Chapter XXIX: Front Matter (29)

_Nepeta._ Nep.

Although those that are Herbarists do know three sorts of Nep, a greater & two lesser, yet because the lesser are not vsuall, but in the Gardens of those that delight in natures varieties, I do not here shew you them. That which is vsuall (and called of manie Cat Mint) beareth square stalkes, but not so great as Clarie, hauing two leaues at euery ioynt, somewhat like vnto Balme or Speare Mintes, but whiter, softer, and longer, and nicked about the edges, of a strong sent, but nothing so strong as Clary: the flowers growe at the toppes of the stalkes, as it were in long spikes or heads, somewhat close together, yet compassing the stalkes at certaine ioynts, of a whitish colour, for forme and bignesse like vnto Balme, or somewhat bigger: the rootes are composed of a number of strings, which dye not, but keepe greene leaues vpon them all the Winter, and shoote anew in the Spring. It is propagated both by the seede, and by slipping the rootes.

The Vse of Nep.

Nep is much vsed of women either in baths or drinkes to procure
their feminine courses: as also with Clarie, being fryed into
Tansies, to strengthen their backes. It is much commended of
some, if the iuyce thereof be drunke with wine, to helpe those
that are bruised by some fall, or other accident. A decoction
of Nep is auaileable to cure the scabbe in the head, or other
places of the body.

CHAP. IX.

_Melissa._ Baulme.

The Garden Baulme which is of common knowne vse, hath diuers square blackish greene stalkes, and round, hard, darke, greene pointed leaues, growing thereon by couples, a little notched about the edges, of a pleasant sweete sent, drawing nearest to the sent of a Lemon or Citron; and therefore of some called _Citrago_: the flowers growe about the toppes of the stalkes at certaine distances, being small and gaping, of a pale carnation colour, almost white: the rootes fasten themselues strongly in the ground, and endure many yeares, and is encreased by diuiding the rootes; for the leaues dye downe to the ground euery yeare, leauing no shew of leafe or stalke in the Winter.

The Vse of Baulme.

Baulme is often vsed among other hot and sweete herbes, to make
baths and washings for mens bodies or legges, in the Summer
time, to warme and comfort the veines and sinewes, to very good
purpose and effect, and hath in former ages beene of much more
vse then now adaies. It is also vsed by diuers to be stilled,
being steeped in Ale, to make a Baulme water, after the manner
they haue beene taught, which they keepe by them, to vse in
the stead of _Aqua vitæ_, when they haue any occasion for
their owne or their neighbours Families, in suddaine qualmes
or passions of the heart: but if they had a little better
direction (for this is somewhat too rude) it would doe them
more good that take it: For the herbe without all question is
an excellent helpe to comfort the heart, as the very smell
may induce any so to beleeue. It is also good to heale greene
wounds, being made into salues: and I verily thinke, that our
forefathers hearing of the healing and comfortable properties
of the true naturall Baulme, and finding this herbe to be so
effectuall, gaue it the name of Baulme, in imitation of his
properties and vertues. It is also an herbe wherein Bees doe
much delight, as hath beene found by experience of those that
haue kept great store; if the Hiues bee rubbed on the inside
with some thereof, and as they thinke it draweth others by the
smell thereof to resort thither. Plinie saith, it is a present
remedy against the stinging of Bees.

CHAP. X.

_Mentha._ Mintes.

There are diuers sorts of Mints, both of the garden, and wilde, of the woods, mountaines, and standing pooles or waters: but I will onely in this place bring to your remembrance two or three sorts of the most vsuall that are kept in gardens, for the vses whereunto they are proper.

Red Mint or browne Mint hath square brownish stalkes, with somewhat long and round pointed leaues, nicked about the edges, of a darke greene colour, set by couples at euery ioynt, and of a reasonable good sent: the flowers of this kinde are reddish, standing about the toppes of the stalkes at distances: the rootes runne creeping in the ground, and as the rest, will hardly be cleared out of a garden, being once therein, in that the smallest peece thereof will growe and encrease apace.

Speare Mint hath a square greene stalke, with longer and greener leaues then the former, set by couples, of a better and more comfortable sent, and therefore of much more vse then any other: the flowers hereof growe in long eares or spikes, of a pale red or blush colour: the roots creepe in the ground like the other.

Party coloured or white Mint hath square greene stalkes and leaues, somewhat larger then Speare Mint, and more nicked in the edges, whereof many are parted, halfe white and halfe greene, and some more white then greene, or more green then white, as nature listeth: the flowers stand in long heads close set together, of a blush colour: the rootes creepe as the rest doe.

1 _Horminum sativum._ Garden Clary.
2 _Nepeta._ Nep.
3 _Melissa._ Baulme.
4 _Mentha satiua._ Garden Mintes.
5 _Balsamita mas, seu Costus hortorum._ Costmary.
6 _Ageratum._ Maudeline.
]

The Vse of Mintes.

Mintes are oftentimes vsed in baths, with Baulme and other
herbes, as a helpe to comfort and strengthen the nerues and
sinewes.

It is much vsed either outwardly applyed, or inwardly drunke,
to strengthen and comfort weake stomackes, that are much giuen
to casting: as also for feminine fluxes. It is boyled in milke
for those whose stomackes are apt to cause it to curdle. And
applyed with salt, is a good helpe for the biting of a mad
dogge.

It is vsed to be boyled with Mackarell, and other fish.

Being dryed, is often and much vsed with Penniroyall, to bee
put into puddings: as also among pease that are boyled for
pottage.

Where Dockes are not ready at hand, they vse to bruise Mintes,
and lay them vpon any place that is stung with Bees, Waspes, or
such like, and that to good purpose.

CHAP. XI.

_Balsamita mas & fæmina, seu Costus hortorum maior & minor._ Costmary and Maudeline.

