Chapter XXVIII: Front Matter (28)

There are certaine other herbes to be spoken of, which are wholly noursed vp for their fruit sake, of whom I shall not need to say much, being they are so frequent in euery place. Artichokes being planted of faire and large slips, taken from the roote in September and October (yet not too late) will most of them beare fruit the next yeare, so that they be planted in well dunged ground, and the earth raised vp like vnto an Anthill round about each roote, to defend them the better from the extreame frosts in Winter. Others plant slips in March and Aprill, or sooner, but although some of them will beare fruit the same yeare, yet all will not. And indeede many doe rather choose to plant in the spring then in the fall, for that oftentimes an extreame hard Winter following the new setting of slips, when they haue not taken sufficient heart and roote in the ground, doth vtterly pierce and perish them, when as they that are set in the Spring haue the whole Summers growth, to make them strong before they feele any sharpe frosts, which by that time they are the better able to beare. Muske Melons haue beene begun to bee noursed vp but of late dayes in this Land, wherein although many haue tryed and endeauoured to bring them to perfection, yet few haue attained vnto it: but those rules and orders which the best and skilfullest haue vsed, I will here set downe, that who so will, may haue as good and ripe Melons as any other in this Land. The first thing you are to looke vnto, is to prouide you a peece of ground fit for the purpose, which is either a sloping or sheluing banke, lying open and opposite to the South Sunne, or some other fit place not sheluing, and this ground also you must so prepare, that all the art you can vse about it to make it rich is little enough; and therefore you must raise it with meere stable soyle, thorough rotten & well turned vp, that it may be at the least three foote deepe thereof, which you must cast also into high beds or balkes, with deepe trenches or furrowes betweene, so as the ridges may be at the least a foot and a halfe higher then the furrowes; for otherwise it is not possible to haue good Melons growe ripe. The choise of your seede also is another thing of especiall regard, and the best is held to be Spanish, and not French, which hauing once gained, be sure to haue still of the same while they last good, that you may haue the seede of your owne ripe Melons from them that haue eaten them, or saue some of the best your selfe for the purpose. I say while they last good; for many are of opinion, that no seede of Muske Melons gathered in England, will endure good to sowe againe here aboue the third yeare, but still they must be renewed from whence you had your choisest before. Then hauing prepared a hot bed of dung in Aprill, set your seedes therein to raise them vp, and couer them, and order them with as great care or greater then Cowcumbers, &c. are vsed, that when they are ready, they may be transplanted vpon the beds or balkes of that ground you had before prepared for them, and set them at the least two yards in sunder, euery one as it were in a hole, with a circle of dung about them, which vpon the setting being watered with water that hath stood in the Sunne a day or two, and so as often as neede is to water, couer them with strawe (some vse great hollow glasses like vnto bell heads) or some such other things, to defend them both from the cold euenings or dayes, and the heate of the Sunne, while they are young and new planted. There are some that take vpon them great skill, that mislike of the raising vp of Melons, as they doe also of Cowcumbers, on a hot bed of horse dung, but will put two or three seedes in a place in the very ground where they shall stand and growe, and thinke without that former manner of forcing them forwards, that this their manner of planting will bring them on fast and sure enough, in that they will plucke away some of the worst and weakest, if too many rise vp together in a place; but let them know for certaine, that howsoeuer for Cowcumbers their purpose and order may doe reasonable well, where the ground is rich and good, and where they striue not to haue them so early, as they that vse the other way, for Muske Melons, which are a more tender fruit, requiring greater care and trouble in the noursing, and greater and stronger heate for the ripening, they must in our cold climate haue all the art vsed vnto them that may be, to bring them on the more early, and haue the more comfort of the Sunne to ripen them kindly, or else they will not bee worth the labour and ground. After you haue planted them as aforesaid, some of good skill doe aduise, that you be carefull in any dry season, to giue them water twice or thrice euery weeke while they are young, but more afterward when they are more growne, and that in the morning especially, yea and when the fruit is growne somewhat great, to water the fruit it selfe with a watering pot in the heate of the day, is of so good effect, that it ripeneth them much faster, and will giue them the better taste and smell, as they say. To take likewise the fruit, and gather it at the full time of his ripenesse is no small art; for if it be gathered before his due time to be presently eaten, it will be hard and greene, and not eate kindly; and likewise if it be suffered too long, the whole goodnesse will be lost: You shall therefore know, that it is full time to gather them to spend presently, when they begin to looke a little yellowish on the outside, and doe smell full and strong; but if you be to send them farre off, or keepe them long vpon any occasion, you shall then gather them so much the earlier, that according to the time of the carriage and spending, they may ripen in the lying, being kept dry, and couered with woollen clothes: When you cut one to eate, you shall know it to be ripe and good, if the seede and pulpe about them in the middle be very waterish, and will easily be separated from the meate, and likewise if the meate looke yellow, and be mellow, and not hard or greene, and taste full and pleasant, and not waterish: The vsuall manner to eate them is with pepper and salt, being pared and sliced, and to drowne them in wine, for feare of doing more harme. Cowcumbers and Pompions, after they are noursed vp in the bed of hot dung, are to be seuerally transplanted, each of them on a large plot of ground, a good distance in sunder: but the Pompions more, because their branches take vp a great deale more ground, & besides, will require a great deale more watering, because the fruit is greater. And thus haue you the ordering of those fruits which are of much esteeme, especially the two former, with all the better sort of persons; and the third kinde is not wholly refused of any, although it serueth most vsually for the meaner and poorer sort of people, after the first early ripe are spent.

