the first: of these two sorts of Greyhounds, the first which is the shag-haired dog, is held most proper for vermin or wild beasts which are ravenous, as the Tiger, the Leopard, Wolf, Fox, and such like: the other which is smooth and more delicately proportioned, are best for wild beasts of pleasure, as the Stag, the Buck, the Roe▪ the Hare, and such like. These Greyhounds are of divers colours, as some white, some black, some fallow, some dun, some brinded and some p●ed, as having white mixed with any of the former colours: and these colours have (as touching any particular goodness) no pre-eminence one above another, but are all equal, Many good a●d famous dogs having been of all these several colours, only the white is esteemed the most beautiful and best for the cie, the black and fallow hardest to ●ndure labour, and the done and brinded best for potchers and night-men, who deligh to have all their pleasures performed in darkness. Now for the choice of a good Greyhound, 
〈…〉  there are but two principal things to be observed, that is to s●y, breed and shape, Breed, which is ever as touching his 〈◊〉 and generation: for if a dog be not well descended, that is to say, begot by an ex ellent dog, or an exc●llent bitch, there can be little hope of his goodness. Now in the breeding of Greyhounds, there are diversities of opinions, for some gentlemen of the leash desire a ●ost principal bitch, though the dog be but indifferent, and suppose that so they shall have the best whelps, supposing (according to an old conjecture) that a bitch is swifter than a dog; but it is an erroneous fancy, for the good dog will ever beat the good bitch, and the good bitch will ever beat the bad dog: again it is most certain, that the dog having advantage both of length, strength, and courage, he must consequently have the advantage of speed also. I do not deny but that the bitch being much less than the dog, (as naturally all are) may have some advantage of nimbleness, and so in turns, slips, and wries, may get much ground which the dog commonly looseth: but yet notwithstanding, when the full account is cast, the good dog will equal all those advantages, and wheresoever the course shall stand forth long will beat out the good bitch and make her give over.  
There be other gentlemen of the leash, which desire a good dog, and respect not though the bitch be but indifferent, and this is the better choice, yet both defective; for where there is any imperfection at all, there nature can never be fully complete. To breed then a good whelp indeed, 
To breed a good w●●lpe.  you must be sure to have both a perfect good dog and a perfect good bitch, and as near as you can make choice of that bitch which is most large and deepest chested, for from thence springeth both strength and wind. For the true shape of a good greyhound, because it is the very face and character of goodness, you shall esteem that dog which hath a fine, long, lean snakes head, with a clear bright eye, and wide nostrils, a round bending neck like a mollard, with a loose thropple, and a full falling at the setting on of the shoulders, he must have a long, broad, and a square beam back, with high round ●illets, and a broad space, he must be deep swine sided, with hollow bended ribs, and a full breast, he must have rush grown limbs before, and ●ickell houghes behind, a fine, round, full cat's foot, with strong cleyes and tough soles, and an even grown long rats tail, round turning at the lower end from the leash ward, and he must be full set on between the buttocks, and lastly he must have a very long, slender close hid pizzle, and a round big pair of stones. The food which is best for greyhounds, as touching their diet, is chippings or household bread scalded in beef broth or other broth that is not too salt, and after made white with milk, or else the bones of veal which are very soft and tender, or the bones of lamb, rabits, or other scraps coming from the Farmer's table. In the time of coursing, or at other times, if your greyhound be lean or out of heart, the best mea●e to raise him is sheeps heads boiled wool and all in water together with oatmeal and synage, succory, langdebeefe, and violet leaves chopped very small together, and so boiled to pottage, until the flesh fall from the bones. The best food when a dog is in diet for a course, is to make him bread of wheate-meale and oatmeal mixed together, and finely bolted and knodden with a little water, whites of eggs, barm, liquorice, and any-seeds, and so baked in good household loaves, and given morning and night with new milk or pottage which are warm. If the dog at any time grow costive, you shall give him tostes which are made of the same bread, or of manchets, and steeped in salad oil. greyhounds when they are for the course, must be walked forth and aired both morning and evening exceeding early, as before day in the morning, and ver●e late, as about seven or eight of the clock at night: and when you bring your greyhound home at night, you shall bring him to a fair ●ire, and there let him beak and stretch himself, and do you tick him at the least an hour or more before you put him into his kennel. You must have a very great and diligent care that when you course him he be exceeding empty, as at least of twelve hours fasting more than for some small sop or bit or two only to cherish or strengthen Nature. A brace of greyhounds are enough at one time to course either Hare or Buck withal, and two brace are sufficient to coarse the Stag or Hind. Much more might be said of the natures of greyhounds, and the manner of ordering and dietting them for the course, but this small taste is sufficient both for the farmer's understanding, and to avoid tediousness. Now for the hounds whose natures I have already in part described, and which hunt in great numbers, or as it were ●lockes together, you shall understand that they are of four sorts, and dis●●inguished by four several colours belonging to the four several sorts of hounds, that is to say, the white hound, the fallow or taund hound, the greyhound, and the black hound.  
The white are the best, for they are of quick scent, swift, hot, and such as never give over for any continuance of heat, or breaking off, because of the felting of the horsemen, or the cries and noises of men, keeping the turns and crossing better than any other sorts of dogs, & are more to be trusted: notwithstanding they love to be attended with horsemen, and they do fear the water somewhat, especially in Winter when the weather is cold. Those which are altogether white are the best, and likewise those which are red spotted. The other which are black and dirty, grey spotted, drawing near unto a changeable colour, are but of small value, and whereof there are some subject to have fat and tender feet.  
The bay coloured ones have the second place for goodness, 
The bay●●●al●ow 〈◊〉 dogs.  and are of great courage, venturing far, and of a quick scent, ●inding out very well the turns and windings, almost of the nature of the white ones, save only that they do not endure the heat so well, neither yet the tread of the horsemen, and yet notwithstanding they be more swift and hot, and fear neither cold nor water: they run surely, and with great boldness, commonly loving the Stag more than any other beast, but they make no account of hares. It is true, that they be more headstrong and hard to reclaim than the white, and put men to more pain and travel about the same. The best of the fallow sort of dogs, are those which are of a brighter hair, drawing near unto the colour of red, and having therewithal a white spot in the forehead, or in the neck, in like manner those which are all fallow: but such as incline to a light yellow colour, being grey or black spotted, are nothing worth: such as are trus●ed up and have dewclawes, are good to make bloodhounds. The white and bay dogs are not sit for any but Kings, Princes, and great Lords, and then not for gentlemen, because they course only the hart, and not all sorts of game.  
The grey dogs do run well at all sorts of game, 
The grey dogs.  that a man would have them to hunt, but they are not so swift nor lusty as the others, especially such as have their legs of a bay or fallow colour, drawing somewhat unto a white: and yet notwithstanding they are hot and stout, not learing water of cold, running with great courage, and never giving over the game till they have killed: but indeed they avoid and shun heat, the footing of horses, and the noise of men, neither do they delight in the hunting of any beasts that are given to wiles and cross windings: but in recompense hereof, it is possible that you may see them to over run the most swift and best dogs, especially after beasts that use to run out right.  
The black dogs are strong bodied, 
Black dogs.  but they have low and short legs, in like manner they be nothing swift, howsoever they may be of a quick s●ent, fearing neither cold nor waters, and they do delight most in coursing the rammish and strong scented beasts, as wild Boars, Foxes, and such like, because they neither have mind, nor yet swiftness to course and take the beasts that be swift in running. But whereas it is commonly given out and reported, that their are good dogs of every shape, it may be so brought to pass, as that the hare may not make much for the arguing of the goodness of the dog, and that there are found of all colours good and fair dogs: for this cause it is both mere and requisite that a dog (of what hair or colour soever he be) to the end he may be fair and good, 
The mar●e● of a good hunting dog.  have these notes and marks following: his head must be reasonably thick, rather long than flat nosed, his nostrils very wide and great, his ears large, and of a mean thickness, his back crooked in compass wise, his loins great and thick, his lips thick and large, his thigh round and trussed, his houghs strait and well set together, his tail thick near unto his back, and the rest of it small and lean even to the end, the hair under his belly stiff, his legs great, the sole of his foot dry, and shaped like unto the foot of a Fox, his nails thick, his hinder parts as high as his sore parts. The male kind must be short and crooked: but the bitch or female long.  
The signification and meaning of these signs is such: 
The reason of these marks of a good hunting dog.  his wide nostrils do argue his quick scent: his vaulted back and strait hams do argue his swiftness: his tail thick above, and slender down to the end, both signify that he hath a strong back, and wind at will: the stiffness of his hair underneath his belly doth show that he is willing & painful, fearing neither water nor cold: his thick leg, fox foot, and thick nails, doth signify that he hath no sat or gouty foot, and that he hath strong limbs, to run long without grief or annoyance.  
But for as much as it is hard to get such hunting dogs when one would, as are both good hunters and fair withal, it will be requisite to provide a fair bitch of a good race, strong, and of well proportioned limbs, having great and large sides and flanks: and to procure her to be limed with a fair dog, having the marks that we have spoken of before, and that at such time only (if it be possible) as when the Moon is in the signs of Gemini and Aquariys, for the dogs that are gotten at such times are not so subject to run mad, and beside, there will be of them more dogs than bitches. When the bitch is with whelp, and beginneth to have a bagging belly, she may not be set to course, lest her young ones should be kept from ever thriving: her walk then must not be past the court or house, never shutting her up in any kennel, because she is wearisome, and given to loath all meat. When she hath whelped (the fittest time for which is in March, April, and May, rather than either in Winter, or in the time of great heat) and that the whelps begin to see, they must be ●ed with cows milk, sheeps milk, or goats milk, unmixed and made warm, neither must they be taken from sucking the bitch, till they be two months old, and then feeding them with milk meats, bread, and all sorts of pottage, till they be ten months old, and all this while thus to keep them in the kennel.  
Hounds would be fed all together in one kennel, meet and convenient for them▪ 
The kennel for hunting dogs.  to the end they may know and hear one another: because that those which are fed together, they become the better acquainted, and agree better in hunting than those that are of divers kennels and places.  
Their meat shall be bread made of a third part of wheat, 
The feeding and keeping of hunting dogs.  a third part of barley, and a third part of rye, because that being so mixed it keepeth them fair and fat, and cureth them of many maladies: for and if it should be made of rye only, it would make them scour too much: if of pure wheat, it would bind too much in their bellies, and therefore the one mixed with the other. There must be given them some flesh meat in Winter, 
Flesh-meate.  but especially unto those that are lean, and hunt the stag: but to those that hunt the hare you must never give any, lest they sleshing themselves upon the greater game, they make light account of hares, which thrust themselves commonly into the midst of tame cattles▪ to shift off the dogs by that means, who upon such occasion might leave off the hare, and fall to coarse the tame cattle: but the dogs which hunt the hart would never do it, because the stag is of a more full and strong scent than the hare, as also because their flesh is more dainty and delicate than any other. The best flesh meat that can be given them, and which doth strengthen them most, is horseflesh, asse-flesh, and mules-flesh: but as for oxen, kine, and other such like, their flesh is to them of too eager and sharp a substance. Their flesh meat must first have their hide plucked off, that so they may not have any knowledge of the beast, nor of his hair. Good huntsmen make great account of pottage made of mutton, goats flesh, and ox heads for their lean dogs, which hunt the hare: 
P●●●age.  and you must mingle sometimes amongst these pottage a little brimstone to heat them withal.  
As for your raw flesh meat (which amongst huntsmen it called ket) if you do not eat it all at a meal, you shall preserve it in some clear running stream by suffering it to lie hid in the water till your next occasion to use it. Oats ground hulls and all, and so scalded in hot water, is a very good mange or meat for hounds, and so is also your mill-dust scalded in the same manner. But if your hounds happen to fall weak, or sick, or be over hunted, than you shall take the bags and entrails of sheep, having turned the filth and excraments forth, and washed the bags well, and also the sheeps plucks and boil them in fair water with a good quantiof oatmeal, till the pottage be thick, and so give it reasonably warm to the hounds: this is a sovereign good meat, and it is very comfortable for weak and sick dogs, of what kind soever they be, and bring them into lust and strength suddenly.  
Their kennel must be made in some place standing upon the East, through the midst whereof dot●●un some little river or spring. The place wherein the dogs shall lie, shall be builded with very white walls, and floors of boards close joined, for ●eare that spiders, fleas, wal-lice, and such like should breed there. He that shall be appointed to keep them must be gentle, mild, and courteous, loving dogs of his natural instinct, and such a one as will make them clean, and dress them carefully with wisps of straw and little brushes: being ready to give them some pretty dainties to ●ate, and to draw them alongst the green corn and meadows, as well to give them appetite to their meat, as also to learn them to run, and to cause them to pass through the the flocks of sheep and other tame cattle, that so they may be accustomed unto them, and be made to know them.  
I● the dogs be sick, 
The diseases of hunting dogs. For 〈◊〉 and vermin.  you must use the remedies following: for louse, pleas, and other vermin▪ wherewith dogs are laden oftentimes, especially in the times of great heat, you must bathe them, or at the least wash them and rub them with a wisp, with a decoction made of large quantity, with ten good handfuls of wild cresses, wild marierome, sage, rosemary, rue▪ patience, and fix handfuls of ●alt, all being well boiled together to the consumption of the herbs.  
To drive out worms, 
Worms.  you must soak perrosin made into powder, aloes po●dred, unquenched lime, and live brimstone made likewise into powder, even all these in one oxegall, and with this liquor rub the place infected with worms.  
If dogs be bitten of serpents, 
The ●i●ing 〈◊〉 Serpents.  you must cause them to take down the juice of the leaves of ash tree incontinently: or else a glass full of the decoction of rue, white mullein, mints and broom, whereunto must be added the weight of a French crown of treacle, applying treacle in like manner unto the bitten place.  
When the dogs are bitten of mad dogs, 
〈…〉  they must forthwith be cast into a vessel of sea water nine times one after another: or for lack of sea water, into common water wherein hath been dissolved four bushels of salt; & this will preserve them from going mad. And if it happen that you have not provided this remedy timely enough, but that now the dog is fallen mad, to the end that you may keep the other from the same mischief, you shall be careful, that the mad dog run not abroad, and therefore you shall kill him by and by, for it is but all in vain and altogether impossible to go about to cure such madness: 
Signs of madness.  the signs of such madness are the drawing up of of his tail at the upper end, hanging the rest strait down, a very black mouth without any froth, a heavy look and that aside in overthwart and cross manner.  
Against the scabs, tetters, itch, and gauls of dogs, you must take three pounds of the oil of nuts, 
〈…〉  one pound and a half of the oil of oil of lees, two pounds of old swine's grease, three pounds of common honey, a pound and a half of vinegar, and make them all boil together, to the consumption of the half of the vinegar, putting thereto afterward of perrosin and common pitch, of each two pounds and a half, of new wax half a pound, melt altogether, casting in thereto afterward the powders that follow, a pound and a half of brimstone, two pounds of reboiled coperas, and twelve ounces of verdigris, making them all up together in an ointment: but they must be washed with water and salt, before they be anointed with this ointment.  
For the worms in dogs, you must make a drink of the decoction wherein have been boiled wormwood, 
Worms.  southrenwood, and the shavings of hartshorn: or else cause them to swallow down pills made of hartshorn, brimstone, aloes, and the juice of wormwood.  
When the dogs are tired, rub their feet with this restrictive, made of the yolks of eggs, the juice of pomegranates and soot finely powdered, all of it being well mingled together, and left to settle one whole day.  
Dogs are often hurt of wild bores in many parts of their bodies, and then according to the places where they are hurt, 
Hurts given by wild bores.  they must be ordered and looked to with dressing of their wounds. If the wound be in his belly, and that the guts comeforth unhurt, you must first put them in again, and then afterward put into the belly in the place where the hole is, a slice of lard, and so sow up the skin above: but the thread must be knit of a knot and made fast at every stitch of the needle, and withal cutoff the thread at every stitch so fastened: as much is to be performed in the wounds that shall be made in other places, always observing to put some lard into them.  
For wounds which dogs shall receive, 
Wounds.  the juice of the leaves of red coleworts is a very sovereigning balm (being applied presently unto the wound) healing them up very speedily: or else take the juice of Nicotiana, whereof we have spoken in the second book.  
Against the canker breeding in the ears of dogs, taking a dram of Soap, of oil of Tartar, Salarmoniacke, Brimstone, and verdigris, incorporated all together with white vinegar and strong water, and rub the cankered ears therewith nine mornings.  
If the dogs after they have run in frost after rain, 
〈◊〉 of cold.  and such other bad weather, or swum the rivers & lakes, after the game, come to take cold, presently as soon as they come to their kennel they must be chafed and dried at a great fire, and after that their bellies rubbed and wiped with wispes, thereby to wipe away the dirt sticking unto them.  
Oftentimes in coursing over the fields & rocks dogs come to have the skin stricken off of their feet: 
〈…〉  for the remedying whereof, it will be good first to wash their feet with water and salt, and after to make a cataplasm of the yolks of eggs beaten with strong vinegar, and the juice of the herb called Pilosella.  
I● in coursing they shall have taken any thrushes upon any part of their bodies, 
Knocks of thrushes.  with the the tip of the heart's horn, or with the bores tusk, you must apply to the place a plaster of the root of great comfrey, an emplaster of melisote and oil of roses, as much of the one as of the other: but before you apply the plaster, you must cut the hair away from the place where the grief is.  
To cause dogs to piss, make them drink the decoction of mallows, hollihocks, 
Against the 〈◊〉 of making water.  the roots of ●ennell and brambles made with white wine.  
If dogs have gotten any disease in their ears, 
The disease of the ears.  drop therein verjuice mingled with the water of chervil, continuing to do so three or four mornings.  
You shall find a larger discourse of the nature, conditions, differences and diseases of dogs in the first Book, in the chapter of the kennel.  
Yet because there is one other sort of hunting dogs, which although they are for birds and not for wild beasts, yet in their kinds they are as noble and as generous as any other dogs whatsoever, and as much in use amongst great persons, and these dogs are called field or land spannels, of which sith before no Author hath fully entreated: I will here give you a little touch or taste of the nature, disposition, and manner of go●ening them. To speak then of the land spaniel, you shall understand, that he is be nature very gentle, courteous, and loving to the man more than any other sort of dogs whatsoever: they also naturally love to hunt the wing of any bird whatsoever, especially partridge, pheasant, quail, rail, poots, and such like: when you make choice of any spaniel, you shall choose him by his shape, beauty, metal, and cunning hunting, his shape is discerned in the good composition of his body, as when he hath a round thick head, a short nose, a long, well compassed and hairy ear, broad and sydelips, a clear red eye, a thick neck, broad breast, short and well knit joints, round feet, strong cleys, high dewcleyd, good round ribs, a gaunt belly, a short broad back, a thick bushy and long haired tail, and all his body generally long and well haired: his beauty is discerned in his colour, of which the motleys or pied are the best, whether they be black and white, red and white, or liver hued and white; for to be all of one entire colour, as all white, or all bladke, or all red, or all liver hued without any other spot, is not so comely in the field, although the dogs notwithstanding may be of excellent cunning: his metal is discerned in his free and untired laboursome ranging, beating a field over and over, and not leaving a furrow untrodden or unsearched where any haunt is likely to be hidden, and when he doth it most courageously and swiftly, with a wanton playing tail, and a busy labouring nose, neither desisting or showing less delight in his labour at night than he did in the morning; and his cunning hunting is discerned by his casting about heedfully, and running into the wind of the pray he seeketh, by his stillness and quietness in hunting without babbling or barking, but when he is upon an assured and certain haunt, by the manner of his ranging, as when he compasseth a whole field about at the first, and after lesneth and lesneth that circumference till he have trodden every path, and brought the whole circuit to one point; and by his more temperate and leisurely hunting, when he comes to the first scent of the game, sticking upon it, and pricking it out by degrees, not opening or questing by any means, but whimpering and whining to give his master a warning of what he scenteth, and to prepare himself and his hawk for the pleasure he seeketh, and when he is assured of his game, then to quest out loudly and freely. Now it is to be understood, that it is hard to have one spaniel to be absolute cunning in all the qualities of hunting, as to be an excellent ranger, an excellent finder, and an excellent retainer, because one quality is almost in nature clear contrary to another; for he that is a good and free ranger can never be confined or bound into one particular small compass, but will out of his own metal break forth into much larger compass, and so both lose time in hunting, and also give the game more leisure to get breath, or fleit away privately from the place where it was marked, and so deceive the hawk of her expectation, and in like sort a good retainer which will stick upon the place whereto he is oppointed and will beat it over and over many times, even as it were by inchmeale, never leaving till he have sprung the game he seeketh, can never be esteemed for a good ranger, because the leisure he taketh will not give him leave to rid much ground, and so likewise of all other several qualities: therefore every man must esteem his spannyel for the one good quality he holdeth, and cannot for divers, and so mixing his kennel of good raungers, good noses, and retainers, he shall be sure to attain to the uttermost height of his pleasure he wisheth. There be some spannels which delight in the plain and open field, and those are the best for the partridge, quail, or rail: there be oath others which delight in woods, hedges, bushes, and coverts, and those are best for the pheasant and moor poo●, and these are commonly the best retainers, and the former the best raungers.  
There is also another sort of land spannyels, which are called Setters, and they diffor nothing from the former, but in instruction or obedience; for these must neither hunt, range, nor retain more or less than as the master appointeth, taking the whole limits of whatsoever they do from the eye or hand of their instructor: they must never at any time quest what occasion soever shall happen, but as being dogs without voices, so they must hunt close and mute, and when they come upon the haunt of that they hunt: they shall suddenly stop and fall down upon their bellies, and so leisurely creep by degrees to the game, till they come within two or three yards thereof, or so near that they cannot press nearer without danger of retriuing, then shall your Setter ●●icke, and by no persuasion go further, till yourself come in and use your pleasure. Now the dogs which are to be made for this pleasure, should be the most principal best and lustiest spannyell you can get, both of good scent and good courage, yet young, and as little as may be made acquanted with much hunting: the way to train him to his knowledge, is by all loving means, or else awful where love taketh not effect, as by fasting, threatenings, and some stripes to make him both fear and love you far above all other persons, and to that end you shall suffer him to receive no good thing from any man but yourself only: when you have made him thus enamoured of you, you shall (as men teach hounds to couch with bits and blows) teach him to couch down close upon his belly when you please, by saying Lie close, or such like word: for you are to understand, that in this excercise, the principal thing which is to be respected, is constancy of words, that is by no means to use many words, or change of words, for that breeds a confusion in the dog's brains, and makes them that they cannot understand you, and where understanding is taken away, there never look to have your will performed: therefore you shall never use but one word for encouragement or cherrishing, as hay good dog, or such like, but one word for advice or threatening, as Be wise, or such like, one word for performance of duty, as Lie close, and one word for the bettering of his duty, as Go near, and such like, and so forth for the performance of any other thing whatsoever. Yet I do not bind you to these words only & none other, but to invent words, so they intent to this sense, as you please, and having made choice of your words, not by any means to alter or change them, but to use your dog constantly to them that he may truly understand when he is cherished, when chid, when taught, when forewarned or advised: for the whole art of making these setting dogs, consisteth in these words only, for if one word being used, that word known, any man may hunt with the dog as well as his master, and so every knave greedy to steal him: but having liberty to make choice of your own words, except you teach them, a man shall be never the better for having of the dog. To proceed then to our purpose, assoon as you have taught your dog to lie close upon his bellue, you shall then make him creep unto you upon his belly, by leasurable and slow degrees, saying unto him go near go near or such like, and ever observing in that as in all things else, to cherish and reward him when he doth well, and to threaten or correct him when he doth amiss: and in this matter of correction, you must also be certain, as in your words, and not use divers corrections, but one, as either to bite him or nip him by the care root, or other sensible part, where you may pain him, but not hurt or lame him. When your dog will couch and creep upon his belly, to make him the better delight in doing it, you shall lay a piece of bread three or four yards before him, 
How to teach a Spaniel to 〈◊〉 well.  and then make him couch down and creep close upon his belly unto it, and being come with his nose just over it, not to take it till you give him leave: which obedience when he hath showed, you may then give him leave to eat it, and cherish him. When the dog is very perfect in this lesson, which is but only to bring him to obedience, and to the true manner of carriage and concealment of his body, you shall then take him abroad into the field, and give him leave to range, yet in such manner, that he got not an inch further than you give him leave, but with the least hem or threatening of your voice to be ready to come even to your foot, although he be never so earnest upon his game: the contrary whereof, when at any time he showeth, you shall not forget, but in the very selfsame instant beat and correct him very sound. Now when you have brought him unto that obedience, that he will range according to your pleasure either in large or little compass, you shall then take care, that not at any time, or upon any occasion whatsoever, that he dare to quest or open his mouth, but that he hunt so silent and mute as is possible: and if at any time he offer to quest, though never so little, presently you must not forbear, but correct him, till he come to an understanding of your will therein: and when he understandeth your will, yet notwithstanding doth quest, you shall not only beat him, but lead him home, and tie him up from meat till the next day, not ceasing to hungerstarve him, till he do perform your pleasure: which done, then reward him liberally both with good meat and with plenty: which the dog once finding, he will both for fear, love, and the relief of his own belly, labour his utmost to please you. Now as soon as you find your dog is brought both unto obedience and mute hunting, you shall then, as soon as you find him busy upon any haunt, which you shall note by the business of his tail, and sticking long in one place, with a kind of secret whining, to show that he is near to that which he desireth: forthwith you shall draw near unto him, and give him words both of encouragement and advice, saying, Hay good dog, go near, or such like: and if you find him too busy or hasty, you shall threaten and bid him be wise, and such like, till you see him lie close upon his belly, and that he dare not go any further: than you shall fetch a large compass round about the place where the dog lieth, and cast your eye diligently into the covert to see whether you can find out the game, which as soon as you have done, if you find that the dog hath set too far off, that is twenty or thirty yards short, as timorousness and fearfulness will make a young dog many times do: than you shall encourage him and make him go somewhat nearer, but if he set within the compass of three or four yards, than you shall make him lie still, until such time as either your hawk be at her pitch, or your nets be spread, and then yourself shall go or ride into the covert and spring them, and the game being taken, you shall not forget to reward your dog. Now if during this main action of setting, which is after the dog hath first stuck and given you warning of the game, if he shall upon any occasion whatsoever, either by haste, negligence, or the frenzy of his own desire, or otherwise by a too open carriage of his body do spring the game before you be ready for it, you shall instantly correct him fondly, and also tie him up that night without any meat, keeping him so fearfully in awe of the game, that if at any time he shall, either by too hasty ranging, or any other unexpected chance, happen upon the game unawares, yet shall his fear so govern him, that he shall upon the very instant sight of his error not only stop suddenly, but also cast himself top over tail backward, rather than by pressing forward an inch endanger the springing of the game. Which when at any time you perceive him to do, you shall then immediately cherish him, notwithstanding the loss of your game at that instant, in as much as therein he showed a willingness to have done the contrary upon any occasion, if mischance had not been his hindrance. Now for the food which is best for spaniels, it is that which is before prescribed for greyhounds, as chip, bones, and broken crusts of bread, scalded in water and milk, or the heads, plucks, and entrails of sheep, boiled with oatmeal: yet the setting spaniel would for the most part be fed from the trencher with scraps of meat, bones, bread, and such like: for by reason that he must be kept much fasting, since he cannot hunt but when he is exceeding empty, it is very fit that he be kept with as good as nourishing meat as can be gotten. Now to conclude this discourse of hunting dogs, you shall understand, that there is one other sort of spaniels, and they be called water-spanyels, because they delight only naturally in the water, and are employed for the hunting of Ducks, Mallards', and all sorts of waterfowl: they are much larger and bigger bodied than the land-spanyels are, and a great deal more strong and Lion-like made: their hair is also very long, rough, and thick curled, which showeth their hard constitution and ability to endure the water, albeit the weather be never so fiercely and bitterly cold. They receive all their virtues from nature, and not from instruction: and therefore to make any large discourse of them, were frivolous: only, for as much as they are very necessary to attend the fowler, for the fetching of his fowl out of the water, when they are either limed or strucken with the piece, it is meet that they be brought to great obedience, that is to say, to fetch, carry, run, couch, and creep, whensoever a man pleaseth, lest otherwise, out of the franticness of their own natures, they scar away the game whilst the fowler is the most busily employed. These dogs are less tender than any of the other, and therefore any meat will serve them: neither would they be used to any niceness, because their most employment is in the Winter season. And thus much touching hunting dogs and their governments.   

CHAP. XXIII.  
How young hounds are to be trained up and made fit for the game.  
IT is not enough to have a number of good and fair dogs, well marked with marks, declaring both the said qualities, for they must over and above be taught and trained up for the game. Wherefore the huntsman must first bring them to understand the sound of the horn, to swim and haunt the water, that so they may be the more ready and forward to pursue the beast, if so be that he should seek to save himself by any running river or standing lake. He must lead them also once a week into the fields, but not before the age of sixteen or eighteen months, for before such age they are not thoroughly grown and well knit in all their members. But especially he must well advise to what kind of game he is purposed to use them, as whether to course the Hart, or the Hind, the wild Boar, or the Hare: for look what beasts you first run them at, those will they best remember always, especially if there be care had to look any thing well unto them.  
You must not course with them in the morning, if possibly you can avoid it: for having been accustomed to the coolness of the morning, and coming afterward to the height of the day, and feeling therein the heat of the Sun, they will not run any more.  
You must not put on young dogs the first time within a toil, because the beast running altogether round, and therefore always in the sight of the dogs, so when afterwards they should be brought to run out of the toil, and by that means become cast any great distance behind the beast, it would be the cause of their giving over and forsaking of the game.  
It shall be for the better (to the end they may be the better trained and fitted) to put all the young ones together with four or five old ones, at such time as you purpose to hunt with them. Neither shall you compel your young hounds to make more haste than their own natures leads them unto, but encouraging them to trust to their own noses, let them take what leisure they please, and pick out the sent of themselves, that coming truly to understand what they hunt, they may be mo●e perfect and ready in the same: whereas on the contrary part, being compelled to hunt up close with the older and swifter hounds, they hunt (as it were) by rote, catching the sent here and there, and go away with it both uncertainly and ignorantly, and so seldom or never prove stawnche or good hounds. It is also very meet to enter all young hounds at the Hare first, because it is the sweetest and coolest of all scents whatsoever, and the hound which will hunt it, must necessarily hunt any other hotter sent with much more violence: for it is a rule, That whosoever can do the hardest things, must forcibly do things easier with less difficulty. Therefore first enter your hound (as before is said) at the Hare, least finding a sweetness and easiness of hunting in the hotter scents, he never after lay his nose to the cooler.   

CHAP. XXIIII.  
How that the Hart and the place where he haunteth and useth to lie, would be known before ye course or hunt him.  
KIngs, Princes, 
Hunting is for great states.  and great Lords (to whom, and no others, belongeth the coursing of the Hart) have not used to coarse the Hart, before they have learned of their huntsman what manner of Hart he is, young or old, and whether he be a fair and great one, and such a one as deserveth to be coursed, and then afterward where his haunt and lodging is.  
The huntsman shall know the age and fairness of the Hart in respect of others, 
The marks of distinction betwixt Hart and Hart, as also of their ago.  by judgement of the form of his foot, the largeness of his tines, his dung, gate, beat, break, and rubbings.  
The sole of the foot being great and large, the heel also being thick and large, the little cleft which is in the midst of the foot, being large and open, a large leg, a thick bone, being also short, but nothing sharp, and the tips of his claws round and thick, are signs of an old Hart. The elder Hearts in their gate do never overreach the former foot with the hinder, for they tread short of it at the least four finger's: but it is not so in young Hearts, for they in their gate do overreach and set the hinder foot more forward than the forefoot, after the manner of the ambling Mule. 
The Hind.  The Hind hath commonly a long foot, narrow, and hollow, with small cutting bones.  
The excrement and dung of Harts is not alike at all times: for some is printed, othersome writhen round, and othersome flat and broad: and if it be large, gross, and thick, it is a sign that they are Hearts of ten tynes, that is to say, such 〈◊〉 have shot ten small horns out of the stock. In june and july they make their dung in thick wreaths that are very soft: and yet there are some of them that make it flat and broad, until mid june: And from mid july unto the end of August, their dung is printed, gross, long, and knotty, well hammered, anointed, or gilded: and these are the marks to know Hearts of ten tynes from the old ones.  
The carriages of a Hart are said to be, 
The carriages or largeness of his tines.  when a Hart passing through a thick and twiggie wood, hitteth with his head against the boughs of trees: for so it cometh to pass, that if the Hart be tall and large, the carriages will also be somewhat large. Now the judgement which the huntsman can gather of the carriages, cannot be but from after july until March: for the other four months, that is to say, March, April, May, 
The time when Hearts cast their 〈◊〉.  and june, the Hearts cast their heads, that is to say, their horns. True it is, that they begin to put forth new horns by the month of April, and as the Sun mounteth higher, and grass groweth higher also, and harder, so their homes grow and wax greater: so that by the midst of june their heads will be fully see and garnished with all that which they are to bear all the year long, provided that they be in a good thriving country, and come not by any hurt or annoyance. You may likewise judge of their age by the tynes of their horns: for as for the first year, they have no horns: the second year they have their first horns, 
To judge of the age of the Hart by his horns.  which are called daggers: the third year, four, six, or eight tynes: the fourth year, eight or ten tynes: the fifth year, ten or twelve: the sixth, twelve, fourteen, or sixteen: and in the seventh, their horns put forth the greatest number of tynes that ever they will bear, for after it they put forth no more, but those grow greater which are put forth. Yet notwithstanding, 
The horns of an old Hart.  the old Hearts will always be known, by having the whole root of their horns large and gross, the body or stock very bright, and set with pearls, and straight and large heads, rather open than turned compasse-wise.  
By the going of the Hart, 
The gate or going of the Hart.  the huntsman shall be able to judge whether the Hart be great and long, and so likewise, if he will stand long in course before the dogs: for the Hearts which have long paces, hold out longer in coursing, than those which have short paces, and they are also quicker, swifter, and longer breathed.  
It is known if the Hart be tall and long-legged, 
The beat and 〈◊〉 of the Hart.  and likewise of what bulk or bigness his body is, by marking where he entereth into the thick amongst brakes and small wood, which he shall have let pass betwixt his legs: for look at what height he hath beaten them down with his belly, so high must you judge him to be on his legs. The grossness of his body is perceived by the two sides of the way which he hath touched with his body: for he will have broken off the dry boughs and branches on both sides; so that thereby you may gather the grossness and greatness of his body.  
As concerning the rubbings of the Hart, 
The rubbing of the Hart.  by how much the elder they are, by so much the rather are they given to rub, and that upon great trees: wherefore, when the huntsman shall perceive the branches of the tree to be broken down, than he shall be able to gather the height and largeness of the Heart's head: howbeit, this is but a dark and obscure mark.  
Thus and by these means it may come to pass, 
The knowledge of the Hart his privy haunt and place of retra●●●.  that the huntsman may collect and gather the age and largeness of the Hart, and yet notwithstanding remain as ignorant as ever he was of the place where he lieth, and from where he may find him in his secret haunt and privy by-walkes. And therefore to be assured thoroughly, it behoveth him to have some one or other very good bloodhound, having a very quick and exquisite sent, that so he may the more easily find out and follow the foot of the Hart: besides which means, it must be provided, that the huntsman be not ignorant of the places in general, 
The Hart hath a several haunt every month.  which the Hart is accustomed to resort unto, although they be divers, according to the months of the year; for Hearts do change their walks and feeding every month, according as the Sun mounteth and ascendeth: for which cause, in November you must look to find the Hearts amongst furze, briars, or heath, the crops and flowers whereof they love to browse and feed upon, thereby to restore nature after they have been at rut. In December they haunt the inner parts and hart of the forest, to purchase thereby the shield of the wood against cold winds, snow, and the noisomeness of frosts following rain. In januarie they draw near the corners of the forests, and seek relief amongst the green cornfields, upon Rye, and such like. In February and March, because they then cast their horns, they hide themselves amongst the bushes, and so they continue likewise for all April and May. In june and july, they apply the cut-woods and corn, at which time they are in their prime, and fullest fatted: then also they seek after water, because of the great heat which doth alter and change them, and drink up the dew and moistness of the wood, which then beginneth to wax hard. In September and October, they forsake the bushes and go to rut, and then they keeps no certain place, 
The rut of the Hart.  nor manner of feeding, because they range after the Hinds, and follow their ways and steps, carrying their noses close by the ground to take the scent of them, nothing regarding or careful to find out by the wind, if there be any secretly 〈◊〉 to do them harm: as thus also they pass and spend both day and night, being so enraged and fervently carried away with the rut, as that they think that there is not any thing that can hurt them: then also they live with a very small, as namely of that which is within themselves (always following the steps and footings of the Hind) and next principally the great red mushrums, which helpeth to bring them to the pissing of their tallow, for which causes; they are very easily killed at such times, if the venison were good.  
Thus the huntsman may have a general notion of the haunt of the Hart, and so he shall not seek in any other places, than where he ordinarily maketh his abode. And now when by the means aforesaid, he is sure of the place, it remaineth only that he learn his den or the place of his particular resort: and forth diligent finding out of the same, he must go early to the place, which he knoweth to be the general haunt of Hearts for the present time and hour, as is before declared: and he shall lead with him his bloodhound that is not given to open, to foot him withal, having first wet his nostrils with good vinegar, 
The means of finding out the particular place and lodging of the Hart.  that so he may have the better scent. He may also gather some perceiverance by the other marks before specified, that is to say, by the prints of his feet upon the grass, by the carriages of his head, his dung, gate beat, and rubbings which he may make upon such things as he meeteth withal in his way: howbeit the huntsman in this case must be ruled according to the variableness of the place where he maketh search, for it is one craft and s●eight to find the lodging of the Hart amongst the underwood, another amongst the corn fields, and a third kind of skill to find him out amongst the high woods, and they are better learned by practice in hunting and experience, than by instructions delivered in writing: and to the end I may not be too tedious, I will say no more of this matter.   