Costmary or Alecoast is a sweet herbe, bearing many broad and long pale green leaues, snipped about the edges, euery one vpon a long foote-stalke; among which rise vp many round greene stalkes, with such like leaues on them, but lesser vp to the toppe, where it spreadeth it selfe into three or foure branches, euery one bearing an vmbell or tuft of gold yellow flowers, somewhat like vnto Tansie flowers, but lesser, which turne into small heads, containing small flat long seede: the roote is somewhat hard and stringy, and being diuided, is replanted in the Spring of the yeare for increase.

Maudeline hath somewhat long and narrow leaues, snipt about the edges: the stalks are two foot high, bearing many yellow flowers on the tops of the branches, in an vmbell or tuft like vnto Tansie: the whole herbe is sweete, and somewhat bitter, and is replanted by slipping.

The Vse of Costmary and Maudeline.

Costmary is of especiall vse in the Spring of the yeare, among
other such like herbes, to make Sage Ale, and thereupon I
thinke it tooke the name of Alecoast.

It is also vsed to be put among other sweete herbes, to make
sweete washing water, whereof there is great store spent.

The leaues haue an especiall vertue to comfort both the
stomack and heart, and to warme and dry a moist braine. The
seede is much vsed in the Country, to be giuen to children for
the wormes, in the stead of wormseed, and so is the seede of
Maudeline also.

Maudeline is much vsed with Costmary and other sweet herbes, to
make sweete washing water: the flowers also are tyed vp with
small bundels of Lauender toppes, these being put in the middle
of them, to lye, vpon the toppes of beds, presses, &c. for the
sweete sent and sauour it casteth. It is generally accounted
of our Apothecaries to be the true _Eupatorium_ of Auicen, and
the true _Ageratum_ of Dioscorides; but Dodonæus seemeth to
contradict both.

CHAP. XII.

_Tanacetum vulgare & crispum._ Tansie.

Ovr Garden Tansie hath many hard greene leaues, or rather wings of leaues; for they are many small ones, set one against another all along a middle ribbe or stalke, and snipt about the edges: in some the leaues stand closer and thicker, and somewhat crumpled, which hath caused it to be called double or curld Tansie, in others thinner and more sparsedly: It riseth vp with many hard stalks, whereon growe at the tops vpon the seuerall small branches gold yellow flowers like buttons, which being gathered in their prime, will hold the colour fresh a long time: the seede is small, and as it were chaffie: the roote creepeth vnder ground, and shooteth vp againe in diuers places: the whole herbe, both leaues and flowers, are of a sharpe, strong, bitter smell and taste, but yet pleasant, and well to be endured.

The Vse of Tansie.

The leaues of Tansie are vsed while they are young, either
shred small with other herbes, or else the iuyce of it and
other herbes fit for the purpose, beaten with egges, and fryed
into cakes (in Lent and the Spring of the yeare) which are
vsually called Tansies, and are often eaten, being taken to
be very good for the stomack, to helpe to digest from thence
bad humours that cleaue thereunto: As also for weak raines and
kidneyes, when the vrine passeth away by drops: This is thought
to be of more vse for men then for women. The seed is much
commended against all sorts of wormes in children.

CHAP. XIII.

_Pimpinella siue Sanguisorba._ Burnet.

Burnet hath many winged leaues lying vpon, the ground, made of many small, round, yet pointed greene leaues, finely nicked on the edges, one set against another all along a middle ribbe, and one at the end thereof; from among which rise vp diuers round, and sometimes crested browne stalkes, with some few such like leaues on them as growe belowe, but smaller: at the toppes of the stalkes growe small browne heads or knaps, which shoote forth small purplish flowers, turning into long and brownish, but a little cornered seede: the roote groweth downe deepe, being small and brownish: the whole plant is of a stipticke or binding taste or quality, but of a fine quicke sent, almost like Baulme.

The Vse of Burnet.

The greatest vse that Burnet is commonly put vnto, is to put a
few leaues into a cup with Claret wine, which is presently to
be drunke, and giueth a pleasant quicke taste thereunto, very
delightfull to the palate, and is accounted a helpe to make
the heart merrie. It is sometimes also while it is young, put
among other Sallet herbes, to giue a finer rellish thereunto.
It is also vsed in vulnerary drinkes, and to stay fluxes and
bleedings, for which purposes it is much commended. It hath
beene also much commended in contagious and pestilentiall agues.

CHAP. XIIII.

_Hippolapathum sativum, siue Rhabarbarum Monachorum._ Monkes Rubarbe or Patience.

Garden Patience is a kinde of Docke in all the parts thereof, but that it is larger and taller then many others, with large and long greene leaues, a great, strong, and high stalke, with reddish or purplish flowers, and three square seede, like as all other Dockes haue: the roote is great and yellow, not hauing any shew of flesh coloured veines therein, no more then the other kinde with great round thin leaues, commonly called _Hippolapathum rotundifolium_, Bastard Rubarbe, or Monkes Rubarbe, the properties of both which are of very weake effect: but I haue a kinde of round leafed Dock growing in my Garden, which was sent me from beyond Sea by a worthy Gentleman, Mʳ. Dʳ. Matth. Lister, one of the Kings Physitians, with this title, _Rhaponticum verum_, and first grew with me, before it was euer seen or known elsewhere in England, wᶜʰ by proof I haue found to be so like vnto the true Rubarbe, or the Rha of Pontus, both for forme and colour, that I dare say it is the very true Rubarbe, our climate only making it lesse strong in working, lesse heauy, and lesse bitter in taste: For this hath great and thicke rootes, as diuersly discoloured with flesh coloured veines as the true Rubarbe, as I haue to shew to any that are desirous to see and know it; and also other smaller sprayes or branches of rootes, spreading from the maine great roote, which smaller branches may well be compared to the _Rhaponticum_ which the Merchants haue brought vs, which we haue seene to be longer and slenderer then Rubarbe, but of the very same colour: this beareth so goodly large leaues, that it is a great beauty in a garden to behold them: for I haue measured the stalke of the leafe at the bottome next the roote to bee of the bignesse of any mans thumbe; and from the roote to the leafe it selfe, to bee two foote in length, and sometimes more; and likewise the leafe it selfe, from the lower end where it is ioyned to the stalke, to the end or point thereof, to bee also two foote in length, and sometimes more; and also in the broadest part of the leafe, to be two foote or more ouer in breadth: it beareth whitish flowers, contrary to all other Dockes, and three square brownish seede as other Dockes doe, but bigger, and therefore assuredly it is a Docke, and the true Rubarbe of the Arabians, or at the least the true _Rhaponticum_ of the Ancients. The figure of the whole plant I haue caused to be cut, with a dryed roote as it grew in my garden by it selfe, and haue inserted it here, both because Matthiolus giueth a false figure of the true Rubarbe, and that this hath not been expressed and set forth by any before.

