Chapter XXVII: Front Matter (27)

Cassidony that groweth in the Gardens of our Countrey, may peraduenture somewhat differ in colour, as well as in strength, from that which groweth in hotter Countries; but as it is with vs, it is more tender a great deale then Lauender, and groweth rather like an herbe then a bush or shrub, not aboue a foote and a halfe high, or thereabouts, hauing many narrow long greene leaues like Lauender, but softer and smaller, set at seuerall distances together about the stalkes, which spread abroad into branches: at the tops whereof stand long and round, and sometimes foure square heads, of a darke greenish purple colour, compact of many scales set together; from among which come forth the flowers, of a blewish purple colour, after which follow seede vessels, which are somewhat whitish when they are ripe, containing blackish browne seede within them: the roote is somewhat wooddy, and will hardly abide the iniuries of our cold Winters, except in some places onely, or before it haue flowred: The whole plant is somewhat sweete, but nothing so much as Lauender.

The Place.

Cassidony groweth in the Islands Stæchades, which are ouer
against Marselles, and in Arabia also: we keep it with great
care in our Gardens.

The Time.

It flowreth the next yeare after it is sowne, in the end of
May, which is a moneth before any Lauender.

The Names.

It is called of some _Lauendula siluestris_, but most vsually
_Stæchas_ in English, of some Stichadoue, or French Lauender;
and in many parts of England, Cassidony.

The Vertues.

It is of much more vse in physicke then Lauender, and is much
vsed for old paines in the head. It is also held to be good
for to open obstructions, to expell melancholy, to cleanse
and strengthen the liuer, and other inward parts, and to be a
Pectorall also.

CHAP. CXXIX.

_Abrotanum fæmina siue Santolina._ Lauender Cotton.

This Lauender Cotton hath many wooddy, but brittle branches, hoary or of a whitish colour, whereon are set many leaues, which are little, long, and foure square, dented or notched on all edges, and whitish also: at the tops of these branches stand naked stalkes, bearing on euery one of them a larger yellow head or flower, then eyther Tansie or Maudeline, whereunto they are somewhat like, wherein is contained small darke coloured seede: the roote is hard, and spreadeth abroad with many fibres: the whole plant is of a strong sweete sent, but not vnpleasant, and is in many places planted in Gardens, to border knots with, for which it will abide to be cut into what forme you thinke best; for it groweth thicke and bushy, very fit for such workes, besides the comely shew the plant it selfe thus wrought doth yeeld, being alwayes greene, and of a sweet sent; but because it quickly groweth great, and will soone runne out of forme, it must be euery second or third yeare taken vp, and new planted.

The Place.

It is onely planted in Gardens with vs, for the vses aforesaid
especially.

The Time.

It flowreth in Iuly, and standeth long in the hot time of the
yeare in his colour, and so will doe, if it be gathered before
it haue stood ouer long.

The Names.

Diuers doe call it as Matthiolus doth, _Abrotanum fæmina_, and
_Santolina_; and some call it _Chamæcyparissus_, because the
leaues thereof, are somewhat like the leaues of the Cypresse
tree: Wee call it in English generally Lauender Cotton.

The Vertues.

This is vsually put among other hot herbes, eyther into bathes,
ointments, or other things, that are vsed for cold causes. The
seede also is much vsed for the wormes.

CHAP. CXXX.

_Ocimum._ Bassill.

Bassill is of two sorts (besides other kindes) for this our Garden, the one whereof is greater, the other lesse in euery part thereof; as shall be shewed.

1. _Ocimum Citratum._ Common Bassill.

Our ordinary Garden Bassill hath one stalke rising from the root, diuersly branched out, whereon are set two leaues alwayes at a ioynt, which are broad, somewhat round, and pointed, of a pale greene colour, but fresh, a little snipt or dented about the edges, and of a strong or heady sent, somewhat like a Pomecitron, as many haue compared it, and thereof call it _Citratum_: the flowers are small and white, standing at the tops of the branches, with two smal leaues at euery ioynt vnder them, in some plants green, in others browne vnder them: after which commeth blacke seede: the roote perisheth at the first approach of winter weather, and is to be new sowen euery yeare.

2. _Ocimum minimum siue Gariophyllatum._ Bush Basill.

The bush Basill groweth not altogether so high, but is thicker spreade out into branches, whereon grow smaller leaues, and thicker set then the former, but of a more excellent and pleasant smell by much: the flowers are white like the former, and the seede blacke also like it, and perisheth as suddenly, or rather sooner then it, so that it requireth more paines to get it, and more care to nourse it, because we seldome or neuer haue any seede of it.

_Ocimum Indicum._ Indian Basill.

The Indian Basill hath a square reddish greene stalke, a foote high or better, from the ioynts whereof spreade out many branches, with broade flat leaues set thereon, two alwayes together at the ioynt, one against another, as other Basils haue, but somewhat deepely cut in on the edges, and oftentimes a little crumpled, standing vpon long reddish footestalkes, of a darke purple colour, spotted with deeper purple spots, in some greater, in others lesser: the flowers stand at the tops of the stalkes spike-fashion, which are of a white colour, with reddish stripes and veines running through them, set or placed in darke purple coloured huskes: the seede is greater and rounder then the former, and somewhat long withall: the roote perisheth in like manner as the other former doe. The whole plant smelleth strong, like vnto the other Basils.