CHAP. XXV.  
How the Hart must be hunted.  
THe huntsman after deligent search, 
The report of the huntsman unto the king.  having gotten as well the fairness and largeness of the Hart, as also the lodging, shall come and make report unto the King, or unto his Lord (for we have said before that the hunting of the Hart belongeth unto Kings, Princes, and great states) of his endeavour, representing unto him the dung of the Hart which he shall have marked, making rehearsal withal of the marks and notes of the Hart which he hath seen: and then his Lord may make choice of and appoint the day and hour, for the hunting of the hart in the place which hath been foretold by the huntsman.  
The day appointed, 
Three sorts of dogs, as bloodhounds, coursers, and for easements.  the horsemen must be ready to be gone early in the morning, having with their guide and dogs (as well their bloodhounds and coursers, as those which are to be put on in a set and certain place for the easing of those which had him in chase before) as also whatsoever other their necessary furniture. 
The m●●e dog is 〈◊〉 which openeth, not but followeth the trace of the Hart.  And when they are come to the place, they shall make diligent search to find out where the Hart is lodged, and that both by their bloodhound that will not open, as also by other means that they may devise and invent before they make choice of any standing for their dogs, either coursers, or of easement. When they have cast about the covert, and found the layre of the Deer, they shall take up the Lya● hound, and first place the Hewed round about that side of the wood, out of which they would by no means have the Dear to break through or pass. This Hewed is a certain company of men coasting that side of the covert about, and making continual noises and clamours, whereby they may affright the Deer from daring to attempt to come near that coast. Then on that side through which they would have the Dear to pass, and where the course shall be made, there they shall in senet stands, made in the trees, twenty paces within the wood, place the Bows, which, as the Deer shall pass by, may shoot according to their skills and fortunes. And this coast shall be kept with all the secretness and privacy that may be: and great regard shall be had of taking the wound, 
How to place the greyhounds for Teasers, Reset, & Bac●●●t.  lest the Deer find offence as he is hunted. When the Bows are placed, then on the next champion ground, and as near the covert as you can conveniently, you shall place your Teasers, that is, the first brace of greyhounds for the course, which should be the lightest, nimblest, and swiftest dogs you have, that putting the Stag to the utmost of his speed at first, he may be the less able to endure his course forth. Then a quarter of a mile before them, or more, according to the quantity of ground, you shall place your Reset, which would be a brace of greyhounds somewhat stronger than the former, which coming in more fresh, may pinch sorer, and make the Dear in more despair of safety. Lastly, a quarter of a mile before them, you shall place your Backset, which would be two of the strongest and forest biting greyhounds you can get, who taking advantage of the stags weariness, and coming to pinch, may there hold him, without suffering him to tun further. When you have thus placed your course, you shall then take your hunting hounds, and uncoupling them, cast them off into the covert, encouraging them both with horns and voices, till they have the Dear on foot, and so hunt him, 
Directions how to hunt the Dear with hounds only.  till you have brought him to take his end at the Bows, or in the course. But if you make no use either of Bows or Greyhounds, but only intent to hunt the Stag at force with hounds only, then as soon as you have cast off your hounds, and got the Stag on foot, you shall by all the diligent means you can, get sight of him so soon as is possible, and upon his view take such special and true knowledge of him, that whensoever you shall cross him, you may know him from any other Deer whatsoever: And then you shall give good heed unto his manner of hunting, and unto the sleights which he useth in the chase; of all which we shall speak severally hereafter. And in case your hounds may be over-haled and wearied by the long standing of the Stag, it shall not be amiss to have hounds of easement in some convenient place, which you may cast off in the midst of the day to relieve the former, and make the chase or roil much shorter.  
The Hart being once perceived by the horsemen, 
Dogs of easement are such as are rested to run when others are weary.  or wound by the blood▪ hound, they must place their dogs of easement at three or four several stands, and certain places, to the end that they may ease the other dogs which are weary with running, or have lost the footing of the Hart, and so by them give new chase unto the beast: and such dogs of easement shall be so set in companies, that if the first fail and give over the chase, yet the later may be the more strong, able, and fierce kind of dog, 
The placing of the dogs of easement.  following the chase, not coldly, a far off, and behind, as the others, but leading the way before all the rest, and that with great stoutness and courage.  
The dogs of easement being placed in standings most convenient, the coursing dogs must be uncoupled for to run; regard being had according to the place where the Hart was seen.  
The horsemen tending upon the company of dogs, shall second the coursing dogs, and wind their horn, the more to encourage them, casting 〈◊〉 in the way of the Hart, thereby to hinder his swiftness in running, if so be the 〈…〉 not already cast some therein, in his watch, at such time as he made search to find out the lodging of the Hart, or else the horsemen themselves, before the uncoupling and letting loose of the coursing dogs. In the mean time, if it fall out, that the Hart in his course do happen to pass near unto the dogs of easement, the horseman which keepeth the same, must mark whether the Hart be pursued with any of the company of the coursing dogs, and then presently to uncouple the company of his dogs of easement, hallowing and whupping the dogs continually, and casting of boughs of trees in the way where the Hart should pass: but if he perceive that there be not any of the company of the coursing dogs, neither yet hear any noise of the men that are hunting, he must not uncouple any of his dogs, but only mark the way that the Hart runneth, to make report thereof to the company, to the end he may know whether the same be the Hart in chase, or no: because that sometimes Hearts are driven through fear out of the places where they use to lie, hearing the noise of the company of the dogs and horsemen.  
In the mean time, the horsemen appointed to wait upon the company, must always second and keep by the sides of the dogs, to cause them the better to keep and agree together, and to help them at a default, if at any time they happen to be out of the trace, and not to follow the right way.  
They must also have a care of the wiles and sleights of the Hart, 
The 〈◊〉 of the Hart.  who when he seeth himself near pursued by the dogs, endeavoureth and bestirreth himself how to acquire and rid himself of them, making many windings and turns, and that in diverse manners.  
For sometimes he busieth himself about the finding out of the dens of other beasts, 
The moliciousnes of the Hart.  hiding himself therein, and letting the dogs by that means to overslip him, as not being able to find the sent of him, having couched his four feet under his belly, and drawing his breath from the coolness and moisture of the earth. Again, he hath this subtlety and craft by nature, as to know, that the dogs do gather more sent from his breathing and feet, than from any of the rest of the parts of his body. But to prevent this his crafty wiliness, you must have cast many boughs in the entrances of such thickets as the Hart is to pass by, to the end they may the better find the last feeting and breaths, which will yield some near guess of the place wherein he shall be hid.  
Othersome times, when the Hart seeth the dogs chase him, and that he cannot avoid himself from them, he goeth from one thicket to another, seeking the haunts of Hinds, and other lesser Hearts, and thrusteth himself into their company: and moreover, sometimes draweth them away, and causeth them to run with him the space of a whole hour or more upon his way, afterward casting them off, and making way for himself out of and far from any way. And if it happen that his wiles be found out by the exquisite sent of the dogs, and wisdom of the hunters, than he casteth about into his first way, to break off by that means his ●ormer traces, and thereby to mock the dogs: then after that, he entereth into some large and wide way, which he followeth so long as his strength will endure. To avoid these sleights, the horsemen must have an eye when the Hart shall fall into company of other beasts, and run away with them, to the end they may stir up the old dogs of the company to pursue the Hart with greater carefulness, keeping near about them to help and aid them: and if the Hart have taken the broad way, to the end he may take away all sent from the dogs (for this is a most 〈◊〉 thing, that all sorts of beasts do pass through the broad ways, whose earth turneth into powder) in such sort, as that the way of the Hart, and the places which the horn of his foot did tread upon, become quickly filled up again and covered by the falling together of the dust, the horsemen must look very carefully, and view the ground very well, to see if they can perceive any traces of the Hart, and then they shall cast the boughs out of their way lustily, and encourage their dogs, calling unto them in cheerful and cherishing manner.  
Again, it sometime falleth out, that Hearts do run overthwart the burned grounds where the dogs can have no scent, because the smell of the fire is greater than the sent of the Hart: yea, and sometimes the dogs do give over coursing, having drawn into their nostrils this evil smell: whereupon the horsemen must go aside a little out of their way with the dogs, until such time as they be got past the same, and then bringing their dogs into order again, let them encourage and cheer them forward to follow the game.  
Sometime the Hart runneth a contrary course to that by which he is wound, to the end that his breath may be scattered and dispersed, and that it may not come to the sent of the dogs, as also that he may hear the noise of the dogs which chase him, and then the charge lieth upon the horsemen to mark his steps and traces.  
Again, there be some Hearts, which in going from the rest do make breaches, casting themselves upon their bellies before the horsemen, and show themselves to be put forth by the dogs, as if they were weary, and had been long chased: these wiles do show them to be very subtle and long wound, able to stand a long time before the dogs, trusting in their strength: and this the horsemen must beware of, to the end they may be able to judge of the deceitfulness of the Hearts: for sometimes they feign themselves over-chased, when indeed they are not.  
The signs and tokens showing that the Hart hath been long chased, 
The signe● and tokens of a Hart over-chased.  are these: if in running before the dogs he neither hear nor see any man: if he hang down his head, holding his nose unto the ground: if he stumble and stagger, reeling with his legs: afterward, if he see a man upon the sudden, he lifteth up his head, and giveth a great leap, as who would say he were yet strong and lusty: furthermore, if he have his mouth black and dry, without any froth, and his tongue drawn up into the ●ame: if in his gate he shut his hoof, as though he went steady, and yet afterward on the sudden straineth himself, and openeth it, making great sl●dings, suffering his bones to kiss the ground very often, following commonly the trodden path and broad ways: likewise, if he meet with a hedge, he holdeth along by the side of it, to see if he can find any outgate, seeing his strength faileth him to leap over.  
Now after his long running and manifold shifts, 
The Hart long chased,  when he becometh weary and spent, and that he cannot longer stand out, being past all hope of himself, he leaveth the low woods and forests, and flieth to the champion fields, or unto the cornfields and villages bordering next thereto, or else he betaketh himself to some river or lake, whereby it falleth out oftentimes, that he avoideth and freeth himself of the coursing dogs: for in champion places and void fields the sent of the footing of the Hart is very small: and as for rivers and lakes, he hath the craft rather to take downward with the stream, than to swim upward against the stream, to bereave the dogs by that means of coming by the sent of him.  
The horsemen shall see to such his escapes: and therefore if he have taken his way into any champion ground, they shall find out his traces by the sight of the eye, and with the blast of the horn they shall cheer up and encourage their dogs to a new course. If the Hart have taken the water, whether it be for the cooling of himself, or as the uttermost refuge he hath for the saving of his life, the hunter shall look at what place the Hart shall have taken the same, and there cast in good store of boughs, attending his passage: and if they see that he cometh not out of the water, they shall cause their dogs to take the water: or else (if they be afraid of causing them to take cold) they shall send to seek a boat: or else if they can swim, they shall put off all their clothes, and with a dagger in 〈◊〉 and swim unto him to kill him: and yet they must look, that they see not upon him, but in some deep place, because that if the Hart find ground for his feet, he would be able to hurt one of them with his horns, whereas in a deep place he hath no strength.  
Furthermore, 
To become to stand to the ●ay.  there must great wisdom be used in the hunting of the Hart, when he can no longer hold out, but being out of all hope of his life, standeth still, and suffereth the dogs to bark at him, for than he groweth dangerous, as being given to strike with his horns the first of the hunters that he can mee● withal: And this is the cause why it is grown to a proverb, 
The Beer for the Hart, and the Barber for the Boar.  A Beer for a Hart, and a Barber for a wild Boar. Wherefore it standeth every man upon to look well to himself in coming near unto the Hart when he endureth the bay, and not to adventure too far, and hazard himself too boldly.  
When the Hart is taken, he that shall have given the blow, shall forthwith thereupon sound the retreat, to the end he may call together his fellow hunters and the dogs: and after he hath presented the right foot of the Hart unto the King, or unto his Lord, then to cut him up as he shall know it meet to be done In the mean time he must not forget to take care of the dogs, and to give them some relief & sustenance of the prey they have gotten in hunting: unto the bloud-bound, that is, unto the dog which by his scent hath led the way to the Hart his lodging, he shall cast the head and the heart, as his right and due: unto the rest he shall give the neck and brain of the Hart, or which is better, he shall take bread and cut it into little lunches into to a pan with cheese, and temper the same both together with the blood of the Hart in his greatest hea●, and afterward put all this provision forthwith upon the skin, stretched forth upon the grass, and in the mean space every man shall put his horn unto his mouth, and therewithal comfort and cheer up the dogs.  
Some men use now and then (and yet after this first provision) to make a second with the entrails of the Hart all whole, which the master huntsman doth cast unto the dogs after they have ended their feast, holding them up on high: and whiles the dogs are eating these entrails, they must be cheered up with the noise of the horns, shoutings, and hallowings.   

CHAP. XXVI.  
Of the profit that may be reaped by the kill of the Hart.  
NOtwithstanding, that the hunting as well of the Hart, as of other wild beasts, be undertaken and performed by great States rather for the exercise of the body and recreation of the spirits, than for any other desire and hope; yet the kill of the Hart is not without great profit, and that in two respects: the first being for the making of meat thereof: and the second, for the medicinable helps which may be made of his parts and members.  
As concerning the meat made of the Hart: his flesh is not very pleasant, 
The fl●sh of the Hart.  if it be not of that part of him which is commonly called the pizzle: for to speak generally according to the truth, Heart's flesh is very hard, of an evil juice, melancholic, hard to digest in the stomach, and very apt and easy to procure many great diseases. It is true, that many great Ladies (having an opinion, that the flesh of Hearts being eaten often, doth free and deliver men from all danger of Agues, because the beast himself is not subject at all thereunto) at their rising every morning have accustomed to taste of Heart's flesh: notwithstanding, who so is careful of his health, should not touch any such flesh, except it be of some tender Fawn, or young Hiude, which are made services for the most part at the Tables of Princes and great Lords.  
The medicinable helps which may be prepared and made of the Hart, are infinite.  
Some find a bone in the heart of the Hart (howsoever there be some that think it to be false) which is singular good against faintness, 
The bone in the Heart's heart.  or swooning, trembling, and beating of the heart, and other effects of the same, as also against the venimes, poisons, and dangers of the plague, and likewise against the hard ●rauell of women.  
The blood of the Hart fried in a frying-pan, 
The blaud of the ●art.  and put in clysters, doth heal the bloody flux, and stayeth the flux of the belly: being drunk with wine, it is a sovereign remedy against poisons.  
The privy member of the Hart washed diligently in water, 
The privy parts of the Hart.  and the water wherein it hath been so washed, drunken, appeaseth forthwith the pain of the colic, and retention of the urine: if it be steeped in vinegar the space of four and twenty hours, and afterward dried and made in powder, the weight of a French crown of this powder being drunk with water of plantine, 
●●ux of blood.  stayeth the floxe of blood, and all manner of flux of the belly. Likewise dried and powdered, it may be mingled with remedies which have power to provoke carnal copulation. It may also be made serviceable and of good use in the pleurisy, and against the bitings of Serpents, if it be taken either alone or mingled with things which are good for such diseases.  
The horn of the hart burned, made in powder and drunk with honey, killeth the worms, 
〈…〉  which is a sign that the heart's horn hath great virtue against venom, and that not much less than the horn of the unicorn.  
The tender horns of a young hart 〈◊〉 in small gobbets, and put in an earthen pot well leaded, and close stopped with clay, and afterward put in a hot furnace until such time as they be dried (they may also be beaten to powder, 
〈…〉  putting thereto pepper and myrrh) do yield a powder which is singular good against the colic taken in excellent wine.  
The marrow and suet of the hart are good to make lineaments and cataplasms for cold gouts, 
〈…〉  and tumors that are hard, and not easily softened.    

The hunting of the wild Boar.  

CHAP. XXVII.  
The best time to hunt the wild Boar, and the marks of a good wild Boar.  
IT is certain that the hunting of the wild Boar is a great deal more difficult and dangerous than that of the Hart, 
〈◊〉 hunting of 〈◊〉 wild bore ●●●gerous.  in as much as the wild Boar doth not fear the dogs, but tarrieth and stayeth their coming, and which is more, doth sometimes set upon them so far as till he be amongst them, 
●uds made the wild 〈◊〉 dangerous.  and all to the end he may tear and rend them with his teeth, whose wounds (especially those that are given into the chest of the body) are (as it were) incurable. Wherefore the good huntsman that maketh any account of his dogs, for to hunt the Hart, the Roebuck and Hare, must never give chase to the wild Boar with his coursing dogs, but rather with some company of mastiffs, whose proper pray the wild Boar is: or else which is better to find the means to take him in toils, or to kill him with a wile and a spear, as we shall further declare.  
But howsoever the matter go, yet this is to be known, that all Boars are not fit to be hunted, 
〈…〉.  but such only as are not past four years old, howsoever they may be otherwise both fair, great and fat: for after four years the wild Boar groweth l●●ne through oldness of age, and forthwith looseth all his goodness. Again all times are not fit to hunt them in, 
〈…〉  but only when they are in season and in the best plieght, as namely from mid September to December, at which time they begin to go to rut: and yet in April and May they are more easy to be taken in toils, than at any other time, because they sleep more in this season than at any other time: and the cause is, for that they feed upon strong herbs, which stirreth the blood, and sendeth vapours up unto their brain, whereby sleep is brought upon them: again the Spring time doth then restore and renew their blood, whereby they are brought to take great ease and rest.  
The huntsman therefore shall know the fairness of the Boar, 
● marks to 〈◊〉 a wild 〈◊〉 worth the ●●●ting. 〈◊〉.  and that he is worth the hunting, by these marks, that is to say, by his traces, rooting, foil, and dung.  
The prints of his traces great and large: the taking of the trace before, round and gross: the cutting of the sides of the traces used, but not showing themselves cutting, the heel large, his guards gross and open, wherewith he must tread upon the ground in the hard wheresoever he goeth: all these things declare him to be a fair and great boar. In like manner the traces behind being larger than those before, do show the thickness of his haunches: the wreaths and wrinkles which are betwixt his guards and the heel, if they make their prints upon the ground, do show that his steps are great and long. The marks of his traces deep and wide, do show also his heavienes and corpulency. The rootings of the bore being deep and large, do note the thickness and length of his head.  
The soil of the wild bore being long, large, and great, doth note and argue the boar to be great: or else in going from the soil, his greatness may be known by the entrances of the thickets, by the leaves and herbs which the soil hath touched, because that at such time as he cometh out of it, he bears d●rt and mire upon him, and therewith the leaves are bemired, as he goeth amongst them; and hence is gathered his height and breadth: or else it falleth out oftentimes, that the wild boar after he hath been at soil, goeth to rub himself against some one tree or other, and there he leaveth the mark of his height.  
The dung of the wild bore being thick and long, doth show the greatness of the wild boar, howbeit the huntsman is not to present it unto the company, but only give them the view of it in place as it lieth.   

CHAP. XXVIII.  
Of the wild Boar, tame Swine, wild Boar and wild Sow, and of their haunt.  
THe difference betwixt wild Boars and tame Swine is this: The wild Boar in his gate doth always set his hinder feet in the steps of his forefeet, 
The difference betwixt the wild bores and the ●ame swine.  or very near, and doth pitch his steps rather upon the forepart of the foot, than upon the heel, resting notwithstanding his guards upon the ground, spreading the same abroad thereupon unto the utter sides: the ●ame Swine in their gate do open the cleft of their hoof before, pitching rather upon the heel than upon the forepart of their foot, and their hinder foot doth not overreach their forefoot: the sole of their foot is full of flesh, so that the prints of their steps cannot be but uneven, contrary to that of the wild Boar. In like manner the wild Boar maketh deeper rootings, because he hath a longer head, and when he cometh in●ields that are sown, he willingly followeth one furrow, nurling all along the ridge until he come to the end of it: which the ●ame hog useth not to do, for he neither turneth up the earth in so deep manner, nor yet followeth on along with it as the wild Boar is accustomed to do, but he casteth up one piece of ground in on place, and another in another further off, crossing the ridges, the one of them not reaching unto the other. Furthermore, when the wild Boars go unto the corn, they bear● down the same all in a round; but so do not ●ame Swine. The wild Boar also hath this particular property, namely, that he is never meazelled as the ●ame Swine will be.  
The difference betwixt the wild Boar and the Sow is this: 
The difference betwixt the wild Boar and the wild Sow.  The Boar goeth wider with his hinder legs than the Sow, and commonly setteth his hinder steps upon the edges of his foresteps on the outside, because of the thickness of his haunches and stones, which cause them to go wider dehind, which the Sows do not; for they are empty betwixt the haunches, for which cause they tread narrower. The Sow maketh not so good a heel as the bore, and hath her hoof longer and sharper before, and more open, her steps and soles of her feet behind, more narrow than the Boars. The bore with much ado, and hardly, will be brought to cry when he is killed, but the Sow will not let to make you hear her aloud.  
The wild Boar hath no certain abode, 
〈…〉.  and as some say, he is but a traveler, because he doth nothing but run from one forest and wood to another: and yet he taketh great delight to remain in the country and place where he was bred: in so much as that if he be hunted by dogs from any bush or forest, he is still ready to run without any stay, until he come in the country from whence he first came, and where he was bred; for there he setteth up the rest of his safeguard, and maketh it the only refuge of all his force and strength: he is also oftentimes found in the countries where small nuts and beech mast may be come by, for he more delighteth to feed of them than of acorns.   

CHAP. XXIX.  
Of the taking of the wild Boar.  
AS concerning the hunting of the Boar, it craveth rather many men than dogs; for there is no greater cutthroat to dogs than the wild Boar: and yet there may dogs be used, but with such discretion, as that the horsemen be always mingled with them, and pressing upon the Boar as valiantly and forcibly as they can: for when he seeth himself set upon with horsemen and dogs both at once, even upon the first push they besetting him hard, do astonish him, and cause him to lose whatsoever his courage, and in steed of wrecking his furious mood upon the dogs, he is constrained to run away and fly the country. Then also you must let slip some of your fresh dogs, or dogs of easement, but let them not be young novices, but rather old ones, and such as have been well trained and taught, that they may succour the first, and force the Boar to a more speedy flight. And you need not fear that he should betake himself to any turnings, 
〈◊〉 Boar is given to ●●●nings and 〈◊〉.  windings, or other deceitful tricks, because he is heavy, and that the dogs are able to follow him close and hard by. But when after long chase the horsemen see that the wild Boar doth endure the abbey (which he will never do until he be mightily urged) they must forthwith, but as privily as they can compass him about, and set forward all at once directly towards him, having in their hands every one his sword, and not failing to kill him: and yet notwithstanding they must not hold their hand low, for so they should light upon his head, but they must rather bear their hands on high, and strike at him with their swords, to give him deep blows, but taking heed that they strike not the Boar on that side next their horse, but rather on the fide further off; for look on what side he feeleth himself hurt, that way he turneth his head presently, and so he might either kill or wound the horse. This is a most certain truth, that if there be dog collars hung with bells put about the dog's necks which are called coursers, when they hunt the Boar, that he will not kill him so soon, but run away before them, never coming to the abbey.   

CHAP. XXX.  
The profit that cometh of the kill of the wild Boar.  
THe profit coming of the kill of the wild Boar is twofold, as is that of the Hart: the one concerning food, and the other concerning medicine, for which it may be employed and used.  
As concerning nourishment, the flesh of the Boar is better without all comparison than that of the Hart, for the proof whereof I refer me to the stately banquets of the ancient Romans, who so greatly esteemed Boar's flesh, as that they did serve them all whole upon the table. The princes and great lords of this our age do prize it highly, but especially, and above the rest, the head of the boar, as being judged a delicate and dainty fine morsel: young and tender wild Boars, are likewise very well accounted of, in Winter feasts and banquets. And to say the truth, the flesh of the wild boar doth nourish very much, and begetteth great quantity of good blood: which are the causes why Physicians make such reckoning thereof, especially when the Boar is taken by hunting.  
As for the Physical helps, 
The urine of the wild boar.  the urine of the wild Boar hath many virtues: you must take the bladder of the wild Boar, wherein there is yet some quantity of urine, and with this urine mingle a little quantity of oil, hanging up the same bladder in the smoke of the chimney, and let it abide there until the urine therein become somewhat thick, and of the consistence of honey: which done, it must be carefully kept in the bladder, to use to anoint the navel, temples, and nostrils of young infants withal which are tormented and pained with worms, 
Worm● in young children.  which thing I have often experimented with good success. This urine likewise thus prepared, doth break the stone of the bladder, 
The stone.  especially if there be some small quantity of it taken inwardly in drink; his gall likewise is good against gravel 
The gravel.  and the stone.    

The hunting of the Hare.  

CHAP. XXXI.  
Of the pleasure of the hunting of the Hare, and of the dogs that are fit for the same.  
Certain it is that the hunting of the Hare is more pleasant, more lively, and less costly (not only for gentlemen, but also for all men of estate) than of any other beast, because it is accompanied with a thousand pretty pleasures and recreations every hour, and of small charges, besides the security thereof, and the avoiding of the dangers and inconveniencies which are many, and happen oft to such as hunt the Hart and the wild Boar: whereunto you may add the great contentment, and no small pleasure which may be taken in seeing as it were the spirit of this little beast, as it were admirable in nature, and the sleights which she useth to shift and rid herself from the dogs that chase her. Such game we will allow our Farmer, yea, and so as that I could wish him to use it as oft as he can, for it cannot but afford him both pleasure and profit.  
And whereas this game consisteth principally upon multitude of dogs, the gentleman that will do the deed, 
To fit the dogs for to hunt 〈◊〉 the Hare.  and hath a young company of dogs to teach, must observe two things principally, to train and instruct them well. The first is, that from the beginning he accustom them to go uncoupled, and to run in all sorts of grounds and countries, that is to say, upon plains, underwoods' and thickets: for otherwise if you accustom them from the beginning to run in one place only, as in woods or grounds that are fallen, and have the wood cut down, they will not make any reckoning of the plains and fields, but they will go and range the grounds where they have been accustomed to find sport and take their pleasure in finding the Hare. The second is, that he never teach his dogs to hunt in the mornings, because of the dew & coolness of the earth, but rather in the height of the day: for if you use them to the cool seasons, and then afterward bring them to hunt at the height of the day, they feeling any heat or small wind will not afterward hunt any more.  
Wherefore the fittest time to train young dogs up in, and to make them fit for the hunting of the Hare, is after September unto December, because that then the time is temperate, as also because that the young hares are foolish, and but weak bodied, neither skilful, nor able to work their wiles: and beside, because they themselves do start of themselves many times before the dogs which take pleasure therein, and become better entered and enured thereby, than they would be, if they should be hares that would run away and be packing apace from them.   

CHAP. XXXII.  
The marks of a good Hare, of the male and of the female, and of their forms.  
NOw although in hunting of the Hare, the hunter taketh what he can have, and not what he can find, because of the swiftness and wiliness of this little beast, which oftentimes disappointeth him of his purpose: notwithstanding if at any time it be granted the hunter by the good hap of hunting to choose the best Hare amongst many, or else that some Lord, not willing to lose his labour, hath sent his huntsman to find the Hare before he hunt her; the marks of a good and fair Hare, and such a one as deserveth to be hunted, 
〈◊〉 marks of a 〈◊〉 and fair 〈◊〉.  are these: Those which keep in woods or plains, or which feed upon little hills upon the herb Penniroyall, or wild Time, are much better than they which keep near the waters, as also better than the little red Hares, which are of the kind of coneys; 
●●res keeping ●re unto wa● are leprous.  for such as keep near unto water are commonly leprous. Further, the male is far better than the female.  
The marks to know the one and the other are these: The male hath commonly his dung smaller, drier, and sharper at the point: the female hath them greater, rounder, and not altogether so dry as the males: the female hath a grosser body, but the male hath a more slender and fine body: the male in coming out of his form, hath his hinder parts whitish, as though he had been plumed: the male hath also red shoulders, with some long hairs mixed amongst, he hath also a shorter and more bushy head than the female, the hair and beard of his jaws long, his ears short, wide, and whitish: the female hath a long and narrow head, and also great ears: the hair growing along the ridge of the back of a dark grey. When the dog's course the female, she doth nothing but coast round about her seat & country, passing seven or eight times by one place before she ever squa●: the male doth the contrary; for being coursed with dogs, he runneth sometimes seven or eight leagues distance from his form.  
To know the form of a Hare, you must take the benefit of the night: for in the night she withdraweth herself into her form, and not in the morning, because of the dew: neither yet upon the height of the day, because of the heat. There is more regard to be taken unto her traces: for the print of the hare's foot is sharp, and fashioned like unto the point of a knife, having her small nails all pricked right down into the ground, and they do leave their print round about, drawing always narrower and narrower, having the sole of her foot always close, after the manner of the point of a knife.   

CHAP. XXXIII.  
The kill of the Hare.  
FOr the hunting of the Hare, the very best time to kill her with coursing dogs, beginneth at mid September, and endeth at mid April, because of the flowers and great heat which then begin to reign, for both these are apt to deprive the dogs of their necessary scent: besides that, at these times the Hares are but young and feeble.  
Notwithstanding, 
Places in which the dogs have no scent.  there be certain countries and seasons, where & when the dogs have not any scent of Hares, as in Winter in the plain countries where the ground is fat and strong, because the Hare hath her foot underneath full of hair, so that when she runneth, a fat ground will take hold upon it, and so she carrieth it away with her foot, and so all the scent that the dogs might otherwise take, is withheld: and upon plains there are neither branch nor herb for her to hit her body upon, no more than there is in broad and trodden ways. In like manner it is an unfit time to draw out dogs to hunt in frosty weather: for they would both lose their nails, and spoil their feet: on the contrary, the Hares run better at that time, than at any other, because they have their feet furred.  
Also high ways are very dangerous and ill to hunt upon: for by reason of the much traveling of men and other cattle, the scent which the Hare should leave, is clean taken away, and the dogs noses are stopped with contrariety of odour: nor is it good to hunt where flocks of sheep, herds of goats or cattle are kept; for the hotness of their scent taketh away all scent of the Hair.  
The first point making way for the kill of the Hare, 
That the finding of the form of the Hare, is the first and chiefest step to kill her.  consisteth in finding out her form, which the better to find, you must have respect unto the season wherein you go about it, and the time how it shapeth: for if it be in the Spring or Summer, the Hares lodge not amongst the thick places of woods, because of the ants, serpents, and lizards which drive them thence, and so at such times they are constrained to lodge amongst the corn, fallows, and other weak places. In Winter they do the contrary: for they take up their lodging in some thick bushes, or thick places of the wood, especially, when the Northern winds, and other high and low winds do blow, for of such they are much afraid. Wherefore according to the time and place, where you shall see the Hares to take up their lodging, you must prepare your dogs to go and set upon the Hare within her form, and when she shall be started, the horsemen (which shall not be above three in number) must encourage the dogs to follow the chase, without making of much crying or greatly whupping of them, for fear of setting of them in too great a hea●e, which might cause them to overslip the traces, and, not to hold on right.  
But touching the most general and best places for the finding out of Hares both Winter and Somme●, 
What places ar● best to find the Hare in.  you shall repair to the moors or heath which are overgrown with ling, or with gosse, whins, Brakes, or such like, for they are special harbours in which a Hare delights most: also in such places where there is great store of fog or long dead grass which lieth ungot. You shall be sure to find Hares haunt, especially in the Spring time, because such ground being given to moisture, makes them take a greater delight therein: for Hares at that time of the year love to have all their hinder loins covered with water: from whence it comes that the best Hare finders, when they seek Ha●es, look all the Winter up to the top or ridge of the lands, and in the Spring, down to the lowest bottom of the furrows. Now as soon as you have found your Hare, and started her, the horsemen which follow the chase, shall by all observations possible take good heed to the wile● and sleights of the Hare, the which are very many and divers, as in the time of rain the hare doth rather follow trodden paths and broad then at any other time, and if she light upon any underwood, she will not go in but to refresh herself by the sides thereof, and letteth the dogs pass by: after when they are gone past, she turneth and runneth back in the same steps by which she came thither, unto the place from whence she was dislodged, rather than she would run up into the forests, by reason of the moistness which is amongst the wood. When such practices are in hand, the horsemen must stay some hundred paces from the wood by which the hare is come, for he shall not fail to see her return by her former way right upon him, whereby he shall be able to call in the dogs. The horsemen likewise shall observe and mark whether it be a male or a female, and whether she be one that keepeth continually in the country, or but a guest for a night: for if she be a wanderer and not of constant abode, she will have her form in couer●, and suffer the dogs to put her up three or four times near unto her form: for this is infallible that the hare, bred and said where she is put up, and especially the female, if the horseman observe and market the first place and compass that she taketh the first time after she is departed and gone from her lodging being before the dogs, all the rest of the co●rfes that she shall make that day will be by the same places, ways, and muses, if it be not a male hare come from far, or else the dogs have hunted her so hard, and wearied her so much, as that she be driven to forsake her wonted haunt: and this commonly they do voluntarily betake themselves unto, if they be at any time coursed two whole hours, without default.  
At the first when the dogs begin to course the hare, she doth nothing but wind and turn, tracing over one place five or fix times, and that all in the same trace. And this you must learn, that if the coursing dogs miss of taking the hare one day, than it will be good for the horseman to bear in mind the places and coasts that then she passed through: for if he return at any other time, and have her in course with the dogs, she will pass by the same places, and practise the same shifts she did the day before when she escaped, and thus being before acquainted with her cra●ts, and ways which she will run he may greatly help his dogs.  
Some hares as soon as they hear the sound of the horn do start, and take some river or lake, and then you must use what good means you can to cause her to avoid the water, drawing the dogs near the place most likely for her landing, that so they may take her.  
The females are more often in practising their wiles, and in shorter space, which the dogs love not: for it is a wearisome irksomeness to courageous and lusty dogs, to be drawn a side so oft, it being their chief desire to course such a beast as will run out before them, that so they may run according as their strength will serve them. And for such hares as are given to wind and turn so oft, it is requisite that you take great compass of ground, that so you may enclose all her wiles, leaving no passage for her to find but only one way to go out, and by this means you shall abridge her much of her helps, and drive her to forsake her shifts and sleights.  
There are also some hares given to run in trodden paths, and high ways, to the end the dogs might not come by any scent of them, there being neither branch of tree, nor herbs, nor moisture, which can touch their bodies, to gather any scent for the dogs, in such manner as there would, if they were in other covert places, as woods, corn, and other cool places, and especially when they feed in any green corn, because they rest their bodies in one place. When the horseman shall find such hares, and shall perceive the default of the dogs, by reason of the high way, he must draw them on forward all along the said high way, following them continually until such time as the dogs find her out gate, or else till he have found some little valley or cool place in the midst of the way, where the dogs may seem to have found her scent. And he himself also must light from off his horse to see if that he can espy any of the traces of the hare, such as we have described them before. And by these traces or footsteps, he shall by little and little pick out which way she is gone, and this amongst huntsmen is called the pricking forth of the hare, one observation no less needful than any other observation whatsoever: for it is not to be used only in plain high ways and foot paths, but also in any other ground which is plain, as upon fallow lands, or other worn ground where the green swarth is taken away: and this above all other is the most safest and surest way for the recovering of a loss, because it goes not by conjecture or imagination, but by certain knowledge, and by knowledge of that member by which the hound hunteth only, and by which he beareth the whole scent he seeketh.  
The hare hath a thousand other shifts, all which in general the wary and wily horseman may meet withal, if when he hath seen her fetch her first compass, and withal got the knowledge of the coast, which she betaketh herself unto in her course, he get before her to behold her with his eyes, and in the same place encourage the dogs, making them to fetch great circuits, to the end they may be sure to include and compass all her wiles and shifting tricks.  
Hares live not above seven years at the most, and especially the males: they have this trick with them, that if the male and the female do live together in a country, they will never suffer other strange hares to abide there, if they can remedy it, except it be such as they have bred: and thereupon some say, 
The more that a place is hunted, the more hares there are  That the more that any place is hunted, the more hares are found there, because that strangers, and those of other countries do come thither.  
The hare being killed, it will be good to give the dogs their fees, the better to encourage them, and to cause them with much more joy to hunt in that place afterward. This their repast or fees may be made of bread, 
The meat that is made of the har● for the dogs.  cheese, and some other dainties, all put into the body of the hare, that so it may be moistened and overdrowned with blood, and after spread upon the clean grass. For their second sort of meat, as a more royal banquet, if there be store of hares taken, will be good to uncase one and first taking out her lights, then to cast the whole carcase to the dogs, giving them leave to tear and eat her: and after that they have eaten her, to give them bread lest they should prove sick at their stomachs, and cast their gorge, seeing that hare's flesh is enemy unto them. In like manner when the dog which is taught to hunt the hare, shall be brought to course the hart, he will not make any more account of the hare, because he hath found and tasted the flesh of the hart to be far better than that of the hare.   