CHAP. V.

_The ordering of diuers sorts of herbes for the pot, for meate, and for the table._

Tyme, Sauory, and Hyssope, are vsually sowne in the Spring on beds by themselues, euerie one a part; but they that make a gaine by selling to others the young rootes, to set the knots or borders of Gardens, doe for the most part sowe them in Iuly and August, that so being sprung vp before Winter, they will be the fitter to be taken vp in the Spring following, to serue any mans vse that would haue them. Sage, Lauender, and Rosemary, are altogether set in the Spring, by slipping the old stalkes, and taking the youngest and likeliest of them, thrusting them either twined or otherwise halfe a foote deepe into the ground, and well watered vpon the setting; if any seasonable weather doe follow, there is no doubt of their well thriuing: the hot Sunne and piercing drying Windes are the greatest hinderances to them; and therefore I doe aduise none to set too soone in the Spring, nor yet in Autumne, as many doe practise: for I could neuer see such come to good, for the extremity of the Winter comming vpon them so soone after their setting, will not suffer their young shootes to abide, not hauing taken sufficient strength in the ground, to maintain themselues against such violence, which doth often pierce the strongest plants. Marierome and Bassill are sowne in the Spring, yet not too early; for they are tender plants, and doe not spring vntill the weather bee somewhat warme: but Bassill would bee sowne dry, and not haue any water of two or three daies after the sowing, else the seede will turne to a gelly in the ground. Some vse to sowe the seed of Rosemary, but it seldome abideth the first Winter, because the young plants being small, and not of sufficient strength, cannot abide the sharpnesse of some Winters, notwithstanding the couering of them, which killeth many old plants; but the vsuall way is to slippe and set, and so they thriue well. Many doe vse to sowe all or the most sorts of Pot-herbes together on one plot of ground, that they neede not to goe farre to gather all the sorts they would vse. There are many sorts of them well knowne vnto all, yet few or none doe vse all sorts, but as euery one liketh; some vse those that others refuse, and some esteem those not to bee wholesome and of a good rellish, which others make no scruple of. The names of them are as followeth, and a short relation of their sowing or planting.

Rosemary, Tyme, and Sauorie are spoken of before, and Onions, and Leekes.

Mints are to bee set with their rootes in some by-place, for that their rootes doe creepe so farre vnder ground, that they quickly fill vp the places neare adioyning, if they be not puld vp.

Clarie is to be sowne, and seedeth and dyeth the next yeare, the herbe is strong, and therefore a little thereof is sufficient.

Nep is sowne, and dyeth often after seeding, few doe vse it, and that but a little at a time: both it and Clarie are more vsed in Tansies then in Broths.

Costmarie is to be set of rootes, the leaues are vsed with some in their Broths, but with more in their Ale.

Pot Marierome is set of rootes, being separated in sunder.

Penniroyall is to be set of the small heads that haue rootes, it creepeth and spreadeth quickly.

Allisanders are to be sowne of seede, the tops of the rootes with the greene leaues are vsed in Lent especially.

Parsley is a common herbe, and is sowne of seede, it seedeth the next yeare and dyeth: the rootes are more vsed in broths then the leaues, and the leaues almost with all sorts of meates.

Fennell is sowne of seede, and abideth many yeares yeelding seede; the rootes also are vsed in broths, and the leaues more seldome, yet serue to trimme vp many fish meates.

Borage is sowne of seede, and dyeth the next yeare after, yet once being suffered to seede in a Garden, will still come of it owne shedding.

Buglosse commeth of seede, but abideth many yeares after it hath giuen seede, if it stand not in the coldest place of the Garden.

Marigolds are sowne of seede, and may be after transplanted, they abide two or three yeares, if they be not set in too cold a place: the leaues and flowers are both vsed.

Langedebeefe is sowne of seede, which shedding it selfe will hardly be destroyed in a Garden.

Arrach is to be sowne of seede, this likewise will rise euery yeare of it owne seed, if it be suffered to shed it selfe.

Beetes are sowne of seede, and abideth some yeares after, still giuing seede.

Blites are vsed but in some places, for there is a generall opinion held of them, that they are naught for the eyes: they are sowne euery yeare of seede.

Bloodwort once sowne abideth many yeares, if the extremity of the frosts kill it not, and seedeth plentifully.

Patience is of the same nature, and vsed in the same manner.

French Mallowes are to be sowne of seede, and will come of it owne sowing, if it be suffered to shed it selfe.

Ciues are planted onely by parting the rootes; for it neuer giueth any seede at all.

Garlicke is ordered in the same manner, by parting and planting the rootes euerie yeare.

These be all the sorts are vsed with vs for that purpose, whereas I said before, none vseth all, but euery one will vse those they like best: and so much shall suffice for pot-herbes.

CHAP. VI.