The Vse of Patience, and of the Rubarbe.

The leaues of Patience are often, and of many vsed for a
pot-herbe, and seldome to any other purpose: the roote is
often vsed in Diet-beere, or ale, or in other drinkes made by
decoction, to helpe to purge the liuer, and clense the blood.
The other Rubarbe or _Rhaponticum_, whereof I make mention, and
giue you here the figure, I haue tryed, and found by experience
to purge gently, without that astriction that is in the true
Rubarbe is brought vs from the East Indies, or China, and is
also lesse bitter in taste; whereby I coniecture it may bee
vsed in hot and feauerish bodies more effectually, because it
doth not binde after the purging, as the East India Rubarbe
doth: but this must bee giuen in double quantitie to the other,
and then no doubt it will doe as well: The leaues haue a fine
acide taste: A syrrupe therefore made with the iuice and sugar,
cannot but be very effectuall in deiected appetites, and hot
fits of agues; as also to helpe to open obstructions of the
liuer, as diuers haue often tryed, and found auaileable by
experience.

CHAP. XV.

_Lapathum sanguineum._ Blood-wort.

Among the sorts of pot-herbes Bloode-worte hath alwayes beene accounted a principall one, although I doe not see any great reason therein, especially seeing there is a greater efficacie of binding in this Docke, then in any of the other: but as common vse hath receiued it, so I here set it downe. Blood-worte is one of the sorts of Dockes, and hath long leaues like vnto the smaller yellow Dock, but striped with red veines, and ouer-shadowed with red vpon the greene leafe, that it seemeth almost wholly red sometimes: the stalke is reddish, bearing such like leaues, but smaller vp to the toppe, where it is diuided into diuers small branches, whereon grow purplish flowers, and three square darke red seede, like vnto others: the roots are not great, but somewhat long, and very red, abiding many yeares, yet sometimes spoiled with the extremitie of winter.

1 _Tanacetum._ Tansie.
2 _Pimpinella._ Burnet.
3 _Rhaponticum verum seu potius Rhabarbarum verum._ True Raponticke
or rather true Rubarbe.
4 _Lapathum sativum seu Patientiæ._ Monkes Rubarbe or Patience.
5 _Lapathum sanguineum._ Bloudwort.
6 _Acetosa._ Sorrell.
]

The Vse of Blood-worte.

The whole and onely vse of the herbe almost, serueth for the
pot, among other herbes, and, as I said before, is accounted a
most especiall one for that purpose. The seede therof is much
commended for any fluxe in man or woman, to be inwardly taken,
and so no doubt is the roote, being of a stipticke qualitie.

CHAP. XVI.

_Oxalis siue Acetosa._ Sorrell.

Sorrell must needes bee reckoned with the Dockes, for that it is so like vnto them in all things, and is of many called the sower Docke. Of Sorrels there are many sorts, but I shall not trouble you with any other in this place, then the common Garden Sorrell, which is most knowne, and of greatest vse with vs; which hath tender greene long leaues full of iuice, broade, and bicorned as it were, next vnto the stalke, like as Arrach, Spinach, and our English Mercurie haue, of a sharpe sower taste: the stalkes are slender, bearing purplish long heads, wherein lye three square shining browne seede, like, but lesser then the other: the root is smaller then any of the other Dockes, but browne, and full of strings, and abideth without decaying, hauing greene leaues all the winter, except in the very extremitie thereof, which often taketh away all or most of his leaues.

The Vse of Sorrell.

Sorrell is much vsed in sawces, both for the whole, and the
sicke, cooling the hot liuers, and stomackes of the sicke,
and procuring vnto them an appetite vnto meate, when their
spirits are almost spent with the violence of their furious or
fierie fits; and is also of a pleasant relish for the whole,
in quickning vp a dull stomacke that is ouer-loaden with euery
daies plenty of dishes. It is diuers waies dressed by Cooks, to
please their Masters stomacks.

CHAP. XVII.

_Buglossum luteum, siue Lingua Bouis._ Langdebeefe.

Vnto this place may well bee referred our ordinary Borage and Buglosse, set forth in the former Booke, in regard of the properties whereunto they are much employed, that is, to serue the pot among other herbes, as is sufficiently knowne vnto all. And yet I confesse, that this herbe (although it bee called _Buglossum luteum_, as if it were a kind of Buglosse) hath no correspondency with Buglosse or Borage in any part, sauing only a little in the leafe; & our Borage or Buglosse might more fitly, according to the Greeke name, bee called Oxe tongue or Langdebeefe; and this might in my iudgement more aptly be referred to the kinds of _Hieratium_ Hawkeweed, whereunto it neerest approacheth: but as it is commonly receiued, so take it in this place, vntill it come to receiue the place is proper for it. It hath diuers broad and long darke green leaues, lying vpon the ground, very rough in handling, full of small haires or prickes, ready to enter into the hands of any that handle it; among which riseth vp a round greene hairy or prickly stalk, bearing at the toppe, among a few small green leaues, diuers small yellow flowers in rough heads, which turne into doune, containing within them browne yellowish small long seedes, somewhat like vnto the seede of Hawkeweede: the roote is wooddy, which perisheth quickly after it hath borne seed; but is tender while it is young.