CHAP. XXXIIII.  
What profit cometh by the kill of the Hare.  
LIke commodity as is to be found in the kill of the hart and wild boar, may be found also in the hare: and to speak first of the food rising thereof, we see not any food more common, nor more in request in our country of France than the hare. It is true in deed, that Physicians do judge the flesh of the hare to be melancholic, hard to digest in the stomach, and begetting a gross juice: but this is to be understood of old hares, as such as are above a year old, and such as are kept tame in boroughs and other enclosed places: but the young leverets have a very pleasant and dainty flesh to eat: yea in those which are grown great, there are some parts which are in request, as the loins, the shoulders and haunches. There may be marked in this little beast a marvelous fruitfulness in nature, 
The fruitfulness of the hare.  for that monthly she bringeth forth a great number of young ones. I know that some think, that the male and female are of both sexes, and that both of them do conceive and engender as if they were hermaphrodites: but it is a false conceived opinion, and a thing altogether strange and unaccustomed to be in the works and generation that is according to nature. And it is furthermore most true, that the female being b●gd, ceaseth to engender again for the time, that is to say, to admit the company of the male, thereby to have a second conception, but by and by after she hath kindled, she taketh the buck again, and that is the cause of their so great fruitfulness: as much may be said of coneys which are a kind of hare.  
As concerning the medicinal virtues of the hare: 
〈…〉.  the flesh of the hair well roasted is a great help against bloody and humoral fluxes of the belly: that liue● dried in the oven, and made into powder, is singular good for them which have a weak liver.  
The brains being thoroughly boiled and rubbed upon the gums of young children, helpeth them of the pains they have of their teeth, and helpeth forward their growth.  
Take a whole hare both skin and hair (save that you must take away her intailes) close them up in an earthen pot very well stopped and luted: alterward put the pot into a hot oven, and there leave it so long, as till the whole body may be made easily into powder, in such sort, as that there be left no manner of moisture, for else you should be constrained to put the pot again into the oven until every part and parcel were brought into powder. The weight of a French crown of his powder, 
〈◊〉 stone of the 〈◊〉.  taken with white wine every morning two hours before mea●e, doth take away the difficulty of making water, and breaketh the stone both of the re●●es and bladder: but yet before the use of this powder, the body must be purged: and during the time of the use thereof, there must be applied upon the reins, two plates of lead of the breadth of four fingers, sewed together betwixt two linen clothes.  
The gall of the hare mingled with sugar, 
●●●he gall.  cleanseth the eyes, and taketh away the pearl or spots of the eyes.  
The dung of the hare being carried about women, hindereth their conception: but one thing of a certainty, 
●●●he dung.  if it be put up into the secret parts of a woman in form of a pestarie, it stayeth the terms following excessively, and drieth the mother that is too moist.  
The blood of the hare dried or fried, 
●he blood.  and applied unto a scab or ringworm, drieth and healeth it incontinently.  
The hare hath a little bone in the joint of her legs, 
●●he bone of the hare.  which is sovereign against the colic.    

The hunting of the Brock and Foxe.  

CHAP. XXXV.  
The profit coming of the hunting of the Fox and Brock.  
THe kill of Foxes and Brockes, neither bring pleasure nor profit to the hunters, 
The flesh of the Fox is unsavoury  taking profit in this place for meat and nourishment: for the Fox his flesh, (and much less the Brockes) is nothing pleasant to eat, in as much as it hath an unsavoury, strong, and wild kind of taste. Howbeit Galen in a certain place letteth not to say, that the flesh of the Fox hath the like faculty and virtue with that of the Hare: and yet in another place, as restracting his former assertion he saith, that the Fox is of the same temperature with the dog. It is certain that some country people having not the benefit of any other victual, live not upon any other than Fox ●lesh, but it is in the time of Autumn only, because that at such time the Fox feedeth of nothing but of grapes, by which means it may be that his flesh may prove somewhat good. Howsoever it be, if any profit grow upon the kill of the Fox and Brock, it is only because they devour fowl, and annoy the coneys and warr●n,  
Add hereunto that the Physicians do make great account of the lungs of the fox, for the disease of the lungs and shortness of the breath: and of his grease, 
The profit that the body of the fox ●oth bring forth in medicine.  for the pain of the sinews: of his blood, for the stone: o● the oil wherein the whole body of the Fox hath been boiled, either quick or dead, (whereof we have spoken in the third book) for all manner of joint-ach: and of the privy members of the Fox, against the stone.   

CHAP. XXXVI.  
Of the two sorts of Foxes and brock's.  
BEfore we go any further, there are two sorts of Foxes, 
brock's some like hogs and some like dogs.  and two sorts of Brockes, that is say, great Foxes and little ones accustomed to lie and lurk in their dens: and Brockes some like swine, and some like dogs. The two sorts of Foxes are sufficiently known. The hog-like brock's are whitish, and have the hair above their noses, and under their throats a great deal more white than the doglike have, their body of a greater bulk, their head and snout also more gross. The hog-like in going out of their dens do freely dung, but evermore they make a little hole with the end of their snout before, or else scrape one with their feet, and then dung therein: the doglike make their dung a far off from their earths. The hog-like commonly make their dens in sandy or other ground that is easy to dig, and open places, to have the heat of the Sun, and being given to sleep continually, they are fatter than the doglike. The doglike make their abode in tougher earth, or else in rocks, making their holes and dens deeper and narrower than the hog-like, because they cannot dig the stiff and tough earth or rocks, as the other do the sand and light ground. The doglike have their nose, throat, and ears yellowish, after the manner of the throat of a ma●ten, and they are a great deal blacker and longer legged than the others. The two sorts accompany not together, but they feed of all manner of flesh: they do much harm in warren●, especially unto the young rabbits which are within their nests, and are very sweet and dainty, but more to pigs and hogs, whereof they feed more than of any other flesh: they feed also of all sorts of wild flesh, as geese, hens, and such like: they are very cold and chill, and if they be left in any room where fire is, they will go lie in it and burn their feet: they will live hardly, as also they have a hard skin: they fear their nose notwithstanding very much, neither can one give them ever so little a blow thereupon with a stick, but they die suddenly: they are deadly enemies unto the foxes, and oftentimes fight with them.   

CHAP. XXXVII.  
Of two sorts of earth-dogs usual course foxes and brockes withal, and the manner of teaching and training of them thereunto.  
COncerning the hunting of the Fox and Broke, it is to be performed with earth-dogs, 
Two sorts of earth-dogs.  which are of two sorts: the one hath crooked league, ●nd commonly short hair: the other hath strait legs, and a shagd hair like water-spannyels: those which have the crooked legs creep more, easily into the earth than the other, and they are best for the brocks, because they stay long there, and keep better without coming forth. Those which have strait legs serve for two uses, because they run as coursing dogs about the ground, and also take the earth more boldly than the other, but they tarry not so long, because they vex themselves in fight with the foxes and brockes, whereby they are forced to come forth to take the air.  
Now if it fall out that the huntsman have not earth dogs ready taught, 
〈…〉  he may train them in this manner. The time to begin to take them in hand, must be when they are betwixt the age of eight and ten months: for if he will not be brought to take the earth at a year old, he will scarce ever be able to be made to take it; again, they must not be roughly dealt withal in the time of their training, neither so handled, as that they may take any hurt of the brockes in the earth, because that if they should be beaten or hardly handled, they would never ●ak the earth more. And for that cause it must be carefully looked unto, that such young trained dogs be never made take the earth, where there are any old foxe● or brocks, but to let them first stay out their year, and be thoroughly nurtured, and furthermore there must some old earth dogs be put in always before them, to endure and bear off the fury of the brock.  
The most convenient and readiest way to train them, is thus: as such times as foxes and brocks have young ones, you must take all your old earth dogs, and let them take the earth, afterward when they shall begin to stand at an abbey, then must the young ones be brought unto the mouth of the hole one by one (for fear they should beat themselves) and there cause them to hear the abbey▪ When the old brockes or foxes shall be taken, and none remaining but their cubs, than you must take up and couple up all the old earth dogs, and after let lose the young ones, encouraging them to take the earth, and crying unto them, Creep into them basset, creep into them, How take them, take them: and when they have hold of any young, brock or fox, they must be let alone, till they have strangled him in the burrow or hole, taking heed that the earth fall not in upon them, lest it might hurt them: afterward you must carry all the young brocks and foxes unto your lodgings, and cause their livers and the blood also to be fried with cheese and fat, making them meat thereof, and showing them the head of their wild flesh.  
They may also be trained and taught after another manner: as namely, you must cause the old brocks and foxes to be taken alive by the old earth dogs, and with pincers fit for the purpose, take and break all the teeth of the neither jaw, wherein the great gripers stand, not touching the uppermost at all, to the end that by it may continually appear and be seen the rage and furiousness of the beasts, although they be not able to do any harm therewith at all: afterward you shall cast earths in some meadow plot of sufficient largeness, for the dogs to turn themselves, and go in by couples on a breast, covering the burrows afterward with boards and green turfs: this done, the brock must be put in, and all the dogs both young and old let slip and encouraged as hath already been said. And when they have baited him sufficiently, you must strike seven or eight great blows upon the side of the hole with a spade, to harden and acquaint them therewith, against the time when you shall stand in need to use delving: then you must take up the planks over the place where the brock is, taking hold upon him with pincers, killing him before them, or else causing him to be stifled by some greyhound, that so there may meat be made of him for them. And you must have cheese which you must cause to be cast them presently after their wild flesh, when it shall be dead: and if peradventure you would not break all the teeth of the neither jaw of the brock, yet you must cut off all the greater and master teeth, that so he may be kept from biting and doing of mischief.   

CHAP. XXXVIII.  
The manner of killing of the Fox.  
AS for the kill of the Fox it is m●ch more easy than that of the Brock: herein especially, seeing that after they once scent the dogs which bait them, they gather themselves together, and rush out upon the sudden, except it be at such time as the female hath young ones, for than they will not forsake them.  
Naturally they are given to dig their earths in places that are hard to be digged, 
The Fox his borrow.  as in rocks, or under the roots of trees: they have but one hole, but it is both straight, and reacheth far.  
Some huntsmen are of opinion (and sure it is very likely and credible) that the Fox never maketh his own earth or kennel: for though he be the subtlest of all beasts, both touching his own safety, and the gaining of his prey; yet he is nothing laborious or given to take pains for any thing, but his belly only, neither hath nature given him any especial instruments for the same use, more than to other apparel dogs of which he is a kind; so that he may scratch or dig up the earth a little for the hiding or main covering of his prey: but to make such tedious, deep, long and winding vaults, and in such difficult and tough places is hard to be conjectured: whence it comes, that those of better observation affirm, that the Brock or Badger, or as some call him the Grey, by reason of his colour, who is a beast of infinite great industry, cleanliness, and fearfulness, doth first make the Fox's earth, but not with any determinate purpose that the Fox should enjoy it, but as a place of refuge and rest, for himself only, which as soon as the Fox findeth out, he presently watcheth the going out of the Badger, and then entering in at the hole, 
By what means the Fox cometh to have such great 〈◊〉.  he defileth the mouth and entrance thereof both with his dung and piss (which is the loathsomest of all excraments) in such filthy and hateful manner, that the Badger returning and finding his lodging so nastily beraied, presently he forsakes the place and cometh there no more, but leaves it to the Fox and digs himself a new cell in another place. But to our former purpose, when the the dogs have once overthrown the Fox, he resisteth a little, but it is not with any such boldness and courage as to daunt the dogs, neither hath he any dangerous bite: and yet some say, that he hath his shift, as to clap his tail betwixt his legs, (when he seeth himself once overthrown by the dogs,) 
That the Fox his urine stinketh.  and to piss upon it, and therewithal to besprinkle the dogs, to the end that feeling the stench thereof, they may be driven back and let him depart.  
If you take a bitch Fox when she is salt, and cutting away her privy member, 
How to take the Fox without hunting him.  and the gut annexed thereunto, with the little testicles or stones, which are the cause of engendering, (being the same that gelder's use to take from bitches, when they geld them (and put all the same cut in pretty gobbets into some little pot all hot as they were cut away, and take Galbanum and put it in, mingling altogether, and covering it, that all may not breathe out: you may keep it a whole year, and make it serve at any time when you would make a train to allure the dog Fox, by taking the skin or a collop of lard, and putting it upon a gridyron, and when it shall be broiled and all hot, moisting it in the pot where the privy part of the Fox and Galbanum is, therewith making all your trains: than you shall perceive the male Foxes following o● you every where: but he that maketh the craine, must rub the soles of his shoes with cows dung, lest they should take the scent of his feet: Thus you may see the means how to draw on the dog foxes to any place where you may take them in a snare, or gi'en, and so kill them in the evening with a crossbow.  
This is most true, that if you rub an earth dog with brimstone, or with oil of the lees of oil, and thereupon cause him to take the earth, where there are foxes or brocks, they will get themselves thence, and come no more there for two or three months. There is furthermore another thing to be noted, that after that the earth dogs are come out of the earth of foxes or brocks, they must be washed with warm water and soap, to rid them of the mould that shall be gotten betwixt the hair and the skin, for else they would grow scabbed of a scab that would very hardly heal.  
Some subtle fox hunters take the fox without any help of dogs, 
〈…〉  with this wile: they rub the sole of their shoes with a great piece of lard lately roasted, at such time as they are about to return home from the wood, or from any plain where they know that there is any foxes: after the same manner they use to scatter by the way (as they go) little morsels of hog's liver dipped in honey, drawing after them a dead cat: whereupon the fox following the trace at hand, alured by the scent of the lard and hog's livers: they have a man accompanying them with a arqebus, or arrow to kill him at a blow.   

CHAP. XXXIX.  
The manner of killing the Brock.  
AS for the kill of the Brock, it is more difficult than the kill of the Fox, (as hath been said) because their holes are deep and narrow, and consisting of many conveyances and passages: for which cause it is me●●e and convenient for the undertaking of such a work, first to have four or five men furnished with spades and tools fit for the digging of the earth: secondly, half a dozen of good earth dogs at the least, every one armed with his collar about his neck, of the breadth of three singers, and hung with little bells, to hunt the several earths, to the end that the brock's may be driven the sooner to their stand, and the dogs defended the better by those collars from taking any hurt: and when it is perceived that the brock's are at their stand, or that the dogs grow weary & out of breath, or the bells to be full of earth, you must take up the dogs, and take away their collars from them: whereas at the first they are of good service, and cause the Brock the sooner to take them to their stand.  
But before you let slip the dogs, there must regard be had to view the earth's, what manner of ones they be, and the place wherein they lie, and where the furthest parts of them are; for otherwise a man should but lose his labour: in so much as if the earths should be on the side of a hill, it were requisite that the dogs were put in underneath toward the valley, to the end that the brock may be compelled and forced to the uttermost end of the uppermost holes, where the said earths are not so deep as the other, and therefore may the more easily be digged.  
But otherwise if the earth should be in some raised piece of ground, and therewithal round about the same, the rising ground being seated in the midst of a flat piece of ground, than the dogs must be put in at the holes which are highest, and nearest unto the top of the rising ground: but before they be let slip and put into such earth's, there must twenty or thirty blows be given with the head of the spade upon the highest parts of the earths, thereby to cause Brockes to remove from out of the midst of them, and to cause them to descend to the furthest ends of their earths which are in the bottom of the rising ground. There must always two or three dogs be let slip at the mouths of the holes, that so by their vehemency and eagerness they may part and put a sunder the brock's which shall be together, and force them to fly to their rests,  
They have a trick to stand the abbey at the places where their holes do meet, and stoutly to resist the dogs in such places: which, when it is perceived, it is requisite to smite three or four blows with the spade, and if yet for all that they will not remove, you must forthwith discover them with an apgar. Then when it is perceived that they are fled unto the furthest part of their holes, you must not pierce through right upon them, for than they would bolt forward again into the wide spaces and meetings of their holes, and offer violence unto the dogs: for which cause it behoveth, that the hole be bored right over where the voice of the dog soundeth with a round augar, for the nature thereof is to cast up the earth, and not to let it fall down within: and after that is done, presently to put a flat augar into the hole of the round augar, that so it may cross the hole right in the midst, lest the Brock should recoil upon the dog: and if it be possible to shut the dog forth on the hinder part of the augar, it will be very good, for and if he should be shut within toward the sore-part of it, the brock's might beat and handle him roughly, seeing that sometimes there are found mustered together in the uttermost end of one hole six or seven, which might beat and drive back the dog. When the hole is thus crosse-barred with the flat augar, you must presently make a trench with spades and shovels, to the end that it may serve to set a man in, and at convenient time to let in some dogs by the said trench, and to cause them to hold a bay in that place, where a man may see warring and fight on all sides. These things thus furthered, care must be had, that the Brockes do not cover themselves with earth, which they are very ready to do, being driven unto their uttermost places of flight, insomuch, as that the dogs are sometime upon or our them, and yet not know where they are. Afterward, their fort being thrown down, you must pull them forth, not by the whole body, but by the neither jaws: for if you should take them by the whole body, they might hurt the dogs: and if by the upper jaw, than you might hurt their nose, which is in them very tender, insomuch, as that being hurt therein, be it never so little, they die incontinently. When they are thus drawn out, they would be put in some sack, and after carried into some court or garden, closed in with walls, to make them coursing-game for young earth-dogges. But in the mean time it will be good to draw your boots upon your legs: for when they are once thoroughly heated, they spare not to run upon men after the manner of the wild Boar, in such sort, as that oftentimes they carry away with them pieces of their stockings, yea, the flesh also, which is under them.   

CHAP. XL.  
The hunting of the Conie.  
WE have entreated of Coneys largely enough where we spoke of the Warren, 
That Coneys are harmful.  the hunting whereof is profitable, not only in respect of the provision of food which it ministereth, and that very good, but likewise in respect of the damage which this little beast bringeth unto Corn, Trees, and Herbs: and that so dangerously (as Strabo writeth) as that certain Nations were constrained, in the days of the reigns of Tiberius and Augustus, 
Strabo.  to send ambassadors unto the Romans, that they might have their aid and succour against the urgent and ●ore pressing injuries and damages which their Countries sustained through the excessive number of these little beasts.  
We have make in our Treatise of the Warren two sorts of Coneys, the one of the Clapper, and the other, of the Warren: Those of the Clapper are easy to hunt, because they are came, but those of the Warren are somewhat more hard to take, because their nature is more inclining unto wildness: The manner of hunting them is chiefly of two sorts, and both of them very well known, that is to say, either with Pursnet's, or with the Ferrets: As concerning the Ferrets, 
The hunting of the Coneys of the Warren.  they are put into the holes of the Coneys to fight with them, whereby they being astonished and frighted, bolt forth by and by out of their holes, and fall into the pursnets which lie spread upon the tops of their holes: sometimes the Ferret doth kill them within, which falleth out to be the occasion of no small attendance oftentimes unto the hunters.    

The catching of Birds.  

CHAP. XLI.  
That men of old time made no account of catching of Birds.  
THe taking of Birds hath not been much approved nor liked of, by men of old time, by reason of the little exercise which it affordeth: seeing they made no account of any manner of hunting, whereby the body received no kind of exercise, whereby it might be made more nimble and ready to manage matters of greater importance: again, we find not any mention made of the hunting of Birds, in the books of the ancient writers, as Aristotle or Plin●e, who seemeth not to have been ignorant in any thing that might make for the truth of his writings: neither yet of hawking, which is the noblest kind of hunting of birds of all the rest. All which notwithstanding, the men of our time have not ceased to put in practise many sorts of taking of birds, as, with birds of the pray, which excelleth all the rest, with great nets, small nets, tonnelling, fire, snares, bundles of straw, with the crossbow, longbow, nooses, pit falls, chirping, pipes, horse, crow, bell, hand, and many more ways, which are well enough known to birde●●: we will first speak of hawking.    

Of Hawking.  

CHAP. XLII.  
What Hawking is.  
IT is most certain, that the skill and knowledge of hawking hath been brought into an art of late times, as hath been said: ancient writers, as Aristotle and Pliny, the admirers of high and excellent things, and the diligent and industrious searchers out of all things, would not have cast behind them so great and famous a work of the skill of man, as to lure and reclaim the birds of prey, but would have written of it, if it had been then in use. For this is a wonder to see a bird which hath been wild to become tame, to drop out of the skies and to light upon a man's fist: to soar aloft as high as the clouds to seek other birds to kill them, and also to make war upon the fowls, and such as live below upon the earth, and withal to take certain four footed beasts, as the Hare, Rabbits, and Coneys. This skill is now a days so highly honoured, as that the great nobles of the world, will that it should be consecrated wholly to themselves, as reserving it for a pastime only beseeming them, and in this our country of France it is had in such price, as that the gentleman which is ignorant in this skill, and that other of hunting, is lightly prized, as though he lacked the two things which of all other (chilualrie and martial skill excepted) are the most rare and excellent.  
Now as hawking is the art and skill of luring and reclaiming of birds of the pray, to cause them to fly at other birds, living either in the air, upon the earth, or about the waters: so he is called a Falconer, whose place and office it is to reclaim such birds: wherein, if we please to look a little more nearly into the name, it should seem, that the later Frenchmen have followed the elder and ancient Frenchmen and greeks in their giving of names: For even as the ancient Frenchmen were of judgement, that the name of Sacre, which the greeks named 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, and the Latins Accipiter, was the general name, under which should be comprehended all birds of prey (howsoever that Sacre in French, and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Greek, be the special name of a bird of prey:) even so the Frenchmen of our time have agreed together, that the Falcon should be the chief in his kind, and afford the general name (as by the way of surpassing excellency) unto all other birds of prey: because that the Falcon (compared with all the birds of prey) is the best of wing, and exceeding all the rest in goodness, stoutness, and tractableness: as if a man were disposed to lay, the Falcon gentle, the Pilgrim Falcon, the Tartary Falcon, the Barbary Falcon, the Gerfaulcon, the Falcon Sacre, the Falcon Lanier, the Punician Falcon, and so of the rest.   

CHAP. XLIII.  
What birds are good to make Hawks of.  
NOw we must not think, that all birds of prey are good and fit to make Hawks of, but only such as are stout, and of a resolute courage, and are able to fly at any bird whatsoever, either waterfowl, or land-fowle: of which nature, there are ten special and several kinds, being sufficiently known of every one, and for the most part very common to be had in France, that is to say, the Eagle, the Gripe, the Goshawk, the Sparrow-hawk, the Gerfaulcon, the Merlin, the Falcon, the Lanier, the Sacre, and the Hobby.  
Four of them fly from the fist, and kill at random, as the Goshawk, the Sparrow-hawk, the Gerfaulcon, and the Merlin: and four of them lie aloft in the air, as the Falcon, the Sacre, the Lanier, and the Hobby. As for the Eagle and the Gripe, they are not any thing known in France. A great part of these birds (the Gripe only excepted) have the feathers of their trains and wings very much glistering for the most part. All of them have their beaks and talons crooked, and they are almost like one unto another, for they show no difference, except it be in greatness, seeing likewise that their colour doth diversly change according to their mues, which cause them to be called Hagards, or Sores, all one with that which is usually done by dried Herrings, which are called Sores, or red Herrings.  
There are very many birds of the prey which are rovers continually abroad, neither can it be learned well from what place or country they come, nor whither they go: so that we might always remain ignorant of what country our Hawks are, were we not given it to understand by them which use to bring Hawks out of Italy, Germany, and other strange countries. Such as bring us Hawks, do take them for the most part with lime-twigs, which is the cause of the crushing of their feathers, which yet may at pleasure be taken away with warm water.  
But whether they be brought from far, or bred near about us, for to reclaim and bring them unto the lure, first, they must not be taken out of the nest before they be strong, and grown pretty great ones, and able to stand upon their feet: for and if they should be taken away sooner, yet they must not be handled, but kept in a nest as like unto their own as may be. Afterward, as the time shall afford, they are to be set upon blocks, or upon some perch, for the better preserving of their feathers from grating upon the ground.  
They must be fed with live meat as oft as may be, because it will make their feathers to put forth the better. Notwithstanding, the meat and flesh that is more than ordinary good for them, is to feed them with the legs or necks of Hens: cold flesh is nought for them: Beef, Pork, and such other, are of too strong digestion for them, and especially the flesh of night-beasts, that is to say, such as fly about in the night, and are ●●arce ever seen in the day time: such are the great Duke, the little Duke, the Owl, the Shrich-owle, and the Bat: for if they should eat thereof, they would die. The flesh of Pigeons, young Swallows, and Mutton, is far better for them. hens flesh, being swee●e and pleasant, doth trouble the belly of the bird, if she eat it cold: wherefore, the bird that is greatly delighted with such flesh, might possibly forsake the game, and seize upon Hens, if she see any in her way as she is flying. Wherefore to meet with this inconvenience, you must feed the bird with young Pigeons, or young Swallows: the flesh of Pies and old Pigeons is bitter, and bad for these kinds of birds: cows flesh is bad for them, as making them too laxative, which cometh by the heaviness thereof, which causeth hard digestion. And if necessity compel you to fe●de them with gros●e flesh, for want of better, let it be tempered and washed with warm water: if it be in Winter, you must press it: and in Summer it must be washed in cold water. The flesh that you feed your birds withal, must be picked, that there be not fat sinews or veins left upon it. You must not suffer them to eat whiles they will at once, but with some small distance of time betwixt, letting them rest in eating: and now and then you must hide away their meat, before they be full gorged, and then afterward give it to them again: but when it is taken from them, and also when it is given them, they must not see it, for fear of making them bate.  
Likewise it is good to make them plume upon small birds, as they did in the woods. Yearly in the beginning of Autumn they must be brought down by laxative medicines, if they be too high: as namely, by giving them Aloes with their meat: 
●●purge the ●●d.  which must be of some good, live, and warm meat, for otherwise they would be taken down too much. After that they have been purged, you must prepare them for the game: and again, when you are purposed to fly them, it will not be amiss to give them casting of Tow, covered with flesh, and made in form of a pill, and that at night, to the end they may cast it up again in the morning, with much more phlegmatic matter: for by this means they will become more healthful, of a better appetite, more empty, swift, and ready for the prey. 
'cause her to 〈◊〉 out.  Porkes flesh given them warm with a little Aloes, maketh the bird loose and to slice out readily: but you must observe and see that she be put in a warm place after she hath been purged, and withal, to feed her on your fist with some live bird, for at such times her entrails are much dried. They are discerned to be sick, when their fundament swelleth and becometh red, 
〈◊〉 declaring 〈◊〉 birds of the 〈◊〉 to be sick.  as also their nostrils and eyes. And thus much of the luring and reclaiming of them in general: now let us got unto the particular.   