_The manner and ordering of many sorts of herbes and rootes for Sallets._

If I should set downe all the sorts of herbes that are vsually gathered for Sallets, I should not onely speake of Garden herbes, but of many herbes, &c. that growe wilde in the fields, or else be but weedes in a Garden; for the vsuall manner with many, is to take the young buds and leaues of euery thing almost that groweth, as well in the Garden as in the Fields, and put them all together, that the taste of the one may amend the rellish of the other: But I will only shew you those that are sown or planted in gardens for that purpose. Asparagus is a principall & delectable Sallet herbe, whose young shootes when they are a good handfull high aboue the ground, are cut an inch within the ground, which being boyled, are eaten with a little vinegar and butter, as a Sallet of great delight. Their ordering with the best Gardiners is on this wise: When you haue prouided seede of the best kinde, you must sowe it either before Christmas, as most doe, or before the end of February; the later you sowe, the later and the more hardly will they spring: after they are growne vp, they are to be transplanted in Autumne on a bed well trenched in with dung; for else they will not bee worth your labour, and set about a foote distance in sunder, and looke that the more carefull you are in the replanting of them, the better they will thriue, and the sooner growe great: after fiue or six yeares standing they vsually doe decay; and therefore they that striue to haue continually faire and great heads, doe from seede raise vp young for their store. You must likewise see that you cut not your heads or young shoote too nigh, or too much, that is, to take away too many heads from a roote, but to leaue a sufficient number vncut, otherwise it will kill the heart of your rootes the sooner, causing them to dye, or to giue very small heads or shootes; for you may well consider with your selfe, that if the roote haue not head enough left it aboue the ground to shoote greene this yeare, it will not, nor cannot prosper vnder ground to giue encrease the next yeare. The ordering of Lettice I haue spoken of before, and shall not neede here to repeate what hath beene already said, but referre you thereunto for the sowing, planting, &c. onely I will here shew you the manner of ordering them for Sallets. There are some sorts of Lettice that growe very great, and close their heads, which are called Cabbage Lettice, both ordinary and extraordinary, and there are other sorts of great Lettice that are open, and close not, or cabbage not at all, which yet are of an excellent kinde, if they be vsed after that especiall manner is fit for them, which is, That when they are planted (for after they are sowne, they must be transplanted) of a reasonable distance in sunder, and growne to be of some bignesse, euery one of them must bee tyed together with bast or thread toward the toppes of the leaues, that by this meanes all the inner leaues may growe whitish, which then are to be cut vp and vsed: for the keeping of the leaues close doth make them taste delicately, and to bee very tender. And these sorts of Lettice for the most part are spent after Summer is past, when other Lettice are not to be had. Lambes Lettice or Corne Sallet is an herbe, which abiding all Winter, is the first Sallet herbe of the yeare that is vsed before any ordinarie Lettice is ready; it is therefore vsually sowne in August, when the seede thereof is ripe. Purslane is a Summer Sallet herbe, and is to be sowne in the Spring, yet somewhat late, because it is tender, and ioyeth in warmth; and therefore diuers haue sowne it vpon those beddes of dung, whereon they noursed vp their Cowcumbers, &c. after they are taken away, which being well and often watered, hath yeelded Sallet vntill the end of the yeare. Spinach is sowne in the Spring, of all for the most part that vse it, but yet if it be sowne in Summer it will abide greene all the Winter, and then seedeth quickly: it is a Sallet that hath little or no taste at all therein, like as Lettice and Purslane, and therefore Cookes know how to make many a good dish of meate with it, by putting Sugar and Spice thereto. Coleworts are of diuers kinds, and although some of them are wholly spent among the poorer sort of people, yet some kindes of them may be dressed and ordered as may delight a curious palate, which is, that being boyled tender, the middle ribs are taken cold, and laid in dishes, and vinegar and oyle poured thereon, and so eaten. Coleflowers are to be had in this Countrey but very seldome, for that it is harde to meete with good seede: it must bee sowne on beds of dung to force it forward, or else it would perish with the frost before it had giuen his head of flowers, and transplanted into verie good and rich ground, lest you lose the benefit of your labours. Endiue is of two sorts, the ordinary, and another that hath the edges of the leaues curld or crumpled; it is to be whited, to make it the more dainty Sallet, which is vsually done in this manner: After they are grown to some reasonable greatnesse (but in any case before they shoote forth a stalke in the midst for seede) they are to be taken vp, and the rootes being cut away, lay them to dry or wither for three or foure houres, and then bury them in sand, so as none of