1 _Lingua bouis siue Buglossum luteum._ Langdebeefe.
2 _Atriplex siue Olus aureum._ Arrach.
3 _Blitum._ Blites.
4 _Beta._ Beetes.
5 _Hipposelinum siue Olus atrum._ Allisanders.
6 _Selinum dulce._ Sweete Parsley.
]

The Vse of Langdebeefe.

The leaues are onely vsed in all places that I know, or euer
could learne, for an herbe for the pot among others, and is
thought to bee good to loosen the belly.

CHAP. XVIII.

_Atriplex siue Olus Aureum._ Arrach.

There be diuers kindes of Arrach, or Orach, as some doe call them; some of the Garden, whereof I meane to entreate in this place; others wilde of the Fieldes, &c. and others of the Sea, which are not to bee spoken of in this worke, but referred to a generall historie. The white garden Arrach, or Orach, hath diuers leaues, standing vpon their seuerall footestalkes, broade at the bottome, ending in two points like an arrow, with two feathers at the head, and small pointed at the end of the leafe, of a whitish yellow greene colour, and as it were strewed ouer with flower or meale, especially while they are young: the stalke like wise is mealy, bearing many branches with small yellow flowers on them, which turne into small leafie seeds: the roote groweth somewhat deepe in the ground, with many small threds fastened thereto: it quickly springeth vp of the seede, groweth great, and fadeth away as soon as it hath borne seede.

The purple Arrach is in all things like vnto the white, sauing onely in the colour of the leafe, stalke, seede, &c. which are all of a mealy dusty purplish colour.

The Vse of Arrach.

Arrach is cold and moist, and of a lubricke or slippery
qualitie, whereby it quickely passeth through the stomacke and
belly, and maketh it soluble, and is of many vsed for that
purpose, being boyled and buttered, or put among other herbes
into the pot to make pottage.

There are many dishes of meate made with them while they are
young, for being almost without sauour of themselues, they are
the more conuertible into what rellish any one will make them
with Sugar, Spice &c.

CHAP. XIX.

_Blitum._ Blites.

There be diuers sorts of Blites, some whereof I haue entreated in the former part of this worke, vnder the titled _Amaranthus_, Flower gentle: others that are noursed vp in Gardens, I will set forth in this place, which are onely two, that haue come to my knowledge, that is, the white and the red, and are of a qualitie as neere vnto Arrach as vnto Beetes, participating of both, and therefore I haue placed them betwixt them. The white Blite hath leaues somewhat like vnto Beetes, but smaller, rounder, and of a whitish greene colour, euery one standing vpon a small long footestalke: the stalke riseth vp two or three foote high, with many such like leaues thereon: the flowers grow at the top in long round tufts or clusters, wherein are contained small round seede: the roote is very full of threds or strings.

The red Blite is in all things like the white, but that his leaues and tufted heades are exceeding red at the first, and after turne more purplish.

The Vse of Blites.

Blites are vsed as Arrach, eyther boyled of it selfe or stewed,
which they call Loblolly, or among other herbes to bee put into
the pot; and yet some doe vtterly refuse it, because in diuers
it prouoketh castings. It is altogether insipide or without
taste, but yet by reason of the moist slipperie qualitie it
hath, it helpeth to loosen the belly. The vnsauorinesse whereof
hath in many Countries growne into a prouerbe, or by-word,
to call dull, slow, or lazie persons by that name: They are
accounted more hurtfull to the stomacke, and so to the head and
eyes, then other herbes, and therefore they are the lesse vsed.

CHAP. XX.

_Beta._ Beetes.

There are many diuersities of Beetes, some growing naturally in our own Country, others brought from beyond Sea; whereof some are white, some greene, some yellow, some red: the leaues of some are of vse only, and the root not vsed: others the roote is only vsed, and not the leaues: and some againe, both roote and leafe. The ancient Authors, as by their workes appeare, knew but two sorts, the white and the blacke Beete, whereof the white is sufficiently known, and was of them termed _Sicula_, of the later Physitians, _Sicla_, because it was thought first to be brought from Sicilie: the blacke abideth some controuersie; some thinking that our common greene Beete, because it is of a darke greene colour, was that they called the blacke Beete; others that our small red Beete, which is of a darke red colour, was their black Beete, which in my opinion is the more likely: But to come to the matter in hand, and giue you the descriptions of them which are in vse with vs, and leaue controuersies to such a worke as is fit for them, wherein all such matters may be discussed at large.

The common white Beete hath many great leaues next the ground (in some hot Countries growing to be three foote long, and very broade, in our Countrey they are very large, but nothing neere that proportion) of a whitish greene colour; the stalke is great, strong, and ribbed or crested, bearing great store of leaues vpon it vp to the very toppe almost: the flowers grow in very long tufts, small at the ends, and turning down their heads, which are small pale greenish yellow burres, giuing cornered prickly seede: the roote is great, long and hard, when it hath giuen seede, of no vse at all, but abideth a former winter with his leaues vpon it, as all other sorts following doe.

The common red Beet differeth not from the white Beete, but only that it is not so great, and both the leaues and rootes are somewhat red: the leaues bee in some more red then in others, which haue but red veines or strakes in them, in some also of a fresh red, in others very darke red: the roote hereof is red, spongy, and not vsed to bee eaten.