The Place.

The two last sorts of Basils are greater strangers in our
Country then the first which is frequent, and only sowen and
planted in curious gardens. The last came first out of the West
Indies.

The Time.

They all flower in August, or Iuly at the soonest, and that but
by degrees, and not all at once.

The Names.

The first is vsually called _Ocimum vulgare_, or _vulgatius_,
and _Ocimum Citratum_. In English, Common or Garden Basill.
The other is called _Ocimum minimum_, or _Gariophyllatum_,
Cloue Basill, or Bush Basill. The last eyther of his place,
or forme of his leaues, being spotted and curled, or all, is
called _Ocimum Indicum maculatum_, _latifolium_ & _crispum_. In
English according to the Latine, Indian Basill, broade leafed
Basill, spotted or curled Basill, which you please.

The Vertues.

The ordinary Basill is in a manner wholly spent to make sweet,
or washing waters, among other sweet herbes, yet sometimes it
is put into nosegayes. The Physicall properties are, to procure
a cheerefull and merry heart, whervnto the seede is chiefly
vsed in pouder, &c. and is most vsed to that, and to no other
purpose.

1 _Santolina._ Lauender Cotton.
2 _Lauendula._ Lauender Spike.
3 _Stœchas._ Cassidony.
4 _Chamædrys._ Germander.
5 _Ocimum minus._ Fine Bassill.
6 _Marum._ Herbe Masticke.
7 _Maiorana._ Sweete Marierome.
]

CHAP. CXXXI.

_Maiorana._ Sweete Marierome.

Wee haue many sorts of Marierome; some that are sweete, and but Summer plants; others that are greater and not so sweet; and some also that are wilde. Of all these I will onely select some of the choisest that are fit for this place, and leaue the other for the next garden, and the garden of simples, or a generall worke: yet hereunto I will adioyne another sweete plant called Masticke, as participating neerer with them then with Time, whereunto many doe referre it.

1. _Maiorana maior æstiua._ Common sweet Marierome.

The sweet Marierome that is most frequently sowen in our Country, is a low herbe little aboue a foote high when it is at the highest, full of branches, and small whitish soft roundish leaues, smelling very sweet: at the toppes of the branches stand diuers small scaly heads, like vnto knots, (and therefore of some called knotted Marierome) of a whitish greene colour, out of which come here and there small white flowers, and afterwards small reddish seede: the roote is composed of many small threds or strings, which perish with the whole plant euery yeare.

2. _Maiorana tenuifolia._ Marierome gentle.

This Marierome hath likewise diuers small branches, growing low, and not higher then the former, but hauing finer and smaller leaues, hoary and soft, but much sweeter: the heads are like vnto the former, and so are the flowers and seede, and the whole plant abiding but a Summer in the like manner.

3. _Marum._ Herbe Masticke.

The neerer resemblance that this herbe hath with Marierome then with Tyme (as I said before) hath made me place it next vnto the small sweet Marierome. It riseth vp with a greater, and a more woody stalke then Marierome, two foote high or better in some places, where it liketh the ground and ayre, branching out on all sides towards the vpper part, leauing the stemme bare below, if it bee old, otherwise being young, thinly furnishing the branches from the bottome with small greene leaues, bigger then the leaues of any Tyme, and comming neere vnto the bignesse and forme of the last recited finer Marierome, but of a greener colour: at the toppes of the branches stand small white flowers on a head, which afterwards turne into a loose tuft of a long white hoary matter, like vnto soft doune, with some leaues vnderneath and about it, which abide not long on the stalkes, but are blowne away with the winde: the seede is so small if it haue any, that I haue not obserued it: the roote is threddy: the whole plant is of a sweete resinous sent, stronger then the Marierome, and abideth our winters, if it be carefully planted and regarded.

The Place.

The sweete Marieromes grow naturally in hot Countreyes: the
first in Spaine &c. the second is thought to come out of Syria,
or Persia first into Italie, where they much esteeme it, and
plant it curiously and carefully in pots, and set them in their
windowes, beeing much delighted therewith for the sweet sent it
hath. The first is vsually sowen euery yeare in most gardens
with vs: but the second is very rare and daintie, and must as
daintely be preserued being more tender then the former. The
herbe Masticke is thought to be first brought out of Candie,
Clusius saith he found it in Spaine: It is planted by slippes,
(and not sowen) in many gardens, and is much replanted for
increase, but prospereth onely, or more frequently, in loamie
or clay grounds then in any other soyle.

The Time.

The sweete Marieromes beare their knots or scaly heads in the
end of Iuly, or in August. Herbe Masticke in Iune many times,
or in the beginning of Iuly.

The Names.