them lye one vpon another, or if you can, one to touch another, which by this meanes will change whitish, and thereby become verie tender, and is a Sallet both for Autumne and Winter. Succorie is vsed by some in the same manner, but because it is more bitter then Endiue, it is not so generally vsed, or rather vsed but of a verie few: and whereas Endiue will seede the same yeare it is sowne, and then dye, Succorie abideth manie yeares, the bitternesse thereof causing it to be more Physicall to open obstructions; and therefore the flowers pickled vp, as diuers other flowers are vsed to be now adaies, make a delicate Sallet at all times when there is occasion to vse them. Of red Beetes, the rootes are onely vsed both boyled and eaten cold with vinegar and oyle, and is also vsed to trimme vp or garnish forth manie sorts of dishes of meate: the seede of the best kinde will not abide good with vs aboue three yeares, but will degenerate and growe worse; and therefore those that delight therein must be curious, to be prouided from beyond Sea, that they may haue such as will giue delight. Sorrell is an herbe so common, and the vse so well knowne, both for sawce, and to season broths and meates for the sound as well as sicke persons, that I shall not neede to say anie more thereof. Cheruill is a Sallet herbe of much vse, both with French and Dutch, who doe much more delight in herbes of stronger taste then the English doe: it is sowne early, and vsed but a while, because it quickly runneth vp to seede. Sweete Cheruill,or as some call it, Sweete Cis, is so like in taste vnto Anise seede, that it much delighteth the taste among other herbes in a Sallet: the seede is long, thicke, blacke, and cornered, and must be sowne in the end of Autumne, that it may lye in the ground all the Winter, and then it will shoote out in the Spring, or else if it be sowne in the Spring, it will not spring vp that yeare vntill the next: the leaues (as I said before) are vsed among other herbes: the rootes likewise are not onely cordiall, but also held to be preseruatiue against the Plague, either greene, dryed, or preserued with sugar. Rampion rootes are a kinde of Sallet with a great many, being boyled tender, and eaten cold with vinegar and pepper. Cresses is an herbe of easie and quick growth, and while it is young eaten eyther alone, or with parsley and other herbes: it is of a strong taste to them that are not accustomed thereunto, but it is much vsed of strangers. Rocket is of the same nature and qualitie, but somewhat stronger in taste: they are both sowen in the Spring, and rise, seede and dye the same yeare. Tarragon is an herbe of as strong a taste as eyther Rocket or Cresses, it abideth and dyeth not euery yeare, nor yet giueth ripe seede (as far as euer could bee found with vs) any yeare, but maketh sufficient increase within the ground, spreading his roots all abroad a great way off. Mustard is a common sawce both with fish and flesh, and the seede thereof (and no part of the plant besides) is well knowne how to be vsed being grownded, as euery one I thinke knoweth. The rootes of horse Radish likewise beeing grownd like Mustard, is vsed both of strangers and our owne nation, as sawce for fish. Tansie is of great vse, almost with all manner of persons in the Spring of the yeare: it is more vsually planted of the rootes then otherwise; for in that the rootes spread far and neere they may be easily taken away, without any hurt to the rest of the rootes. Burnet, although it be more vsed in wine in the Summer time then any way else, yet it is likewise made a sallet herbe with many, to amend the harm or weak rellish of some other herbs. Skirrets are better to be sowen of the seed then planted from the roots, and will come on more speedily, and be fairer rootes: they are as often eaten cold as a Sallet, being boyled and the pith taken out, as stewed with butter and eaten warme. Let not Parsley and Fenell be forgotten among your other Sallet herbes, whereof I haue spoken before, and therefore need say no more of them. The flowers of Marigolds pickt cleane from the heads, and pickled vp against winter, make an excellent Sallet when no flowers are to be had in a garden. Cloue Gilloflowers likewise preserued or pickled vp in the same manner (which is _stratum super stratum_, a lay of flowers, and then strawed ouer with fine dry and poudered Sugar, and so lay after lay strawed ouer, vntill the pot bee full you meane to keepe them in, and after filled vp or couered ouer with vinegar) make a Sallet now adayes in the highest esteeme with Gentles and Ladies of the greatest note: the planting and ordering of them both is spoken of seuerally in their proper places. Goates bearde that groweth in Gardens only, as well as that which groweth wilde in Medowes, &c. bearing a yellow flower, are vsed as a Sallet, the rootes beeing boyled and pared are eaten cold with vinegar, oyle and pepper; or else stewed with butter and eaten warme as Skirrets, Parsneps &c. And thus haue you here set downe all those most vsuall Sallets are vsed in this Kingdome: I say the most vsuall, or that are noursed vp in Gardens; for I know there are some other wilde herbes and rootes, as Dandelion &c. but they are vsed onely of strangers, and of those whose curiositie searcheth out the whole worke of nature to satisfie their desires.