The common greene Beete is also like vnto the white Beete, but of a darke greene colour. This hath beene found neere the salt Marshes by Rochester, in the foote-way going from the Lady Levesons house thither, by a worthy, diligent and painefull obseruer and preseruer both of plants and all other natures varieties, often remembred before in this worke, called Iohn Tradescante, who there finding it, gaue me the knowledge thereof, and I haue vpon his report set it here down in this manner:

The Romane red Beete, called _Beta raposa_, is both for leafe and roote the most excellent Beete of all others: his rootes bee as great as the greatest Carrot, exceeding red both within and without, very sweete and good, fit to bee eaten: this Beete groweth higher then the last red Beete, whose rootes are not vsed to bee eaten: the leaues likewise are better of taste, and of as red a colour as the former red Beete: the roote is sometimes short like a Turnep, whereof it took the name of _Rapa_ or _raposa_; and sometimes as I said before, like a Carrot and long: the seede is all one with the lesser red Beete.

The Italian Beete is of much respect, whose faire greene leaues are very large and great, with great white ribbes and veines therein: the stalke in the Summer time, when it is growen vp to any height, is six square in shew, and yellowish withall, as the heades with seede vpon them seeme likewise.

The great red Beete that Master Lete a Merchant of London gaue vnto Master Gerrard, as he setteth it downe in his Herball, seemeth to bee the red kinde of the last remembred Beete, whose great ribbes as he saith, are as great as the middle ribbe of the Cabbage leafe, and as good to bee eaten, whose stalke rose with him to the height of eight cubits, and bore plenty of seede.

The Vse of Beetes.

Beetes, both white, greene and red, are put into the pot among
other herbes, to make pottage, as is commonly known vnto all,
and are also boyled whole, both in France vsually with most
of their boyled meates, and in our Countrey, with diuers that
delight in eating of herbes.

The Italian Beete, and so likewise the last red Beete with
great ribbes, are boyled, and the ribbes eaten in sallets with
oyle, vinegar and pepper, and is accounted a rare kinde of
sallet, and very delicate.

The roote of the common red Beete with some, but more
especially the Romane red Beete, is of much vse among Cookes
to trimme or set out their dishes of meate, being cut out into
diuers formes and fashions, and is grown of late dayes into a
great custome of seruice, both for fish and flesh.

The rootes of the Romane red Beete being boyled, are eaten of
diuers while they are hot with a little oyle and vinegar, and
is accounted a delicate sallet for the winter; and being cold
they are so vsed and eaten likewise.

The leaues are much vsed to mollifie and open the belly, being
vsed in the decoction of Glisters. The roote of the white kinde
scraped, and made vp with a little honey and salt, rubbed on
and layd on the belly, prouoketh to the stoole. The vse of
eating Beetes is likewise held to bee helpefull to spleneticke
persons.

CHAP. XXI.

_Hipposelinum, siue Olus atrum._ Alisanders.

Alisanders hath beene in former times thought to be the true Macedonian Parsley, and in that errour many doe yet continue: but this place giueth not leaue to discusse that doubt: but I must here only shew you, what it is, and to what vse it is put ordinarily for the Kitchen. The leaues of Alisanders are winged or cut into many parts, somewhat resembling Smallage, but greater, broader, and more cut in about the edges: the stalkes are round and great, two foote high or better, bearing diuers leaues on them, and at the toppe spokie roundles of white flowers on seuerall small branches, which turne into blacke seede, somewhat cornered or crested, of an aromaticall bitter taste; the roote is blacke without, and white within, and abideth well the first year of the sowing, perishing after it hath borne seed.

The Vse of Alisanders.

The tops of the rootes, with the lower part of the stalkes of
Alisanders, are vsed in Lent especially, and Spring of the
yeare, to make broth, which although it be a little bitter, yet
it is both wholsome and pleasing to a great many, by reason
of the aromaticall or spicie taste, warming and comforting
the stomack, and helping it digest the many waterish and
flegmaticke meates are in those times much eaten. The rootes
also either rawe or boyled are often eaten with oyle and
vinegar. The seede is more vsed physically then the roote, or
any other part, and is effectuall to prouoke plenty of vrine
in them that pisse by drops, or haue the Strangury: It helpeth
womens courses, and warmeth their benummed bodies or members,
that haue endured fierce cold daies and nights, being boyled
and drunke.

CHAP. XXII.

_Selinum dulce._ Sweete Parsley or sweete Smallage.

This kinde of sweete Parsley or Smallage, which soeuer you please to call it, for it resembleth Smallage as well in the largenesse of the leaues, as in the taste, yet sweeter and pleasanter, is (as I take it) in this like vnto sweete Fennell (that hath his sweetnesse from his naturall soyle and clymate; for howsoeuer it bee reasonable sweete the first yeare it is sowne with vs, yet it quickly doth degenerate, and becommeth no better then our ordinarie Fennell afterwards). The first yeare it is sowne and planted with vs (and the first that euer I saw, was in a Venetian Ambassadours Garden in the Spittle yard, neare Bishops gate streete) is so sweete and pleasant, especially while it is young, as if Sugar had beene mingled with it: but after it is growne vp high and large, it hath a stronger taste of Smalladge, and so likewise much more the next yeare; that it groweth from the seed was gathered here: the leaues are many, spreading farre about the roote, broader and of a fresher greene colour then our ordinary Smalladge, and vpon longer stalkes: the seed is as plentifull as Parsley, being small and very like vnto it, but darker of colour.

The Vse of sweete Parsley.

The Venetians vse to prepare it for meate many waies, both the
herbe and the roote eaten rawe, as many other herbes and rootes
are, or boyled or fryed to be eaten with meate, or the dryed
herbe poudered and strewed vpon meate; but most vsually either
whited, and so eaten rawe with pepper and oyle, as a dainty
Sallet of it selfe, or a little boyled or stewed: the taste
of the herbe being a little warming, but the seede much more,
helpeth cold windy stomackes to digest their meate, and to
expell winde.