CHAP. XLIIII.  
Of birds of the prey in particular.  
AMongst all birds of the prey, 
The Gripe.  the Vulture (called of the Grecians 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, and of the Latins Vulture) is the greatest: a passenger (or bird for a time) in Egypt: known in this country rather by his skin and feathers, than otherwise, because the Skinners are wont to make stomachers to lay over the stomach, and the Fletcher's feathers thereof, to set upon arrows. They may be fed with small tripes, dead carcases, and out-cas●●ngs of beasts. Likewise some report of them, that ordinarily they follow Camps, because of the dead bodies. They cannot rise from the earth to fly, except they first take their advantage by running, or else take their leave upon some great butt.  
The Eagle is called the King of birds: very unhandsome to carry upon the fist, by reason of his corpulency: hard to reclaim, being once wild, because of his boldness, might, readiness, and easy inclination to hurt the Falconer in the fate, or elsewhere. Wherefore, who so desireth to have him good, must take him in the nest, and reclaim him with coursing-dogges, to the end, that when he is to fly, he may follow them, that so they having put up the Hare, Fox, Roebuck, or any other such beast, he may seize upon it to stay it. He may be fed with any manner of flesh, especially of such beasts as he taketh and seizeth upon. The Falconer must be diligent to attend him well, because he is very apt to fly away: but that mischief may be prevented, by sewing the feathers of his train in such sort, as that he cannot spread them to fly with them: or else by plucking bare the hole of his fundament in such sort, as that it may appear: for thereupon he being driven into a fear of the cold, he will not be hasty to ●o●re so high. The Eagle is known to be good and fair, when he is of a red colour, having deep eyes, and a whiteness upon his head or back.  
The Sparrow-hawk & the Goshawk 
The Sparrow-hawk and the Goshawk.  differ not in any other point than in greatness and strength: because the Goshawk is of a stronger nature, and therefore not so soon sick as the Sparrow-hawk: they are both of one kind, as are also the Raven and the jay, the great dog and the little one, and both of them are of two sorts, either such as are taken abroad in the woods, or else such as are taken young out of the nest. Of this sort there is good choice to be made, in respect of their aptness to learn; as also of those which are fliers, but have never mewed their feathers, neither made any air, or fed any young ones.  
The goodness and fairness of a Sparrow-hawk is known by their being great and short, and yet having a little head and somewhat round above, a thick beak, the eyes somewhat hollow, and the circle about the apple of the eye of a colour betwixt green and white, a long and somewhat thick neck, open in the place where the reins lie, sharp towards the train, not very long, set with good and large feathers, having flat and short legs, sharp ●allons, thick and broad shoulders, long and small feet, black feathers when they are taken young in their air, and which follow the old one from bough to bough, having never yet mewed.  
And though here, 
The Goshawk more worthy than the Sparrow-hawk.  for the familiarity and common use we have of them, I put the Sparrow-hawk before the Goshawk; yet it is to be understood, that the Goshawk is a great deal the more worthier Hawk, both in respect of her beauty and comeliness, as also in respect of the worth & estimation of the prey she killeth: for amongst Falconers, that Hawk is held worthiest which killeth the greatest prey: The Mallard-killer be valued before the Partridge-killer, and the Hearne-killer before the Mallard: so the Sparrow-hawk, which is most usual for the Bush and Blackbird, at the most can aspire no further than the kill of a Poo●e, or a Partridge, cannot compare with a Goshawk, which killeth not only the Partridge, but the Pheasant, Hare, & Conie. Most of the French Goshawkes' breed in Norway, but they are the worst kind, and neither so valiant, sound or durable, as those which are bred in Ireland, especial● in the North parts thereof, which are easy to be known from any other country goshawk, by the ●lender and fine shapes of their heads, their exceeding quick and sharp looking eyes, and the palish or sea-coloured greenness of their legs. As for the sparrowhawkes, they are bred both in France, England, Ireland, and many other countries, and very good and hard hawks in all those places: yet are some ayryes better than other some, according to the situation of the place, and temperature of the air, for such as are bred in warm climates, and where they pray but upon small birds, as sparrows, robbins, wrens, linne●s, and such like, are nothing so valiant as those which are bred in cold climates and tall woods, where they pray upon black●birds, jays, pies, and such strong and fiercer foul: neither is the air of the wood so good as the air of the rock, because their prey being so near unto them, they do not labour or take that ●oyle which the other doth, and therefore are much more slothful of wing, and less given to pains taking: also the airy which buildeth highest and upon the tallest timber trees is the best, because it showeth courage in the mount, and those which build low and near to the springs are worst, for it shows a faintness of spirit and a slothfulness in nature. Now though the best taking of either of these hawks (as before I said) is when they are branchers, and are able to follow their dams from bough to bough, and to foot the pray which she killeth for them: yet some Falconers love to take them from their nests, as soon as they be disclosed, and to bring them up in such manner, as they may know no other dam but their keeper, being persuaded that such familiarity and long acquaintance with the man, makes them more loving, and less apt to take toy and fly away than the other by many degrees, 
Differences and qualities between the Ra●nage or Brauncher hawks and ●he jias hawks.  and doubtless it is most true: yet these thus brought up, and which are called of Falconers jias-hawkes, are nothing so valiant a● tho●e which are taken long time after, and are called ramadge hawks. Besides this, too much familiarity or acquaintance with the man, makes them so over fond and do●ing, that they will never leave crying, or making a noise as oft as they are either bare faced, or want any thing they desire: beside they will be so do●ing of the man, that you shall be a much longer time in entering them or making them foot the pray than the other, because they will expect every thing from the keeper, and rather fly and sit upon his shoulder than labour or strive for the pray which flies before them: therefore howsoever the care of holding or keeping your hawk fast unto you, may entice you to esteem the jiaes' hawk, yet you shall ever find the ramage or brancher much less troublesome, and fitter for your purpose.  
The way to take them is thus: the birder must be hid behind a bush, and before the bush a plain or smooth air, but four square, and six sticks pricked down about it of the thickness of ones thumb, and of the height of a man, three on every side: to these sticks you shall tie nets of green thread that is very small, and to them a small line or cord, which shall be at the command of the man that is hid behind the bush: within the air there shall feed divers small birds, especially spinks, or chaffinches, whereupon the sparrow hawk will not fail by and by very fiercely to fly into the nest, thinking to take the birds, but indeed becoming fast, and overcast in the nets: then the birder shall take her, and bind her wings below, together with her legs and train, that so she may not struggle or beat herself.  
They are purposely wont to hide themselves in Winter upon long poles, amongst high and tall trees, under some small and slender tree in some hedge row: they are reclaimed by keeping them long, and oft upon the fist, but especially at the break of day: they must be fed twice a day, or once, as when it is determined to fly them the day following; for than she must be kept sharp, that so she may be the more eager upon the prey: which likewise they will perform if they have put off their gorge of the same day, which is perceived by the emptiness of their gorge. They mue yearly in March or April, and at such times they must be kept in warm places, or in such places as where the South Sun shineth against some wall. Their meat must be of good flesh, as birds or mutton, that so they may become very far: the sparrow hawk is apt to fly away: but to prevent the same, her keeper must be careful to do● her no hurt, neither yet to gainsay her in any thing, being given to be disdainful. When he goeth forth to fly her, he must not let her range any far way off, because that if she mis●e of the bird she flieth at, she goeth for anger, and flieth to some tree, refusing to return again to her keeper: he must not fly her too oft, but content himself with what she can reasonably take, giving her of her prey to feed upon, that so she may perceive and find, that her prey is something worth unto her, and thereby become the more freely stirred up to fly. The birds which she taketh, are the Partridge, Quail, Stare, blackbird, and other such like. For to fly her at smaller birds, as the hedge-Sparrow, Linne●, and such like, is not good, because being naturally coy, and apt to find fault, it will entice her to carry and fly away with the prey in her foot, to which they are more apt than any other Hawk whatsoever: and having once found a taste or spice thereof, they are ever after very hardly reclaimed. It is good to enter your Sparrow-hawk 
How to enter your Sparrow-hawk.  first at the Partridge, when the game is very young, and not able to fly either far, or above one flight at most, that thereby she may get blood quickly, and so be encouraged to fly the game home: whereas entering her at strong game, such as are able to fly far, and oft, missing the first or second time, she will take such a distrust to her wing, that not being able to truss or foot them at the first springing, she will presently turn tail, and refuse to fly further. There be some that use to enter their young Sparrowhawkes at the hand Partridge seeled, in this manner: They take the Partridge, being seeled, and a long creance fastened to her feet, and then coming into the field, in a place likely for haunt, dig up a round ●odd, and lay the Partridge into the hole: then cover the Partridge with the sodd, so as it cannot rise, and to the sodd also fasten another creance: and then encouraging the spaniels to hunt, and making such a cheerful noise unto them as Falconers are wont to do in such like cases, on the sudden pluck the sodd from the Partridge, and let her spring in the full view of the Hawk: then let off the Hawk after her, and having footed her, feed her very well upon the same: and thus do twice or thrice, but no oftener in any case, lest the Hawk finding your deceit, and her own ●ase, look so much for it, that she will refuse to fly at any other game. And these flights are called trains, because they only train or teach a young Hawk how to bestow her wing, and make herself victor over the prey she seeketh: yet these must be used but only at the beginning, and not often, for fear of the inconvenience before rehearsed. Some other old Falconers enter their Hawks at the Quarry, which is, when an old Hawk hath flown the Partridge to the mark, and is upon her wing ready to attend the retrieve, then to let in the young Hawk to the old, that they may both come to the death of the Partridge together. This is also a good manner of entering of Hawks▪ but is fitter and more oftener used for entering of Hawks at the river, than at the field, because those often stoop at the river makes a Hawk more expert and cunning, and she standeth in much more need of instruction and example in that▪ than in the other.  
There must great care be had to heal her when she is sick. 
The diseases of the Sparrow-hawk.  If she ●all into an ague after much flight, or by reason of other accidents, she must be set in cool places, upon some perch, wrapped about with wet clothes, and feed her a little and often with the flesh of little Chickens, first soaked in water, wherein have been steeped the seeds of Cucumbers or Gourds. If she be over-cooled, she must be ●et in warm places, and fed with the flesh of some Cockerel or Pigeons soaked in wine, or in the decoction of Sage, Mari●rome, or such other Herbs. If she have lice, you must anoint her perch with the juice of Nightshade or Wormwood. If she have the worms i● her belly, you must powder her meat with the powder of Peach-tree leaves. If she digest her meat ill, and keep it altogether, you must make her swallow ●●wne the heart of a frog into her throat, pulling the same back again by and by, being held by a small thread, for so you shall make her c●st all her meat. If she have the gout in her wings or legs, you must let her bleed some few drops of blood upon the vein that is under her wing or thigh. If she have the gout in her foot, you must anoint her feet with the juice of the herb, called in French Lectorelle, as also, her perch, anointing the place afterward with tallow.  
If she be troubled with the frounce, 
〈…〉.  or mouth canker, you shall wash the ●ore with allome and strong vinegar, beaten together till they be as thick as puddle. If you will prepare her stomach for the receiving of a purge, and both comfort and strengthen it, you shall wash her meat in water, in which cloves and liquorice have been steeped: if you will purge her stomach, you shall give her Aloes: if you will purge her liver, you shall give her Rhubarb: if you will purge her kidneys, or take away the shortness of breath, or kill worms, give her Agaricke: if you will purge her of her gripings in the body, or take away the pantas, or kill fellanders, give her rue or herb of grace: 
〈…〉.  if you will comfort the heart, or fortify the lungs, give her Saffron: to cleanse away all putrefaction, give her Mirth: if you will purge her head, take away windiness, or what grief cometh of cold causes, give her Mustardseed: if you will purge from her gross humours, give her wormwood: for any disease of the liver whatsoever, there is nothing better, than to wash her meat in the water of Liverworte: for any inward inflammation, wish her meat in the water of Sorrell: for the casting of her gorge, and to strengthen the stomach again, wash her meat in the juice of Mints, or the distilled water thereof: for all dullness of spirit, and sadness of heart, wash her meat in the water or juice of borage, or bugloss: to mollitie the hardness of the liver, or any other oppellations, give her the juice of Hearts-tongue: to make away obstructions, or stops in the head, give her either Rosemary, or the water thereof: for the weakness of the sinews, trembling of members, or for cramps, swellings, soars, or canker, give her sage-bruise outwardly, or the juice inwardly: for pur●inesse, or short breath▪ give her the juice of Horehound: for the numbness or stiffness of joins, cankers, or sores, bathe them in the decoction o● of woodbine: for all manner of infection, poison, or inward bruises, give her the herb Cardus Benedictus, which herb, you may give either green, or dried, either the juice, or the powder, or if you please, you may give the distilled water: for the biting of any mad dog, or any other venomous beast, anoint the place either with Angelica, or the juice of an onion: for any extreme drought or heat which is in the stomach, wash all her meat in the decoction of French Barley: for any Fistula, or cankorous sore, take Brimstone: for the Pantas, take Butter and rosewater: for the Cramp, take Polipodie of the oak, or the juice of Brianie, or of Garlic, or where they fail, take the powder of the roots of Pionie, and let the Hawk smell to the same, or pounce her na●es therewith: for the falling sickness, wash her meat in the juice of Pellitory of Spain: for the pin in the foot, make her a plaster of Galbanum, white pitch, and Venice-turpentine, and apply it to the same: Lastly for the Rye, which is a disease of all other, most common and incident to all manner of hawks, but especially to these short winged hawks, you shall take a rump of mutton, and cut away the fat which is about it, very clean, and then folding the same in a handful of parceley, let your hawk feed and tyre herself thereupon at her pleasure, and it will make the filth to issue and come forth out of her nares, and purge her head wonderfully.  
The Falcon (as we have said) in the art of hawking, is sometimes a general word taken for all kinds of hawks, sometimes it is taken for a special word, and according to that sense, there are divers sorts of that name, which I omit to entreat severally of, because of such as have written of the nature of birds: but howsoever, the Falcon is the prince of the birds of prey (I mean in respect of flight) for her stoutness and great courage, and is to be accounted of great value, when she hath a round head, and the top of her head is full, her beak short and thick, her nostrils great and open, her eye brows high and thick, her eyes great and cloaked, a long neck, a high breast, large shoulders, the feathers of her wings thin, long thighs, short and chick legs, green, great, and well spread feet, black, sharp, and perching ●alon●: and which i● for bigness neither too great nor too little.  
The Falcon, as all other birds of prey, hath her Tiercelet, and they are called of the Latins Pomiliones, that is to say, small birds, resembling them, and nothing differing from them, save only in greatness: and they are all of them (as it were) the males of the birds of prey, the females being, for the most part, of greater bulk and bodies than the males. That of the Falcon is called nothing but a Tiercelet, or the male Falcon. The Tiercelets of the other Hawks have their proper names: as, the male Sparrow-hawk is called a Musket: the male Lanier, a Laneret: and the male Sacre, a sacred. The Tiercelet of the Falcon hath his feathers ver●e glittering, his head and eyes black, ash-coloured upon his back and train, and yet glittering. He is a Hawk for the lure, as also the Falcon, and not for the fist. His legs and feet are yellow, having for the most part a pale breast: he carrieth two very black spots upon his feathers, on the sides of his eyes. To reclaim the Falcon, you must have him commonly upon your fist, feed him with the wings and legs of hens soaked in water, and set him in a dark place: sometimes presenting them with a basin full of water, wherein they may bathe themselves, and after their bathing, dry them at the fire: they must be used first to take small birds: then, indifferent great ones: and afterward, greater ones: but you must not feed them with any part of the birds which they shall have taken. They fly marvelous swift, and mount very high, there hovering and soaring, but withal, still looking downward: and when they see the Duck, the green Goose, Crane, or Heron, they come down like an arrow, their wings shut and drawn together, right upon the Fowl, to break in upon her with her talons behind: at which time if they happen to mis●e, and the Fowl fly away, they presently fly after: but and if they cannot seize upon her, as enraged and angry, they take so long a ●light thereupon, as that they lose their master.  
The Falcon is more fit than any other Hawk to fly the Heron, and all other fowl of the river. Her diseases, and the curing of them, are like unto those of the Sparrow-hawk: howbeit, the Falcon is of a stronger nature than the Sparrow-hawk.  
The Hobby is the least of all Hawks in respect of body, except the Merlin, and is likewise for the lure, and not for the fist, being of the number of those that soar aloft, as the Falcon, the Lanier, & the Sacre. This bird is sufficiently known every where: for there is not any country where the Hobbies do not follow the hunters, in as much as it is the proper work of the Hobby to make her prey of the little birds as they fly, as by name, the La●ke. This is his special property, that having found the hunters in the field, going to hunt the Hare or the Partridge, he keepeth them company, still flying over their heads, hoping to meet with some one little bird or other which the dog● shall put up: but for the most part these little birds do rather choose to become a prey unto the dogs, or else to find out some means to save themselves amongst the horses, or to be taken alive, than to commit themselves to the mercy of the Hobby, their mortal adversary. But howsoever, the Hobby will not follow the hunter longer than a certain time, as though he had his hours limited him: for leaving them, he goeth to look out the place of his rest amongst the woods of high timber-trees, where they keep and perch ordinarily. He hath a blue ●eake, yellow legs and feet, the feathers under his eyes very black, the top of his head betwixt black and a dark yellow, two white spots above his neck, but underneath his throat, and on either side of his temples, russet ones: his wings very blue: his back, train, and wings, black on the upper side: his train very much consisting of variable colours underneath, by reason of red spots traced overthwart amongst the black. If you can see him flying in the air, he may be perceived to be somewhat red under his train, and betwixt his legs.  
The Hobby is so quick and swift, as that he dare adventure upon the Raven, and give him many a dry bob in the air.  
He is chiefly esteemed for the sport of darying of Larks, 
The use of th● Hobbie.  to which he is naturally inclined, because it is the prey in which he most naturally delighteth: and the manner of daring of Larks is in this sort. When you see a Lark play and fly near unto the ground, quivering her wings, and making a gentle noise in the air, you shall then li●t up your fist whereon the Hobby sitteth, and give her the sight of the Lark, who presently thereupon will spread them abroad, and wave them in the wound, at which sight the Lark will leisurely stoop down to the ground, and there lie close, as if she were unperceived, whilst you in the mean space shall with your Horse and Hawk ride about her, and about her, till you come so near her, that you may lay your daring-net over her: which net is a little round net like a Pursnet, not above a foot or two overthwart, and fastened bought-wise unto the end of a long pole, like a Hawks pole: as soon as you have covered the Lark, you shall light and take her up, and give your Hawk the head only. This is a sport very delicate, and of long continuance, and therefore much respected amongst ladies and gentlewomen.  
The Merlin is the least of all other Hawks which Falconers make any use of: he is for the fist, 
●he Merlin.  and not for the lure: howbeit, for necessity ●ake he may be trained to the lure: he resembleth the Falcon so naturally, as that there may seem to be no difference betwixt them, save only in greatness: for he hath the same jests, plumage, and conditions: wherefore he must be reputed as royal as the Falcon, or at least of the same lineage and nature with the Falcon. He is very stout of courage: for although he be not much bigger than a Blackbird or Pigeon, yet he dareth to adventure upon the Quail and Partridge, and such other birds greater than himself: and his courage is such, as that oftentimes he will fly them to the next houses or villages, yea, into burning fire, and under the garments of men or women. He must be ●ed and handled after the same manner that the Falcon. The general prey whereupon he most ordinarily feedeth, is the Lark: whence it cometh, that he ever choosing to live where they most haunt, he is often taken with the day-nets: for stooping to strike at the Lark, he is taken in the net himself. Of Merlin's 
〈◊〉 Merlin's.  there are both male and female: the male is called the jack Merlin, and is as the male of other Hawks, a great deal less than the female, and indeed are so very little, that they are of very small or no use: the female is called the formale, and being much larger, valiant, and full of courage, they will slay the Partridge all Summer long. These Merlin's are of all Hawks the tenderest, and can the least endure cold of any bird whatsoever, especially of their feet: which being once nipped with frost, and benumbed, they presently will eat them of themselves, and so become lame and useless. Therefore when you mue them in the Winter time, you shall mue them in a very warm and close house, and upon a perch very well lined and covered with thick lists, or other woollen cloth. Some use to line their perches with Cony-skinnes, or other furred skins, turning the furred sides outward, but that is somewhat too hot, and makes them more tender and apt to feel the cold than otherwise they would be: use then a moderate temper of warmth, and no further. Of all sorts of Merlin's, the Irish Merlin 
The Irish Mer●in.  is the best, for she is never at any time troubled with this infirmity: and you shall know her by her pale green legs, and the contrary Merlin by her bright yellow legs When they have flown all Summer at the Partridge, you may make them for the bush in the Winter, and so have them flying all the year; which is the best course that can be taken with them: for they are naturally of themselves so tender, that they can very hardly endure m●ing.  
The Gerfaulcon 
The G●rf●ulcon  is a bird that is seldom seen, except it be amongst Falconers belonging to great Lords: she is a great bodied bird, insomuch, as that she is thought of some to be a kind of Eagle: she is fit to fly at any thing, for she is bold, and never giveth over any thing: but she is more hard to reclaim and bring to the lure, than any other Hawk, because she is so venturous and fantastical: for and if she be not handled gently, and have a mild master to use her kindly, she will never become reclaimed. This is the strongest of all other birds, except the Eagle: she is kept upon the fist, she is long bodied, having her b●ll, legs, and feet of a blue colour, and her talons very open and long: she is cunning at the taking of the birds of the river, for she wearieth them in such sort, that in the end they are forced to yield, as not being able ●o dive any more.  
The principal flight wherein she taketh delight, is at the Herne, for her spirit and courage stirs her up to actions of the greatest worth: and of these Gerfaulcons, the white is the principal best of all other, 
Of 〈◊〉 the w●●te●● the best.  and of greatest price: they are exceeding tender, and very apt to take surfeits, and therefore seldom long lived, which is the reason that they are not of such general use as other hawks are, neither are they got but with great cost, and painfulness which maketh them to be held of very great price, and so not for every one's purchase. Above all other things, they may not endure the loss of any blood, in so much that the shedding of one poor drop, though at the pounce, or other outward part which is least mortal, is the utter loss of the hawks life: they can in no sort be kept too cold, or withered too much, in so much, that if after her flying, you suffer her to sit abroad one whole frosty night, she will be much the sounder, and better for the same. Nay I have seen some Falconers, which after the bathing of the hawk, 
How to k●●ps use the Gerfaulcon  have set her abroad till the moisture hath been frozen upon their feathers, and hath been persuaded that she hath ●lowne her next slight much better for the same: she must be exceeding painfully laboured withal at her first beginning, for she is apt to take deslike at the man's face, and therefore must be carried upon the fist more than any other hawk: she must also be kept much barefaced after she is acquainted with the man, and continually stroked and coyed about the head, body, and feet with a loose feather, to make her more ●ame and gentle: she must also be much whooped and gibbetted unto, that she may be acquainted with the voice of the man, and with those sounds which she must obey and ●ollow: she may very well be flown from Michaelmas until the Spring, but in no wise after; for the ●ea●on of the year growing then warm, and lust springing within her, out of a natural instinct which she hath to her own clime, she will away and leave you, how well soever reclaimed, or how sharp and ●it soever ●et for the pleasure you go about: In so much that it hath been credibly known, that divers Gerfaulcons have been taken up in Island, some with French, and some with English varuells upon them, to the great admiration and astonishment both of those which have taken them, and those which have lost them. The Gerfaulcon like the Falcon gentle, is to to be chosen all of one pe●ce, and either a black or ●andie male, by no means dropped, but of a clear and bright plume, with full summed feathers, vubrused, and unbroken: of all hawks they cover their sickness longest, and out of their me●●alls seem sound, when they are inwardly most rotten; therefore it is not good in any wise to buy or meddle with them till you have seen them mute, received ● full gorge, and put it over, and lastly in the morning have seen her casting: in all which if you find no extraordinare imperfection, you may then safely buy her, and what los●e after succeeds impute it to your own negligence. The male to the Gerfaulcon is that which is called ●he jerkin, being a much less bird, yet of exceeding good metal and courage, and as sit to fly at the river, as any other hawk whatsoever, having a natural love to all manner of water foul, and continually when he is wild, making his prey upon the same.  
The Sacre being a principal bird amongst those of the prey, is like unto the Falcon in greatness, a hawk that is good for the Kite, but he may be made fit for any wild flesh, as also for the open field to take wild Geese, pheasant, Partridge, and all other sorts of wild foul.  
The Sacre 
The Sacre.  is of more ill favoured coloured feathers than any other hawk, for she is of a colour as it were betwixt red and smoky, short sooted, having blue legs and talons. It is a wandering bird, and seldom found in this country: her Teirselet is the sacred; so that the sacred is the male, and the Sacre is the female. Noble men desirous to have some sport betwixt him and the Kite, do first make the Kite to stoop (for the Kite is wont in the Summer to keep on high in the air, to e●uoy the coolness of the air, which is greatest in the middle region of the air) by having some one or other Falconer to carry a duck upon his fist, having a certain quantity of a Fox tail hanging thereat, thus letting her i'll in some plain ground, they give the Kite occasion to stoop: for when the Kite is advised of the Duck, he stoopeth by and by unto the ground, and drawing near unto her, doth there keep himself without doing any other thing, but beholding of her, as marveling at her form: Then the Sacre is to be cast off at him, who thinking himself swift, hopeth by flight to overtake him: whereupon the Kite mounteth upward, turning round therewithal as much as he can: and so the combat becometh pleasant to behold, especially if it be in a plain without trees, and that the air be clear, and without wind: for one shall see both the Sacre and the Kite to mount so high, as that they will be both out of sight: but all will not serve, for the Sacre will make him yield, bea●ing him down to the ground with such chumps, as he lighteth upon him withal.  
The Lanier 
Lan●er.  differeth not much from the Falcon, and he taketh his surname of the Falcon, for he is commonly called the Falcon Lanier: he is commonly found in this country: and for that he is of gentle conditions, and better endureth gros●e meats than any other Hawk, men are wont to content themselves with him, causing him to serve their purpose every way. Falconers choose those Laniers that have great heads, short bills, blue and yellow feet, their fore-feathers of a mixture of black and white, not having overthwart strakes, as the Falcon, but strait spots going along the feathers, a short and somewhat thick neck, as also a bill of the same fashion. The Lanier is the female, and the Lancret is the male, and hath not so big a body as the female, neither yet so well esteemed of, but as for the rest, he is almost like the female in plumage. There is no kind of bird that keepeth his perch more constantly. He abideth with us in Winter, and is to be seen of us at all times, contrary to the fashion of ethers, which keep not in our countries but in the Summer time. Falconers, when they would make the Lanier a forester, they put him in a lower room, so dark, as that he can see nothing, except at such times as he is fed: and likewise they never carry him upon their fist, but in the night.  
And when that he is ready to fly, they make a fire in the chamber for to heat him, that so he may afterward be bathed in pure wine: and having dried him again, they give him to feed on, the brains of a Hen: then getting forward before day toward the place where the game is, they cast him off a good way from the place where the Crane is, at such time as it beginneth to be day: and though he take him nor the first day, it is all one, for it will be as good in the days following, and especially from after mid july, until towards the end of October. And yet after the mue, he will be better than before: but it is not good in the time of Winter.  
Yet to speak truth of the Lanier, he taketh more delight to prey upon the Partridge, than upon any other fowl whatsoever, because the flight doth not mount much, to which he hath no affection. He is of so strong and good a constitution, that his grease seldom or never melteth to his hurt or prejudice: neither is he so foolishly overfree of courage, that he will hurt himself with too much violence, or pains-taking. Whence it comes, that his owner can seldom over-flye him, no, though he fly him six or seven ●lights in a morning: and for this cause he is called the scholars Hawk, as being an excellent encourager of young Falconers, and a bird on which, without danger, they may try all needful experiments.  
Thus much of the manner of luring and reclaiming of Hawks, as well in general as in particular: and yet it remaineth that we speak a word or two concerning the same matter.  
You must understand, that all birds of the prey do serve to fly either upon rivers, or else ●n the fields: of which, some fly from the fist, and that without any spare: of this sort is the Goshawk, the Sparrow-hawk, the Gerfaulcon, and the Merlin: The others fly on high, as namely, the Falcon, the Lanier, the Sacre, and the Hobby: the one of them is called from the flight, by holding out the fist unto them, and the other by casting out unto them the lure, that is to say, an instrument made after the fashion of two fowls wings coupled together, hung at a leash, and at the end thereof a tennise-ball, or crook of horn: for by these lures the Hawks are alured, thinking them to be live Hens.  
This is the distinction of our French Falconers, yet generally it is not so received, for of other Falconers, 
Which be called long-winded hawks, and which be called short-w●nged hawks.  hawks are divided into these two kinds, long-winged hawks, and short-winged hawks: the long-winged hawks do properly belong unto the lure, and ●lie a ●oft, soaring in the air, and from thence ●●ooping down and taking their prey: they are upon their wings long before they either see or are seen of their prey, looking when either the spannyells shall spring the partridge from the ground, or the Falconer with his pole beat the foul from the river: and of this ●or● is the Eagle, the Gripe, the Gerfaulcon, the Falcon, the Lanyer, the Hobie, and the Merline, some will intrude the Kestrel, which in deed is a long-winged hawk, as touching his shape, but looking into the cowardliness of his nature, he is far unworthy to rank in their society. The short-winged hawks do properly belong to the fist, for from thence ever they fly, and thither also back they are ever recalled. They never take their wing till they see their prey on wing before them, and then they make a main after it, and fly it to the mark, where presently they take a tree, hillock, or some other stand, as near the place as possibly they can, and there sit till the spannyells come into the retrieve: but the long-winged hawk never taketh stand at all, but flying about and about grathereth up again to her first pitch, and there expecteth the retrieve. Now the short-winged hawks are the Goshawk, the Terssell of the Goshawk, the Sparrow-hawk, and the Mus●●e●, some intrude the bald Buzzard, and the Ring-tayle, but they as the Kestrel are not worthy of the rank, being naturally cowards, and of faint spirits, not daring to contend where there is any show of resistance.  
Some of them begin not the game, but follow it being begun by the Hawkers, 
To lure.  as we have said of the Eagle. To be brief, hawks seem not to differ, save that all of them do not fly at all kind of birds and foul alike, for in deed every one of them buckleth himself unto the bird, to the flying whereof he is given and addicted, and not to others. And concerning all sorts of flying and hawking▪ you may find a more ample treatise in the particular description of the nature and properties of every bird of pray which we have made.   

CHAP. XLV.  
The taking of melodious singing Birds.  
WE have spoken of the sport that is made with birds of the pray called hawking, and now we will enter into some speech of taking of birds, which sing melodiously with sweet and pleasant songs, wherewith the master of the farm may take his recreation and pleasure, by hearing them sing in his closes, park, low-woods, and high-woods, or in his chamber window, or else shut up in some cages or rooms made for the purpose to contain the sub●ect of such pleasure and delightsome melody. And that we may not omit any thing, before we set down any manner or way of the particular taking of such birds, we will take a brief view of the nature, feeding, and diseases of the same, For it were but lost labour to take the birds, if to the end that we may have their sweet and melodious songs a long time, we know not what meat is good for them, what diseases they are subject unto, and what means and remedies are necessary for their distemperatures. In the mean time I mind not here to bring in the fabulous histories touching the original and breeding of the most part of them, which fantastical Poets have invented. I mean to rest myself in this only persuasion, namely that all birds were miraculously created of God by his almighty power, that is to say, of his own mere will and word, whereby likewise he did create all other creatures in the beginning of the creation of the world.   

CHAP. XLVI.  
Of the Nightingale.  
WE will make our choice of the Nightingale in the first place, which according to the judgement and common consent of every one, singeth the most sweetly and melodiously of all the rest: she is a bird sufficiently known, especially in the country of Italy, and is called of the Latins Luscini● or Philomel●: she maketh he● nest in the Spring, at such time as the earth in the month of May, is all over covered, beset and hanged with flowers and pleasant green, and that in groves and thick bushes, upon which the Sun in the morning doth cast his cool and temperate beams: from noon till Sunset, she 〈◊〉 the cool places, fountains, brooks, thick hedges, and well shadowed places. True it is, 
● Nightingale ● nest.  that some of them do make their nests upon the ground, under hedges, or amongst the waste grounds: and other some of them make it in a place somewhat raised, as upon some green and thick grass grown, clod of earth or butt. The number of their eggs is uncertain, for some of them lay four, and some five, and those which nestle in Summer, lay (according to Aristotle his assertion) sometimes six or seven. Now the Nightingale which you would keep, must be bred in the Spring; for how much the earlier bird she is, by so much will she become the more perfect, and you may have better hope and assurance of her longer living, and of her being brought up, and kept with more ease, because that coming (as all are wound) to mue her feathers, if she be overrun of certain cattle in August, the cold coming and finding her bare of feathers, causeth her to die, which thing happeneth unto many of those which were bred in Summer. The young Nightingales must not be taken from their nests, until such time as they be feathered, and that they be almost covered all over with the same, that so you may have the les●e trouble in bringing of them up, 
●teat ●or the nightingale.  keeping them in a solitary and by-place: their meat must be the heart of a Wether clean and old. And you shall make of the fat of the skin, which covereth the heart, and of certain sinews which are within the same, cut and shred small into little pe●ces, meat in manner of worms, wherewith you shall feed them once every hour, or more oftener if need require, giving them at each several time three gobbets: and thus you shall feed them in their nests as long as you can, and after they be grown up, you shall put them in cages, made fit with little sticks and perches, to the end they may begin of themselves to stand upon their legs: and within the said cages, you must put moss, hay, or chaff, whereupon they may rest themselves, if so be they will not sit upon the perches, always taking heed to keep them clean as much as may be. It will be requisite also, that their cage have not any light but on one side only, and for this cause, such as are most careful, do hang their cage for the space of three whole parts of it with green cloth. When you know that the Nightingale ca●eth alone, you shall mince her the heart of a Wether very small, after the manner of pie meat, and lay it upon some small paper, in such places, as where you know that she may feed easily, and without any trouble, you shall use this care and diligence until the bird hath go● the custom to eat alone, not neglecting notwithstanding to give her sometimes a day as much as a bird carrieth 〈◊〉 her bill to be the surer and for the better: take order likewise lest she die, that she never want any of the foresaid meat, and withal that it stink not, as it falleth out oftentimes in Summer. Besides the heart of the Wether, you may give her divers other sorts of meat, as the paste whereof we will speak hereafter for one: or in steed of that paste, take a new egg (for else it might cause some disease to breed in her, and bring her easily to her death) boil it hard, give her the yelke to eat. It is true, that you must not give it her oft, or not at all, except it be for want of their meat, because it is given to bind them in their bodies, and make them continue. You may likewise feed them with certain worms which are found in a doves nest, or else in old flower of meal: but this must be done as seldom as may be, because that such meat should rather be unto her as physic, than ordinary food, as we shall say hereafter. If she will not pick up these meats, she may have them mingled amongst her meat of a sheeps heart, that so she may learn to feed of whatsoever shall be set before her.   

CHAP. XLVII.  
How Nightingales taken in the month of August must be fed, as also those that are taken after they be through grown.  
SO soon as you have taken the Nightingale in August, tie her wings presently, that so she may not bea●e herself in her cage, 
The mann●r of the keeping of the Nightingale taken in August  and by this means she will grow tame sooner, and more easily, and withal fall to eat, whereas otherwise she will be hard to tame: for seeing herself deprived of her liberty, she becometh not tame, till of a long time after. You shall shut her up in a cage covered and wrapped round with paper, not having any ●●icke for her to perch upon at all: in the mean time have regard to feed her five or six times every day, and that very handsomely: sometimes lay before her flies, or little worms, which by their crawling will stir up the bird to pick them, wherefore for the first time you shall give her them alive, whereas afterward you may cut and mince them: the third time you shall begin to feed her with a sheeps heart shred small, mingling amongst the same of the worms afore mentioned likewise minced and knodden together, for to accustom her to the said heart. And if you perceive that the bird doth not feed her ●elfe, neither yet desire or seek after any thing but worms, you shall leave off to give her them mingled and tempered with the sheeps heart by a little and little, and so offering her such meat as is most easy, you shall wont her to eat of the said heart without any mixture all alone: you may do the like with the paste, if you perceive that she doth eat it willingly, which thing is easily discerned by any man of judgement.   

CHAP. XLVIII.  
To bring up Nightingales that are taken in March.  
IT is true, that the Nightingales which are taken after the first of March unto the midst of April are very fit to keep and bring up. 
To bring up Nightingales taken in March  When therefore you have a Nightingale of this season, you shall put her in a cage well wrapped about with paper, for fear that upon the ●ight of any man, she should beat herself and cry, as also to the end that she may learn to eat alone. For to do this, you shall have a vessel of glass like a cup without a foot, wherein you shall put seven or eight small worms, and set them near the bird, who seeing them crawl within the glass, will by and by for envy at them fall of p●●king them, wherefore you shall give her them quick for the first time. The second time mince and cut them small: and when you see that she eateth well of such meat, you shall take of a sheeps heart well beat and cut, and mingle it with the said worms, and making thereof as it were a paste, give it her to ea●e. But if you perceive, that in feeding, she choose to eat of nothing but the worms, leaving the heart, you shall endeavour yourself to mix it with all possible care and cunning, that so in eating she may not choose but eat of both together, that is, both of the worms and of the heart. And when she is accustomed to eat of this mixture, you shall by little and little take away the worms, and feed her only with the heart. Let it not be found strange unto you to see your Nightingale continue some days without eating. For the cause why it so falleth out, is, because they are grieved for having lost their liberty, and thereupon continue some time without eating or feeding of any thing; some, three days; others, fi●e or six days; yea, eight or ten days: whereat you must not marvel, neither yet leave off to feed them. For there are some old ones, which though they be hard to feed, become notwithstanding better singing birds than any of the young ones.  
If peradventure the bird will not take any other thing than worms, give her a birds bill full four times a day, and three or four morsels at a time, and not any more, because of digestion, and when she shall have accustomed to take the mixture of the heart with the worms, give her twice a day only, that is to say, morning and evening, for to preserve and maintain her. And this is the order and course that ye shall take.   

CHAP. XLIX.  
To know if the Nightingale begin to eat of herself, and whether she will prove good, or no.  
AS soon as the Nightingale beginneth to sing, it is a most certain token that she eateth likewise alone. There are some which make not any kind of noise or sound for the space of eight days; others of fifteen: and othersome continue a whole month without singing. If they exceed this time without singing, it is to be thought, that either they are females, or else that they will never be aught worth. They give great hope of proving perfect birds, which begin to sing quickly, and use to eat quickly likewise by themselves.   

CHAP. L.  
How to order a Nightingale which eateth alone, and singeth.  
WHen the Nightingale shall eat well by herself, and shall sing, you shall take away by little and little the paper wherewith the cage was compassed about, every day a little, in such sort, as that the bird may not perceive it, covering the place again from whence you shall take the paper, with some green, insomuch, as that all the paper being taken away, and the cage covered again with green leaves, you shall by little and little accussome her to see the light. For if that you do otherwise, you will be the cause of making her to lose her singing, either for disdain, or for fear, which will not come to pass, if you order her as hath been said. Notwithstanding that Elian in the thirteenth book of his natural history ●aith, (following the advice of Aristotle) That it is hard to bring that bird to singing, which is not taken in her own nest. Which opinion is found to be most false by ordinary experience: for very often it is seen, that old Nightingales become more perfect and excellent than the other.   

CHAP. LI.  
How the male Nightingales are known from the females.  
men's opinions and judgements concerning Nightingales (as namely to know of whether sex they be) are very divers: 
Nightingales male and female.  for some distinguish the coke from the hen by their grossness, saying, that the cock is the grosser bird: others are of mind that the cock hath a greater eye: some say, that he hath a reddish tail: all which opinions I have found to be far wide; for I have had perfect good Nightingales, and that a great number of them that have been very small and little ● as also hens with all those marks which are assigned unto the cocks. Wherefore for a more sure and certain sign, you shall rest upon, and trust to that which followeth: That is to say, when you have a Nightingale taken out of the nest, which shall begin to eat alone, without having of it crammed into her, and shall record divers melodious notes from day to day, contenting herself therein some time with pleasing and beseeming noises, you may thereby assure yourself that the same is a male. But unto this, you shall add certain other notes: as namely, her quiet and peaceable abiding in her cage: her standing upon one leg only, and to hold on the warbling of her breast, which continuance is not to be found in the hen: more than that, she goeth hopping and whistling up and down the cage with a noise and song that is very much interrupted and short. I will not deny notwithstanding, but that sometimes the cock may be known from the hen by the marks which some have set down before: but this is that which I affirm, namely, that some are mightily deceived by those marks, and that by their singing, the Nightingales taken in August are most certainly and clearly known and discerned. And as for those which are taken in March, the knowledge of them resteth, not only in singing, but also in the lower parts of the sex which the cocks do put forth, but the hens do not, for than is the time that birds do● couple together. These therefore are the most certain evident and infallible arguments, whereunto you may trust and betake you self.   

CHAP. LII.  
Of the King of birds, or the little King▪ otherwise called Robin-Redbreast.  
YOu shall understand that the little king, 
The king of b●rds.  or king of birds is naturally very small, of a dainty tractable complexion, he singeth most sweetly, and is not much inferior in this respect unto the Nightingale. He is oftentimes seen in Winter upon the tops or roofs of houses, or upon old ruins on that side that the Sun shineth, and whereas the wind may least annoy him. He is to be fed in this sort: You must keep him warm in his nest, giving him for his meat of a sheeps heart, or of a calves heart minced, in all points as we have already said, speaking of the Nightingale. He must be fed with a little atonce, and oft, by reason of his digestion, being careful that he take no cold, and especially in the night. For which cause, you shall put him in a cage, which hath some pretty provision made like a little chamber, trimmed with red cloth, and made as it were a little hothouse, wherinto he may go, in the night season, and shun the cold all the whole year. Now when he shall be used to be fed, you shall feed him with some heart well beaten, and small minced, & sometimes you shall give him of the paste that is used to be given to Nightingales, which will do him no small good. And you shall give him sometimes flies to peck for her greater joy and speedier taming, and herein you shall use great diligence.   

CHAP. LIII.  
Of the Finch.  
AMongst the fairest and most beautiful birds, 
Fi●●h.  yea, or rather the most beautiful of all, is the Finch, being no less delightsome to the eye, than pleasant unto the ear: and yet there is not that account made of her that should, because of the great number of them that is to be found. They ne●●le thrice a year, that is to say, in May, june, and August. Some are of opinion, that those which are bred in the month of August, are the best, and amongst them those which are of the third feather, or which have mewed thrice. Others affect those most which have their nests amongst the thorns, and have certain orange coloured feathers, which I myself do not mi●●●ke: but I say further, (that whereas the black ones are commonly the pefectest and best birds of all) that there is not any one 〈◊〉 or more perfect than another. It is true that those which breed amongst the thorns, are stouter and stronger birds than the other, and better made to sing. They are unlike the other, in as much as their feathers are somewhat more grey and dark. The cocks have a black throat, as likewise the shoulders and head black, and long and flat. The hens have their shoulders grey, their throat black, and their head round.   