CHAP. VII.

_Of diuers Physicall herbes fit to be planted in Gardens, to serue for the especiall vses of a familie._

Hauing thus shewed you all the herbes that are most vsually planted in Kitchen Gardens for ordinary vses, let mee also adde a few other that are also noursed vp by many in their Gardens, to preserue health, and helpe to cure such small diseases as are often within the compasse of the Gentlewomens skils, who, to helpe their owne family, and their poore neighbours that are farre remote from Physitians and Chirurgions, take much paines both to doe good vnto them, and to plant those herbes that are conducing to their desires. And although I doe recite some that are mentioned in other places, yet I thought it meete to remember them altogether in one place. Angelica, the garden kinde, is so good an herbe, that there is no part thereof but is of much vse, and all cordiall and preseruatiue from infectious or contagious diseases, whether you will distill the water of the herbe, or preserue or candie the rootes or the greene stalkes, or vse the seede in pouder or in distillations, or decoctions with other things: it is sowen of seede, and will abide vntill it giue seede, and then dyeth. Rue or Herbe grace is a strong herbe, yet vsed inwardly against the plague as an Antidote with Figs and Wall-nuts, and helpeth much against windy bodies: outwardly it is vsed to bee layde to the wrestes of the hands, to driue away agues: it is more vsually planted of slips then raised from seede, and abideth long if sharpe frostes kill it not. Dragons being distilled are held to be good to expell any euill thing from the heart: they are altogether planted of the rootes. Setwall, Valerian, or Capons tayle, the herbe often, but the roote much better, is vsed to prouoke sweating, thereby to expell euill vapours that might annoy the heart: it is only planted of the rootes when they are taken vp, and the young replanted. Asarabacca, the leaues are often vsed to procure vomiting being stamped, and the strained iuice to a little quantitie, put into a draught of ale and drunke, thereby to ease the stomacke of many euill and grosse humours that there lye and offend it; diuers also take the leaues and rootes a little boyled in wine, with a little spice added thereunto, to expell both tertian and quartan agues: the rootes of our English growing is more auaileable for these purposes then any outlandish: it is planted by the roote; for I could neuer see it spring of seede. Masterwort commeth somewhat neere in propertie vnto Angelica, and besides very effectuall to disperse winde in the bodie, whether of the colicke or otherwise; as also very profitable to comfort in all cold causes: it yeeldeth seede, but yet is more vsually planted from the rootes being parted. Balme is a cordiall herbe both in smell and taste, and is wholly vsed for those purposes, that is, to comfort the heart being distilled into water either simple or compound, or the herbe dryed and vsed: it is set of the rootes being parted, because it giueth no seede that euer I could obserue. Camomill is a common herbe well knowne, and is planted of the rootes in alleyes, in walkes, and on bankes to sit on, for that the more it is troden on, and pressed downe in dry weather, the closer it groweth, and the better it will thriue: the vse thereof is very much, both to warme and comfort, and to ease paines being applyed outwardly after many fashions: the decoction also of the flowers prouoketh sweat, and they are much vsed against agues. Featherfew is an herbe of greater vse for women then for men, to dissolue flatulent or windy humours, which causeth the paines of the mother: some vse to take the iuice thereof in drinke for agues: it is as well sowen of the seede as planted of the rootes. Costmary is vsed among those herbes that are put into ale to cause it haue a good rellish, and to be somewhat physicall in the moneth of May, and doth helpe to prouoke vrine: it is set of the rootes being parted. Maudlin is held to be a principall good herbe to open and cleanse the liuer, and for that purpose is vsed many wayes, as in ale, in tansies, and in broths &c. the seed also is vsed, and so is the herbe also sometimes, to kill the wormes in children: it is sowen of the seede, and planted also of the separated rootes. Cassidonie is a small kinde of Lauender, but differing both in forme and qualitie: it is much vsed for the head to ease paines thereof, as also put among other things to purge melancholicke diseases: it is sowen of seede, and abideth not a winter vnlesse it bee well defended, and yet hardly giueth ripe seede againe with vs. Smallage is a great opening herbe, and much more then eyther Parsley or Fenell, and the rootes of them all are often vsed together in medicines: it is sowen of seede, and will not bee wanting in a Garden if once you suffer it to sow it selfe. Cardus Benedictus, or the Blessed Thistle, is much vsed in the time of any infection or plague, as also to expell any euill symptome from the heart at all other times. It is vsed likewise to be boyled in posset drink, & giuen to them that haue an ague, to help to cure it by sweating or otherwise. It is vsually sowen of seed, and dyeth when it hath giuen seed. Winter Cherries are likewise nursed vp in diuers gardens, for that their propertie is to giue helpe to them that are troubled eyther with the stopping or heate or their vrine: the herbe and berries are often distilled, but the berries alone are more often vsed: after it is once planted in a garden it will runne vnder ground, & abide well enough. Celondine is held to bee good for the iaundise, it is much vsed for to cleere dim eyes, eyther the iuice or the water dropped into them: it is sowen of seede, and being once brought into a garden, will hardly be weeded out; the seede that sheddeth will so sow it selfe, and therefore some corner in a garden is the fittest place for it. Tabacco is of two sorts, and both vsed to be planted in Gardens, yet the English kinde (as it is called) is more to be found in our Countrey Gardens then the Indian sort: the leaues of both sorts indifferently, that is, of eyther of which is next at hand, being stamped and boyled eyther by it selfe, or with other herbes in oyle or hogs suet, doe make an excellent salue for greene wounds, and also to clense old vlcers or sores; the iuice of the greene leaues drunke in ale, or a dryed leafe steeped in wine or ale for a night, and the wine or ale drunke in the morning, prouoketh to cast, but the dryed leafe much stronger then the greene: they are sowen of seede, but the Indian kinde is more tender, and will not abide a winter with vs abroade. Spurge that vsually groweth in Gardens, is a violent purger, and therefore it is needfull to be very carefull how it is vsed: the seede is more ordinarily vsed then any other part of the plant, which purgeth by vomiting in some, and both vpwards and downwards in many; the iuice of the herbe, but especially the milke thereof, is vsed to kill wartes: it is sowen of seede, and when it doth once shed it selfe, it will still continue springing of the fallen seede. Bearefoote is sowen of seed, and will hardly abide transplanting vnlesse it bee while it is young; yet abideth diuers yeares, if it stand not in too cold a place. This I speake of the greater kinde; for the lower small wilde kinde (which is the most ordinary in this land) will neuer decay: the leaues are sometimes vsed greene, but most vsually dryed and poudered, and giuen in drinke to them that haue the wormes: it purgeth melancholy, but especially the roots. In many Countries of this Land, and elsewhere, they vse to thrust the stalk of the great kinde through the eare or dewlap of Kine and Cattell, to cure them of many diseases. Salomons Seale, or (as some call it) Ladder to heauen, although it doth grow wilde in many places of this Land, yet is planted in Gardens: it is accounted an excellent wound herbe to consolidate, and binde, insomuch that many vse it with good successe to cure ruptures, and to slay both the white and the red fluxe in women: it is planted altogether of the rootes, for I could neuer finde it spring from the seede, it is so strong. Comfry likewise is found growing wilde in many places by ditch sides, and in moist places, and therefore requireth some moist places of the garden: it is wholly vsed for knitting, binding, and consolidating fluxes and wounds, to be applyed either inwardly or outwardly: The rootes are stronger for those purposes then any other parts of the plant. Licoris is much vsed now adaies to bee planted in great quantitie, euen to fill many acres of ground, whereof riseth a great deale of profit to those that know how to order it, and haue fit grounds for it to thriue in; for euery ground will not be aduantagious: It will require a very rich, deepe and mellow ground, eyther naturall or artificiall; but for a priuate house where a small quantitie will serue, there needeth not so much curiositie: it is vsually planted of the top heads, when the lower rootes (which are the Licoris that is vsed) and the runners are cut from them. Some vse to make an ordinary drinke or beuerage of Licoris, boyled in water as our vsuall ale or beere is with malt, which fermented with barme in the same manner, and tunned vp, serueth in stead thereof, as I am credibly informed: It is otherwise in a manner wholly spent for colds, coughes and rheumes, to expectorate flegme, but vsed in diuers formes, as in iuice, in decoctions, syrrups, roules, trochisces, and the greene or dryed roote of it selfe.