CHAP. XXIII.

_Petrosolinum & Apium._ Parsley and Smalledge.

We haue three sorts of Parsley in our Gardens, and but one of Smalladge: Our common Parsley, Curld Parsley, and Virginia Parsley; which last, although it be but of late knowne, yet it is now almost growne common, and of as good vse as the other with diuers. Our common Parsley is so well knowne, that it is almost needlesse to describe it, hauing diuers fresh greene leaues, three alwaies placed together on a stalke, and snipt about the edges, and three stalkes of leaues for the most part growing together: the stalkes growe three or foure foote high or better, bearing spikie heads of white flowers, which turne into small seede, somewhat sharpe and hot in taste: the roote is long and white.

Curld Parsley hath his leaues curled or crumpled on the edges, and therein is the onely difference from the former.

Virginia Parley is in his leafe altogether like vnto common Parsley for the forme, consisting of three leaues set together, but that the leaues are as large as Smallage leaues, but of a pale or whitish greene colour, and of the same taste of our common Parsley: the seede hereof is as the leaues, twice if not thrice as bigge as the ordinary Parsley, and perisheth when it hath giuen seede, abiding vsually the first yeare of the sowing.

Smallage is in forme somewhat like vnto Parsley, but greater and greener, and lesse pleasant, or rather more bitter in taste: the seede is smaller, and the root more stringy.

The Vse of Parsley.

Parsley is much vsed in all sorts of meates, both boyled,
roasted, stewed, &c. and being greene it serueth to lay vpon
sundry meates, as also to draw meate withall. It is also shred
and stopped into poudered beefe, as also into legges of Mutton,
with a little beefe suet among it, &c.

The rootes are often vsed to be put into broth, to helpe to
open obstructions of the liuer, reines, and other parts,
helping much to procure vrine.

The rootes likewise boyled or stewed with a legge of Mutton,
stopped with Parsley as aforesaid, is very good meate, and
of very good rellish, as I haue proued by the taste; but the
rootes must bee young, and of the first yeares growth, and they
will haue their operation to cause vrine.

The seed also is vsed for the same cause, when any are troubled
with the stone, or grauell, to open the passages of vrine.

Although Smallage groweth in many places wilde in moist
grounds, yet it is also much planted in Gardens, and although
his euill taste and sauour doth cause it not to be accepted
into meates as Parsley, yet it is not without many speciall
good properties, both for outward and inward diseases, to helpe
to open obstructions, and prouoke vrine. The iuyce cleanseth
vlcers; and the leaues boyled with Hogs grease, healeth felons
on the ioynts of the fingers.

CHAP. XXIIII.

_Fœniculum._ Fenell.

There are three sorts of Fenell, whereof two are sweete. The one of them is the ordinary sweete Fenell, whose seedes are larger and yellower then the common, and which (as I said before in the Chapter of sweete Parsley) doth soone degenerate in this our Country into the common. The other sweete Fenell is not much knowne, and called Cardus Fenell by those that sent it out of Italy, whose leaues are more thicke and bushie then any of the other. Our common Fenell, whereof there is greene and red, hath many faire and large spread leaues, finely cut and diuided into many small, long, greene, or reddish leaues, yet the thicker tufted the branches be, the shorter are the leaues: the stalkes are round, with diuers ioynts and leaues at them, growing fiue or six foot high, bearing at the top many spoakie rundels of yellow flowers; the Common, I meane, doth turne into a darke grayish flat seede, and the Sweete into larger and yellower: the roote is great, long, and white, and endureth diuers yeares.

The Vse of Fenell.

Fenell is of great vse to trimme vp, and strowe vpon fish, as
also to boyle or put among fish of diuers sorts, Cowcumbers
pickled, and other fruits, &c. The rootes are vsed with
Parsley rootes, to be boyled in broths and drinkes to open
obstructions. The seed is of much vse with other things to
expell winde. The seede also is much vsed to be put into Pippin
pies, and diuers other such baked fruits, as also into bread,
to giue it the better rellish. The sweete Cardus Fenell being
sent by Sir Henry Wotton to Iohn Tradescante, had likewise a
large direction with it how to dresse it; for they vse to white
it after it hath been transplanted for their vses, which by
reason of the sweetnesse by nature, and the tendernesse by art,
causeth it to be the more delightfull to the taste, especially
with them that are accustomed to feede on greene herbes.

1 _Petrofolinum._ Parsley.
2 _Apium._ Smallage.
3 _Fœniculum._ Fenell.
4 _Anethum._ Dill.
5 _Myrrhis siue Cerefolium magnum._ Sweete Cheruill.
6 _Cerefolium vulgare._ Common Cheruill.
]

CHAP. XXV.

_Anethum._ Dill.

Dill doth much growe wilde, but because in many places it cannot be had, it is therefore sowne in Gardens for the vses whereunto it serueth. It is a smaller herbe then Fenell, but very like, hauing fine cut leaues, not so large, but shorter, smaller, and of a stronger and quicker taste: the stalke is smaller also, and with few ioynts and leaues on them, bearing spoakie tufts of yellow flowers, which turne into thinne, small, and flat seedes: the roote perisheth euery yeare, and riseth againe for the most part of it owne sowing.

The Vse of Dill.

The leaues of Dill are much vsed in some places with Fish, as
they doe Fenell; but because it is so strong many doe refuse it.

It is also put among pickled Cowcumbers, wherewith it doth very
well agree, giuing vnto the cold fruit a pretty spicie taste or
rellish.

It being stronger then Fenell, is of the more force to expell
winde in the body. Some vse to eate the seed to stay the
Hickocke.

CHAP. XXVI.