The first of the two sweet Marieromes called _Maiorana_ in
Latine _à maiore cura_, is taken of most writers to be the
_Amaracus_ or _Sampsuchum_ of Dioscorides, Theophrastus and
Plinie, although Galen doth seem a little to dissent therefrom.
The other sweet Marierome hath his name in his title as much
as can be said of it. The next is thought by the best of the
moderne Writers to be the true _Marum_ that Galen preferreth
for the excellent sweetnesse, before the former Marierome in
making the _Oleum_, or _vnguentum Amaricinum_, and seemeth to
incline to their opinion that thought _Amaracus_ was deriued
from _Marum_. It is the same also that Galen and others of the
ancient Writers make mention of, to go into the composition
of the _Trochisci Hedychroi_, as well as _Amaracus_ among the
ingredients of the _Theriaca Andromachi_. In English we call it
Masticke simply, or Herbe Mastick, both to distinguish it from
that Tyme that is called Masticke Tyme, and from the Masticke
Tree, or Gum, so called. Some of later times, and Clusius with
them, haue thought this to be Dioscorides his _Tragoriganum_,
which doth somewhat resemble it: but there is another plant
that Matthiolus setteth forth for _Marum_, that in Lobels
opinion and mine is the truest _Tragoriganum_, and this the
truest _Marum_.

The Vertues.

The sweete Marieromes are not onely much vsed to please the
outward senses in nosegayes, and in the windowes of houses,
as also in sweete pouders, sweete bags, and sweete washing
waters, but are also of much vse in Physicke, both to comfort
the outward members, or parts of the body, and the inward also:
to prouoke vrine being stopped, and to ease the paines thereof,
and to cause the feminine courses. Herbe Masticke is of greater
force to helpe the stopping of vrine, then the Marierome, and
is put into Antidotes, as a remedie against the poyson of
venemous Beasts.

CHAP. CXXXI.

_Thymum._ Tyme.

There are many kindes of Tyme, as they are vsually called, with vs, some are called of the garden, and others wilde, which yet for their sweetnesse are brought into gardens, as Muske Tyme, and Lemon Tyme; and some for their beauty, as embroidered or gold yellow Tyme, and white Tyme. But the true Tyme of the ancient Writers, called _Capitatum_, as a speciall note of distinction from all other kindes of Tyme, is very rare to be seene with vs here in England, by reason of the tendernesse, that it will not abide our Winters. And all the other sorts that with vs are called garden Tymes, are indeede but kindes of wilde Tyme, although in the defect or want of the true Tyme, they are vsed in the stead of it. With the Tymes I must doe as I did with the Marieromes in the Chapter before, that is, reserue the most common in vse, for the common vse of the Kitchen, and shew you only those here, that are not put to that vse: and first with the true Tyme, because it is knowne but to a few.

1. _Thymum legitimum capitatum._ The true Tyme.

The true Tyme is a very tender plant, hauing hard and hoary brittle branches, spreading from a small wooddy stemme, about a foote and a halfe high, whereon are set at seuerall ioynts, and by spaces, many small, long, whitish, or hoary greene leaues, of a quicke sent and taste: at the tops of the branches stand small long whitish greene heads, somewhat like vnto the heads of _Stæchas_, made as it were of many leaues or scales, out of which start forth small purplish flowers (and in some white, as Bellonius saith) after which commeth small seede, that soone falleth out, and if it be not carefully gathered, is soone lost, which made (I thinke) Theophrastus to write, that this Tyme was to be sowne of the flowers, as not hauing any other seede: the root is small and wooddy. This holdeth not his leaues in Winter, no not about Seuill in Spaine, where it groweth aboundantly, as Clusius recordeth, finding it there naked or spoiled of leaues. And will not abide our Winters, but perisheth wholly, roote and all.

2. _Serpillum hortense siue maius._ Garden wilde Tyme.

The wilde Tyme that is cherished in gardens groweth vpright, but yet is lowe, with diuers slender branches, and small round greene leaues, somewhat like vnto small fine Marierome, and smelling somewhat like vnto it: the flowers growe in roundels at the toppes of the branches, of a purplish colour: And in another of this kinde they are of a pure white colour.

There is another also like hereunto, that smelleth somewhat like vnto Muske; and therefore called Muske Tyme, whose greene leaues are not so small as the former, but larger and longer.

3. _Serpillum Citratum._ Lemon Tyme.

The wilde Tyme that smelleth like vnto a Pomecitron or Lemon, hath many weake branches trayling on the ground, like vnto the first described wilde Tyme, with small darke greene leaues, thinly or sparsedly set on them, and smelling like vnto a Lemon, with whitish flowers at the toppes in roundels or spikes.

4. _Serpillum aureum siue versicolor._ Guilded or embroidered Tyme.

This kinde of wilde Tyme hath small hard branches lying or leaning to the ground, with small party coloured leaues vpon them, diuided into stripes or edges, of a gold yellow colour, the rest of the leafe abiding greene, which for the variable mixture or placing of the yellow, hath caused it to be called embroidered or guilded Tyme.

The Place.