And these are the most ordinary Physicall herbes that are vsed to be planted in gardens for the vse of any Country familie, that is (as I said before) farre remote from Physitians or Chirurgions abidings, that they may vse as occasion serueth for themselues or their neighbours, and by a little care and paines in the applying may doe a great deale of good, and sometimes to them that haue not wherewith to spend on themselues, much lesse on Physitians or Chirurgions, or if they haue, may oftentimes receiue lesse good at their hands then at others that are taught by experience in their owne families, to be the more able to giue helpe to others.

THE KITCHEN GARDEN.

THE SECOND PART,

Containing as well all sorts of herbes, as rootes and fruits, that are vsually planted in Gardens, to serue for the vse of the Table whether of the poore or rich of our Countrey: but herein I intend not to bring any fruite bearing trees, shrubbes, or bushes; for I reserue them for my Orchard, wherin they shal be set forth. So that in these three parts, I suppose the exquisite ornament of any worthy house is consummate for the exteriour bounds, the benefit of their riches extending also to the furnishing of the most worthy inward parts thereof: but because many take pleasure in the sight and knowledge of other herbes that are Physicall, and much more in their properties and vertues, if vnto these three I should adde a Physicke Garden, or Garden of Simples, there would be a quadripartite complement, of whatsoeuer arte or nature, necessitie or delight could affect: which to effect (as many my friends haue, intreated it at my hands) will require more paines and time then all this worke together: yet to satisfie their desires and all others herein, that would bee enformed in the truth, and reformed of the many errours and slips set forth and published heretofore of plants by diuers, I shall (God assisting and granting life) labour to performe, that it may shew it selfe to the light in due conueniencie, if these bee well and gratefully accepted. And because I ended with some sweete herbes in the former part, I will in this part beginne with the rest, which I reserued for this place, as fitter for the pot and kitchen then for the hand or bosome, and so descend to other herbes that are for meat or sallets: and after them to those rootes that are to be eaten, as meate or as sallets: and lastly the fruits that grow neere, or vpon the ground, or not much aboue it; as the Artichoke, &c. in which I make a shorter description then I did in the former, rather endeauouring to shew what they are, and whereunto they are vsed, then the whole varietie or any exact declaration: which methode, although in some sort it may bee fitting for this purpose, yet it is not for an history or herball: I shall therefore require their good acceptance for whose sake I doe it, not doubting, but that I, or others, if they write againe of this subiect, may polish and amende what formerly hath beene eyther mis set, or not so thoroughly expressed, besides some additions of new conceits; seeing I treade out a new path, and therefore those that follow may the easilier see the Meanders, and so goe on in a direct line.

CHAP. I.

_Maiorana latifolia, siue maior Anglica._ Winter, or pot Marierome.

Winter Marierome is a small bushie herbe like vnto sweete Marierome, being parted or diuided into many branches, whereon doe grow broader and greener leaues, set by couples, with some small leaues likewise at the seuerall ioynts all along the branches: at the tops whereof grow a number of small purplish white flowers set together in a tuft, which turne into small and round seed, bigger then sweet Marierome seede: the whole plant is of a small and fine sent, but much inferiour to the other, and is nothing so bitter as the sweete Marierome, and thereby both the fitter and more willingly vsed for meates: the roote is white and threddy, and perisheth not as the former, but abideth many yeares.

The Vse of winter Marierome.

The vse of this Marierome is more frequent in our Land then
in others, being put among other pot-herbes and farsing (or
faseting herbes as they are called) and may to good profit bee
applyed in inward as well as outward griefes for to comfort the
parts, although weaker in effect then sweete Marieromes.

CHAP. II.

_Thymum vulgatius siue durius._ Ordinary Garden Tyme.

The ordinary Garden Tyme is a small low wooddy plant with brittle branches, and small hard greene leaues, as euery one knoweth, hauing small white purplish flowers, standing round about the tops of the stalkes: the seed is small and browne, darker then Marierome seed: the root is woody, and abideth well diuers Winters.

_Thymum latifolium._ Masticke Tyme.