_Myrrhis siue Cerefolium maius & vulgare._ Sweet Cheruill and ordinary Cheruill.

The great or sweete Cheruill (which of some is called Sweete Cicely) hath diuers great and faire spread winged leaues, consisting of many leaues set together, deeply cut in the edges, and euery one also dented about, very like, and resembling the leaues of Hemlockes, but of so pleasant a taste, that one would verily thinke, he chewed the leaues or seedes of Aniseedes in his mouth: The stalke is reasonable great, and somewhat cornered or crested about three or foure foote high, at the toppe whereof stand many white spoakie tufts of flowers, which change into browne long cornered great seede, two alwaies ioyned together: the roote is great, blackish on the outside, and white within, with diuers fibres annexed vnto it, and perisheth not, but abideth many yeares, and is of a sweete, pleasant, and spicie hot taste, delightfull vnto many.

The common Cheruill is a small herbe, with slender leaues, finely cut into long peeces, at the first of a pale yellowish greene colour, but when the stalke is growne vp to seede, both stalkes and leaues become of a darke red colour: the flowers are white, standing vpon scattered or thin spread tufts, which turne into small, long, round, and sharpe pointed seedes, of a brownish blacke colour: the roote is small, with diuers long slender white strings, and perisheth euery yeare.

The Uses of these Cheruils.

The common Cheruill is much vsed of the French and Dutch
people, to bee boyled or stewed in a pipkin, eyther by it
selfe, or with other herbes, whereof they make a Loblolly, and
so eate it. It is vsed as a pot-herbe with vs.

Sweete Cheruill, gathered while it is young, and put among
other herbes for a sallet, addeth a meruellous good rellish to
all the rest. Some commend the greene seedes diced and put in a
sallet of herbes, and eaten with vinegar and oyle, to comfort
the cold stomacke of the aged. The roots are vsed by diuers,
being boyled, and after eaten with oyle and vinegar, as an
excellent sallet for the same purpose. The preserued or candid
rootes are of singular good vse to warme and comfort a cold
flegmaticke stomack, and is thought to be a good preseruatiue
in the time of the plague.

CHAP. XXVII.

_Malua Crispa._ French Mallowes.

The curld or French Mallow groweth vp with an vpright greene round stalke, as high vsually as any man, whereon from all sides grow forth round whitish greene leaues, curld or crumpled about the edges, like a ruffe, else very like vnto an ordinary great Mallow leafe: the flowers grow both vpon the stalke, and on the other branches that spring from them, being small and white; after which come small cases with blacke seede like the other Mallowes: the roote perisheth when it hath borne seede, but abideth vsually the first yeare, and the second runneth vp to flower and seede.

The Vse of French Mallowes.

It is much vsed as a pot-herbe, especially when there is cause
to moue the belly downward, which by his slippery qualitie it
doth helpe forward. It hath beene in times past, and so is to
this day in some places, vsed to be boyled or stewed, eyther by
it selfe with butter, or with other herbes, and so eaten.

CHAP. XXVIII.

_Imtubum._ Succorie and Endiue.

I put both Succorie and Endiue into one chapter and description, because they are both of one kindred; and although they differ a little the one from the other, yet they agree both in this, that they are eaten eyther greene or whited, of many.

Endiue, the smooth as well as the curld, beareth a longer and a larger leafe then Succorie, and abideth but one yeare, quickely running vp to stalke and seede, and then perisheth: whereas Succorie abideth many years, and hath long and narrower leaues, somewhat more cut in, or torne on the edges: both of them haue blew flowers, and the seede of the smooth or ordinary Endiue is so like vnto the Succorie, that it is very hard to distinguish them asunder by sight; but the curld Endiue giueth blackish and flat seede, very like vnto blacke Lettice seede: the rootes of the Endiue perish, but the Succorie abideth.

The Vse of Succory and Endiue.

Although Succorie bee somewhat more bitter in taste then the
Endiues, yet it is oftentimes, and of many eaten greene,
but more vsually being buried a while in sand, that it may
grow white, which causeth it to lose both some part of the
bitternesse, as also to bee the more tender in the eating; and
Horace sheweth it to be vsed in his time, in the 32. Ode of his
first Book, where he saith,

_Me pascunt Oliuæ, me Cithorea leuesqe Maluæ_.

Endiue being whited in the same, or any other manner, is much
vsed in winter, as a sallet herbe with great delight; but the
curld Endiue is both farre the fairer, and the tenderer for
that purpose.

CHAP. XXIX.

_Spinachia, siue Olus Hispanicum._ Spinach.

Spinach or Spinage is of three sorts (yet some doe reckon of foure, accounting that herbe that beareth no seede to be a sort of it selfe, when it is but an accident of nature, as it falleth out in Hempe, Mercury, and diuers other herbes) two that bear prickly seed, the one much greater then the other: the third that beareth a smooth seede, which is more daintie, and noursed vp but in few Gardens: The common Spinach which is the lesser of the two prickly sorts, hath long greene leaues, broad at the stalke, and rent, or torne as it were into foure corners, and sharpe pointed at the ends: it quickly runneth vp to stalke, if it be sowen in the Spring time; but else, if at the end of Summer, it will abide all the winter green, and then suddenly in the very beginning of the Spring, runne vp to stalke, bearing many leaues both below and at the toppe, where there doth appeare many smal greenish flowers in clusters, and after them prickly seede: The other greater sort that hath prickly seede, is in all things like the former but larger both in stalke, leafe and seede. The smooth Spinach hath broader, and a little rounder pointed leaues then the first, especially the lower leaues; for those that grow vpwards vpon the stalke, are more pointed, and as it were three square, of as darke a greene colour as the former: at the seuerall ioynts of the stalkes and branches, stand clustering many small greenish flowers, which turne into clusters of round whitish seede, without any prickles at all vpon them: the roote is long, white and small, like vnto the other, with many fibres at it: If it be often cut, it will grow the thicker, or else spindle vp very thinly, and with but few leaues vpon the stalke.