CHAP. liv.  
How the Finch must be fed.  
WHen you have taken the Finch with her nest, 
〈…〉.  you shall feed them in manner as followeth: you shall first soften in the water of sweet almonds, and afterward chaw very well a little piece of biscuit, or of a pan-cake, and you shall make of these two things a paste, and cram into the bird of the 〈◊〉, as shall be needful. Afterward you shall work the things aforesaid in a mortar together, and having tempered them with wa●e, you shall give them as much as a bird will hold in her bill, with a chickens feather, upon pain that you make her meat new every day, lest it should grow four, and spoil the bird. When you have fed the bird, you shall make a little stick like a toothpick, at the point whereof, you shall tie a little cotton, you shall wet this toothpick in water, and with the same, you shall wash the birds bill, that so there cleave not unto, or hang thereabout any of the said paste, for causing of apostemes or ulcers, such as wherewith she might be kept from being able to open her bill, and so she would easily die. Now when she beginneth to eat alone, you shall give unto her in her little box a little bruised mustard seed, and you shall renew it daily, lest it should become rank, which would make her die. The same diligence must be observed in bringing up of green Finches, Canarie-birds, Linens, Goldfinches, or Silkens, and Spinkes. You must be careful when they moute, to air them and besprinkle them with a little wine, setting them also a little in the Sun twice a week.   

CHAP. LV.  
How to feed the Spinke.  
THe Spinke is a very beautiful and melodious bird, 
What 〈◊〉 the Spinke must 〈◊〉.  but all Spinks have not one and the same tunes: for some of them sing after one fashion, and some after another, which needeth not to be further proved; for there is great variety of them, and they are called after divers sorts. Some bring them up after the way, that is used in bringing up of Finches. This bird hath this imperfection, namely, that she easily looseth her sight. Wherefore when you perceive that she is in the way to grow blind, take of the juice of bee●s, and mingle it with a little water in her waterpot, & that for a day only, that so she may drink thereof. And furthermore, make her a perch of figtree wood, whereupon, and against which she may tub her eye, the which will do her much good: you shall give her likewise to eat of the seeds of melons, the space of two or three days, because they are cooling and wholesome. And if by this means, the Spinke do not mend and become better, give her leave to take her liberty in the ●ields, for she will never be aught.   

CHAP. LVI.  
Tor●lieue the diseases of the Finch and Nightingale.  
WHen the Finch is in her mue, 
The Finch 〈◊〉  you shall comfort her, besprinkling her lightly with wine, that so she may mout the sooner, which will be to her further good. And if she happen to have louse after this sprinkling with wine, set her in the Sun, and there let her stand until such time as she●be dry. Some of them mout in june, some in july, and other some in August, according to their complexion and heat. And this is the course which they follow which are put into the cage, having spent one year abroad before, for those which are taken in the nest, do 〈◊〉 within a month that they are put in: and this must be understood in general of all birds. And therefore to come to the particular: The Nightingale is troubled with fatness: and therefore she must be purged twice a week, giving her two or three worms of the Pigeon-house (as we have taught before) for the space of fifteen days. 
〈…〉  If she grow melancholic, you shall cut the bladder which is above her rump, and put into her drinking-pot some Sugar-candy, and little lumps of paste or sugar, of the bigness of a nut. And if you see that she complain herself of sickness, put into her waterpot some six chyres of Saffron, or thereabout, continuing therewithal to give her the paste, and sometimes of a sheeps heart. And if peradventure she still grow worse, give her the yelke of an hard egg, and the white also. Besides, the Nightingale having been two or three years in the cage, becometh gouty: now when you shall perceive it, anoint her feet with Butter, or else with hens grease, which is a very good remedy for to cure her. The Nightingale is likewise subject to have apostemes breaking out about her eyes and neb, for which you shall likewise use Butter and hens grease. It is meet also to make provision for the Nightingale that is lean, when you see necess●●●● that way to require it, giving her new ●igges to eat in their season, and at other times dry ●igges, well chewed: and afterward, you shall bring her unto her ordinary diet, and so you shall continue with her, to maintain and keep her. There happeneth also unto the Nightingale another disease, called the straightness or strangling of the breast, which cometh of having eaten some rank or fat thing, and it is perceived by the beating and pain before not accustomed, which she abideth in this place, and also by this, that she is given of● to gape and open her bill. This disease cometh also of some sinew or thread of the sheep's heart, which was not minced small enough, and so thereby doth hang in her throat: wherefore you shall very handsomely open her bill, and take it from her with a pin. You shall know it to be this disease, when you see in her throat certain broken or loose ●lesh. Give her afterward a little Sugar-candy, which shall be a very good remedy for to cure her. In brief, all such kind of birds as eat sheep's hearts, or the hearts of any other beasts, are subject to be troubled with the disease above spoken of.   

CHAP. LVII.  
To know the Canarie-bird from others, and what diseases she is subject unto.  
YOu shall understand that the Canarie-bird is brought from the Islands called the Canaries, and is of much account amongst us, because she both cometh out of a strange country, as also because she is a good singing bird. She is known from others by this, because she continueth and heaveth the passages of her throat, in singing, more than any other birds do: beside, she is of a less body, and hath a longer tail; in so much as the lesser they be, the perfecter they be. On the contrary, the great ones which sometimes turn their heads behind them, after the manner of fools, and for that cause are called fools, are the worst, and come from the Isles of Palm● virte. Wherefore the nature of the Canari●-bird is not to be fat, or to maintain and keep her flesh well. She is very subject unto Impostumes, which happen upon her head, and those of a yellow colour, and they must be anointed with butter or hens grease about three times: then leaving off to do any more unto them, for the space of three days, you shall then take them in hand again, and open them gently, whereupon you shall see coming out of them thick matter, like unto an eggs yelk. Which done, you shall anoint the said Impostumes very well with the foresaid grease, and thus you shall do as often as they shall return. This bird is likewise troubled with melancholy sometimes, and then the end of her rump would be cut and wrung out very well, giving her of these herbs, lettuses, beets, and such like. But and if for all these things, you see that the Canarie-bird doth not amend the better; you shall cool her with a little of the seed of melons, giving it her to eat, and you shall put into her waterpot a little Sugar-candy, twice, or thereabout, and that so much as may endure and l●st one whole week: which may be done likewise when she is in health twice a month.  
When the Canari●-bird mouteth, 
The Canarie-●bird 〈…〉  give her of the seeds of melons, and sprinkle her with a little good wine, in such sort as hath been said in speaking of other birds, and that twice or thrice a week, setting her afterward in the Sun, and by this means, you shall make her mout more properly. This course you shall likewise practise if she have lice, 
The Canary-bird ha●ing 〈◊〉.  to kill the vermin that would waste and consume her, that so she may be preserved.   

CHAP. LVIII.  
Of the Linnet, and of her diseases.  
THe Linnet is a good and melodious bird, 
The Linnet.  even that which is taken in her nest. Sometimes she will be melancholic: she hunteth the mountains amongst the M●ttle bushes, Box-trees, juniper-trees, and Bay-trees: she maketh her nest of very small roots, and other matter like unto feathers. This bird bringeth forth young ones thrice a year. 
〈…〉.  She is subject unto the disease called the pthisicke, which may be perceived by the seeing of her melancholic, and her feathers standing in staring wise, and by her belly, which then will show itself, somewhat more puffed up than ordinary, full of red veins, and her breast lean, and by seeing her spill and peck mustardseed. This disease cometh to her by feeding upon mustardseed, which is very hot: wherefore it were better to give her panic, 
〈…〉.  or else continuing to give her mustardseed, to use withal this remedy: which is, when you see her troubled with this disease, to cut the end of her ●umpe, and to give her Sugar-candy, or some other fine sugar to drink: and for her meat, you shall give her beets, lettuses, and other such like herbs to eat; as namely, sometimes some mercury. If you have used to feed her before with mustardseed, you must give her panic to eat, to cool her withal, or else the seed of melons well husked, and to continue the same meat the space of three days. Her ordinary mere must be of the said berbes. Besides this, you shall put into her cage a little earth, and that in such sort, as shall seem good unto you: howbeit, it would be best to put theirin some beaten mortar, or some clay, to the end that feeding upon it, she may be healed.  
The Linnet is likewise subject unto the straightness or convulsion of the breast, wherefore being oppressed with this disease, you shall feed her with the seeds of melons, and in her water you shall steep some Sugar-candy, or else small morsels of past. You shall put therein furthermore a little piece of liquorice, to the end the water may somewhat ●aste of it; and so you must continue it for the space of five days, one day always betwixt, that is to say, one day, and not the other. Seeing to it, that you give her a beet leaf, or some other, upon the day that you shall give her pure water to drink. The same remedy will serve to help her to her voice again, i● the bird were hoarse, for thereby she shall ●ind herself well: notwithstanding that there are but few that escape of the Phthisicke. You shall use the like remedies for the benefit of other birds, which are found to be grieved with such diseases, as those are, whereof we will now speak.   

CHAP. LIX.  
Of divers infirmities happening to little cage birds, together with their remedies.  
AMongst other diseases of birds, they are subject easily to lose their sight, and become blind, if it be not speedily looked to, and especially the Spinkes. Wherefore, for their better recovery before they be quite blind, you shall take beets & draw the juice out of them, mingling it with a little sugar, & with this liquor, you shall make her drink for the space of three days, to be taken every s●cond day, after the manner that we have spoken of in the behalf of the linnet. And you shall lay in her cage a stick of the wood of the figtree, in such sort as that the bird may use it for a perch, and rub her eyes against it, for the curing of them: which remedy will then be expedient, when you perceive their eyes to begin to shed tears, and their feathers begin to stare and stand up. When they shall be troubled with impostumes, 
〈…〉  you shall use the same remedies which we have spoken of in the chapter of the Canary bird.  
But in as much as it often falleth out, that birds do break their legs, I have thought it good to teach you the way to heal them ● you shall give them their meat in the first place, 
〈…〉.  in the bottom of the cage: secondly, you shall take away their rods and perches, that so they may not thereby take occasion to be hopping to look for their meat, and so thereby to labour and stir their leg, because by stirring thereof, they perish and are spoiled. And this course will likewise serve when any bird hath her thigh broken. And I would advertise you not to bind or swaddle it after the manner of the world, for so you should cause some imposthume to grow in the place where you did bind and tie it. You shall do that which hath been said very easily▪ if you lay her meat in the bottom and lowest part of the cage; all manner of perching being cut off by the taking away of the rods and sticks which were in it for that purpose, and keeping them in some by-place for fear, that by the hearing of noise, they should beat and shake themselves, letting their leg or thigh which they shall have broken remain untied and unbound; for nature will heal it, and make it to grow together again speedily.   

CHAP. LX.  
The manner how to serve one's turn of birds, when he would take and catch them, and how to make them sing.  
NOtwithstanding that all birds, except the Spinke, do sing in Winter, as by name the Finch, the Linnet, the Miskin, and other such like: there are some found notwithstanding, which being come out of the mue, do give over their singing, because of the said mue. Wherefore from the beginning of May you shall purge them, which you would use for your purpose, to catch other birds withal, in such manner as followeth. You shall give them in the first place of the juice of beets mingled with a little pure water, and the day following, you shall give them a leaf of the said herb. The third day following, you shall keep them close in the house, setting them upon the ground, that so they may eat their meat upon it, for the space of ten days, withdrawing them by little and little, day after day, from the light, into some obscure and dark place. And when they have thus pas●ed over ten days, you shall give them some beets again, and shut them up in some square chest in a dark and by-place. At the evening, you shall dress them with a lamp, so dealing, as that the said birds may see the same light for the space of two hours, during which time, you may make clean her waterpot, changing their mustardseed every eight day, and giving them of the leaves of beets every fourth day, and every twentieth day of the juice thereof, especially, unto the spink, being the most subject of all others to become blind. And that you may keep them without louse, you must change their cage every twenty days, as also for another reason, which is because of the filth and stench thereof, which might easily kill them. Thus you must still be practising of these courses, unto the tenth of August, which term being expired, you shall purge them anew in like manner as before, suffering them by little and little more freely to see the light, until the twentieth of the same month, taking heed that they come not in the Sun. Thus they will serve you very well to take and catch birds withal in September and October, and finally in all the rest.   

CHAP. LXI.  
Of the Misken.  
AMongst the little birds of the cage, the Misken 
The Mis●●n.  is a of cheerful nature, and singeth sweetly and delightsomely: she is exceeding pleasing unto the sight. She breedeth thrice a year, first about the end of April, amongst the shrubs or hedges of ivy or laurel, secondly, about mid-May, and thirdly and lastly, in the end of ●une: and this is their ordinary and most common course; for sometimes they come sooner or latter, more or less. Their nests are made of the most ●ine roots of herbs, and oftentimes of the leaves of reeds, according as the place will afford them where they nest.  
To seed the Misken taken out of her nest, you shall give her of a sheeps heart mi●●●ed very small, taking away the fat and sinews, or else of a calves or heifers hea●●, taking from it likewise the sinews and the fat, all the rest being well beaten and shr●●, because of digestion. You shall seed her in her nest oftentimes, giving her every time a mo●●ell or two, and no more, lest they should die, by being too much filled. And when you shall perceive that the Misken will ●ate alone, you shall hang at her cage a little of the said heart minced, not ceasing notwithstanding to feed her, by putting it in her mouth certain times every day for more assuredness. After she hath been accustomed to eat alone, you may give her some paste, feeding her therewithal only, not giving her any more heart, when she shall be accustomed thereto. Furthermore, if you have any great desire that she should learn some proper song, take the pains for to teach her, for it is a bird that is very easy to be taught. The Miskens, which are taken in birding, prove better and more perfect than the other. They are wont to continue without singing the space of ten days after they are taken. You shall feed them, for the space of eight da●es, with new or dry ●igs, and after you shall begin to give them of the paste which is wont to be made for the Nightingales, whereof we will speak hereafter: such as are fed with paste do live longer than those which are fed with nothing but figs.   

CHAP. LXII.  
Of the solitary Sparrow.  
BY nature the solitary Sparrow is given to be melancholic, she loveth by-places, and thereupon cometh her name, because they are very solitary, as namely, the old decayed walls of churches, and other ●●●●habited places, as being far removed from the company of other birds: she 〈◊〉 very jealous over her young ones: she maketh her nest in the holes and clefts of old buildings, and breedeth thrice a year: first, in April: secondly, in May: and thirdly, in june.  
If you will bring up, and take any pleasure by the solitary Sparrow, which have taken young in their nests, you must choose the greatest and biggest, namely such as are well covered with feathers, for else you shall never bring them to any proof.  
If peradventure, 
〈…〉.  when they are grown thus great, they will not open their bills, you shall open them, giving them as much as a bird will hold in her bill three or four times. But and if you perceive that they will eat of themselves, you may put in their trough or meate-boxe, some of the foresaid heart, not giving over notwithstanding, to put it into their mouths, until such time as they can eat alone. But for such as open their bills, you shall feed them with the said heart, after that you have taken off the skin round about, and the fat also, and that once every hour or more, if you hear them cry and see them gape. Put in their cage a little straw or hay, keeping them as neat and clean as possibly you can; for if you do not, they will become lame, or else die in a small time. Wherefore you shall do as hath been said, until they have mouted, and afterward if you will keep them in sand, it will be very good: howbeit, I think it better to keep them in hay all the Winter following. And whenas they shall eat of themselves, their meat shall be sheeps heart small minced, and sometimes of the paste which is wont to be given to Nightingales. And sometimes for an extraordinary dish, you may give them hard eggs, as also raisins.   

CHAP. LXIII.  
Of the Throstle.  
THe Throstle is a bird known to every one, 
〈…〉.  and she is as good to be eaten, as to sing: she maketh her nest in hills full of snow and ice, upon high trees: it is made of the moss of the wood mingled with earth, and fashioned of a round form with singular cunning, in the midst thereof they leave a hole, to the end that it may not fill with water through long and continual rain, which might prove to the drowning of her young ones. They breed thrice a year, as other birds do, that is, in April, May, and june.  
The Throstle taken in the nest must be kept and fed in like manner as the solitary Sparrow, 
〈…〉.  as well whiles they are young and small, as when they become old and great ones. Furthermore, you must know that the Throstle is a great deal more delicate and fine than the solitary sparrow, and hath tenderer bones. So that to preserve and keep her alive, she must be kept very neat and clean. See that the Throstle which you would bring up and keep, be a great one, and well feathered: for if you choose her great, and that she begin to eat alone, and to mout, you shall be the more able to bring her up, and she will prove the better.  
You must note also, 
〈…〉.  that there are three ●orts of Throstles: those which are best to bring up for singers, are rather the little ones, than the others, and those which are of a brown and dark coloured feather, called in Italian Tordi sasso●i. On the contrary, those which are nothing worth to sing, are much greater, and their feathers of a whiter colour, called by the Italians, Tordelli, which in my judgement are better for the belly than the ear.   

CHAP. LXIIII  
Of the Calandre, Coridale, and Lark.  
COncerning the nature of the Calandre, 
〈◊〉 Calandre. ● Cor●dale. ● Lark.  it is known by the effects, for she is hard to tame, if she be not taken in the nest: she will be so vexed sometimes as is marvelous, and a thing almost incredible, for being carried from one place to another; and in this vexation, she will continue a whole month without singing: yea there have some been seen which did never sing again after, except they were brought back to their accustomed place.  
The Lark, notwithstanding that she is disdainful, doth not forsake her singing in such cases, above two or three days, as doth in like manner the Coirdale. These birds make their nests upon the ground, and in meadows, and sometimes amongst the corn. Their nests are made of the dry roots of herbs, and they breed thrice a year: first in the beginning of May, then in the beginning of june, and lastly about mid july. Notwithstanding they differ herein sometimes, according to the season and time, as do all others.  
These three sorts of birds, as they are of one and the same nature, so they are fed and eat after one manner. For their ordinary meat and feeding shall be no other than that we have said to be good for the other birds: namely, the heart of a sheep beaten and minced very small. If they eat not alone, you shall feed them very diligently in their nests, according as you shall see it needful. Look to it, that they continue not too long in their nests, for fear they should become lame. But after certain days put them in their cage strawed with sand, and there leave them day and night. Being accustomed to eat alone, you shall give them heart mingled with the grain, called of the Latins Far, or else with paste which is made for Nightingales, and therewith you shall feed them, till they become great ones, and stand upon their feet. Afterward you shall scatter some of the aforesaid corn called Far, amongst the sand of the cage, to the end that the birds may learn to know of themselves, the said corn amongst the sand, and to peck it now and then, continuing notwithstanding to feed them, and to put into their mouths of sheeps heart, according to your former custom. But when these birds begin to mout, you may give them hempseed, spelt, and the ●i●tings of corn. You shall also, put into their cages a piece of dry mortar, or else of the pu●●ice stone, or of clay, whereupon the birds may sharpen and rub their bills, which is very apt to grow blunt with pecking: and to the end that they mae eat some of it also sometimes; for it is a thing that doth them much good, and serveth for to purge them.   

CHAP. LXV.  
To make the paste which the Nightingales eat, being likewise good for the solitary Sparrow, Miskins, Blackbirds, Throstles, and many other birds.  
Passed for the said birds (whereof we have made mention before) must be made after this manner: take the meal of white Cich-pease, and boult it diligently with a boulter, as is used to be done with wheat meal, and in such quantity, as you shall see to be needful. For example: Let the quantity of meal be two pounds, with one pound of sweet almonds chosen and husked, which afterward you shall ●ake and stamp very well, in such sort as is used when paste for marchpanes is to be made. Herewithal, you must have three ounces of fresh butter, which butter you shall put into a copper vessel tinned, and mix therewithal the said flower and almonds together. After that you have done this, you shall set the said vessel upon charcoal fire, that so it may not smell of smoke, s●i●●ring it diligently whiles it is upon the sire, with a wooden spoon, that so it may bo●le by little and little, putting thereto the yolks of two eggs, and a little saffron: when you perceive the butter to begin to melt, you shall furthermore drop into it of liquid honey, so much as shall serve for the incorporating of the paste, and bringing of it into corns, still continuing to stir it with a spoon, ●or fear the fire should make it burn too. When you have thus done, you shall take a Colander made with such holes, as will let pass so much at once, as the birds (for which you make it) will eat. And when the paste is thus strained through the Colander, and the corns made in such quantity, and quality, as is requisite for the necessity of the birds, you shall take the past which could not pass through the said Colander, so far forth as that the whole may come to be of a just consistence. And for the keeping of it, you must pour honey above, handling and stirring of it cunningly, and so you shall be stored of provision for six months.   

CHAP. LXVI.  
The way to know many and sundry maladies which do happen unto birds.  
IT is apparent, that the diseases of birds are divers, and the diversity thereof causeth divers effects, and divers signs, which lying hidden, the disease continueth unknown, and so there is no administering of any thing, in as much as it is not known, whence it cometh, that they are in that case, nor what disease it is, nor what medicine or remedy is good or convenient for the curing thereof. Wherefore it is necessarily required, that there should be good regard given unto the outward signs, by them to know the mischief that lurketh within, and that no les●e in the behalf of birds, than generally of all other creatures. Wherefore I have endeavoured myself, briefly to collect and gather into this Chapter, whatsoever hath been delivered scatteringly and diffusedly elsewhere, in the touching of the infirmities and diseases that are incident unto birds, and of the knowledge thereof; for the benefit and instruction of such as would know the diseases whereunto such birds as they delight in, and love to keep, are sub●ect.  
Birds therefore are subject, 
〈◊〉.  amongst other diseases, unto impostumes, which do happen unto them, and appear in the head of a yellow colour, as great as a Hempseed▪ yea, sometimes as big as a Pease: a disease commonly haunting all birds, especially those which are of a hot complexion.  
Another kind of disease with which birds are troubled, 
〈…〉.  is called the subtle disease, Pthisis: for the bird that is troubled with this disease, swelleth in her body, as having it every where beset with veins full of blood, the breast notwithstanding being thin and lean: and furthermore, the bird so diseased, doth nothing but take, ●ast away, or overturn her meat and Hempseed.  
The gow● is another sort of disease common unto birds, 
〈…〉.  and vexing them ●ore: for when as they are diseased thereof, they can neither stir nor stand, because of the pain they do endure. This disease is known by the roughness of their legs and feet.  
The difficulty of breathing, 
〈…〉  or hard drawing of their breath, troubleth them also: and it is known by their hoarseness, so as that they cannot utter their t●nes: or if they do, yet very harshly and imperfectly: or else by their not saying any thing at all. You shall lay your hand upon her breast, and by that also you shall perceive it: for you shall feel an extraordinary beating, as showing itself to come from some oppression and great difficulty: by all which you may gather for certain, that she is infected with this disease.  
Oftentimes it likewise cometh to pass, 
〈…〉  that they cry and cast forth lamentable noises, complaining themselves, which declareth evidently, that they have the disease called Asthma, or shortness of breath.  
Birds also oftentimes fall blind: 
〈◊〉.  which, if it be not quickly helped, they will never be cured: and this disease is perceived by the trickling of tears from their eyes, and by certain feathers about their eyes, which do curl and crook by turning in again.  
The falling sickness is likewise incident unto birds: 
〈…〉  whereof they are scarce ever cured: for there is no other remedy for it, but to keep the bird which you bring up, from the Sun in Summer: if she escape the first time, you must cut the nails of her feet, and besprinkle her well with good wine: purge her oft.  
Some say, 
〈…〉  That birds are subject to the disease called the Pip: which is false: for the disease which they call the Pip, is not the Pip in effect, but another disease, which groweth in the bills of birds, for which it is good to use this remedy: Take the seed of Melons, and steeping them in pure water, make them to drink thereof three or four days, and perceiving the bird to grow better, you shall give her a little fine Sugar, tempered likewise with sugared water.  
It is hard to know when the bird hath the disease of the rump: 
The disease of the rump.  and for my part I cannot tell how to give you a better sign thereof, than her growing melancholic, as by surceasing and abstaining to sing. The remedy is, to cut away half of the sharp point which she hath there, for you shall not devise to do her so great good any other ways. This is a grief which all birds are troubled withal, even those that are kept in the cage.  
Besides the diseases before named, birds have sometimes the flux of the b●lly 
The flux of the belly.  which is known, by their making of their dung more thin and liquid than ordinarily they were wont, by the beating of their tail, and in that they keep it close and near together. The remedy is, to cut the feathers of their tail, and those also which are about the fundament, anointing it with a little oil: And in stead of Hempseed, you shall give her the seeds of Melons for the space of two days. But and if these be birds which use not to eat any Hempseed, but heart, or paste, defer not to take it from her, and in place thereof to give her hard roasted eggs, in such sort as we have said before.   

CHAP. LXVII.  
Of the diseases that happen particularly to every particular sort of birds.  
AS concerning old Nightingales of the cage, 
The dise●s●● proper to the Nightingale, and to these birds following.  they are subject unto gouts and convulsions in the breast: unto which diseases the solitary Sparrow is also subject, besides the falling sickness, or giddiness of the head.  
The Linnet is troubled with the subtle, or close and secret disease, more than any other bird, 
Linne●.  as also with hot apostemes, convulsions, and gouts.  
The Finch is wont to have impostumes, 
Finch.  and the subtle disease.  
The Siskin, 
Siskin.  on the contrary, is not to subject unto diseases, both because she is of a better complexion, as also of more strength. And this is the cause likewise why she seldom times falleth blind.  
The Spinke 
Spinke.  is more subject to blindness than all the rest: and when she is once overrun of this disease, she is no more worth any thing, for she will ever and anon fall into it again of set purpose.  
Two only diseases do voluntarily molest the Goldfinch, 
Goldfinch.  that is, the subtle disease, caused through old age, and impostumes, proceeding of the eating of Hempseed.  
The same two diseases we find to befall the Canary bird of Spain: 
Canari● bird.  howbeit, the subtle disease is seldom times found to trouble her: she is also subject to the convulsion and oppression of the breast, because of her excessive natural heat. The Miskin is more subject unto the gout than any bird that is. The solitary Sparrow is haunted with impostumes and melancholy, which causeth her often to die. The Corydale 
Corydale.  falleth blind sometimes, and sometimes she is troubled with the subtle disease. A● it also happeneth unto the other kind of Lark, 
Lark.  which hath no crest upon her head. The Calandre 
Calandre.  likewise is subject unto the subtle disease, apostemes, gouts: and that which is worse, namely, to become quickly blind. The bird, called in Latin Thraupis, is likewise very subject unto impostumes, and oftentimes dieth of fat. The strongest and stoutest bird that can be, is the Blackbird, 
Blackbird.  wherein I cannot find any disease to kill her, except old age, which is the common malady devouring all mortal things. Fat and impostumes do sometimes hurt the Throstle, as also the disease of the rump, which is likewise common to all birds that are kept in the cage. 
〈◊〉    

CHAP. LXVIII.  
Birds are to be purged, at what time, and how oft in the year.  
Nightingale's and all other kind of birds which eat heart and paste, must be purged at the least once every month with two or three worms out of the pigeon house every time: two days after, put into her waterpot the quantity of a nut, of sine sugar, and when her voice faileth her, you must put into the said water, some liquorice, as namely, so much as may give some taste to the water, and this will clear her voice very exceedingly. The foresaid purgation is very needful when they are about to moute. The cage must never be without earth or sand. She must be sprinkled over with wine at the least twice a week, to further her in her mouting, and for the better preserving of her life, setting her afterward in the Sun, 〈◊〉 she be almost dry: the like course must be taken when she is troubled with li●e: and if you give her any dry figs, they will much rejoice her.   

CHAP. LXIX.  
To purge birds that feed upon Hempseed.  
BIrds that eat Hempseed, shall take for to purge them the seeds of melons husked, and herbs (as you shall think good) namely Succory, Beets, Lettuses, Scariole, and Mercury, which is principally good for the Linnet, but give them what herbs you please; for they are very good to 〈…〉 to purge them: yea, and though they have no need to be purged, yet you 〈◊〉 not cease continually to be giving of them some, giving then furthermore, amongst▪ either earth or dry mort●● in their cage, to the end they may eat of it, or dust themselves in it at their pleasure and convenient time, which is very wholesome for them: and likewise you must give them some Sugar, as you have been taught before. You shall perceive when the bird would moute by the feathers in her cage, and then you shall besprinkle her lightly with wine, as we have already spoken before. Some birds mout in the end of julie, and others in the end of August. Those which are taken in the nest begin to mout as soon as they be bred, and their mouting continueth a month. You shall besprinkle them with wine at the least twice a week, to cause them to mout the sooner.   

CHAP. LXX.  
To know how long the birds live.  
IF any man desire to know how long these birds live, let him know that amongst Nightingales, some live three years, some five, and others unto eight, and sing until that time, but from that time forward they are not any longer in perfection, but decline by little and little. It hath been seen that Nightingales have lived till they have been fifteen years old, and continued singing every day les●e or more, so that it may seem that they live according to the good ordering which they have, or else according to their good complexion. The Miskins being subject to the gout, do live but a short time, as three or four years at the most. 
The life of the Miskin, the solitary Sparrow, and the fi●ch.  The solitary Sparrows live in good state and account for the space of five years: many of them die of the subtle disease, some of impos●umes, others of gouts, and some young ones of the falling sickness. Finches live ten, yea, fifteen, and twenty years, more or less, according unto their complexion: and they are always in good plight, singing unto the last day of their life. The Linnet is short-lived, 
The l●fe of the Linne●, the S●kin, and the Spinke.  because she is subject unto the subtle disease: some live two years, some three, and some five, according to their manner of ordering and governing. The Siskins live, some five, others eight years, by reason of their good complexion, and because they are not so subject unto diseases as other birds. The Spinke liveth but a short time, because they are subject to blindness: some live one year, some two, others till four: many of them die of the falling sickness, because they have been set forth into the Sun in the Summer time, whereby the heat hath searched and penetrated into their brain. The Calanders, Corydales, and Larks, 
The l●fe of the Calandre, Corydale, and Lark.  live alike long, the one sort and the other, as three or five years. Some Calanders do live longer than the Corydales: but she groweth melancholy, being removed out of one place into another. The Canary bird liveth long, as five, ten, and fifteen years: 
The life of the Canary bird, and of the Thra●pis.  yea, there have some been seen to live twenty years, continuing always good. The Thraupis is of the continuance of six years, or thereabout, according as she is kept better or worse. It is a bird that is not much regarded: for her singing is but irksome and tedious; some take pleasure in it, and some do not.   

CHAP. LXXI.  
The manner of taking small birds, as well those which sing, as those which are for to eat: as also all other sorts of small birds.  
TO take birds with the voice of some leaf, 
To take birds with a chirp or ●all,  knife, or such other like thing, a man must stand in a bush, shadowing himself with the leaves thereof, and with a whistle make a noise or cry, counterfeiting some bird that hath been taken before, or is then taken. Some take a Sparrow, being kept somewhat near, and held in a snare, and make her cry, pinching together her wings or legs, and then the birds will flock about her to aid her, thinking, that the Owl hath caught her: and having set lime-twigs or lime-bushes upon the branches of the trees, the birds that shall come to succour her, and lighting, will be limed.  
To take Spinkes as they are going, 
To take birds as they are ●eeding, or going.  that is to say, in the place where many Spinkes are wont to pass, you must environ their trees (after they have been cut and planted in a plain ground, one distant from another some small distance, as three foot, or thereabout) with leaves below, as if it were a lodge, and amongst them lay a chord, made fast unto a bough, and carried up on the other side with some prop: this shall be held by a man placed a good way off, and on the said bough shall be hanged and made fast two or three Spinkes: than you must set the said trees very choicely and thin with lime-twigs, and some distance off from thence, two or three cages, wherein there shall be some Spinkes, for to call to such flocks as shall come flying that way, which perceiving those in the cages, as also those which are hanged upon the stick, will li●e themselves on the trees.  
To take Pattridges with the Tonnell, 
To take birds with the Tonnell.  or Tombrell, there must a man be placed behind a Cow or a Horse, of wood, or of o●●er, painted in such sort, as that it may resemble the fashion of a Cow or a Horse, and in the mean time he shall overcast the nets upon the Partridges. This kind of taking of Partridges is now adays forbidden.  
To take Partridges and Woodcocks in the night with fire, you must light a match of old dry woollen clouts, 
take birds 〈◊〉 fire.  dipped in melted tallow, wrapping them up afterward together in form of a torch, as thick as one's arm, and of the length of a foot: than you must astonish and amaze the Partridges in such sort, as that they may cast themselves into the nets, wherewith they shall be beset and compassed.  
To take birds with your hand, 
take birds 〈◊〉 the hand.  you must scatter, in some plain and smooth piece of ground, Corn or Millet, steeped in the lees of good wine, and the juice of Hemlock, and afterward dry them, whereof when the birds shall have eaten, they will not be able to fly afterward, so that one may take them with his hand.  
To kill birds with the Longbow, 
〈◊〉 take birds 〈◊〉 the long 〈◊〉.  or Stone-bow, upon houses, trees, or butts, it is requisite, that he that shooteth, should have double shafts, forked before, when he would kill Geese, or other great birds, and those very sharp every where, to the end they may cut off the wing, or the neck, where they shall touch them: for to strike them with the common shaft, would not so hurt the bird, as that she might be constrained to abide in the place, for she would fly away, notwithstanding that she were hurt or shot through, although she would die thereof in another place.    
The end of the seventh and last Book of the Country House.   
FINIS.  

A TABLE OF THE MATTERS contained in the seven Books of the Country House.  