The first groweth as is said before, about Seuill in Spaine, in
very great aboundance as Clusius saith; and as Bellonius saith,
very plentifully on the mountaines through all Greece. The
others growe some in this Country, and some in others: but wee
preserue them with all the care wee can in our gardens, for the
sweete and pleasant sents and varieties they yeeld.

The Time.

The first flowreth not vntill August; the rest in Iune and Iuly.

The Names.

Their names are seuerally set downe in their titles, as is
sufficient to distinguish them; and therefore I shall not neede
to trouble you any further with them.

The Vertues.

The true Tyme is a speciall helpe to melancholicke and
spleneticke diseases, as also to flatulent humours, either
in the vpper or lower parts of the body. The oyle that is
Chimically drawne out of ordinary Tyme, is vsed (as the whole
herbe is, in the stead of the true) in pils for the head and
stomach. It is also much vsed for the toothach, as many other
such like hot oyles are.

CHAP. CXXXII.

_Hyssopus._ Hyssope.

There are many varieties of Hyssope, beside the common or ordinary, which I reserue for the Kitchen garden, and intend onely in this place to giue you the knowledge of some more rare: _viz._ of such as are noursed vp by those that are curious, and fit for this garden: for there are some other, that must be remembred in the Physicke garden, or Garden of Simples, or else in a generall worke.

1. _Hyssopus folijs niueis._ White Hyssope.

This white Hyssope is of the same kinde and smell with the common Hyssope; but differeth, in that this many times hath diuers leaues, that are wholly of a white colour, with part of the stalke also: others are parted, the one halfe white, the other halfe greene, and some are wholly greene, or with some spots or stripes of white within the greene, which makes it delightfull to most Gentlewomen.

2. _Hyssopus folijs cinereis._ Russet Hyssope.

As the last hath party coloured leaues, white and greene, so this hath his leaues of an ash-colour, which of some is called russet; and hath no other difference either in forme or smell.

3. _Hyssopus aureus._ Yellow or golden Hyssope.

All the leaues of this Hyssope are wholly yellow, or but a little greene in them, and are of so pleasant a colour, especially in Summer, that they prouoke many Gentlewomen to weare them in their heads, and on their armes, with as much delight as many fine flowers can giue: but in Winter their beautifull colour is much decayed, being of a whitish greene, yet recouer themselues againe the next Summer.

4. _Hyssopus surculis densis._ Double Hyssope.

As this kinde of Hyssope groweth lower then the former or ordinary kinde, so it hath more branches, slenderer, and not so wooddy, leaning somewhat downe toward the ground, so wonderfully thicke set with leaues, that are like vnto the other, but of a darker greene colour, and somewhat thicker withall, that it is the onely fine sweete herbe, that I know fittest (if any be minded to plant herbes) to set or border a knot of herbes or flowers, because it will well abide, and not growe too wooddy or great, nor be thinne of leaues in one part, when it is thicke in another, so that it may be kept with cutting as smooth and plaine as a table. If it be suffered to growe vp of it selfe alone, it riseth with leaues as before is specified, and flowreth as the common doth, and of the same sent also, not differing in any thing, but in the thicknesse of the leaues on the stalkes and branches, and the aptnesse to be ordered as the keeper pleaseth.

_Chamædrys._ Germander.

Lest Germander should be vtterly forgotten, as not worthy of our Garden, seeing many (as I said in my treatise or introduction to this Garden) doe border knots therewith: let me at the least giue it a place, although the last, being more vsed as a strewing herbe for the house, then for any other vse. It is (I thinke) sufficiently knowne to haue many branches, with small and somewhat round endented leaues on them, and purplish gaping flowers: the rootes spreading far abroad, and rising vp againe in many places.

The Place.

These Hyssopes haue beene most of them noursed vp of long time
in our English Gardens, but from whence their first originall
should be, is not well knowne. The Germander also is onely in
Gardens, and not wilde.

The Time.

They flower in Iune and Iuly.

The Names.

The seuerall names whereby they are knowne to vs, are set
forth in their titles; and therefore I neede not here say
more of them then onely this, that neyther they here set
downe, nor the common or ordinary sort, nor any of the rest
not here expressed, are any of them the true Hyssope of the
ancient Greeke Writers, but _supposititiæ_, vsed in the stead
thereof. The Germander, from the forme of the leaues like vnto
small oaken leaues, had the name _Chamædrys_ giuen it, which
signifieth a dwarfe Oake.

The Vertues.

The common Hyssope is much vsed in all pectorall medicines,
to cut fleagme, and to cause it easily to be auoided. It is
vsed of many people in the Country, to be laid vnto cuts or
fresh wounds, being bruised, and applyed eyther alone, or with
a little Sugar. It is much vsed as a sweet herbe, to be in
the windowes of an house. I finde it much commended against
the Falling Sicknesse, especially being made into Pils after
this manner: Of Hyssope, Horhound, and Castor, of each halfe
a dramme, of Peony rootes (the male kinde is onely fit to be
vsed for this purpose) two drams, of _Assafætida_ one scruple:
Let them be beaten, and made into pils with the iuyce of
Hyssope; which being taken for seuen dayes together at night
going to bed, is held to be effectual to giue much ease, if
not thoroughly to cure those that are troubled with that
disease. The vse of Germander ordinarily is as Tyme, Hyssope,
and other such herbes, to border a knot, whereunto it is often
appropriate, and the rather, that it might be cut to serue (as
I said) for a strewing herbe for the house among others. For
the physicall vse it serueth in diseases of the splene, and the
stopping of vrine, and to procure womens courses.