The Vse of Spinage.

Spinage is an herbe fit for sallets, and for diuers other
purposes for the table only; for it is not knowne to bee vsed
physically at all. Many English that haue learned it of the
Dutch people, doe stew the herbe in a pot or pipkin, without
any other moisture then it owne, and after the moisture is a
little pressed from it, they put butter, and a little spice
vnto it, and make therewith a dish that many delight to eate
of. It is vsed likewise to be made into Tartes, and many other
varieties of dishes, as Gentlewomen and their Cookes can better
tell than my selfe; vnto whom I leaue the further ordering of
these herbes, and all other fruits and rootes of this Garden:
For I intend only to giue you the knowledge of them, with some
briefe notes for their vse, and no more.

1 _Malua crispa._ French Mallowes.
2 _Endiuia._ Endiue.
3 _Cichorium._ Succory.
4 _Spinachia._ Spinach.
5 _Lactuca crispa._ Curld Lettice.
6 _Lactuca patula._ An open Lettice.
7 _Lactuca capitata vulgaris._ Ordinary cabbage Lettice.
8 _Lactuca capitata Romana._ The great Romane cabbage Lettice.
9 _Lactuca agueno._ Corne Sallet or Lambes Lettice.
]

CHAP. XXX.

_Lactuca._ Lettice.

There are so many sorts, and so great diuersitie of Lettice, that I doubt I shall scarce be beleeued of a great many. For I doe in this Chapter reckon vp into you eleauen or twelue differing sorts; some of little vse, others of more, being more common and vulgar; and some that are of excellent vse and seruice, which are more rare, and require more knowledge and care for the ordering of them, as also for their time of spending, as some in the spring, some in summer, others in autumne, and some being whited for the winter. For all these sorts I shall not neede many descriptions, but only shew you which doe cabbage, and which are loose, which of them are great or small, white, greene or red, and which of them beare white seeds, and which of them blacke. And lastly I haue thought good to adde another Sallet herbe, which because it is called Lambes Lettice of many, or Corne Sallet of others, is put in only to fill vp a number in this Chapter, and that I must speake of it, and not that I thinke it to be any of the kindes of Lettice.

All sorts of Lettice, after a while that they haue closed themselues, if they bee of the Cabbage kindes, or otherwise being loose, and neuer closing, send forth from among the middle of their leaues a round stalke (in some greater, in others lesser, according to their kinde) full of leaues like vnto the lower, branching at the toppe into sundry parts, whereon grow diuers small star-like flowers, of a pale yellowish colour; after which come seede, eyther white or blackish, as the plant yeeldeth, whereat hangeth some small peece of a cottony doune, wherewith the whole head is stored, and is carried away with the winde, if it be not gathered in time: the roote is somewhat long and white, with some fibres at it, and perisheth quickely after the seede is ripe.

The Romane red Lettice is the best and greatest of all the rest. For Iohn Tradescante that first, as I thinke, brought it into England, and sowed it, did write vnto mee, that after one of them had been bound and whited, when the refuse was cut away, the rest weighed seuenteene ounces: this hath blacke seede.

The white Romane Lettice is like vnto it, hauing long leaues like a Teasell, it is in goodnesse next vnto the red, but must be whited, that it may eate kindly: the seede hereof is white.

The Virginia Lettice hath single and very broade reddish leaues, and is not of any great regard, and therefore is kept but of a few: it beareth blacke seede.

The common Lumbard Lettice that is loose, and another kinde thereof that doth somewhat cabbage, haue both white seedes.

The Venice Lettice is an excellent Cabbage Lettice, and is best to bee sowen after Midsummer for lateward Lettice; they be sometimes as great as the crowne of a mans hatt: the seede hereof is white, and groweth to be of a meane height.

Our common Cabbage Lettice is well known, and beareth blacke seede.

The curld Lettice which is open, and differeth but little from Endiue, beareth black seede.

Another sort of curld Lettice doth cabbage, and is called Flanders Cropers, or Cropers of Bruges; this groweth lowest, and hath the smallest head, but very hard and round, and white while it groweth: the seed is blacke.

A kinde of Romane Lettice is of a darke green colour, growing as low as the Venice Lettice, and is an excellent kinde, bearing blacke seede.

And lastly our winter Lettice is wonderfull hardy to endure our cold: It is but single, and must be sowen at Michaelmas, but will be very good, before any of the other good sorts sowen in the Spring, will be ready to be vsed, and beareth white seed.

To instruct a nouice (for I teach not a Gardiner of knowledge) how to gather his seede that it may be good, is in this manner: Let him marke out those plants that hee meaneth shall run vp for seede, which must be the most likely; & after they haue begun to shoote forth stalkes, strip away the lowest leaues, for two or three hands breadth aboue the ground, that thereby in taking away the lowest leaues, the stalke doe not rot, nor the seed be hindered in the ripening.

There are two manner of wayes to whiten Lettice to make them eate the more tender: the one is by raysing vp earth like moale hils, round about the plants while they are growing, which will make them grow white: the other is by tying vp all the loose leaues round together while it groweth, that so the close tying may make it grow white, and thereby be the more tender.

Lambes Lettice or Corne Sallet is a small plant while it is young, growing close vpon the ground, with many whitish greene, long and narrow, round pointed leaues, all the winter, and in the beginning of the spring (if it bee sowen in autumne, as it is vsuall to serue for an early sallet) riseth vp with small round stalkes, with two leaues at euery ioynt, branching forth at the toppe, and bearing tufts of small bleake blew flowers, which turne into small round whitish seede: the roote is small and long, with some small threds hanging thereat: the whole plant is of a waterish taste, almost insipide.

The Vse of Lettice.