A  
ABel borne the fourth of the Moon, a good day. 32  
Abrecock-tree and Abrecocks, how planted, 378. being grafted, are very tender in the time of frost. 372  
Acorns to grow Oaks upon, how they must be sown and husbanded. 655  
An Acre of ground how much it containeth. 518  
Adam created the first day of the Moon. 32  
Agr●monie, 25. their virtues. ibid.  
A good Air is a necessary thing to a Farm. 4  
Alberges, or small Peaches. 372  
Alembecks of glass, how they must be ordered. 446  
Alembecks of the Venetians, 445. how to choose them of glass. 446  
Alembecks for distillations. 447  
Alkermus, and the confection thereof. 487  
Alkakengi, and the virtues and statutes thereof. 288  
Alleys. 235  
Aller trees and Aller plots, 504. how planted. 660  
Almond trees, where and when to be planted. 307  
Bitter Almonds made sweet. 371  
Almonds without shell, and naturally written upon. ibid. Amel corn. 551  
Angel●ea, and his virtues, 199. the compound water thereof. ibid.  
The Angevins lovers of their profit. 23  
Anjou a good soil. 12  
anise. 249  
Ants spoiling Trees and Vines, 405, 406. to drive away Ants. 314  
Appletrees, in what ground they grow best, and how grafted, 360. most precious and most in request of all other trees. 379  
How to keep Apples, 408. golden Apples, 253. how to have red Apples, 365. Apples with short starts, 380. Apples of love, 252. marvelous Apples, 287. brought by Monsieur du Bellay, B. of Man's, 288. Apples of yellow colour, 364. Apples of two tastes, ibid. wild Apples distilled. 454  
Aqua vitae often distilled, 455. and whereof it must be made, ibid. it hath infinite virtues. 456  
Aquitaine, a country fruitful in all manner of good things. 12  
Arach the herb, and the observations thereof. 174  
Arh●rs for Gardens, and woods fit tor them. 282  
Arbours of the Kitchen Garden. 156  
The Arders of Arable ground. 531  
An Arpent of ground how much it containeth. 518  
Ars●●art, why so called, and the properties thereof. 197  
Artichokes, 170. their virtues and manner of dressing, and the Moules and Mice are enemies unto them. ibid.  
Asarum Bacchar, and the virtues thereof, 198. good for a quartane Ague. 40  
Ashes make a lean ground. 6  
Ashes cluttering together like balls, a sign of rain. 25  
Ash-tree distilled, and the oil thereof. 482  
A●peragus may be grown of sheeps horns. 183  
Asses to plow withal, 539. Ass' foreshowing rain, 25. 147, 148. the nature, burden, and goodness of an Ass. ibid.  
Astrology invented by Shepherds. 110  
Auens. 182  
Autumn, and the constitution thereof. 34, 126, 366, 380  
Awergne, the people thereof are industrious and painful, but coveting other men's gain. 23   

B  
badger's or brock's are of two sorts, their earths. 699  
Bay-tree where it must be sown, 337. in what soil and place it delighteth, 396. the faculties thereof, 397. Bay-tree keepeth the house from lightning, ibid.  
Bakehouse belonging to the ●arme. 570  
That a bailiff of Husbandry cannot carry such an affection and vigilant eye as the Fa●mor. 15  
Balm, 252. it increaseth milk in Cows, 496. Balm distilled. 453  
Balms artificially made, and the description thereof, and their kinds, 437. Balms of S. lohns wort, 205. excellent Balms of the herb Nicotiana. 223  
Barbell the fish. 507  
barbs in Calves. 63  
Barley, when and in what grounds it must be sown, 554. to prepare mundified Barley, 555. Barley must be sown in dust. 542  
Barnes, where and how they must be made and seated. 18  
Basill sown, putteth forth at the end of three ●aies, 161. Basill and Amber are at perpetual hatred, 242. Basill causeth ache and scorpions in the head, 243. Basill distilled. 454  
Basse●s, or earth-dogges, and how they must be ordered and saved, 702. Basset's of two sorts, ibid. and how to train them up and nurture them. 700  
Bastard Dittanie, otherwise Fraxinella, breaketh the stone. 207  
Marus Bath, 442. the pattern thereof, 443. Mary's Bath multiplied. 442, 443  
To Bat●le ground, and with what manner of dung. 537  
Against Ba●s. 315  
beans, what soil they crave, 561. and why there are many fools whiles they are in flower, 562. Beans amend the ground where they are sown, 11. to cause beans to be quickly sodden, 569. flowers of Beans distilled for to keep. 465  
●ards of Goats. 238  
●ares-breech. 203  
〈◊〉▪ when to be bought and killed, 30 of a double kind of life, 506. Beasts, or their parts distilled, 470. to tame wild Beasts, 670. signs foretelling death of Beasts. 29  
〈◊〉 scarce of water, 6. it beareth Ri● contrary to his nature, 10. the people of Beauce are laborious. 23  
〈◊〉 of divers sorts, according to the diversities of Countries, and the manner of making of them, and then temperature, 587, 590. it fatteth Hens and C●pons. 591  
〈◊〉, the profit of them, and how they must be ordered, 316, 317. what manner of ones they must be, 318. how they must be handled, 319. their conditions, 321. their chast●tie, sobriety, & neatness, 322. their kings, and wars among themselves, 323, 324. their kings must be killed, which are the cause of their contention, and what be their marks, ib●a. Bees that are cruel, 326. swarms of Bees, and their fights, ibid. what diseases Bees are subject unto, and their remedies, 326. they are engendered of a putrefied carcase, 320. their ●ot going far from their hives, a sign of rain. 25  
〈◊〉 ringing clearer and louder than ordinary, a ●igne of aine. 25  
●●aiamine borne the 23. d●y of the Moon. 34  
〈◊〉, 173. and the special observations about the same, ibid. 〈◊〉 tree. 665, 666  
●●esonie, ●02. betony distilled, 453. water Betonie, 211. Paul's betony, 204. called the Lepers herb, and why. ibid.  
〈◊〉 or Oxen for the plough, 539. fierce and cruel beeves how tamed, 92. of their diseases, 9●, 94. three beeves will not plough so much ground as one horse, 91. great beeves of Languedo● or Provence, 103. to cau●e beeves to have a good stomach, 436. to fat beeves to sell, 104. how they sore-shew rain, 25. to cure them, being bewitched, 187. the stable for beeves, and how it must be built. 90  
Birds of all sorts, their taking. 931  
〈…〉 was not accounted of, of old, 704. and all the sorts of Birds. ibid.  
〈…〉 of the Cage, with their diseases and remedies, 724. the manner of taking of them, and how to make them sing, ibid. and to keep them from having lice, ibid. the taking of singing Birds. 715  
Canary Birds, how they may be known from others, and their diseases. 722  
Birds of the Prey and Fawlco●●ie, and their food, 705, 706. their diseases and remedies, ibid. ravenous Birds. 707  
To purge Birds that eat Mustard seed, 730. the diseases incident to ●uerie kind of Bird, 729. to know how long every Bird liveth in his kind, 730. Birds their bathing, a sign of rain, 25. what Birds are good to make Hawks, 705. and that there are ten kinds of them. ibid.  
Bird-cages, how made and placed. 18  
〈◊〉 of two sorts, and where planted. 212  
Biscuit. 582  
Bistor●. 20●  
Bitter Cherrytree. 374  
Bla●k birds are notable birds, not subject to any diseases, 729. and their food. 727  
●lanch, what kind of corn. 218  
Blasphemy maketh a man contemptible. 23  
Man● Blood and Goat's blood distilled, 457. Drakes blood and the virtues thereof, ibid. Goats blood good against the stone. 120  
●loud-sackers swallowed by an ox●▪ 96. or by a sheep. 116  
●●rage, and his virtues. 175  
Wild ●or● and Sow, how they differ, 69●. wild Bo●es the murderers of dogs, 692, 693. the hunting of them is dangerous, 690. they use no turns, 691. how to kill them, ibid. and what good cometh of the kill of them, 692. the best time to hunt them, and the signs of a good one, 690. the difference betwixt them and tame Hogs, 691. his wounds are dangerous, 690. after four years they do nothing but grow leaner. ●7●  
Box-tree the death of Bees. 285  
Bran of meal. 573  
Bread, the making thereof, 571. the differences of corn, whereof it is made, ibid. the differences of bread, 580. Bread of divers sorts, according to the di●ersitie of Corn and Countries, 576. repletion of bread, the worst kind of repletion, 580. Bread called (Pa●n M●lle●) or Pain de bouch●, 578. spiced bread, 579. old bread is evil for the body, 582. the divers uses of bread, 583. toasted bread after meat, ibid. washed bread good 〈◊〉 the health, ibid. Biscuit, 582, 579. Bread distilled. 465  
Brewhouse for Beer. 587  
Bridann●a●x, what kind of paste-mea● they be. ●85  
brock's are of two sorts, 699. their earths, ibid. they are more hard to take than Foxes, and what their nature is, 702. wherefore their flesh is good. 698  
Broome, 285. Butcher's Broom. 290  
Brye situate between the rivers of Seyne and Ma●ne, and therefore plentiful in fruit and corn, to, the people of Brye are subtle, fierce, and ra●h. 23  
Bubbles great in the water, are a sign of ●aine. 25  
B●ssles, or wild beeves, 103. to plough with them. 540  
He that hath Bugle and Sanicle, careth not for the Surgeon of a bugle. 20●  
bugloss. 175  
Building, as it is now used is differing from that of old, 1. where and how to ●eat your buildings, 6. the building and, enclosing of a Farme-house, 14. to build on the top of high ground. 10  
Building must be answerable to the revenue. 18  
Bul●ing house, where it should be. 16  
Bulls, and the marks of a good Bull, 62. one Bull to 60. Cows, 104. Bulls tied to a Figtree, become gentle. 294  
Bu●gundians are free and willing, but headstrong. 23  
Burnet, and his virtues, 171. distilled. 461  
Butter, and how it must be made, 64, 65. and where it must be made. 16  
Butterfly's eating Bees. 226  
more, and more foolish Buyers, than sellers. 3  
Buzzards and Sparrowhawkes do differ, the manner how to take and feed them, and to cure their diseases. 708   

C  
Cabbages of all sorts, how they must be husbanded, 165. when to be sown, 160. old Cabbage seed bringeth forth Radishes, 164. certain observations about Cabbages, 165. good for all diseases, 166. enemies to Vines and Wine, ibid. they resist drunkenness, 165. rotten, they hurt their next herbs. ibid.  
Great Cages make the birds nothing the better. 13  
Cain borne the third day of the Moon, an ill day. 32  
Cakes. 58●  
Calves, and how to geld them. 63  
Calamint. 244  
The Calandre her nature. 726  
Camomile. 252  
The people of campaign willing, but st●●ding in their opinion. 23  
A Candle of sheeps ●ewe● keepeth mice from eating clothes in a chest. 116  
Canker in trees. 89  
Canterburie-bels. 237  
Caper-trees, and Capers, 291. Distilled Capers. 467  
In what things Carters must be cunning and expert. 123  
Caraway. 249  
Carats. 158, 186  
Carp, how to fish for them. 507  
Carpenters herb. 496  
Carpinus, a kind of Oak tree▪ 666  
Caterpillars of the Garden die by the terms of women, 314. to cleanse the trees from their hearts, 403. to help the Vines from being spoiled of them. 607  
Cathltican distilled. 462  
Cato a great husbandman. 4  
Cats, licking the soles of their feet, and reaching over their ears therewith, a sign of rain. 25  
Caves and Cellars. 17  
Cedar trees. 285  
Celondine, 198. good for the eyes, 310. a compound water of Celondine. 461  
Cements to over-draw cisterns withal, and the composition and making thereof. 9  
Centuarie, the sots and virtues. 212  
Ceruise-tree, male and female, in what soil it delighteth, and the natures of the fruit. 395  
The making of drink of cervises. 419  
Cisterns requisite in gardens that are dry and destitute of water, 6. in what place they are to be situated and fitted, ibid. eels must be fed and kept in them, and wherefore. ibid.  
Chalk maketh a lean ground. 6  
The Farmois Chamber. 16  
The men servants their Chamber. ibid.  
Chamlet made of Goat's hair. 117  
Chanaan borne the 12. of the Moon, a dangerous day. 33  
The people of Chartres are painful, peaceable, handsome, and given to lay up. 23  
Cheese of all sorts, 65. and the way to make it. ibid.  
Cheese for the Linnet. ibid.  
In what place Cheese must be laid up to keep. 16  
Cherries sweet, 375. Cherries without stones, 361. spiced Cherries, 362. Cherries early ripe, 363. Cherries at all times, 365. how to keep them good & sound, 407. Cherries preserved, 421. the space to be allowed betwixt Cherrie-trees. 399  
Cheruile. 182  
Chestnut tree the most esteemed amongst trees, 649. and in what season it must be planced, 36. what ground it loveth best, and the nature thereof, 391. of the fruit, ibid. to make them grow of seed. 655  
Chestnuts planted, 338. how to keep them. 407  
Chibols and Cyves. 158, 177  
Chickens of divers colours. 73  
Children borne the first day of the new Moon, do live long. 32  
Ciehlings, a kind of Peason. 563  
Cider invented by the Normans, 409. and how it must be made, ibid. etc. the virtues of Cider, 414. Tastelesse and apparel Ciders. 416  
Cinnamon distilled. 480  
Cinquefoil. 104  
Citron trees, 297. the manner to plant them, 302. bearing red fruit, 363. how to keep them. 408  
Citruls in what quarter of the Moon to be gathered. 31  
Cypress tree, male and female. 282  
Clapper, or Warren, & storing thereof. 645, 646  
To Clod the earth. 541  
Compound water of trees. 461  
Clouds dark and thick, a great sign of rain. 26  
The nature of the Lark called Cochenis, 727. and her feeding. ibid.  
To cut Cockerels, or to make them Capons, 77. to fat Capons, ibid. with speed, 590. to make them lead Chickens, 515. to make their stones good to make lean men fat, 74. Capons of Man's and Bretaigne. 73  
Cocks and Capons must not have their wings broken, 67. one Cock to a dozen Hens, ibid. notes of a good Cock, and his colour, 68 Cocks crowing at all hours a sign of rain. 〈◊〉  
How to order and break Colts, 1●8. the marks of a good Colt, 135. Colt's how they must be looked to, 1●6. and to burn them, and slit their no●●●●ils, ibid. to geld them, 127. the means to make them serviceable. ibid. Colutea. 291  
Rock Coms●ey. 202  
Great Comfrey. ibid.  
Compositions of honey. 230  
Con●es are a kind of Hares, 697. those of the Warren how they must be cared for, and fed, 646. the difference between those of the Warren and those of the Clapper. 648  
Conserve of the root of elecampane. 428  
Conserve of Quinces, wherefore good, 376. laxative conserve of Quinees. i●id. Constraint is never good. 12  
Sale Cooks, their use of great deceit. 117  
Cork trees, what ground they delight in. 667  
Red Corant tree. 342  
Coriander. 245  
Corn of all sorts, and the manner of growing them, 548. Seed-Corne how it must be chosen, 543. to sow, ●anne, riddle, & lay up corn upon the end of the Moon, 31. such divers sorts thereof as are fit to make bread. 571  
Corn of divers Countries of France, and which are the best, 571. the grinding of them. 572  
Tu●kie Corn, and how it must be husbanded. 553  
Saracens Corn, or Wheat. ibid.  
Advertisements concerning all manner of Corn and Pulse. 569, 570  
Corne-flagge, 239. distilled. 462  
costmary, and his properties. 182  
The Court next the dwelling house, and the situation thereof, 15. how it must be walled. 16  
Cucumbers without water, 195. how they may be kept, 281. enemies to oil, 190. their hurtful qualities, ibid. observations to be known concerning the same, 194  
Cream of milk, and how it must be prepared. 65  
Cr●spinet, a singular herb against the Stone. 〈◊〉  
Cresses, and their faculties. 184  
Crows bathing themselves, and braying at night, are a sign of rain. 25  
Crowfoot. 210  
Cummin. 249  
Curiosity the overthrow of good wits. 1  
Curlew. 78  
Cuttl●-fishes, and the manner of taking of them. 515   

D  
Adays work, how much ground it containeth. 518  
Critical Days concerning the Moon. 3●  
The 12. Days of the feast of the Natiui●itie do prognosticate the disposition of the whole year. 28  
The Huswives Dairie-house. 16  
The Dairie-woman, and her office, 38. what medicines she is to know for the diseases of the family. 39  
Daisies. 237  
Da●es how planted. 338  
Date-trees how planted, 390. male and female, and their nature, 292. what earth they crave▪ 390  
Dates how to be kept. 409  
D●●●-wort, 206. distilled. 453  
●earth, and the signs foreshowing the same. 29  
〈…〉 grounds, how they may be prepared to bear fruit. 10  
〈◊〉 ●i●ph●●nicon distilled. 462  
〈◊〉 Diligence of the householder doth overcome the weakness of the ground. 10  
〈◊〉. 249  
〈◊〉 good kind of Dissembling. 21  
〈◊〉 by whom it was invented, and the kinds thereof. 439, 440  
〈◊〉 of many sorts of waters, with a brief discourse thereupon. ibid.  
〈◊〉 what it is. ibid.  
〈◊〉 of Oils and Quintessences, with a discourse thereupon. 469  
〈…〉 Herbs, Flowers, Ba●kes, and Roots, every one by themselves. 45●. etc.  
〈…〉 of Distilling. 440  
〈◊〉 matter must be prepared before it be Distilled. 448  
〈◊〉 Distil 

by Coldness. 440  
with the heat of Sand. 450  
oftentimes one and the same water. 451  
what manner of heat is requisite thereto, ibid. liquors, and the manner of ordering all things therein. 454  
compound waters three manner of ways, 460. etc.  
per descensum, 464, 468. and without heat, ibid.  
with a filter. ibid.  
living things. 458  
wood. 480, 481    
instruments and vessels for Distillation. 441  
〈◊〉 form of Furnaces to Distil chemical oyl●●. 471, & 472.  
●● itches for fishes. 508  
●● ittanie, and his properties. 210  
〈◊〉 203  
●●●ogges, three sorts belonging to a Farme-house, 120. to prevent their going mad, and how to handle them. 221  
unclogged, their names, ibid.  
●●unting Dogs are of three sorts in general, 685. their ke●nel●, and feedings, 676. their diseases and cures, 677. etc.  
〈◊〉 Dogge●, how to train them up to fit them to hunting, to swimming, and divers other pretty qualities, 68●. their tumbling upon the ground, a sign of rain. 25  
〈◊〉 Mad Dogs. 678  
〈◊〉 mad Dog having bitten an Horse. ●47  
〈◊〉 Dogges-tooth, a sign that water will 〈◊〉 found, if there be pits cast. 7  
〈◊〉 Dogge-tree, 395. and how to keep the fruit thereof. ibid.  
●●he back- D●re of the house. 18  
〈◊〉 ground Dung-house, how and where it must be made, and ●eated. 17  
〈◊〉 Dove-houses. 86  
〈◊〉 Dragons great and small, 268. distilled. 465  
〈◊〉 Dreams joyful in the new of the Moon. 32  
●● Drinks made of fruits, and a discourse of the making of them. 410  
●● ●rin●e of Sloe●, 419. of cervises, 395. the making of the Drinks of Cer●ises. 419  
〈◊〉, have a barren seed. 626  
〈◊〉 Drunkenness how hurtful a thing it is to man. 625  
〈◊〉 and Drakes how they must be kept and handled, 〈…〉 where they must ●it on nights. ibid.  
〈◊〉 ●ild Ducks made drunk, are easy to take. ●8  
〈◊〉 ●lesh pleasant to eat. ibid.  
Duck's blood good against all manner of venom. abide.  
Young Ducks. ibid.  
Dung of the Stables, where to be laid. 15  
What manner of Dung is to be laid upon the ground. 534  
Than Dun●, nothing more dear. 535  
Dun● of diverse sorts, and how and when it must be spread. 536  
Dung of Pigeons, for what ground it is good. 89  
Dung, what is good or evil for the Vine. 599, 602, 603  
Dung 

of Oxen, Kine, and Sheep, is good for many diseases. 104, 116  
of Men, Kine, and Pigeons distilled, and their virtues. 557  
of Hares hindereth conception in Women, 698  
of Hens, swallowed of an Horse, causeth winging in the belly, 147. and causeth ha●re to grow again. 74  
of Hogs stayeth the spitting of blood. 111  
of Goats cureth the Parotides, Bubo, Sciatica, and other Apostemes. 120  
of ●urtle D●ues, for the spots of the eyes, 84  
of the Goose, for the jaundice. 77  
of Dogs, excellent for the Squinancy. 122    
To Dung the ground, and what manner of dung it must be. 535  
To Dung the ground in the increase of the Moon. 32  
To lay any Dung to Vines, is a damnable thing. 595  
There must 〈◊〉 two Dung●●● made, and why. 15   

E  
EAgle, the king of Birds, 707. and the nature of Eagles. ibid.  
The Earth of a cold and dry nature, 10. of contrary qualities, according to her particular plots. ibid.  
divers sorts of Earth, and their divers manner of tilling and increase. 11  
Blackish and yellowish Earth good and fruitful. 11, 12  
E●●on borne the sixth day of the Moon, a good day. 32  
Eels make the water light. 6  
To set Eggs, and how the thing must be ordered, 70. how to have them to prou● Cock or Hen ●irds, 71. without the heat of any Hen. 72  
Eggs of Ducks set by an Hen, are more worth than their mother. 78  
Eggs of Partridges cause women to be fruitful. 8●  
Eggs carried up into the air. 24  
To roast Eggs without fire. 74  
Eggs wr●tten within. ibid.  
To make soft and tender Egge-shels, and to waste and consume them. 73  
Eggs, what are best. 73  
Whites of Eggs distilled. 465  
Whites of Eggs, to stay bleeding at the ●ose. 75  
Hard Eggs, to stay the flux of the belly. ibid.  
The yolk & white of an Egg good against burning. ibid.  
Whites of Eggs, against the cough. ibid.  
Egge-shels, for the spitting of blood. ibid.  
The white of an Egg to join together ybroke glass. ibid.  
An Egg keeping a garment from burning. 〈◊〉. Elder-tree, ●86. distilled. 45●  
Elecampane, 198. preserved. ●78  
Elmes of three sorts, 662. and where they must be sown. ●●7  
The 〈◊〉- grove, and Elms, 4●●  
Endive, and three sorts and properties thereof, 168  
English practice added to the French. ●  
Ephemeron, or Li●ium convallium. 238  
Estri●s, what manner of passed meat. 585  
Eve created the second day of the new Moon. 32  
E●●es about to lamb. 113  
To Extract any Quintessence. 451, 469  
The masters Eye fatteth any horse. 14  
Eye-bright, and his properties, 197. a compound water of Eye-brigh●. 75   

F  
A Fad●●● what manner of measure, and what it containeth. 517  
F●rmes, and what thin●s are to be set to farm. 19  
Farmers, and their duties, 22. what age and condition they ought to be of. ibid. Vnfa●thfull Farm●●, and their nature. 15  
To bear too straight a hand over the Farmor, maketh him either negligent, or else a thief. 23  
What knowledge is requisite for a Farmor. 22  
A Farmor must be true of his word, not given to swear. 23  
It must not be looked for, that the Farmor should do, or have committed to his ●rust, every thing. ibid.  
Farage, or mixed p●ouander. 665  
It is good to know old 〈◊〉, but to do as the time serveth, a proverb. 1  
Falcon, the prince of Hawks, 710  
Falcon is a word sometimes signifying all manner of Hawks. ibid.  
Fawlconr●● an art, but lately used. 705  
sheeps Fee●, how they must be dressed to ●at. 11●  
The Field is very badly husbanded, when the L●rd thereof knoweth not to command, 19 How much ground he is to be allowed for a F●●ld in several, and how to enclose it. 16  
Fennel good for sight. 43, 249, 250  
Fennel distilled, 453  
Fenugreeke. 564  
Fermentation. 450  
Ferne, how it may be rid out of a ground. 10  
〈◊〉, how they must be kept and fed, 80. and where they must be lodged. 17  
〈◊〉 in what ground they grow best, 11. and their husbandry. 563  
F●ther●ew groweth in untilled and rough grounds. 251  
F●gge● laxative. 295  
To keep Figs green. 294  
Figs laden upon Horses and Asses, make them lose all their strength, ibid. naturally written upon. 363  
Figge-trees 

of their fruits, 2●4. and their plants, 342.  
of their divers kinds, and what soil they crave, 377. when and how to gra●t them, ibid. to cause them that they lose not their fruit, 363. maketh Bulls gentle. 294    
filberts, and filbert trees. 373  
filberts distilled. 453  
The Finch the most beautiful bird of ●ll others, and how she must be fed, and her diseases, cu●ed. 720  
A Fire of coals to dist●ll withal. 450  
To make a fire without smoke. 429  
Fishes die with the sound of the Gun, shot off at wild fowl, 508, their ●eeding in standing waters, mecres, & ditches, 509. to draw first together into one place. 515  
Fish, being sick, is refreshed with Parseley. 181  
Fishing, and what manner of fishing. is forbidden. 507  
The time of fishing. 5●5  
Fishing in standing waters, in what season. 30, 31  
Flanders abounding with Islands. 10  
Flea● upon dogs, and how to kill them, 122▪ biting more than ordinary, a sign of rain. 25  
Flesh distilled. 458  
Flower gentle, or purple velvet flower. 237  
The Fl●● called 〈◊〉 swallowed by an horse, 147. to d●●ue away fl●es from horses. 139  
〈◊〉 20●  
The moss of Fore-foot. ibid.  
Fountains, and how to try depth of their springs, 8. and the manner of carrying of them wh●ther one will. ibid.  
Furnaces for distillation, what manner of ones they must be, 447. in what places we must set them. 450  
Not to shoot at wild soul in a 〈◊〉, because it l●●leth sith. 508  
Wild 〈◊〉 haunting ●ith-pooles. 506  
The fowls of the yard, and their perches. 17  
Foxes of two sorts, 699. the manner of taking them. 701  
Foxes where they make their earths, 701. then 〈◊〉 and ca●e●, 〈◊〉. the way to take them without h●nting, 702. their pi●●e s●●nketh, 〈◊〉. the profit c●mming of their ●lesh. ibid.  
Frenchmen quick and hasty, and yet but when there is need. 49  
Fri●●ers. 585  
Frogs croaking more than ordinary, a sign● of rain. 25  
Frogs distilled. 4●7  
Against frogs. 315  
Fr●st, and how to keep it from hurting ●eedes that are sown. 567  
Fruits 

for keeping, grow in hot countries, 5. in what season they must be gathered, 31. how to keep them well a long time, 407. to have them exquisite, 360. of what fashion you will, 363. laxative, odoriferous, and having the virtue of T●●acle, 361, 362 turned into hardness of stones, 9 precepts concerning the planting of them. 399    
Fruits without any blooming. 364  
Fruits distilled. 469  
Fruit-trees in what distance they are to be planted. 398  
Of the 〈◊〉 of many fruits. 360  
Fum●to●●e, with his special observations: 212  
F●rmentie what it is properly. 552  
Furz. 285   

G  
THe G●ll of a Partridge to clear the sight. 85  
The Gall of an Hen●e. 74  
The Gall of an Ox, to what diseases it se●ueth, 104  
Garden Madder▪ 307  
Gardens 

of their situation, earth, and enclosure, 153, 154, 155. how to make the mould better, 156. the contriving of the flowers of the pot-herbe Garden, 157. and the placing of the beds when it must be sown, 15●. for flowers and sweet herbs how they must be dressed, 234, 235. when weeded and watered, 162. and their divisions. 17    
Of the two particular Gardens at the end of the kitchen Garden, and of the Garden of pleasure. 307  
Garlic, the virtues and husbanding of it, 179. to take away the stench remaining after the eating thereof, 179. good to keep birds from hu●ting of fruits. 180  
Garments for husbandmen. 22  
corn- Garners, 547. on what side they must have light. 16, 17  
Garrett. 17  
〈…〉 Farms. 4  
〈…〉 hot, and soon angry. 23  
〈…〉 in the wane of the Moon. 31  
〈…〉 and the manner thereof. 608. the 〈…〉 thereto, ibidem  
〈…〉 and their office and duty. 608  
〈…〉 virtues distilled. 196, 197  
〈◊〉 

〈◊〉, 76 of great profit and loss, and how they must be ●ed and handled, and which be the ●●ll, 75. having ea●en Henbane, or Hemlock, ●h●y die, ●7. their crying and flying ●ore than ordinary, a sign of ●aine, 25. their disease 77. their remembrance. 76    
〈◊〉 ambes, 112. Bulkins, 90. Cal●e●, 63. Colts, 126, 127. Hogge●, 107. all of them 〈…〉 masters of the only G●●aings of the 〈…〉. 127  
〈…〉 o● Q●inces. 420  
〈…〉 of all sorts. 2●7  
〈…〉, a H●●ke. 712  
〈…〉. 210, 211  
〈◊〉 ●hat things a Geometrician, or measurer of grounds, is to be ●urnished withal, 519. and how the wo●ke of measuring is to be performed. 522  
〈◊〉 a 〈◊〉 may reduce every parcel of ground into a Quadrangle, ●24. with a brief sum of the 〈◊〉 art of ●●●'uring. 525. Instruments and people necessary in the performance of the ●ame. 519  
● Geometrical staff to measure grounds withal. 521  
〈…〉 must be kept short. 38  
Henne● 〈◊〉 74  
〈…〉, and to ●ill them. 314  
〈…〉 kids, and their nature, 117. their coat, 〈◊〉. they are n●uer without an ague, 119 and the other 〈◊〉 that ●hey are sub●ect unto, ●b●d. their flesh causeth the 〈◊〉 sickness. ibid.  
●●le- Goat's, and their nature. 118  
〈◊〉 oat● wheat, what manner of wheat. 553  
〈…〉 ●od. 200  
〈…〉. 342  
〈…〉 preserved. 422  
〈◊〉 ●●se-gras●e. 207  
〈…〉 Goose-house. 17  
〈…〉. 75  
〈…〉 76  
〈…〉, are hard of digestion. 77  
〈…〉 and their kind●. 191. and virtues, ibid. special things to be observed about them, 194. and to keep them. 281  
〈◊〉 ●o Gra●● all sorts of trees. 35  
〈…〉 ●iue manner of wa●es. 344  
〈◊〉 ●he 〈◊〉 sit for Gras●●ng. 3●6  
〈◊〉 ●o Gra●●e 

in the Canon, upon the Willow, in the Crown, with a S●ence, and with a Motsell, 358. in the ends of branches, 353. in the Bark, Scutcheon, and Cleft, 347. in the Flute, 355. in the Bud, ibis'. in the Canon. 356. after the manner of a Goat's foot, 352. Vine upon Vine▪ 359▪ 604. upon the Vine, a singular and profitable thing, ●53. Orange trees, 302. Olive trees upon the Vine, 388. Plum trees, 341. Pomegranate trees, ●05. Walnut trees, 384, 461. upon a Cabbage stalk, 345. Apple trees, 360    
〈◊〉 special observations in Gra●ting, to have exquisite fruit, 360  
〈…〉 tools. 347, 350  
〈◊〉 ●he sappes of the Gra●t and grafted tree must jump together. 351  
〈…〉 must thrive the first year. 348  
Trees Grafted, in what season they are to be transplanted. 366  
G●a●ts having put forth, how they are to be handled. 403  
Upon what trees G●afts hold best. 345  
Graf●s broken or burnt away, must be grafted again, 403  
Grafts to gra●t. 345  
To choose, gather, and cut Grafts, 31, 349. and how they must be kept. 348  
Grafts that have put forth, how they must be hadled. 403  
Fruit- Garners. 16  
Grapes, how to know if they be ripe, 608. how to remedy them, drying away upon the Vine. ibid. as also their rotting upon the Vine, ibidem, to keep them a long time, 606. and to have them in the Spring, ●●id. without kernels. ibid.  
Grasshoppers hurting herbs, and how to kill them. 314  
At what time Gr●●se would be gathered. 3●  
Grease 

of Heanes. 74  
of the Goose, good for the pain of the 〈◊〉. 77  
of Hogs, good to d●aw all manner of Aposte●es to a head. 108    
The Orchards Greene-plo●, & the differences thereof. 333  
〈…〉 Corne. 57●  
Gro●ell. 295  
Clay Ground of no value. 11  
To know the Ground well, is the principal point to thri●t, 11. and how we must learn to know it. 12, 13  
A●●able Grounds, of their m●●●ting, and of what 〈◊〉 they must be, 518. the people and instruments requisite to measure them. 519  
A●rable Grounds of what largeness they must be, & how many ardours they crave. 528, 529  
Arable Grounds of France, what manner of ones they be. 527  
What manner of things strong Grounds bring forth. 11  
Strong Grounds must not be often mar●ed, or dunged, 5. signs of a fruitful ground. 12  
Wheat Grounds how they must be tilled. 534, 535  
〈◊〉 

grow lean, by being long sown. 157  
much trampled, are half eaten. 14  
vn●it to he ploughed, how they may be freed and made 〈◊〉. 1●  
stony, how to be made clean. ibid.  
lying far of● from the Lord, do breed nothing but bottles and staggons. 14  
chalky and s●atie, are lean, and how to make them better. 13    
To cleanse Grounds of weeds, before you sow it. 538  
〈…〉. 207  
Groundswell. ●1●  
〈◊〉 distilled, 463. oil of G●aiacum. 48●  
How to ●ish for 〈◊〉. 526  
〈◊〉 distilled, 〈◊〉. to draw oils out of 〈◊〉 483. 484  
The 〈◊〉 of G●yenn●, and the fruitfulness thereof. 12   

H  
HAy, how it must be made and ordered. 491  
Hau●. and the signs foretokening it. 25  
How the 〈◊〉 may be coloured. 457  
Of the signs of a good Hare, and of her fo●●e. 694  
Hares 

marks of the male and female, ibid. the hunting of them is better sport than any other, 69●. 〈◊〉 to train up dog● for the same, ibid. their 〈◊〉, 696. the best season of taking them, ibid. their flesh is melancholic and evil for the stomach, 697. wherefore their flesh is good, 698. their marvelous fruitfulness, 697. the more they are hunted in any country, the more they are 〈◊〉. they live seven years. ibid.    
Plough-Har●●●. 18  
To arrow ploughed ground. 544  
Hearts are not subject unto any ague. 689  
The hunting of the Hart is the game of great Lords, and how the whole action is to be ordered, 684, 689  
To know the place of the 〈…〉. 68●  
The Har● his enduring of the abbey. 6●9  
A Beer for the Har● and a Ba●●er for the Boar, a proverb admonishing Hunters. 689  
The dogs the● sees due from the Hart. ibid. Singular medicines that may be made of every part of the Hart. ibid.  
Sinnes of the Hart his age, 〈◊〉. when they cast their horns, ibid. then wiles, deceits, and other 〈◊〉 of nature. 645, 687  
Hart Cherrie-trees. 374  
Hart Cherries must be grafted. 341  
Harts-horne, and his virtues. 171  
Harts- 〈◊〉. 202  
Garden Hasel-tree. 340  
Haunters of Towns will never make good Farmers. 22  
The Hawk called a Merlin. 71●  
To Hawk with the Falcon, or other Hawk, and what season is best. 709, 31  
Headache. 722  
Herbs of all sorts, and in what season they must be sown. 160  
Pot▪ Herbs 

when and how they must be watered, weeded, and cut, 162. the time to set and remove them. 163    
Fine Herbs to sow in Gardens. 159  
Herbs show what manner of ground it is where they grow, 530. for followers, or 〈…〉 of good smell, 242. for Physic, and how they must be ordered, 1●8. for the 〈◊〉 462  
The remedies against such accidents as do happen 〈◊〉 Herbs. 312, 313  
Heat is consisting of 〈◊〉 degrees. 413  
Heat, when it is excessive in Summer, and what it prognosticateth. 26  
Hemlock is Hogs po●son. 203  
Hemp, what 〈◊〉 it requiteth, and how it must be husbanded and dressed. 566  
Henbane death to buds, 77. to green ●ee●e, ibid. it is also poison to Swine, and therefore called Hogs-bane. 10●  
Henne-house must be kept clean, 66. where it must be placed. 17  
Hens 

how to order and feed them▪ 67. the marks of them which be good, 68 good to set them whiles the Moon is new, 32. to take 〈◊〉 them their desire to fit, 68 to make them fruitful, 566. to fat them incontinently. 5●●    
Rheums and cruxes of Hens. 69  
the Henne-pip. ibid.  
Old Hens, and their diseases, 68 their cures. ibid.  
A Hen to suck out venom. 740  
A Hen crowing like a Cock ovet-fat enraged. 68  
Water- Hens. 78  
How Hens must be sed and lo●ked to. 67, 68  
Her●d caused the children to be slain the 29. day of the Moon. 34  
The Heron wandering and whi●ling about, a sign of rain. 25  
The Heromie, and the ordering of Her●nt. 671  
Certain observations concerning the Heron. 672  
Hyacinth. 239  
Hissope, 164. distilled. 453  
The Hobb●e, a Hawk. 711  
Tame Hogs. 18  
Hogs better burnt than sealded. 107  
Hogges-troughs of Tamariske wood, 290  
Hog●hes, where they must be placed. 18  
Hol●-bocks. 196  
Honey of all sorts. 330  
The notes of good Honey. 329  
To make Ho●e, 329. The virtues thereof. ibidem  
To gather H●●ie. 327  
To make vivers compositions of Hon●e. 330  
Honey distilled. 456  
Hops, and the virtues thereof. 287  
Ho●e-hound 247  
A Horse at his growth in five years, but a man not before five and twenty. 6●6  
Horse's 〈◊〉 to drink troubled water. 129, 61, 63  
Horses 〈…〉 

how they must be 〈…〉 and trained, 124. 12●. 131. 〈…〉 129. 〈◊〉 Horses. 146. 〈◊〉 wound, 149 having their backs broken, 129. pricked with a 〈◊〉, 114. bewitched. 121. how to be handeld being 〈◊〉 and to what diseases they be subject, 137. the means to help the 139    
The marke● of a good Horse. 125  
The know the age of a good horse perfectly. ibidem  
Horses find ●eet to go well upon, when they have to ●eed well upon, 129. a Proverb.  
A lean Horse. 147  
Horses are 〈◊〉 by the masters eye, a Proverb. 1●  
Horse mint. 244  
Horse tail. 209  
H●and 〈◊〉. 207  
The House must not be to se●ke for 〈◊〉▪ nor ground for 〈◊〉▪ 18. what is meant by the country House. and 〈◊〉 it compchendeth ●  
The 〈◊〉 Lodging, 16. where the Farme-house must be 〈◊〉▪ 4 of the enclosure thereof. 13  
The entrance of the Master of the family his House. 14  
A sumptuous House canteth ones better to envy 13  
We must purchase peace, and a hose ready made. ibidem  
A Householder must for ecast to have more to sell than to buy. 14  
The Husbandry of these times agreeth with the Husbandry of the ancient times. ●  
The Husbandry 

of the vine both young and old, 60●.  
of men of ancient times according to their countries. 1  
of grounds divers and variable according to the soil, and the situation of places, 〈◊〉▪ of the a●bor and vine is a like. 157    
Husbandmen must know the signs foreshowing rain, winds. etc. 24  
The Husbandman's clothes. 22  
The work that the Husbandman must do every month throughout the year. 35  
The Husbandman's tools. 532  
The manner of Husbandry entreated of. 1  
Hunting, a thing that a good Husband may lack. 2  
The profit of Hunting four footed bea●●es 672  
Three sorts of Hunting. ibidem  
The Hunting of the Hare more pleasant than any other. 693  
Hunting of the Wild Boar dangerous. 690  
A wine like Hydrome, and the virtues thereof. 330   