* * * * *

Thus haue I led you through all my Garden of Pleasure, and shewed you all the varieties of nature noursed therein, pointing vnto them, and describing them one after another. And how lastly (according to the vse of our old ancient Fathers) I bring you to rest on the Grasse, which yet shall not be without some delight, and that not the least of all the rest.

1 _Thymum legitimum._ The true Tyme.
2 _Serpillum maius hortense._ Garden wilde Tyme.
3 _Serpillum Citratum._ Lemon Tyme.
4 _Hyssopus versicolor siue aureus._ Golden Hyssope.
5 _Chamædrys._ Germander.
6 _Spartum Austriacum siue Gramen plumarium minus._ The lesser
feather Grasse.
7 _Gramen striatum vel sulcatum._ Painted Grasse or Ladies Laces.
]

CHAP. CXXXIII.

_Gramina._ Grasses.

There are among an infinite number (as I may so say) of Grasses, a few onely which I thinke fit to be planted in this Garden, both for the rarity of them, and also for your delight, and the excellent beauty that is in them aboue many other plants. One of them hath long agoe bin respected, and cherished in the country gardens of many Gentlewomen, and others. The others are knowne but vnto a few.

1. _Gramen striatum._ Painted Grasse or Ladies laces.

This kinde of Grasse hath many stiffe, hard, round stalkes, full of ioynts, whereon are set at euery ioynt one long leafe, somewhat broad at the bottome, where it compasseth the stalke, and smaller to the end, where it is sharpe pointed, hard or rough in handling, and striped all the length of the leafe with white streakes or lines, that they seeme party coloured laces of white and greene: the tops of the stalkes are furnished with long spikie tufts, like vnto the tufts of Couch Grasse: the rootes are small, white, and threddy, like the rootes of other Grasses.

2. _Gramen Plumarium minus._ The lesser Feather-Grasse.

This lesser Feather-Grasse hath many small, round, and very long leaues or blades, growing in tufts, much finer and smaller then any other Grasse that I know, being almost like vnto haires, and of a fresh greene colour in Summer, but changing into gray, like old hay in Winter, being indeede all dead, and neuer reuiuing; yet hardly to be plucked away vntill the Spring, and then other greene leaues or rushes rise vp by them, and in their stead, and are aboue a foote in length: from the middle of these tufts come forth rounder and bigger rushes, which are the stalkes, and which haue a chaffie round eare about the middle thereof, which when it is full growne, is somewhat higher then the toppes of the leaues or rushes, opening it selfe (being before close) at the top, and shewing forth three or foure long ayles or beards, one aboue another, which bend themselues a little downewards (if they stand ouer long before they are gathered, and will fall off, and be blowne away with the winde) being so finely feathered on both sides, all the length of the beard, and of a pale or grayish colour, that no feather in the taile of the Bird of Paradise can be finer, or to be compared with them, hauing sticking at the end of euery one of them, within the eare, a small, long, whitish, round, hard, and very sharpe pointed graine, like vnto an oaten graine, that part of the stalke of the feather that is next vnder it, and aboue the seede for some two or three inches, being stiffe and hard, and twining or curling it selfe, if it be suffered to stand too long, or to fall away, otherwise being straight as the feather it selfe: the roote is composed of many long, hard, small threddy strings, which runne deepe and far, and will not willingly be remoued, in that it gaineth strength euery yeare by standing.

3. _Gramen Plumarium maius._ The greater Feather-Grasse.

The greater Feather-Grasse is like vnto the lesser, but that both the leaues and the feathers, are greater, and nothing so fine, grosser also, and of lesse beauty and respect, though whiter then it; and therefore is not so much regarded: for I haue knowne, that many Gentlewomen haue vsed the former lesser kinde, being tyed in tufts, to set them in stead of feathers about their beds, where they haue lyen after childe-bearing, and at other times also, when as they haue been much admired of the Ladies and Gentles that haue come to visit them.

The Place.

The first of these Grasses, as Lobel saith, groweth naturally
in the woods and hils of Sauoy. It hath long agoe beene
receiued into our English gardens. The second, as Clusius
saith, in Austria, from whence also (as I take it) the greater
came, and are both in the gardens of those, that are curious
obseruers of these delights.

The Time.

The first is in its pride for the leaues all the Spring and
Summer, yeelding his bush in Iune. The other giue their
feather-like sprigs in Iuly and August, and quickly (as I said)
are shed, if they be not carefully gathered.

The Names.