This Tyme hath neyther so wooddy branches, nor so hard leaues, but groweth lower, more spreading, and with somewhat broader leaues; the flowers are of a purplish white colour, standing in roundles round about the stalkes, at the ioynts with leaues at them likewise. This Tyme endureth better and longer then the former, and by spreading it selfe more then the former, is the more apt to bee propagated by slipping, because it hath beene seldome seene to giue seede: It is not so quicke in sent or taste as the former, but is fitter to set any border or knot in a garden, and is for the most part wholly employed to such vses.

The Vse of Tyme.

To set downe all the particular vses whereunto Tyme is applyed,
were to weary both the Writer and Reader; I will but only note
out a few: for besides the physicall vses to many purposes,
for the head, stomacke, splene, &c. there is no herbe almost
of more vse, in the houses both of high and low, rich and
poore, both, for inward and outward occasions; outwardly for
bathings among other hot herbes, and among other sweete herbes
for strewings: inwardly in most sorts of broths, with Rosmary,
as also with other faseting (or rather farsing) herbes, and to
make sawce for diuers sorts both fish and flesh, as to stuffe
the belly of a Goose to bee rosted, and after put into the
sawce, and the pouder with breade to strew on meate when it is
rosted, and so likewise on rosted or fryed fish. It is held by
diuers to bee a speedy remedy against the sting of a Bee, being
bruised and layd thereon.

1 _Maiorana maior Anglica._ Pot Marierome.
2 _Thymum vulgatius._ Garden Tyme.
3 _Satureia._ Sauorie.
4 _Hyssopus._ Hyssope.
5 _Pulegium._ Penniroyall.
6 _Saluia maior._ Common Sage.
7 _Saluia minor primata._ Sage of vertue.
]

CHAP. III.

_Satureia siue Thymbra._ Sauorie.

There are two sorts of Sauory, the one called Summer, and the other Winter Sauorie: The Summer Sauory is a small tender herbe, growing not aboue a foote and a halfe high, or thereabouts, rising vp with diuers brittle branches, slenderly or sparsedly set with small long leaues, soft in handling, at euery ioynt a couple, one against another, of a pleasant strong and quicke sent and taste: the flowers are small and purplish, growing at the toppes of the stalkes, with two small long leaues at the ioynts vnder them: the seede is small, and of a darke colour, bigger then Tyme seede by the halfe: the roote is wooddy, and hath many strings, perishing euery yeare wholly, and must bee new sowen againe, if any will haue it.

The Winter Sauorie is a small low bushie herbe, very like vnto Hyssope, but not aboue a foote high, with diuers small hard branches, and hard darke green leaues thereon, thicker set together then the former by much, and as thicke as common Hyssope, sometimes with foure leaues or more at a ioynt, of a reasonable strong sent, yet not so strong or quicke as the former: the flowers are of a pale purplish colour, set at seuerall distances at the toppes of the stalkes, with leaues at the ioynts also with them, like the former: the roote is woody, with diuers small strings thereat, and abideth all the winter with his greene leaues: it is more vsually encreased by slipping or diuiding the roote, and new setting it seuerally againe in the Spring, then by sowing the seed.

The Vse of Sauorie.

The Summer Sauorie is vsed in other Countryes much more then
with vs in their ordinary diets, as condiment or sawce to their
meates, sometimes of it selfe, and sometimes with other herbes,
and sometimes strewed or layde vpon the dishes as we doe
Parsley, as also with beanes and pease, rise and wheate; and
sometimes the dryed herbe boyled among pease to make pottage.

The Winter Sauorie is one of the (farsing) faseting herbes as
they call them, and so is the Summer Sauorie also sometimes.
This is vsed also in the same manner that the Summer Sauorie
is, set downe before, and to the same purposes: as also to put
into puddings, sawsages, and such like kindes of meates. Some
doe vse the pouder of the herbe dryed (as I sayd before of
Tyme) to mixe with grated bread, to breade their meate, be it
fish or flesh, to giue it the quicker rellish. They are both
effectuall to expell winde.

CHAP. IIII.

_Hyssopus._ Hyssope.

Garden Hyssope is so well knowne to all that haue beene in a Garden, that I shall but _actum agere_, to bestow any time thereon, being a small bushie plant, not rising aboue two foote high, with many branches, woody below, and tender aboue, whereon are set at certaine distances, sundry small, long and narrow greene leaues: at the toppe of euery stalke stand blewish purple gaping flowers, one aboue another in a long spike or eare: after which followeth the seede, which is small and blackish: the rootes are composed of many threddy strings; the whole plant is of a strong sweet sent.

The Vse of Hyssope.

Hyssope is much vsed in Ptisans and other drinkes, to help
to expectorate flegme. It is many Countrey peoples medicine
for a cut or greene wound, being bruised with sugar and
applyed. I finde it is also much commended against the falling
sickenesse, especially being made into pils after the manner
before rehearsed. It is accounted a speciall remedy against
the sting or biting of an Adder, if the place be rubbed
with Hyssope, bruised and mixed with honey, salt and cummin
seede. A decoction thereof with oyle, and annointed, taketh
away the itching and tingling of the head, and vermine also
breeding therein. An oyle made of the herbe and flowers, being
annointed, doth comfort benummed sinewes and ioynts.

CHAP. V.

_Pulegium._ Pennyroyall.