I  
jacob, borne the sixteenth of the M●one, a good day. 33  
japheth, borne the 24. day of the Moon. 34  
I●samine. 286  
Enclosure of the Orchard. 333  
The Indies discoured by the Spaniards. 83  
Ins●sions, 448. two things to be c●sidered in Insusions. ibid.  
〈…〉 m●de in man's, goats, or swine's blood. 449  
〈…〉 must help o● augment the force and virtue of 〈…〉. ibidem  
〈◊〉 the P●oph●t, born the twentieth day of the Moon, day somewhat indifferent. 33  
〈…〉, a ●ind of cheese, and the man's of making of ●●●em. 65  
〈◊〉 b●ne the 18. day of the Moon, a prosperous day. 33  
〈◊〉, or ground pine. 205  
〈◊〉 ●●es are tore in France, 396. their nature, ibidem. 〈◊〉 planted. 338  
〈◊〉 ●●per. 285  
causeth wine to run out of the vessel. 286   

K  
〈◊〉 He principal Keys of all the house. 46  
〈◊〉 ●lesh, well accounted of, 117. their skins how greatly profitable. 119  
〈◊〉 ni● beans or 〈◊〉. 560  
〈◊〉 Kitchen, the first room to be built in a good house, where the Kitchen must be seated. 17  
〈◊〉 ●is of d●●●rs fashions. 253, 254  
●●●ple Knot. 258  
〈…〉 and C●l●es, how they must be sed and handled. 62  
〈◊〉 ●e ●●●king into the sky, and drawing in the air, a 〈◊〉 of ●ame. 25   

L  
●An through Labour doth ●ame every thing. 10  
〈◊〉 requisite in a Farmer. 4  
The gardens Labyrinth. 158  
〈◊〉 ●wto handle and seed ●ambes. 18, 111  
〈…〉 of Lambs, and their remedies. 116  
〈…〉 ●mbes, to make flocks. 112  
〈◊〉, bo●ne the 〈◊〉 of the Moon, a dangerous day. 32  
〈…〉 venomous scythes in the sea. 507  
〈◊〉 d● drive men to contention and law. 4  
〈…〉 marvellous fruitful. 12  
〈…〉 a kind of Hawk. 714  
〈◊〉 ● dist● led, 474. in what places it must be kept. 17  
〈◊〉 ●●der, 251 distilled. 463  
〈◊〉, of the ashes of Cabbages, good to was●● the head. 166  
〈…〉 great and small, their virtues and properties. 175  
〈…〉, at what time they must be sown. 160  
〈…〉- trees, 296. what earth Lemons require. 376  
〈…〉 in what season they must be sown, 560● to have ●●y good Len●●s. 569  
〈◊〉 

of all kinds, their husbandry, nature, and special observations, 167  
when they must be sown. 160  
they put forth the fourth day after they are sown, 152. they procure sleep, ●68. how to be preserved. 279    
〈◊〉, how it must be dressed. 575  
〈…〉 how distilled, 455. and what is meant by 〈◊〉 〈…〉 place. ibidem  
〈◊〉 ●ighting in fair weather, a sign of rain. 24  
〈…〉, and what they presage. 26  
〈…〉. 238  
〈…〉 of divers sorts and colours, 239. their virtues, 240  
〈◊〉 ●ater Lilies. 239  
〈◊〉 Inhabitants of Lymosin, painful, sparing, procuring 〈…〉 their own profit, than any others. 23  
den-trees, and others of such like wood. 665. 667.  
〈…〉 and diseases, 923. their food. ibidem  
〈◊〉 hutting the vine, and how to kill them. 607  
Lice, and other vermin haunting Hens, 69  
Lice of Calves, 63  
Lice of Bees. 326  
Line 

the husbanding thereo, 368. when to be sown, 36. in what quarter of the Moon, and when to be pulled. 31    
Loches, and how to fish for them. 516  
Locusts come every third year, and what harm they do to trees. 649  
Locusts, eating vines, how they may be driven away. 607  
L●●-tree. 306  
Lupins 

and their husbandry, 560. and whereto they are good, ibidem. when they must be sown, before they bloom, ca●●ell must be put into them, 570. ●at the earth. 10     

M  
Madness of Dogs. 147  
main, a rich country. 12  
The people of main are subtle, crafty, and very painful for profit. 23  
Mallows. 196  
Man will not be won by rough handling. 21  
Mandraages. 253  
Maple tree. 662  
Mar●h corn. 554  
Marchpanes, what manner of pastry. 585  
Mares, how they must be handled. ●●5  
The covering of Mares, and taking of the horse, 124. their amorous rage. 147  
Ma●●●ome. 250  
Marigolds, and their faculties. 172  
Marigolds in conserve, 280. distilled. 454  
Marshes hurtful to the Farme-house. 5  
Market matters would not be left undone, till after drinking. 22  
Ma●le in what grounds necessary. 6  
Marq●ots, a sort of Vine necessary. 597  
Beef Marrow. 104  
Masters must know the natures of their servants. 23  
Masters must keep more amongst their servants, than at the town. ●3  
Masters of families their office and duty. ibid.  
Mastic t●ee. 306  
Stinking Mathweed. 53●  
Mead and Metheglin, what manner of drink they be amongst the Polanders and Englishmen. 332  
Meadows and Medow-plots, and how many sorts of Meadows, and the manner of making them, etc. 49●, 492  
What manner of herbs must be sown in Meadows. 495  
To harrow, water, and cut down Meadows, 498. to gather in the hay. 499  
In what quarter of the Moon Meadows must be cut down. 32  
Medow-sweet. 59  
Meal of all sorts. 573  
〈◊〉 Hogs, ●07. all Hogs better burnt than scalded, ibid.  
Me●hoacan 

with a discourse of his marvelous root. 225  
the reason of the name, and his virtues, ibid.  
the marks of it. ibid.  
the picture of it. ●●6    
Meddicke fodder, 494, ●64. and the husbanding of it, ibid.  
Medlars how they may be kept a long time. 408  
Medlars without stones. 36●  
Sweet M●lars, 365  
Spiced Medlar●. 361  
Where Medlars grow best, & what their faculties be. 382  
Melilot. 252  
Melons, 192. their gathering and goodness. ibidem  
Certain observations about Me●●as. ●93  
Mercury. 20●  
Mes●ing or Mas●ing, 549-550  
Me●●salem, borne the 8. day of the Moon, a good day, and happy day. 33  
M●●●oile. 206  
The manner of ordering of Milk, and well dressing of it. 64  
Milk of Nurses doth increase by using the fomentation of the decoction of Cabbages. 166  
To increase Milk of Kine. 500  
Milk of As●es, for such as are in a consumption, 147. and to make the body white, an example. ibidem  
Milk of Goats is lean, and for what diseases it is good, 119. Their Milk is more wholesome than sheeps Milk, 118. Milk distilled, and the virtues thereof, 469  
Mille● how it mu●● be sown and dressed. 559  
Mille● groweth we●l in a sandy ground. 11  
Mints, why of old time for bidden to Captains in war. 244  
Myrrh distilled. 545  
Oil of Myrrh. 563  
M●tle-tree, and his nature. 289  
Mi●k●ns, their 〈◊〉 and nature. 725  
The Months of the year, and their disposition foreshowed. 28  
The Moon 

how it increaseth and decreaseth. 30  
of the Influenc●●● thereof. ibid.  
what power every quarter of the year hath over beasts, plants, and fruits. 32  
foreshowing snow in the Winter. 25  
of the Critical days thereof. 31    
Mortar of wisdom. 447  
Motherwort groweth in ill-tilled and rough grounds. 200  
To Mowe. 49.  
To hunt Moles, and to kill them. 315  
Moys● parted the sea, the 26. day of the Moon. 34  
Mugwort. 250  
Mulberries early and late, 362. how kept a long time, 409.  
white ones that never grow red or black. 363  
Mulberietrees 

their seed, where it must be sown. 339  
of two sorts, and what earth they love, their properties. 383  
how to graft them. ibidem  
and how they are planted. 341    
Mulcheepers, Mulets, Mules, their nature, food, and diseases. 251  
Mules & Mulet● 

the diversities of their generations. ibidem  
rubbing their ●ares more than ordinary, a sign of rain. 25  
of Awergne good for the plough. 89  
they exceed all other beasts. 540  
a good Mulet is an evil beast. ibidem    
White Mullen. 205  
Muskadel. 364  
Music invented by Shepherds. 110  
Mushrums eaten, the remedy against their mischi●uousnesse. 61  
Mustard, and how it must be made. 281  
Mustard of divers countries. ibidem   

N  
〈◊〉, born in the ninth day of the Moon an indifferent day. 33  
Narcissus, and why so called, 239  
Nature is never idle. 531  
Navewes, and Nau●●s, and their virtues, 158, 568, 186. being loon, they put forth by the end of three days. 161  
The Neat-heard his charge and conditions. 90  
Necess●●● bege●●eth skill, and awakeneth care. 5  
A good Neighbour requisite. 5  
〈◊〉 stinging, and dead, 209. they make flesh to be soon 〈◊〉. ibid.  
New Wine not ver●e wholesome, 617. what it is. 622  
Neco●iana, w●th h●s marvelous virtues, 215. an heat be of divination, 2●●. the Quintessence thereof, and two excellent ornaments made of the same, 222, 223. distilled. 453  
Nigella. 252  
Nightingales male and female, to know one from the other, 719. to cure them, being melancholic, 718. how they must be handled and ●ed. 717  
Mad Nightshade. ●●2  
No●, the first inventor of making and drinking of wines, 410. borne the tenth of the Moon, a prosperous day. 33  
Normans would be entreated peaceably. 23  
The North hurtful to the Farme-house. 5  
The Nursery. 18  
The Orchards Nursery. 334, 339   

O  
Oaks, and their kinds, 556. males and females, ibid.  
Oaks are the most noble and dea●est of all other trees. 649  
At what time Oakes would be planted. 652  
How to sow Acorns, for the growing of Oaks, 655, 656  
To have Oaks green at all times. 363  
Oaks grow a hundred years, stand at one stay a hundred years, and are decaying a hundred years. 6●6  
Oak of lerusalem. 246  
Oatmeal, made of Oats, and the making thereof, 558, 575  
Oats, and their manner of husbandry, 558. distilled. ibid.  
Oil Olive, of three sorts, 427. how it must be made, prepared, and kept, 426▪ 428. the virtues thereof, ibid.  
Oil. 

an enemy to plants. 429  
prepared three ways. 424  
of many sorts, and their virtues. 431  
hot and cold. 432  
distilled, their faculties and lasting. 479  
of divers herbs, and their qualities. 433  
the manner of pressing them out of fruits. 429  
three things must be considered in them. ibid.  
made by impression. 431  
the time fittest to distil them. 474  
the order to be kept therein. 474, 475, 478  
distilled, and a discourse thereupon. 469  
of Rolls of two sorts, 433. ibid. and a new way to make the same. ibid.  
of Linseed 368  
of ●●uing things, or their parts. 458  
of G●a●acum. 48●  
of Navets. ●86  
of Virgins. 427  
of Foxes, how made. 434  
of Serpents. ibid.  
of Egge●, 4●5. of Wheat, ibid. of Hay. ibid.  
of Brimstone. 436    
●● Oil Omphacine. 427  
〈◊〉 To thaw O●●● when it is frozen. 428  
〈◊〉 Where to keep and lay up Oils. 17  
〈◊〉 Olives and Olive-trees. 295  
〈◊〉 Olives 

how kept long. 409  
the gathering and profit of them. 296  
preserved. 4●●  
in what ground they delight most. 388  
their nature. ibid.  
to plant and graft them. 388  
to geld them. ibid.    
●●saruellous things of the Olive-tree. 296  
〈◊〉 liue●rees 

grafted upon the Vine. 388  
planted in what season. 37  
grafted. ibid.  
being barren, how to make them to become fruitful. 389  
must be kept from Turtle-doves and stars, 390  
they hinder not Vines. 597  
full of moss. 339    
〈◊〉 orange-trees, what ground they crave, 376, how to plant, sow, and gra●t them. 302  
〈◊〉 oranges preserved, 421. distilled, 464. and how kept, 409  
〈◊〉 organy, or bastard Maricrome. 245  
●●rpin. 206  
●●esser Orpin. ibid.  
〈◊〉 ●he Farn●ers 〈◊〉. 16  
〈◊〉 ●xen more profitable for the Plough than Bulls, 90. and how they must be gelded. 91  
〈◊〉 ●he Oz●●r plot. 11   

P  
PAlma-Chris●●. 211  
Palmer-wormes, and how to kill them. 314  
pantry. 579  
〈◊〉 ●aper endureth every thing. ●9  
〈…〉. ●88  
〈◊〉 ●ild ●arsneps. 495  
〈◊〉 ●rtridges. 84  
〈◊〉 ●assion, what manner of Wine it is. 622  
〈…〉 to make bread, and how to handle and dress it, 577  
〈◊〉 pasture ground. 18  
〈◊〉 ●aunsies, and their venques. 240  
〈◊〉 ●tac●-plumtree. 372  
〈◊〉 ●each-trees 

how planted, and where. 338  
how grafted, 362, eately. 384    
〈◊〉 ●eaches 

to keep long, 409, red. 363  
spiced ones. 362  
without stones. 364  
written, 363. distilled. 465    
〈◊〉 ●o have fruits half Peaches, and half nuts. 360  
〈◊〉 ●each-apples, ●66. and Spanish Peaches. 372  
〈◊〉 ●●●●ckes 

are proud, lecherous, and jealous, how they must be fed. 81  
their roost. 17  
their flesh better than the Turkeys. 83    
〈…〉, a fish, and how to take them. 516  
〈◊〉 ●are- plums, how planted. 338  
〈◊〉 ●●res 

how to keep long. 527  
early and late ones. 365  
how to have them without stones. ibidem  
of Augusta. 362    
〈◊〉 ●tre-trees 

are the most precious of all others, except appletrees. 380  
and what earth they love. 381    
soften Pearlet. 288  
marvelous Peason. ●88  
Peason ●at the lean ground, 563: to cause to be such as will be soon boiled. ●94  
Pellitory of the w●ll. ●09  
Water Pepper. 169  
Penniroyall. 248  
A Penthouse for plough gear. ●18  
Percipier. ●92  
Perrie, and how it is made. 417  
Pers●ley, and his virtues, ●81: and why so called. ibidem  
Peruincle. 204  
Presages of Pestilence. 667  
Peta●ites, or L●gwot●. 20●  
Female Petum groweth of the seed of the male, 334, and his virtues. ibidem  
The sum of Petum appeaseth hunger and thirst. 221  
Pharaoh, borne the nineteenth of the Moon, a dangerous day. 32  
Natural Physic must be well known to the datie-woman. 39  
To separate the Phlegm in artificial distillation. 451  
The people of Picardy would be handled very 〈◊〉▪ 23  
Pigeon 

of the dove-house, and how they must be fed. 86  
which be the beast, 87. and that they have young ones thrice a year. 88  
coming home late to their cote, and ●●sage of rain. 25    
Pikes taken in fresh water. 507  
Pimpernell. 212  
Pine-trees and Pineapples and their properties. 292  
Pine-trees, how planted, ibidem. they crave a sandy and light ground. 392  
Pionie. 204  
Pipes for the conveying of water from springs. 8  
Pistaces brought by Monsieur du Ballay B. of man's, 297▪ 298. what earth they crave. 339  
The Pits called Aronques, in Provence and Lang●●docke. 6  
The Planetree. 306  
Plantain of three sorts, and their their temperatures, 208  
495. a sign that water will be found there under ground. 7  
To Plant 

trees to have exquisite fruits, 360. trees, and in what season, 367. a tree without roots, 400. and remove herbs, 165. and to 〈◊〉 them. ibidem    
Plants 

and how they must be husbanded, whether they be of timber-wood, or other, 657. of sciences and shoots, 341. of stones, 338. of vines when and where to be planted. 598▪ 599    
Tokens foreshowing Plenty. 28, 29  
Ploughs, charet, and Carts. 18  
Ploughs of divers sorts, according to the country and soil. 540  
The arders of Ploughing before it be sown: 537  
Ploughing, an art that an householder cannot want. 4  
Ploughing with oxen is not but of necessity, 90. but it is be●●. ibidem  
To Plough for the second arder and third, and so to sow. 54●  
Laxative and sleeping Plums. 393  
To have Plums ready at all times. 362  
Plums of Brignoles, 39●  
Plum-trees 

how planted. 3●7  
in what places they delight. 392  
what distance must be given in setting them between the one and the other. 39●  
when they grow undisposed & languishing 393    
The people of Poicto● given to be wily and watie. 49  
A Pole of measure. 518  
Polenta, what, and how made of old. 575  
Polygonum. 159  
Pome-adams'. 377  
Pomi●●ones, what kind of Hawks. 211  
Pomegranates, how to keep, 408▪ their nature, 304. re● ones, 365. without kernels. 305  
Pomegranate trees, and their plants, 341. where to be planted, and their nature, 394. how they must be husbanded and grafted, 304. to keep them that they lose not their flowers. 305  
Poplar trees, in what season planted, ●6●. being grafted upon Mulberry ●rees, they bring forth white Mulberries. 363  
Pop●ins. 256  
Poppies, and the properties thereof, 189. the kinds thereof. ibid.  
Wild Poppy of two sorts, and their virtues. 170  
Pools 

how they must be dressed and kept. 508  
and the wild soul haunting the same. 506  
that are famous. ibid.  
near to the Farme-house. 21  
necessary in dry and scorched places. 6    
Fish- Pools. 514  
The portal on the backside of the house. 18  
Pre●●●● of rain must be known to the Farmor. 24  
Presages of all things that the householder must have foreknowledge of. 26  
Preserving, what it is, and what the word doth signify. 279  
Preserving of fruit. 421  
Preserves 

of divers sorts. 420  
of fruits, how they must be made. 423  
and conserve of Gentian. 279    
To Preserve herbs of all sorts. 279  
Princes, their pleasure in Summer in wattie places. 6  
Privies stinking more than ordinary, a sign of rain. 25  
Privet. 240  
To Propagate four manner of ways, and the time most fit to propagate. 343  
Provence, how fruitful, 12. the inhabitants of Provence haughty, and cannot abide to be reproved. 23  
Pump●●●●, 192. their goodness and gathering, 193. observations concerning them. 194  
Laxative pompions. ibid.  
Sweet smelling pompions. 195  
Pulse, when, how, and where, they must be sown, 570. they must be reaped in the wan● of the Moon, 31. advertisements concerning them. 569  
Purslane, and the virtues thereof. 223  
Pies, male and female, do sit their eggs. 86  
Pies distilled. 457  
The Pyrene mountains abound with marble. 5  
Purchase by statute, the surest of all others. 3   

Q  
QVailes are birds rather of the earth than of the air, they make no nests, 85. their feeding, ibid. their flesh causeth giddiness and headache, 85. their flesh causeth also falling sickness. ibidem  
Quarrellous persons not fit to be made farmers. 22  
Quills gathered of dead geese, not so good as those which are gathered from the live ones. 77  
Quin●es 

of divers sorts. 375  
made into jelly. 420  
spoil other fruits growing near them. 408    
Quince trees, how planted. 34●, 376  
Quintes●nces, how they may be extracted. 450. & 669   

R  
RAdishes contrary to wine, and their other virtues. 187  
Rain foreshowed by asses. 25  
Signs of Rain. ibidem  
To R●ke lands that are to be sown. 544  
Ra●●. and the marks of a good Ram. 110  
Small Ramp●ons. 495  
Ravens croaking and beating their wings, a sign of rain. 25  
Against field Ka●s. 508  
To hunt water Kats. ibidem  
To cause Rats and Mice to die suddenly. 315  
Reason must be preferred in all things. 15  
Rest maketh a man slothful. 150  
Rest harrow, an enemy to the husbandman. 210  
Restoratives of divers sorts. 460  
Distilled Restoratives. 459  
A divine Restorative. 430  
Rice, in what place it groweth. ●1  
Rivers, bad neighbour's to dwelling houses. 6  
Rivers, using to overflow, are very hurtful. 5  
The Robinet or Robin red breast, and the ●●orie of him. 729  
Rocket, and the virtues thereof. 182  
Roams to tread and press grapes in. 17  
Roats of potherbes. 164  
Rosemary. 247  
Rosemary fit to build garden arbours. 2●6  
Rosemary in conserve, 280. and distilled. 454. & 461  
Roses 

of divers sorts, and their temperature. 283  
in conserve. 280  
are distilled three ways. 454  
distilled per descensum. 467  
water compounded, 310. 461    
Provence Roses. 283  
Rose at bours. 282  
Rhubarb distilled. 462  
Rue, and its marvelous virtues. 243  
Lambs Rennet, good against all manner of venom. 116  
Rye, and husbanding thereof. 548   

S  
SAcres, hawks so called. 713  
Saffron, how it must be husbanded, ●11. a venom to the heart. ibidem  
Sage, 158▪ 245. good against the trembling of the members. 56  
Compound water of Sage. 460  
Salm●●, a very delicate fish, 507, and how to take him. 575  
Salomon's seal. 208  
Salt turning moist, a sign of rain. 25  
Samuel, bo●ne the 11. of the Moon, a favourable day 33  
Sandie grounds, what fruit they bear, and how they must be tilled. ●1  
Sanicle, and the great virtues thereof. 202  
Sapa, or boiled wine. 622  
Saps of grafted trees must join one with another. 32  
Sa●i● tree. 285  
Saul, borne the 21. day of the Moon, a happy day. 34  
Sautrie, 245. being sown, it putteth not forth till thirty days after. 161  
Saxifrage. 200  
Scabious. 201  
Scallions, and their faculties. 180  
〈…〉 to plant, and the manner to do them, 343. and to propagate them. ibid.  
〈◊〉 swallowed by an Horse. 147  
〈◊〉 their biting of Neat. 10●  
〈…〉, and the marvelous faculties thereof. 203  
〈…〉 distilled. 468  
〈◊〉, what kind of corn, and the husbanding thereof. 550  
〈…〉, to choose. 543  
〈◊〉 Seeder, 159. and the time to sow them, 160. how old and what manner of ones they must be, ibid. and in what time they must put out of the earth, 161  
〈…〉 distilled. 468  
〈…〉- wheat, how it must be chosen. 543  
●gainst Serpents. 315  
●●bandmen● S●ruants, how they would be entreated, 23  
〈…〉, 559. oil and cakes thereof. ibid.  
〈…〉. 109  
〈…〉, 

how they must be watered, and how oft a day, 112  
where they must ●eed. ibid.  
when they must be shorn. 113  
they are cold of nature. 111  
their going to rut, and what forage is best for them. ibid.  
how they are kept from the Wolf. 116  
their diseases and cures. ibid.    
〈…〉 of a good Sheep. 110  
〈◊〉 ●epheards 

their manner in times past. 111  
they must be gentle. ibid.  
what 〈◊〉 they have invented. 110  
their folds in Summer. 113    
he fashion of the Sheep fold, and how and whereof it most be made, 110. and where it must be seated. 18  
〈◊〉 that spoil Vines, 607. biting Neat, 100L. biting a Ho●●e. 147  
〈◊〉, what kind of corn. 551  
glowworms, and the profit of them, 486. how to order them, 489. their diseases. ibid.  
〈◊〉- grass good for medicine. 201  
〈…〉. 552  
〈◊〉. 2●0  
〈…〉 to plant Gardens. 263  
〈…〉. ●69  
〈…〉. his planting and virtues. ibid.  
〈…〉. 495  
〈…〉 swallowed by Neat, 102. and how to kill them, 314  
〈◊〉 ●noiles spoiling Bees. 405  
〈…〉 distilled. 458  
〈…〉, and the tokens foreshowing the same. 25  
〈◊〉 endome and Gomo●●ha sunk the 17. of the Moon, a b●d day. 33  
〈◊〉 ●●mmer, and the presage of the constitution thereof, 22  
〈◊〉 ●●rell, and his properties. 171  
〈◊〉 ●o So●e corn in the end of the Moon. 31  
〈◊〉 ●o Sow Wheat in my●e, and in the increase of the Moon. 541  
●●wes 

farrowing. 106  
pigs. ibid.  
eating their pigs: ibid.    
〈◊〉 ●he place for the Swine-coat. ●8  
〈…〉- bread. 209  
〈…〉. 247  
〈…〉- thistle. 168  
〈◊〉 sparrows male and female, 86. crying early, a sign of rain. 25  
〈…〉 Sparrows, and their nature. 725  
Sparrowhawkes' 

of all sorts. 〈◊〉  
wherein they differ from Buzzards. 〈◊〉.  
the manner of taking and keeping them. ibid.  
their diseases and remedies. ibid.    
Speech unprofitable, maketh a man contemptible. 〈◊〉  
Simple and true Speech causeth a man to be much esteemed. 23  
A Spence to keep victuals in. 17  
Spelt-corne, and how it must be husbanded. 552  
Spices distilled. 478  
Spiders falling, without any violent cause, a sign of rain. 25  
A Spider swallowed by a Horse. 146  
Spinach, male and female, and why so called, 274. the great profit coming thereof. ibid.  
When Spinach must be sown, 161. it groweth up three days after. ibid.  
The Spinke a very beautiful and lively bird, her feeding, 721. All Spinkes have not like volces. ibid.  
The Square, an Instrument for measuring. 521  
Stables for Horses. 16  
A round Stairs. 17  
Cow- Stalls must be kept clean. 62  
All manner of beasts Stalls, how they must be seated. 15  
Stallions to cover Mares. 81  
Stallions to bege● Mules and Mulets. 151  
Stars sparkling, are signs of great floods of water. 241  
Starthisti●e. 200  
The Ste●le-gl●sse is the bewraier of the countenance. 624  
Young Stocks and wild plants must be removed, 339. and how they must be husbanded, 340. young or wild ●●ocks to graft upon, and how they must be prepared. 344  
Stomach weak. 219  
A Stone in the gisserne of a Capon, that maketh men apt to carnal lust. 74  
In what place Stones do ordinarily grow. 9  
Cherry- Stones distilled. 453  
Storks, and their marvelous nature. 79  
Storks distilled. 458  
Fresh Straw, and the benefit thereof. 205  
Strawberries, 195. their marvelous harmlessness, and other properties, ibid. distilled. 45●  
Succory. 168  
Suits, and matters in law, how and by whom to be ordered. 21  
Sun and Moon, two great and admirable lights of the world, 30 when and how it betokeneth fair weather, 26. when and how it betokeneth rain & tempest, 25. when it betokeneth Snow in Winter. 25  
The South 〈◊〉 unwholesome. 5  
The 〈◊〉 of the seven Books. 2●3  
Swallows distilled. 453  
Swans, and how many are requisite to be together, 78, 79. their nature. ibid. they foresee their own death, and man's. 79  
Swine 

cannot abide hunger. 106  
more greedy than any other beasts. 104  
how to feed them, and their natures. ibid●● subject to the plague, and many other diseases. 107  
their cures. ibide●  
to fat them. 291    
in what quarter of the Moon the would be ●illed. 10●  
how to salt them. 109  
their playing and running hither and thither, a sign of rain. 25  
honoured of the Egip●yans for showing them the tilling of the earth. 108   

T  
Tobacco. 215  
Tale- 〈◊〉 are not to be hearkened unto. 38  
Tamaritke. 290  
Tansay. 251  
Great wild Tare●. 564  
Tarts. 587  
The Teeth of horses declare their age. 136  
Signs of Tempest and Thunder. 26  
Terragon is made of Lineseed, and how. 18●  
What Things are requisite in building of the farm. 3  
White Thistle. 203  
Every Thing at his height, doth decrease in the ●nd. 4  
Lady's Thistle. ●00  
Blessed Thistle, and the marvelous virtues thereof. 199  
The hundred headed Thistle, and his marvelous 〈◊〉 203  
The Tazell, his late given names, and his properties. 310, 311  
The Tazell closing and shutting together, presageth rain. 2●  
To thrash corn, and the flower of the same. 5●6  
Throstles 

what manner of birds they be. 726  
sold very dear amongst them of old tim●. 85  
they are of two sorts. 727  
their nature and food ibidem  
leaving the valle●●, they foreshow rain. 25    
Thyme, 244. mountain Thyme. 248  
Ti●●ing of the ground, with divers sorts of beasts, according to the country. 539  
Tillage divers, according to the diversity of the soil and country. 527  
The Tilling of the ground, and precepts touching the same. 531  
The Tune and presages of the entrances of the ●oure quarters of the year. 26  
W●at manner of hawk the 〈◊〉 is, 711  
Torm●ntill, 50●. and why so called. ibidem  
T●●●eises, and how to bant to them. 5●5  
The heat be 〈◊〉 bona. 252  
Tourtaine, the garden of France, 10. 40● the people thereof lovers of their profit. 10  
Trees and shrubs, with a ●●●scourse thereupon. 282  
Trees 

are of two sort, in general. 659  
in what soil they would be planted. 6  
of the place and churching of them in general. 368  
to set the female ones again. 367  
grafted, in what sea●on they must be transplanted 366  
transplanted are the better. 344  
growing of stones. 337  
planted without roots. 400  
given to be over fruitful, how to moderate. 404  
to cause them to bring forth early fruit. 406  
how to husband them when they begin to grow 403  
how to plant, ●ow, and graft them, to come by such fruit as is exquisite, 360. to dig and pick them, 402. to prune, make clean, and bore them at the foot. 31. 35. 401. 402  
that are bruised with cattle. 399. 400  
full of moss, become lean. 402  
how to cure them. 404  
yellowness, and the laundise, and the evil in them. 405  
and worms troubling the same. 406  
to 〈◊〉 them that loo●● their flowers. 405    
A dead dog, or other ca●●ion, applied to the root of a T●ee that is sick, doth set it in ●●ength again. 402  
Of fruit- Trees in particular. 370  
The best season of planting and replanting of great Trees. 368  
To kill worms in Trees that hurt their roots. 400  
To make those 〈◊〉 which me barren to bear fruit, 405  
Trees bringing forth grapes. 366  
Trees delighting to grow in the water. 660  
Trees of Soloigne are small, and starvelings. 654  
Precepts of planting fruit- ●rees. 360, 400  
Water- ●rees, and their kinds and nature. 334  
To make wild Trees to grow of seed. 656  
What soil is best for while Trees, their natures, properties, and differences. 659  
The best season to plant Trees for timber. 651  
To have green 〈◊〉 of all sorts at all times. 363  
Trefoil shutting in it s●lfe, is a sign of rain. 25  
Tri●km●dame. 172  
Trought at the Well side to water cattle at. 15  
Watering Trought. ●  
Trout, the fish, how to take them. 516  
The Turkeys rowst. 17  
Turnips, the fo●d of the inhabitants of Limosin and Savoy, 1●6. how they must be husbanded, and what their properties be. 187  
〈…〉 to go up to the Garners. 17  
〈…〉- tree. 306  
Oil of Turpentine. 486  
Tu●●done●, their feeding and diseases, 84. their blood good for the wounds and ulcers of the eyes, 〈◊〉. as also is their dung. ibid.  
Herb Twopences. 212   

V  
VAlentia, the vale of Swans. 78  
Val●●ian, and the virtues thereof. 199  
Variety of Countries causeth a divers manner of labouring the earth. 1  
〈◊〉, the manner of making of it. 620  
Veri●●ce of Apples. 3●0  
〈◊〉 male and female, ●97. their nature and virtues, ibid. good for the sight. ibid.  
Vervain a sign that there will be good water found, if there be a Well digged. 7  
Wild Vines of the herbs called 〈◊〉. 287  
How Vin●● newly planted, would be husbanded. 〈◊〉  
Vines 

of divers sorts, according to their colours and other qualities. 600  
in what grounds they must be planted. 192  
two things to be considered in the planting of them. ibid.  
they must be planted upon the South. 6  
at what time to be removed. 39  
how to choose their plants. 595, 596  
plants, where, when, and how, they must be planted. 599  
must not be planted of divers plants. 598  
to make them newly planted, to take root, ibid.  
the manner of planting them is diverse, according to the 〈◊〉 of countries & grounds 597  
to cause them to hud quickly. 606  
how to handle them that have too many branches. 607  
when they must be cut. 35  
growing upon trees, and after the fashion of a●●ours. 395    
●●es well husbanded, are of great increase and profit, 591  
●●make barren Vines fruitful. 607  
●●rtaine observations concerning Vines, how to graft ●●them, and the manner of proceeding therein, 605, 606  
●●nes being grafted, yield great reuen●e. 259  
●●hat man●re is good and evil for Vines. 599  
●●manure Vines, is a precious thing. 595  
●●make that Oxen and Kine do not touth Vines, 607.  
for those ca●tell are very noisome to them. ibid.  
othing must be sown amongst Vines. 598  
●●ow to keep Vines from the frost, 606. their diseases, and remedies thereof. 607  
●●he black Vine plant, 600. four kinds of it. ibid.  
●●he white Vine plant, and the kinds thereof. 601  
●●he husbandry of the Vine, both young and old, and their sundry earings. 602  
●●he inhabitants of Paris do husband their Vines negligently. 592  
● manure the new Vine, 602. to prune and weed it, and the rest of the earings belonging to it. 599  
●●he Vine hateth the Colewort above all things. 598  
●he laxative Vine. 606  
●●reacle Vine. ibid.  
●●ates of the Vine. 461  
●he Vine Nursery. 594  
●●uill Vine-dressers described by their effects. 599  
●●Vineyard in a strong ground. 11  
〈◊〉 delight in stony places, standing towards the South. 5●6 

●●ineger  
what it is. 456  
the manner of making of it. 618  
of Squilles. 619  
of Apples. 380  
distilled. 456  
and the virtues thereof. ibid.  
quickly distilled. 451  
certain observations concerning it. 618  
made without wine. 61●  
to cause it to become wine again. 618    
Sweet Vinegar. 619  
Dame Violets. 238  
Marian Violets. ibid.  
March Violets. 236  
A Viper having stung a Horse. 147  
Vitis signifying a Vine, whence so called. 623   

W  
WAsers. 584, 585  
Walnut-trees, and their Nuts, how profitable, 386  
Walnut-trees, when they are to be planted and removed, 3●5. and how they must be alone, and why. ibid.  
Walnut-trees grafted, 385. they naturally hate Oakes, ibid. the more beaten, the more fruitful, 386. without fruit and leaves till Midsummer, 364. they foreshow plenty. 385 

Walnuts  
without shells. 362  
to cause them to have a very tender shell. 364 386  
how planted. 385  
how to keep them green. 408  
do cause Capons to roast quickly. 387  
preserved. 422  
of hard digestion, causeth headache and shortness of breath. 387  
distilled. 452    
How to have gross Walnuts. 362  
Presages of War. 667  
The Warren, situation thereof, and profit, 3. 644▪ and of the storing of it, 645  
To Water herbs. 159. 399 

Water  
the common drink of all living creatures. 6●2  
of divers sores distilled, with a discourse thereupon, 438 and who was the inventor. ibidem  
of all sorts, distilled of many herbs in particular. 452● 453  
compound distilled three manner of ways. 460  
distilled in Mary's bath. 442  
distilled in the bladder. 443  
of liquors. 455  
distilled of flesh. 458  
distilled for fukes. 465  
distilled of living creatures. 458  
of eggs, 458. of the vine, 461  
of crumbs of bread. 466  
of lard. 467  
of Rhubarb distilled. 462  
of cows milk. 466  
of a capon's broth. ibidem  
of oats, making drunk like wine, 558  
of calves feet. 462  
of lig●●● vit●. 465    
To take away the heat of distilled Waters. 45●, 452  
〈◊〉 aine Water meet to be gathered into cistern. 6  
The best Waters. 9  
Fresh Water● spring out of cold places. 5  
Sweet Waters in particular. 463  
Salt or sea Water, how it may be made fresh. 456  
Allome Water. 462  
Purgative Waters. ibidem  
The virtues of distilled Waters, 452, 453. and their durableness. ibidem  
Rose Waters distilled per descensu●: 468  
Compound Rose Water. 462  
Musk Rose Water. 463  
Sweet Water. ibidem  
Sergeant Water of Nasse. 464  
Water imperial. 462  
Treacle Water. 461  
A whiting Water. 466 

〈◊〉  
of all sorts, and the notes of that which is good, 331  
oil thereof, 485. and his virtues 〈◊〉. 476    
Weathers horns bring forth Asperagus. 183  
To Weed gardens. 161 

Well.  
much in request, and how to judge where to find water. 7  
of what manner they be that have good water. 8  
in Gardens. 18  
going with wheels. 6  
that are never dry. 7    
Wesels, and how to kill them. 314  
Whey. 65 

Wheat  
must be sown in mire, and in the increase of the Moon. 542  
it loveth a strong ground. 11  
how to choose it, and other co●ne for bread. 571    
Wheat starch, of what manner of flower, and how to he made. 574  
Whirlwinds and their nature. 26  
Wigs 585  
Willow, when, where, and how they must be planted etc. 661  
Willows distilled. 465  
Willow plots. 503  
The North Wind good to keep 〈…〉 dangerous for the farm house. 17. 5  
The North Wind enemy to trees. 297  
Signs foreshowing Wind. 25  
Ducks signifying Wind to ensue. 78  
Southern Winas very incommodious for Languedoc, Gascoigne, and Provence. 12  
A small Wine to drink in the house. 39  
In what place such small Wine must be kept. 2●  
The boiled Wine called de●rutum. 622  
Wine defined, with a discourse and reason of the definition. 621, 622. 