The first is called by Lobel _Gramen sulcatum_, or _striatum
album_; of others _Gramen pictum_. The French call it
_Aiguellettes d’armes_, of the fashion that their Ensignes,
Pennons, or Streamers vsed in wars were of, that is, like vnto
a party coloured curtaine. In English vsually Ladies laces,
and Painted Grasse. The first of the other two is called
_Gramen plumarium_ or _plumosum_, and _minus_ is added for the
distinction of it. Clusius calleth it _Spartum Austriacum_,
of the likenesse and place where he found it. The last is,
called _Gramen plumarium_, or _plumosum maius_, The greater
Feather-Grasse.

The Vertues.

These kindes of Grasses are not in any time or place that I doe
heare of applyed to any Physicall vse; and therefore of them I
will say no more: but here I will end the prime part of this
worke.

THE ORDERING OF THE KITCHEN GARDEN.

CHAP. I.

_The situation of a Kitchen Garden, or Garden of Herbes, and what sort of manure is fittest to helpe the decaying of the soyle thereof._

Hauing giuen you the best rules and instructions that I can for your flower Garden, and all the flowers that are fit to furnish it, I now proceede to your herbe garden, which is not of the least respect belonging to any mans house, nor vtterly to bee neglected for the many vtilities are to be had from it, both for the Masters profit and pleasure, and the meynies content and nourishment: all which if I should here set down, I had a large field to wander in, and matter sufficient to entreat of, but this worke permitteth not that libertie: and I thinke there are but few but eyther know it already, or conceiue it sufficiently in their minds. Passing therefore no further in such discourses, I come to the matter in hand, which is to shew you where the fittest place is for an herbe garden. As before I shewed you that the beautie of any worthy house is much the more commended for the pleasant situation of the garden of flowers, or of pleasure, to be in the sight and full prospect of all the chiefe and choisest roomes of the house; so contrariwise, your herbe garden should bee on the one or other side of the house, and those best and choyse roomes: for the many different sents that arise from the herbes, as Cabbages, Onions, &c. are scarce well pleasing to perfume the lodgings of any house; and the many ouertures and breaches as it were of many of the beds thereof, which must necessarily bee, are also as little pleasant to the sight. But for priuate mens houses, who must like their habitations as they fall vnto them, and cannot haue time or meanes to alter them, they must make a vertue of necessity, and conuert their places to their best aduantage, by making their profit their chiefest pleasure, and making one place serue for all vses. The choyce of ground for this Garden, is (as I said before) where it is fat, fertill and good, there needeth the lesse labour and cost; and contrariwise, where it is cold, wet, dry or barren, there must bee the more helpes still added to keepe it in heart. For this Garden by reason of the much and continuall stirring therein, the herbes and rootes drawing out the substance of the fertilitie thereof more aboundantly then in the former, must be continually holpen with soyle, or else few things of goodnesse or worth will come forward therein. The stable soyle of horses is best and most proper for any colde grounds, for being the hottest, it will cause any the seedes for this Garden to prosper well, and be more forward then in any other ground that is not so holpen. The stable soyle of Cattell is of a colder and moister nature, and is therefore more proper for the hot sandy or grauelly grounds, and although it bee longer before it bee brought to mould then that of horses, yet it will outlast it more then twice so long. Let euery one therefore take according to the nature of the ground such helpes as are most fit and conuenient, as I haue here and before shewed. But I doe here ingenuously confesse my opinion of these forcings and helpings of ground, that howsoeuer it doth much good to some particular things, which because they delight in heate, and cannot be brought to perfection without it in this our Countrey, which is colder then their naturall from whence they are brought, must therefore haue artificiall helpes to forward them; yet for many other things the compost doth much alter and abate the naturall vigour, and quickenesse of taste, that is perceiued in them that grow in a naturall fat or sandy soile that is not so holpen.

CHAP. II.

_The forme of a Garden of herbes for necessary vses, with the ordering thereof._

As our former Garden of pleasure is wholly formable in euery part with squares, trayles, and knots, and to bee still maintained in their due forme and beautie: so on the contrary side this Garden cannot long conserue any forme, for that euery part thereof is subiect to mutation and alteration. For although it is conuenient that many herbes doe grow by themselues on beds, cast out into some proportion fit for them, as Tyme, Hissope, Sage, &c. yet many others may bee sowen together on a plot of ground of that largenesse that may serue euery mans particular vse as he shall haue occasion to employ it, as Reddish, Lettice and Onions, which after they are growne vp together may be drawne vp and taken away, as there is occasion to spend them: but Carrots or Parsneps being sowen with others must bee suffered to grow last, because they require a longer time before they be fit to be taken vp. Other herbes require some large compasse of ground whereon they may grow of themselues without any other herbes growing among them, as Artichokes, Cowcumbers, Melons, Pompions. And some will doe so with their Cabbages also, but the best and most frugall way now vsed, is to plant them round about the border of your plot or ground whereon you plant Cowcumbers, Pompions, or other things, in that by this meanes so much ground will be well saued, and the other things be no whit hindered thereby, which else a great deale of ground must be employed for them apart. So that by this that I haue here said, you may perceiue the forme of this Garden is for the most part, to bee still out of forme and order, in that the continuall taking vp of the herbes and rootes that are sowen and planted, causeth the beds or parts of this Garden to lye broken, dismembered, and out of the order that at the first it was put into. Remember herewithall that (as I said before) this Garden requireth the continuall helpe of soyle to be brought into it, in that the plenty of these manner of herbes and rootes doe so much waste the fertilitie and fatnesse of the ground, that without continuall refreshing it would quickly become so poore and barren, that it would not yeelde the worth of the seede. The ordinary time to soyle a Garden, is to bring in manure or dung before Christmas, and eyther bury at some small depth, not too deepe, or else to lay it vpon the ground that the winter frostes may pierce it, and then turne it shallow into the ground to sow your seeds in the Spring.