Pennyroyall also is an herbe so well knowne, that I shall not neede to spend much time in the description of it: hauing many weake round stalkes, diuided into sundry branches, rather leaning or lying vpon the ground then standing vpright, whereon are set at seuerall ioynts, small roundish darke greene leaues: the flowers are purplish that grow in gardens, yet some that grow wilde are white, or more white then purple, set in roundles about the tops of the branches; the stalkes shoote forth small fibres or rootes at the ioynts, as it lyeth vpon the ground, thereby fastening it selfe therein, and quickly increaseth, and ouer-runneth any ground, especially in the shade or any moist place, and is replanted by breaking the sprouted stalkes, and so quickely groweth.

Other sorts of Pennyroyall are fit for the Physicke Garden, or Garden of Simples.

The Vse of Pennyroyall.

It is very good and wholesome for the lunges, to expell cold
thin flegme, and afterwards to warme and dry it vp: and is also
of the like propertie as Mintes, to comfort the stomacke, and
stay vomiting. It is also vsed in womens baths and washings:
and in mens also to comfort the sinewes. It is yet to this
day, as it hath beene in former times, vsed to bee put into
puddings, and such like meates of all sorts, and therefore in
diuers places they know it by no other name then
Pudding-grasse.

The former age of our great Grandfathers, had all these hot
herbes in much and familiar vse, both for their meates and
medicines, and therewith preserued themselues in long life
and much health: but this delicate age of ours, which is not
pleased with any thing almost, be it meat or medicine, that is
not pleasant to the palate, doth wholly refuse these almost,
and therefore cannot be partaker of the benefit or them.

CHAP. VI.

_Salvia._ Sage.

There are two especiall kindes of Sage noursed vp in our Gardens, for our ordinary vse, whereof I intend to write in this place, leauing the rest to his fitter place. Our ordinary Sage is reckoned to bee of two sorts, white and red, both of them bearing many foure square wooddy stalkes, in some whiter, in others redder, as the leaues are also, standing by couples at the ioynts, being long, rough, and wrinkled, of a strong sweete sent: at the tops of the stalkes come forth the flowers, set at certaine spaces one aboue another, which are long and gaping, like vnto the flowers of Clary, or dead Nettles, but of a blewish purple colour; after which come small round seede in the huske that bore the flower: the roote is wooddy, with diuers strings at it: It is more vsually planted of the slips, pricked in the Spring time into the ground, then of the seed.

_Saluia minor siue pinnata._ Small Sage or Sage of vertue.

The lesser Sage is in all things like vnto the former white Sage, but that his branches are long and slender, and the leaues much smaller, hauing for the most part at the bottome of each side of the leafe a peece of a leafe, which maketh it shew like finns or eares: the flowers also are of a blewish purple colour, but lesser. Of this kinde there is one that beareth white flowers.

The Vse of Sage.

Sage is much vsed of many in the moneth of May fasting, with
butter and Parsley, and is held of most much to conduce to the
health of mans body.

It is also much vsed among other good herbes to bee tund vp
with Ale, which thereupon is termed Sage Ale, whereof many
barrels full are made, and drunke in the said moneth chiefly
for the purpose afore recited: and also for teeming women, to
helpe them the better forward in their childebearing, if there
be feare of abortion or miscarrying.

It is also vsed to be boyled among other herbes, to make
Gargles or waters to wash sore mouths and throates: As also
among other herbes, that serue as bathings, to wash mens legs
or bodies in the Summer time, to comfort nature, and warme and
strengthen aged cold sinewes, and lengthen the strength of the
younger.

The Kitchen vse is either to boyle it with a Calues head, and
being minced, to be put with the braines, vinegar and pepper,
to serue as an ordinary sawce thereunto: Or being beaten and
iuyced (rather then minced as mannie doe) is put to a rosted
Pigges braines, with Currans for sawce thereunto. It is in
small quantity (in regard of the strong taste thereof) put
among other fasting herbes, to serue as sawce for peeces of
Veale, when they are farsed or stuffed therewith, and rosted,
which they call Olliues.

For all the purposes aforesaid, the small Sage is accounted to
be of the more force and vertue.

CHAP. VII.

_Horminum sativum._ Garden Clary.

There is but one sort of Garden Clary, though many wilde, which hath foure square stalks, with broad rough wrinkled whitish leaues, somewhat vneuenly cut in on the edges, and of a strong sweete sent, growing some next the ground, & some by couples vpon the stalkes: the flowers growe at certaine distances, with two small leaues at the ioynts vnder them, somewhat like vnto the flowers of Sage, but lesser, and of a very whitish or bleake blew colour: the seede is of a blackish browne colour, somewhat flat, and not so round as the wilde: the rootes spread not farre, and perish euery yeare that they beare flowers and seede. It is altogether to bee sowne of seed in the Spring time, yet sometimes it will rise of it owne sowing.

The Vse of Clary.

The most frequent and common vse of Clary, is for men or women
that haue weake backes, to helpe to comfort and strengthen the
raines, being made into Tansies and eaten, or otherwise. The
seede is vsed of some to be put into the corner of the eye, if
any mote or other thing haue happened into it: but assuredly
although this may peraduenture doe some good, yet the seede of
the wilde will doe much more. The leaues taken dry, and dipped
into a batter made of the yolkes of egges, flower, and a little
milke, and then fryed with butter vntill they be crispe, serue
for a dish of meate accepted with manie, vnpleasant to none.

CHAP. VIII.