Wine  
the looking glass of the mind, 625 goeth barefoot. ibidem  
by what men it was first invented. 410, 622  
and why it was called 〈◊〉 in Greek, and 〈◊〉 in Latin. 622  
with a discourse upon the invention, nature, faculties, differences, & necessities thereof. 620  
of the consistence of every of them. 635  
their differences according to the property of the country. 637  
of all sorts, and their qualities and virtues, 528. 529  
to cause it being turned to have his taste again. 616  
troubled and musty. 617  
what profit it bringeth to man's body, 625. and al●o what discommodities. ibidem  
how much water must be put amongst it. 267  
hurtful for children, and for what age it is fit. 628  
hurtful to hot and dry bodies, but good for moist ones. ibidem. & 632  
the vices and accidents happening to 〈◊〉, & how to order it, in the vault. 603  
at what time it is wont principally to turn. ibidem  
to try if it have no water. 380  
without smell. 637  
to keep them from spending their strength 429  
against poison of venonious beasts falling into it. 617  
provoking sleep. 606  
of anise, 〈◊〉, pepper, bay-tree, asarum, and sage. 615    
Good Wines grow in hot places. 5  
Wine applieth itself to the nature of the drinkers. 626  
Differences of Wines according to their colours and properties 629  
apparel Wines. 635  
New Wines not wholesome, 623, & 624. New Wines hotter than old in this country. ibidem  
Old Wine hotter than new. ibidem  
Boiled Wine serving in steed of honey or sugar. 422  
Mere Wine hurteth the sound body. 624  
●ine called Oligoph●rum, when, and what severs it is profitable fo●. 632  
Weak Wines. 636  
A Wine against the biting of serpents. 361  
Signs of plenty of Wine. 605  
Winter chertie Wine. 288  
Pomegranate Wine. 616  
Winter cherries. 288  
Winter, with prognostications of the constitutions thereof. 27  
W●ad, 308. the manner of making of it, 309. and when it must be loon, 36  
Woodcocks. 78  
Women impatient. 71  
Women having their terms cause Pompions to die. 195  
Young Wood husbanded, thriveth much better than that which is neglected. 553  
What is to be considered before the planting of Wood, 449. what manne● of soil it craveth. 559 

Woods  
how they must be planted. 7  
to transplant. lop, and make them clean. 654  
●n the backside of the house towards the North 6. or towards the South, if it be a hot country ibid.  
of timber trees, their s●●●ation and disposition. 650  
in what season they must be planted. 651  
timber to build withal, when best to be cut. 35    
The pleasure & profit that cometh by wild Wood planted. 657  
Wood for the fire s●well. 10  
Wood that turneth into stone. 9  
To distil Wood, and the manner of proceedings therein. 480. 481  
Wolves will do nothing to sheep, if the foremost have Garlic hanging about his n●●ke. 116  
Wolves howling near to houses, a sign of rain. 25  
Wolves enraged. 678  
The biting of a Wolf how dangerous and infectious. 116  
Worms creeping out of the earth, a sign of rain. 25  
How dangerous it is to eat the Worm that is betwixt the claws of a sheeps foot. 116  
Wormwood. 247  
Oil of Wormwood. 434  
To Write and read, is not necessary for a Farmor. 22   

Y  
OF the Year, and also a prognostication of the constitution thereof by the twelve da●es, 26▪ 23   
FINIS.   

❧ A Table of the principal things newly added to this Volume.  

A  
agrimony, the virtues. 205  
Angling, and the whole art: of the dying of fishing lines, 510. of the Corks, Floats, and Hooks, 511. to faften Hooks, to plumb the Line, three fashions of Plummets, that the Angler must have a Musket-bullet to sound the depth of the water, what apparel the Angler must have, and the best seasons to angle in, 512. of Winter and Summer angling, the best manner of angling, and the haunts of F●●●es, 513. of Ba●ts, and sit times for every bait, 513. how to preserve baits to angle with, in what baits every fish delighteth, and how to use them. 514  
〈◊〉 hapless how to keep. 408  
〈◊〉 ●Ash-trees hurtful to corn, 330. his use, profit, and goodness. 662  
〈◊〉 Of the Ash ●eyes. 664  
〈◊〉 Arra●●● grounds generally are of two sorts, particularly of di●e. ●. and the several natures of the soils, 528, 529. largeness of arable grounds and the benefits, 5●9. arable land● must be cast according to the soil, 530. that stones in arable ground are of great use. 532  
〈◊〉 the choice. 170   

B  
BA●ley how to sow and order after the English fashion, 555. Barley growing on the Inames, the worthiness of Barley, 556. to make Barley bread of the English fashion, 557. Barley to boil, and the use. 557  
Bee●●s, and the English ordering. 562  
Bees how bred, 320. how to buy, 320. and how to kill, 328  
B●●ch tree, and the use. 667  
Borage to sow. 175  
Bottoms of Hay-mowes good manure for Meadows, 494  
Bread, the kinds and best corn to make it of, 572, 574, 575▪ the divers kinds of bread in England, 577. bread for horses made in England. ibid.  
〈◊〉 to sow. 175   

C  
CAlamint, and the kinds. 244  
cattle how to feed. 62  
cattle how to feed after the English manner. 93  
〈◊〉 sticks. 424  
Clodding of grounds. 541  
Colts when to handle, and how. 129  
Conie-Clappers how to cast and fashion, 645. ground fit for Coneys, 645. Coney's must feed at liberty, 646. ●ame Coneys not sweet, 647. traps in Conie Warrens how to place and make. 648  
Of Conserves, 422, how to conserve fivits, 424. conserve of flowers. 425  
Cords. 147  
Corn better kept in the ear, than in the Garner. 546  
Corn in the sweat all to thrash. 546  
Country house is a Farm, Meese, or Field inheritance, 2  
Crown imperial, the use and ordering. ●4●   

D  
DAtes how to make leach of. 425  
Drink of all sorts, made after the English manner. 588, 589  
Dung for Gardens. 156   

E  
elm, and the goodness. 650  
English practice added to the French. 2   

F  
FIgge-tree● growing in cold soils, to bear fruitfully. 194  
Fish in ponds, how to feed with the best food. 509  
Fishponds how to make. 505, 506  
Flax. ●54  
Flower of the night. 241  
Flowers for Bees. 316  
Foxes by what means they get their earth's. 70●   

G  
GRound ivy, the virtues. 207  
Goose grass, the virtues. 207  
Garden of pleasure, how to proportion, 234. alleys how trim, 235. quarters to adorn, 235. inward and outward beauty, 277. hedges for borders. 278  
Grounds wet how to drain. 335  
Geese, enemies to grass. 493  
Grass, when best to cut, how to make into hay, the windrowes, the hay cocks. 499  
Grass sour and har●h, choice and use of hay, of moist hay, of dry hay, 500▪ curiosity in hay making, the grazing is good for hay ground. 501  
Garners, how to make, and their use. 547, 548  
Greyhound, 673▪ diversity of Greyhounds, choice of Greyhounds, the breeding of Greyhounds, 674. Greyhounds how to place for Teasers.  
Gosh●wkes more worth than Sparrows hawks, 707. The differences between the Ramage or Brauncherhawkes', and the I●as hawks, 708. how to enter your Sparrow hawk, all the diseases of the Sparrow hawk, 709. physic for hawks, the several impediments of hawks. 710  
Ger●aulcons and their kinds, 712. how to keep the Ger●aulcon, of Ger●aulcons, the white is the best. 713   

H  
horseman's instruments. 123  
Horses food. 124  
Horse nose-slit nought. 126  
Horse to geld. 126  
Horse keepers office. 126  
Horse exercise after water. 128  
Horse to make trot. 132  
Horse to make amble. 133  
Helpe● for stumbling. 133  
Horse to make rack. 134  
Horse to make gallop. 134  
Horse with best marks or signs. 135▪ 136  
Horse's age. 136  
Hemp. 154  
Herbs that will hardly grow, and how to preserve, to make grow soon, ●59. to remove. 163  
Herbs of the East. 229  
Herbs of the West. 230  
Herbs of the North. 230, 231  
Herbs of the South. 231▪ 232▪ 233.  
He●●●opian. 241  
Hives dead, how to order. 316  
H●ues made of straw, 318. where to place them. 318  
Horses and oxen of France. 539  
Hemp, what ground is best, and the ordering. 566  
Of Hounds, 673. Hounds being young, how they are to be taught and trained. 682  
Hunting of Dear at force with Hounds only. 686  
Hores, what places are best to find them in. 695  
Hobby, a Hawk, and the use. 712  
Hawks which be called Long● winged Hawks, which short. 715  
Husbandry, the manner entreated of. 1   

I  
INam●, how to prepare to sow corn upon. 556   

L  
Lilies, and their virtues. 239  
Line or Flax how to order after the English manner 567▪ 568. to make white thread, to make oil of Line seed. 568   

M  
MA●●iues, and their collars. 121  
Martagon of Constantinople. 241  
Mu●●ard, how to make. 281  
Marmalade, how to make of Oranges, Lemons, Citrons. 420  
Meadows, and their differences in England. 491  
Marshes salt, and their profit. 492  
Ma●●in, how to crop and gather. 550  
Malt, and how to make it after the English manner. 556▪ 557  
Maple, and the use. 663  
Me●●ins, and their several kinds. 712   

N  
NF●s of divers sorts to take fish with. 507▪ 508  
Nut trees, or Ha●ell trees. 373   

O  
ORchards, how to enclose. 135  
Oil of Oats. 425  
Oats a great breeder of grass. 493  
Of the Ox harrow. 544  
Oats, and the profit, 558. Oatmeal, how to make. 558  
Oak, the goodness, necess●●ie, and use. 619   

P  
PEstilence 147  
Purs●an, to preserve. 177  
Pyoa●●. 242  
Pip●ins, how to sow. 336▪ 337  
To Preserve Barbe●ies. 422  
To Preserve Filbe●●●or small nuts. 423  
Pasts how to make, and the diversities of colours. 424  
Plough● of divers fashions. 532  
Ploughing with English Oxen. 340  
Pasterie in the right kind, and the use thereof. 585▪ 586  
Park●, what ground they should consist of, 668▪ 669. the water for Parks, the pro●it, and a strange example thereof. 669   

Q  
QVi●ke●●●, how to plant. 153  
Quince cakes, how to make. 423   

R  
THe best rennet. 65  
Rams that are best. 110  
Rot how to cure. 114  
rheum in the eye. 147  
●ye, how to sow and order after the English manner. 549   

S  
〈◊〉 St●●●e how to ●eed soon. 103  
Sheep, and the diversities. 216  
Staggers. 147  
〈◊〉 strains. 148  
〈◊〉 ●paut●. 148  
〈◊〉 ●ignes of outward diseases. 148  
〈◊〉 ●ignes of inward diseases. 148  
〈…〉 breaks impos●umations. 171  
〈◊〉 spinage salad. 174  
〈…〉 pouch virtues. 209  
〈◊〉 ●●uces how to make to dwayne meadows. 494  
〈◊〉 ●●●●●age a great friend to meadows. 496  
〈◊〉 ●●edes to be sown in meadows, as sweep of hay-barne flowers, 496. foddering of cattle, and sheep, and the special commodity thereof. 497▪ 498  
〈◊〉 ●awne of 〈◊〉 how to preserve. 506  
〈◊〉 oil, or mud of ditches, good dungy 537  
〈◊〉 ●eed, wheat of divers sorts. 543  
〈…〉, how to make them hunt well. 681  
〈◊〉 Of Spany●●, and their use and ordering. 679  
〈◊〉 Setting- dogs, and their use. 680  
〈◊〉 Scythes and Syckles. 545   

T  
Tobacco virtues. 219, 220  
Translator to the English Reader. 2  
T●●pan. 241   

V  
Variety of Countries causeth a deuers manner of labouring of the earth. 1  
Violets to preserve. 236   

W  
WAlking horses nor good. 131  
Warts. 148  
Water-Spanyels, their use and ordering. 682  
Weeding why not to use. ●59  
Weeds how to destroy. 334  
Winnowing of corn. 548  
Woad-ground, 309. the making of Woad, 309. the virtues. 320   

Y  
Yellows. 14●   
FINIS.   

❧ A Table of the Diseases and Remedies described in the seven Books of the Farme-House.  

A  
Afterbirth of women, newly brought in bed, 54, 183, 206, 207, 210, 214, 247, 249, 251, 287, 360  
How the Age of a man may be a great while prolonged. 428  
An evil Air, and 〈◊〉 means to drive it away. 199, 449  
Anthrax, or Carbuncle. 58  
Apostemes, 120, 214. of all sorts, and the healing of them, 56, 57, 122. to ripen them, 155. cold Apostemes, 120. Apostemes of the breast. 109  
Apostemes in Oxen. 102  
Apoplexy. 42, 239, 251, 456  
To keep Apparel. 247  
Appetite lost, 182. how to recover it again. 291  
〈…〉 in horses. 139   

B  
back, and ache of the back. 434  
barbs, a horses disease. ●40  
Barrenness in women, the remedies, 52, 82, 245, 246, 249, 251, 288  
To bring women to Bed without pain, 243. to be brought in bed before ones time, 54. difficulty to be brought in bed. 54  
To keep Bees from flying away, and to drive them, 252  
Belcking, 249. at the mouth. 48  
Be●●ie, and the flux thereof, 69. the co●●iuenesse of the belly, 71. ache in the belly, 434. co●●iuenes●e, 206, ● 209, 428. to loosen it mightily. 287  
Bellie-ache, flux of the belly, and the belly bound in Oxen, 96. pains of the belly in horses. 129  
Untimely Birth. 204 

Bitings  
of Dogs that are mad, 61, 189, 199, 244, 387, 391, 395, 678  
of venomous Beasts. 205  
of the Viper. 75  
of Serpents. 61, 102, 250, 362, 677, 690  
of the Wolf. 7●  
of Shrew's. 102, 147, 171  
of Scorpions. 102  
of Flies upon horses. 143    
Bitings or wounds made by the wild Boar, are dangerous, 690  
The Bladder. 457  
B●●sters. 213  
Bl●●d cluttered, 201. flux of blood, 50. bleeding at the nose, 45. to purify the blood. 182  
Bloodsuckers▪ 61  
Blondie fluxes, 118, 122, 171, 172, 176, 195, 196, 201, 203, 206, 209, 211, 224  
The Body to make it sound and well disposed, 428, 462  
Bots in horses. 14●  
Breath, and difficulty of breathing, 110, 247. shortness of breath, 114, 115, 178, and, 5● 8. an ●ll breath, ●4●. a stinking breath, 199. to cause one to have a good breath, 239, 246. shortness of breath in horses. 202  
The Brea●●s, 209, 214. the breasts ouer-ha●d, 244, 39●. to truss into a round and ●lose ●athion, the flagging, withered, and hanging breasts, 47● 〈◊〉 also sut them when they are in●●amed, ●8. for the canker in the breasts, 60, 144, 219, 437, to resolve and waste the tumours of the breasts. 18●  
〈◊〉, and black spots. 59, 207, ●●4  
Buboes to cure. 120  
Burning. 60, 75, 178, 206, 207, 208, 214, 239, 240, 286, 288  
Burstings, or ruptures, 55, 207. bu●rsting of the vessels of the body, 207. rupture or bursting of some of the inward parts. 237   

C  
CAnkers of all sorts, 60, 144, 198, 200, 205, 207, 214, 387. Cankers growing in the mouth. 387. Cankers growing in the ●ares of dogs. ibid.  
A plague Carbuncle. 201, 210, 220  
Carn●●●●● in the bladder. 210  
Cathars. 10, 69, 95, 203, 207, 262  
Chast●tie, and to make men chaste. 239, 243, 291  
Cheese to keep from being spoiled and rotten. 244  
The Child dead in the womb, and the mane● of drawing it forth, 205, 207, 210, 21●, 248, 285, 287. the child not borne out his full time. 246  
Chaps, 214, 435. of the lips, 177, 668. of the hands, 177  
Chaps growing in the feet of horses. 143  
Chosicke, and the cure thereof, 49, 144, 152, 180, 183, 184, 16●, 207, 213, 244, 288  
To Conceive, and to make to conceive. 245, 246, 248  
The false Conception in the womb. ●35  
Conserve for the heart. 47  
For such as are in a Consumption. 75  
Contraction of ligaments. 163  
Co●●●sion. 263, 212, 248, 251  
The Co●●●, a horses disease. 145  
An old Cough, 119. a hard Cough. 245 

Cough●  
of all sorts, and the remedies for the same, 75, 178, 212, 247  
in Oxen. 95, 100  
in Sheep. 114, 115  
of Mules. 152    
counterpoisons. 293, 304  
The Courbe, a horses malady. 145   

D  
●Easnesse. 45, 178  
●To make a faite Die, or colour, 249  
Difficulty of Urine in Horses, 141  
●●pe and comfort Digestion. 244, 246, 249 

●●ses  
beginning in the increase of the Moon, are of long continuance. 32  
prognosticated, 36  
of Oxen. 93, 102  
of Horses, in divers sorts, and the means to cure them, 136, 152, their urine scalding them. 137  
of Sheep. 114  
of Lambs. 116  
of Goats. 119  
of Asses. 150  
of Mules and Mulets. 152  
divers of Swine. 107  
of Dogs, and remedies for the same. 12●, 677  
of several Birds, and their cures. 748  
of Fishes. 181    
〈…〉 of humours. 200, 207  
〈…〉 falling down upon the eyes. 207, 213  
〈◊〉 Dog, and the remedies against his bitings. 61  
●● Draught-gut fallen down. 54, 202, 209, 213, 140  
〈◊〉 Ox hi● Draught-gut hurt. 96  
〈◊〉, and Hydropical persons, 49, 104, 171, 178, 183, ●89, 207, 209, 211, 213, 230, 239, 247, 250, 280, 285, 286, 287  
〈◊〉 finesse, and the remedies against it. 41, 244, 245  
●● unkennesse, and how to prevent it. 166, 371, 203   

E  
Ears, the pain and diseases thereof, 44. filthy and perulent, 178. wormie, 197. noise in them, 188, 20●, 397. exulcerate. 209  
〈◊〉. 211  
〈◊〉. 99  
●● wes with la●●be, 116. having the snivel, 114. troubled with corns. 115  
●●●eake Eyes, 120. their diseases and remedies, 4●, 44, 84, 1●7, 213, 243. the web in the Eye, 74, 198. spots of the Eye, 199. the Eyes full of spots, 696. bleared Eyes, 192. weeping Eyes, 452. fissulated Eyes, 461. to clarify the Eyes, 252. Distillations and 〈◊〉 falling down upon the Eyes, 207. redness of the eyes, 195, 〈◊〉. and other griefs of the same. 460, 461  
The Eyes of Oxen, and their diseases, 98, 99 Oxen having weeping Eyes. 101  
●●lotses their blea●ed Eyes, 138. and other their griefs, 139   

F  
FAintings. 47  
Falls. 209  
Falle● from on high. 57  
Falling sickness, 42, 148, 182, 203, 204, 211, 240, 245, 248, 375, 453, 454, 460, 668  
The Falling sickness is gotten by eating of Goat's flesh, 119  
Fars●● in Horses. 143, 201  
Feet, and the stench of the fee●. 53  
Fevers. 200, 387  
Fevers of all sorts. 252 

Fevers  
continual, 39  
quotidian. 203  
tertian. 40, 198, 203, 208, 210, 211, 213, 387  
hot. 177, 188, 191, 298, 208  
quartane agues, 40, 173, 199, 200, 202, 203, 210, ●●3, ●57  
long and lasting. 253  
coming of obstructions. 197  
pestilent. 201  
of the Ox. 100  
of the Horse. 128  
of the Sheep. 115  
of the Swine. 107  
the Goats ague called continual, because they never are without it. 119    
The Fig a disease in Horses. 129  
A Fire without smoke. 419  
Fistula. 193, 206, 213, 435, 458  
The Horse his Fistula. 144  
A Flea in the ●are, 237. to kill fleas. 248  
Phlegm, and phlegmatic diseases. 212  
Flesh, and to keep it from putrefying in Summer. 246  
To drive away Flies and Gnats. ibid.  
Flowers of women, to stay them, 52, 204, 206, 213, 237, 246, 690. to cause them. 172, 203, 348 

Flux  
of blood. 176, 209, ●9●, 690  
of blood of all sorts. 297  
of blood at the nose. 45, 75, 178, 204, 206, 208  
of blood by a wound. 204, 206  
to stay them of all sorts. 204, 285, 287    
The Flux of the belly. 74, 120, 203, 213, 29●  
The Flux of the belly and blood. 207  
The Flux of the belly in Oxen, 94. in Horses, 224. and in Hens. ●9  
Freckles, in the face. 199, 201, 208, 212, 239  
Frenzies, and frantic persons. 42, 116  
Frets in little children. 248  
Fundament fallen. 205   

G  
GAlling of Horses their backs. 141, 145, 197  
Gangrene. 434  
Garlic eaten, and how to take away the stench and ill savour thereof. 179  
Garments, and how to keep them from vermin. 239  
Garrot, a Horse's malady. 145  
Giddiness in men's heads. 183  
Gums, 19●. to cleanse them. 246  
The Gums of Horses exulcerated. 140  
Gout. 55, 147, 202, 209, 214, 237  
For all manner of Gouts, and joint-aches. 56  
Gravel, 74, 183, 188, 203, 205, 259, 288, 371, 461, 555, 563. 648, 668, 693  
G●ipings, 249, 288, 389. in the belly. 201, ●49  
Women's Gripe or throws after childbirth. 54  
Guts falling down, and the rupture, 54, 202, 211, 213, 240, 288, 207. the rupture in a horse. 145   

H  
Hair, and to keep it from falling, 189. to colour that of the head and beard, 456, 457. to make it red, 285. or black, 247. the Hair fallen. 75  
The falling of the Hair called Tine●. 61, 197, 201, 214  
Ha●ting in a Horse. ●44  
Hands wrinkled, 46. shaking. 246  
Hand-wormes. 213  
Heart, the pain and grief thereof, 169, 203, 251. faintness of the Heart, 128, 200, 239. beating of the Heart 47  
Heartache. 169  
The Heartsore, a disease that killeth horses suddenly. 139  
Headache, & pain of the head, 40, 85, 176, 178, 193, 211, 199, 221, 244, 246, 248, 252, 286  
Hemorrhoids, and their cure. 51, 168, 178, 198, 206, 214  
Hicket. 48, 244, 249  
Horse cloyed. 206   

I  
Jaundice, 49, 78, 104, 143, 169, 172, 173, 195, 202, 205, 237, 326, 457  
jaundice in trees. 405  
Such as have the jaundice, are called 〈◊〉, 183, 206, 209  
javar, a disease in horses. 142, 143  
Inflammations, 196, 204, 208. of the mouth, 200. of the eyes, 214. of the secret parts. 213  
〈◊〉, and the a●h of the 〈◊〉 434  
〈◊〉, 201, 204, 205, 208, 213, 295, 297. in sheep, 114. in dogs. 678   

K  
KIngs evil, and remedies for the same, 42, 104, 198, 211, 2●4, 253  
Knots or nodes in whatsoever part of the body▪ 59   

L  
Leanness through long sickness, 704. the Mulets leanness. 152  
Lepers, and leprosy. 204, 205, 291, 453  
Liver obstructed, 55, 203, 205, 212, 251, 284, 287. hot, 49, 169. hard, 252, 253. weak, 698. to comfort it. 203  
Lungs, and such as have their lungs inflamed, 251, 371, 381, 563, 699. weak lungs, 202. diseased lungs, 201. Lungs replete with stegme, 200. to cleanse the lungs, 212. ulcerated lungs. 203, 236  
lice ●nd Nits, 173, 180. to drive lice out of the head, 208. to kill lice, 61. Ox lice. 103   

M  
Madness of dogs to prevent, 120, 122, 1●8, 180, 199, 200, 244, 387, 391, 678. madness of Wolves, 678. madness of amorous Mares. 147  
The signs of a Mad dog. 678  
The Matrix replete with humours, 212, 213. to cleanse it, 249. over-cooled, 210. vn●uly, and out of order, 287, 250, out of place, 211. hard, 194. pained after childbirth, 184, 334. suffocating, 53. fallen down, 53, 210. inflamed, 53. 197. having the colic, 197. troubled with the flux, 373. exulcerated, 212. to cast out the false conception therein. 251  
Measled Hogs. 107  
Measeth in children. 186  
Megrim. 178  
Melancholy, and melancholic persons, 245, 248, 251, 372, 380  
Members, or parts of the body over-cooled. 456  
Memory, and to strengthen it, 251  
To make men Merry. 252  
Milk, and to cause Nurse's to have good store, 48, 188, 168, 249, 250. to take it away from them, 47. to make that it crudle not. 244  
Tartary Milk maketh drunken. 457  
Mithridate sovereign against the plague. 387  
To Mollitie parts that are overhard. 252  
The Mother, or secret parts of women, 52, 53, 120, 201, 203, 245, 246, 251  
For the Mother vn●uly and out of order. 250, 251  
To kill Moths amongst clothes. 434  
A stinking Mouth, 46. a fore Mouth. 461  
Moles on the heels. 99, 178, 201, 295   

N  
THe Nail, or Cathaire, 56. Nails of all manner of sorts, 116. the Nail in Oxen, 102. nails, and ulcers of the same, 57 broken, or bruised. 214  
No●● me ●angere. 60, 214  
Stinking 〈◊〉. 45   

O  
OBstructions, 239. obstructions or stuff of the nostrils, 208. to open obstructions. 210   

P  
THe Palamie, a horses disease. 145  
Paleness of colour in women. 632  
Pa●sie. 189, 204, 237, 239, 247, 293  
Pa●mon, what disease it is in ho●●es 145  
Pestilence in sheep, with the remedy against it, 114, 115. in swine. 207  
Physic invented by shepherds. 110  
The Pin and web in a horse's eye. 137  
Plague, and the remedies thereof, 39, 173, 197, 199, 201, 203, 204, 210, 247, 250, 304, 386, 452  
Pleurisy, and remedies for the same. 46, 207, 380, 690  
French Pocks. 201, 436  
Common Pocks, 200, 201, 290, to take away the pits and prints that the Pocks leave behind them, 466. the Pocks in children. 57, 58, 186, 204, 295  
Pol●pus exulcerated. 208, 214  
Poison, 203, 210, 219, 247, 376, 58●. Poison of all sorts, 199, 200. Poison of a Toad, 203. counter-poisons. 304  
Pthisicke. 293  
Pus●ules. 214  
To keep the body from Putrefaction. 285   

R  
Redness of the face. 42, 195, 246, 287, 379, 469  
〈◊〉, and the heat and burning in them, 176, 181, 194, 200, 283, 435  
Rheums. 213  
Ringwormes, 56, 197, 201, 207, 209, 210, 212, 213, 228, 246, 295, 297, 469, 698  
Rubi●s in the face. 465  
Lambs Runne● good against all sorts of venom. 116   

S  
A Saucy face. 469  
Scabs, 60, 697, 698. in Horses, 143. in Sheep, 114, 429. in Calves, 63. in Oxen, 100, 102. about the pasterns of Mulets, 152, in Swine, 107. in Dogs, 678. about Horses heels. 142, 145  
Scaldings. 240  
Schirrous tumours. 57, 198, 287  
Scia●i●a, 54, 55, 120, 189, 198, 199, 203, 205, 207, 212, 219, 239, 245, 249, 434  
Serpents, and the remedies against their bitings, 61, 245. to kill them, 248. Serpents gotten into the body. 61  
Shaking and trembling of the parts. 55, 246  
Shing●●●, 207. in Sheep. 115  
Shiverings of an Ague. 247  
weak, and the remedies therefore. 43, 85, 173, 213 〈◊〉 prognosticating diseases. 29  
〈◊〉, and the pain thereof, 56, 293, 699. diseases of a sinews, 434. weak sinews, 189. to comfort the 〈…〉 the sin●wes ouer-co●●ed, 434. relaxed si●●wes 〈◊〉, 454. oppressed or bruised sinews, 55, 248, 〈◊〉 sinews pricked, wounded, or cut. 55, 214  
〈…〉 to take away ●ka●●es. 212  
〈◊〉. 312  
〈◊〉 ●eepe, and to cause to sleep, 41, 42, 168. to take away 〈◊〉. 244, 245  
〈◊〉 l●st. 244, 252  
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 gotten into the body. 61  
〈◊〉▪ 189  
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and enchantments. 199, 25●  
〈◊〉 ●ins in horses. 145  
〈◊〉 〈◊〉, and to recover the speech lost. 239  
●ing, and to procure spitting, 200, 212, 247. to get up ●nes spittle with pain and much ado, 207. Spitting 〈◊〉 blood, and how to stay it, 47, 169, 176, 204, 209, 211, 237, 371  
〈◊〉 Spleen, the diseases and remedies thereof, 49. the ●●●leene obstructed, 202, 205, 209, 219, 286, 287, 290.  
●●ardnesse of the spleen. 119, 182, 202, 212, 253  
〈◊〉 in the face, 201, 206, 208, 212, 2●9, ●04. red, 4●, 188, 〈◊〉 ●97, 198. white, 17●. spots of the body. 293, ●35  
〈◊〉, 2●3. in horses, 139. in dogs. 122  
〈◊〉 th' of the armpits. 171  
〈◊〉 ler● their stinging, and the remedy. 61, 176, 247  
〈◊〉 nach, the griefs and remedies thereof, 49, 434, 461.  
〈◊〉 comfort it, 184, 186, a weak stomach, 246. gnawing ●●ormes in the stomach. 293  
〈◊〉 in the bladder or reins, 51, 120, 172, 180, 188, 194▪ ●●00, 101, 103, 205, 110, 251, 285, 288, 37●, 382, 457, 461, 563, 648, 667, 693, 698  
〈◊〉 angles in horses. 139  
〈…〉 in horses. 52, 137, 171, 205, 206, 291  
〈…〉 of the mother. 201, 249  
〈…〉- burning in the face. 201  
〈…〉. 220  
〈…〉 the horny swelling in horses. 145  
〈◊〉 ●ating, and to procure sweeting. 200, 201, 293, 454  
〈…〉, 220, 248. of divers sorts, 56. In horse's flanks, 144. for swellings under the saddles of horses that are bruised, a marvelous remedy, 197. swellings in the cuds of horses, 114. swelling in Swine. 107   

T  
T●●● bad. 189  
●ermes of women. 52, 204, 20●, 246  
〈◊〉, and the diseases thereof, as the raging ache, and others, with their remedies, 45, 172, 184, 188, 19●, 299, 204, 208, 246, 2●0, 252, 285, 293, 467. loose, black, red, and stinking teeth, 45, 46. the horse his toothache, 140  
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 swell in an Ox. 101  
〈◊〉. 177  
●ornes, and how to draw them out of the body. 207, 252  
The Throws or mother in women. 54  
women's Travail, to comfort, help, and ease them therein. 176, 181, 188, 196, 199, 205, 212, 237, 240, 285, 397  
Tumo●●, 104, 116, 214, 252. hot, 204 hard, 690, cold, 198. pestilent tumours, 204. old tumours in horses, 145. to ripen tumours. 249  
Young black by reason of some ague. 213   

V  
Ulcers that are old, 197, 207. hollow and filthy, 202, 207, 239, 457. malignant, 201, 207, 213, 214 to 〈◊〉 old and malignant ones, 21●, ulcers of the mouth, 197, 199, 203. of the ears, 209. inward, 207. of the lungs, 205. of the ●eme●, 459. coming of the pocks, 58, 203. ulcers in Oxen. 102  
A low and base Votte, 148. to have a good voice. 176  
To stay Vomiting, 48, 204, 213, 249. to cause vomiting speedily, 449. to provoke vomit, 285. to the curing of a quartane and tertian ague. 298  
Urine of all sorts, and to procure the making of urine, 〈◊〉, 97, 171, 176, 180, 182, 194, 197, 199, 203, 205, 208, 210, 211, 212, 246, 248, 251, 371, 397, 453, 679, 690  
Horses hardly able to make their Urine. 141.   

W  
WArts, 60, 206. hangging Warts. ●16  
Against Witchcraft. 199  
Fukes for Women, etc. 208, 304, 465  
Worms amongst Bee●. 398  
Worms, and how to kill them, 157, 200, 201, 203, 205. 207, 220, 245, 247, 251, 285, 372, 〈◊〉, 690. worms in little children, 180, 210, 244, 246, 561, 693. worms menting horses, 146. to cause the worms that trouble dogs, to fall from them, 677, 678. to kill them that destroy trees, 405, 406. to keep flesh from all manner of worms, 197. to cause them to come out of the earth in great abundance. 386  
The flying 〈◊〉 a disease in horses. 142  
To kill earth W●rmes, that eat the roots of herbs. 401  
Wounds in dogs. 678  
Wound●, 198, 200, 207, 214▪ against all sorts of wounds, 204. against the inflammation thereof, 28. wounds fresh and new, ●7, 207, 209, 214, 220. old, 58, 214. maligned, 201. wounds in the arms and legs, 219. in the noble and inner parts, 207, 208. in the head, 〈◊〉. in the guts, 288. wounds with Dags, 59 to draw y●on out of a wound, 199. for to consider of inward and outward wounds, 202, 205, 207, 211, 212. an excellent balm for green wounds and cuts▪ 57, 204, 437  
Wringbolt. 249  
Windiness in the stomach or belly. ibid.   

Y  
THe Yard swollen, and the cure thereof.  
The Yard of an Ox grown hard.   
FINIS.