CHAP. III.

_How to order diuers Garden herbes, both for their sowing, spending, and gathering of the seede._

Ovr chiefest and greatest Gardiners now adaies, doe so prouide for themselues euery yeare, that from their owne grounds they gather the seede of many herbes that they sowe againe: for hauing gained the best kind of diuers herbes, they will be still furnished with the same, and be not to seeke euery yeare for new that oftentimes will not yeelde them halfe the profit that their choyce seede will: I say of many herbes, but not of all; for the best of them all hath not ground sufficient for all sorts, nor will our climate bring some to that perfection that other forraine doth, and therefore the seede of some things are continually brought from beyond Sea vnto vs. And againe although our chiefe Gardiners doe still prouide their owne seede of diuers things from their owne ground, because as I said it is of the best kinde, yet you must vnderstand also, that good store of the same sortes of seeds are brought from beyond the Seas, for that which is gathered in this Land is not sufficient to serue euery mans vse in the whole Kingdome by many parts; yet still it is true, that our English seede of many things is better then any that commeth from beyond the Seas: as for example, Reddish, Lettice, Carrots, Parsneps, Turneps, Cabbages, and Leekes, of all which I intend to write in this place; for these are by them so husbanded, that they doe not sow their owne grounds with any other seede of these sorts but their owne: which that you may know the manner how to doe, I will here set it downe, that euery one may haue the best directions if they will follow them. Of Reddish there are two sorts, one more early then the other: they vse therefore to sow their early Reddish first, that they may haue the earliest profit of them, which is more worth in one fortnight, then in a moneth after. And to effect this they haue some artificiall helps also; which are these: They vse to digge vp a large plot of ground where they intend to sow their seede a little before or after Christmas, casting it into high bankes or ridges fiue or sixe foote asunder, which they suffer to lye and take all the extreame frosts in Ianuary to mellow the earth, and when the frostes are past, they then beginne to bring into it good store of fresh stable dung, which they laye neyther too deepe nor too thicke, and couer it with the mould a hand breadth thicknesse aboue the dung, which doth giue such a warmth and comfort to whatsoeuer is sowen thereon, that it forceth it forward much sooner then any other way can doe: And to preuent both the frostes, and the cold bitter windes which often spoyle their seede new sprung vp, they vse to set great high and large mattes made of reedes, tyed together, and fastened vnto strong stakes, thrust into the ground to keepe them vp from falling, or being blowne down with the winde; which mattes they place on the North and East side to breake the force of these winds, and are so sure and safe a defence, that a bricke wall cannot better defend anything vnder it, then this fence will. In this manner they doe euery yeare to bring forward their seede to gaine the more by them, and they that will haue Reddish early, must take the same course. The other sort of Reddish for the most part is sowen in Februarie, a fortnight after the other at the least, and likewise euery moneth after vnto September, that they may haue young continually. For the blacke Reddish, although many in many places doe sowe it in the same time, and in the same manner that the ordinary is sowen, yet the nature thereof is to runne vp to seede more speedily then the other, if it haue so rich ground to grow vpon, and therefore the best time to sow it is in August, that so it may abide all winter, therein is the chiefest time for the spending thereof, and to keepe it vntill the beginning of the next yeare from running vp to seed: the gathering whereof, as also of the other sort, is all after one manner, that is, to be pulled vp when the pods change whitish, and then hanged vpon bushes, pales, or such other thing, vntill they bee thorough dry, and then beaten or thrashed out vpon a smooth plancher, or vpon clothes, as euery ones store is, and their conueniencie. Lettice is sowen oftentimes with the early Reddish, in the same manner before said, that they may haue Lettice likewise as early as the time of the year will permit them, which they pull vp where they grow too thicke, spending them first, and so taking vp from time to time, vntill they stand two foote in sunder one from another, and beginne to spindle and shoote vp for seede. In this is vsed some arte to make the plants strong to giue the better seede without danger of rotting or spoyling with the wet, which often happeneth to those about whom this caution is not obserued: Before your Lettice is shot vp, marke out the choysest and strongest plantes which are fittest to grow for seede, and from those when they are a foote high, strippe away with your hand the leaues that grow lowest vpon the stalke next the ground, which might rot, spoyle or hinder them from bearing so good seede; which when it is neere to be ripe, the stalkes must be cut off about the middle, and layde vpon mats or clothes in the Sunne, that it may there fully ripen and be gathered; for it would be blowne away with the winde if it should be suffered to abide on the stalkes long. Parsneps must be sowen on a deep trenched mellow ground, otherwise they may run to seede the first yeare, which then are nothing worth: or else the rootes will be small staruelings and short, and runne into many spires or branches, whereby they will not bee of halfe the worth. Some vse to sow them in August and September, that so they may bee well growne to serue to spend in Lent following, but their best time is in February, that the Summers growth may make them the fairer and greater. When they runne vp to seede you shall take the principall or middle heades, for those carry the Master seede, which is the best, and will produce the fairest rootes againe. You shall hardly haue all the seede ripe at one instant, for vsually the chiefest heads will be fallen before the other are ripe: you must therefore still looke them ouer, and cut them as they ripen. Carrots are vsually sowen in March and Aprill, and if it chance that some of them doe runne vp for seede the same year, they are to be weeded out, for neyther the seed nor roots of them are good: You must likewise pull them vp when they are too thicke, if you will haue them grow fair, or for seed, that they may grow at the least three or foure foot in sunder: the stalkes of Carrots are limber, and fall downe to the ground; they must therefore be sustained by poles layde acrosse on stalkes thrust into the ground, and tyed to the poles and stalkes to keepe them vp from rotting or spoyling vpon the ground: the seed hereof is not all ripe at once, but must be tended and gathered as it ripeneth, and layd to dry in some dry chamber or floore, and then beaten out with a stick, and winnowed from the refuse. Turneps are sowne by themselues vpon a good ground in the end of Iuly, and beginning of August, to haue their rootes best to spend in winter; for it often happeneth that those seedes of Turneps that are sowen in the Spring, runne vp to seede the same yeare, and then it is not accounted good. Many doe vse to sow Turneps on those grounds from whence the same yeare they haue taken off Reddish and Lettice, to make the greater profit of the ground, by hauing two crops of increase in one yeare. The stalkes of Turneps will bend downe to the ground, as Carrots doe, but yet must not be bound or ordered in that manner, but suffered to grow without staking or binding, so as they grow of some good distance in sunder: when the seede beginneth to grow ripe, be very carefull to preserue it from the birds, which will be most busie to deuour them. You shall vnderstand likewise that many doe account the best way to haue the fairest and most principall seede from all these fore-recited herbes, that after they are sowen and risen to a reasonable growth, they be transplanted into fresh ground. Cabbages also are not only sowen for the vse of their heads to spend for meat, but to gather their seede likewise, which howsoeuer some haue endeauoured to doe, yet few haue gained good seede, because our sharpe hard frostes in winter haue spoyled and rotted their stockes they preserued for the purpose; but others haue found out a better and a more sure way, which is, to take vp your stocks that are fittest to be preserued, and bring them into the house, and there wrap them eyther in clothes, or other things to defend them from the cold, and hang them vp in a dry place, vntill the beginning of March following, then planting them in the ground, and a little defend them at the first with straw cast ouer them from the cold nights, thereby you may be sure to haue perfect good seede, if your kinde be of the best: Sowe your seed in the moneths of February or March, and transplant them in May where they may stand to grow for your vse, but be carefull to kill the wormes or Caterpillers that else will deuoure all your leaues, and be carefull also that none of the leaues bee broken in the planting, or otherwise rubbed, for that oftentimes hindereth the well closing of them. Leekes are for the most part wholly noursed vp from the seede that is here gathered; and because there is not so much store of them either sowne or spent, as there is of Onions by the twentieth part, we are still the more carefull to be prouided from our owne labours; yet there be diuers Gardiners in this Kingdome, that doe gather some small quantity of Onion seede also for their owne or their priuate friends spending. The sowing of them both is much about one time and manner, yet most vsually Leeks are sowne later then Onions, and both before the end of March at the furthest; yet some sowe Onions from the end of Iuly to the beginning of September, for their Winter prouision. Those that are sowne in the Spring, are to be taken vp and transplanted on a fresh bed prepared for the purpose, or else they will hardly abide a Winter; but hauing taken roote before Winter, they will beare good seede in the Summer following: You must stake both your Leekes and your Onion beds, and with poles laid a crosse, binde your lopple headed stalkes vnto them, on high as well as belowe, or else the winde and their owne weight will beare them downe to the ground, and spoile your seede. You must thinne them, that is, pull vp continually after they are first sprung vp those that growe too thicke, as you doe with all the other herbes before spoken of, that they may haue the more roome to thriue. Of all these herbes and rootes before spoken of, you must take the likeliest and fairest to keepe for your seede; for if you should not take the best, what hope of good seede can you expect? The time for the spending of these herbes and rootes, not particularly mentioned, is vntill they begin to runne vp for seede, or vntill they are to be transplanted for seede, or else vntill Winter, while they are good, as euery one shall see cause.

CHAP. IIII.

_How to order Artichokes, Melons, Cowcumbers, and Pompions._