Chapter XXVI: Front Matter (26)

C, _The Door at which the Coals are taken out_.

D, _The Canes or Pipes wherein the sap or juice of the Wood is condensed, and from thence runs into the Receiver_.

E _is the Vessel or Receiver into which the Vinegar of Wood runs_.

All things being prepared in the manner aforesaid, let the Furnace be filled with wood up to the top, and if the wood be not dry enough, intermix with it, in the putting in from the bottom to the top, some dry Shrubs or Bushes, or small Faggot-sticks, by whose help the wood may be the more easily kindled. After the wood is kindled, and burns well, the hole in the top of the Furnace is to be close shut with its Stopper, that there may be no exit for the smoak, but that it may be forced to descend and seek its passage through the lower hole, by the Channel or Pipe. Therefore when the wood begins to burn, and yet can emit no flame, the heat presseth out all the juice, and forceth it into the pipe, in which, from the smoak, it is changed into an acid Juice or Liquor, which destilleth by the Pipe into the appointed receiving Barrel. All the wood being turned into Coals, and emitting no more fume, the whole Furnace, wheresoever it may admit the air; and also the hole to which the Pipe is fitted, is to be smeared over with wet ashes, that the Coals in the Furnace being suffocated or choaked, may remain entire. The Coals being taken out, may be put to necessary uses, being equal in goodness to other Charcoal which Colliers make in Woods. NB. I would have this understood, of such wood as is of a pretty good thickness, and suffers its self to be reduced into Coals; for if you cast into the Furnace Bushes or small Brushy wood, to press out the juice, you will obtain only a Powder of Coals, which after the juice is pressed out, is to be left in the Furnace open (not smeared over, as we taught above) till it pass into ashes, which is required for the coagulating the expressed juice; as shall appear by and by, when we come to speak of its coagulation. NB. When you have no occasion for Coals, or cannot sell them, it is necessary, that letting the Furnace be open, you suffer them to burn to ashes. If this operation be instituted in a place where there are stones fit to make Lime of, it would be worth the while to fill the Furnace with a layer of Wood, and another of Stones, from the bottom to the top, which Chymists call _Stratum super Stratum_, and after the juice is pressed out to open the Furnace, that the wood may be turned into ashes, by doing of which at the same time the stones will be calcined, and changed into Lime, which being exposed to the air, (yet so that the Rain cannot come to it) will fall to pieces into a fine powder. To this Powder, being mixed with wood ashes, the acid juice is to be poured, which was pressed out of the wood, that those two contrary natures may mutually work upon each other, and well unite: in which operation the sharp spirit of the wood loseth its Acrimony, and the fixed Salt of the wood and stones is altered, so that from both there proceedeth a contrary middle nature, and a sweeter salt; which being long exposed to the air, draweth from thence a Life, and is transmuted into the best Salt-Petre. NB. This mixture is so to be exposed to the air, that lying under a Covering or Roof, and being open on the sides, it may be defended from the Rain, and nevertheless attract the air. If it shall be dried by the air, it must be moistened again with the Urine of Men or Beasts, that it may never be throughly dry. If these things be rightly performed, you shall have plenty of the best Salt-petre, from this matter, in the space of a year and an half, or two years at the most; which being extracted, purified, and boiled up, shooteth into very pure Crystals. The rest of the matter being again laid in its former place, under the covering or shed, and being ordered in the same manner, as before, will in the space of two years produce new Salt-Petre, which may be extracted and boiled up as before; for that mixture still remaineth good, provided it be moistened with Urine when dry, as was said. NB. He that desireth to acquire Salt-petre sooner, after the conjunction of the acid spirit with the ashes, and the precipitation and mortification of both, from that conjoined matter, by the pouring on of water, he may extract and boil up the Salt, and then dissolve the Salt in Urine, and digest it by Circulatory Vessels; by which means he may obtain the best Salt-petre in the space of one year. This labour of pressing the juice out of Wood, and at the same time of making Stones into Lime, may be used in all those Cities and Places where wood and stones are plenty. But if this operation were to be instituted in a Wood, there would be no need of a Furnace built with stone, seeing that the Pile of Wood might be covered all over with green Turfs, after the same manner which Colliers use in making their Charcoal, only with this difference, that here must be a hole in the side, to which the duct or pipe is to be adjoined. The juice being pressed out, the pile or stack is to be every where well closed, that the Air may have no passage, if you would preserve the Coals. All being cooled, the Coals may be taken out and sold, or put to necessary uses, so that the expressed juice, which being received in no Vessel, would have vanished in smoke, plainly costs nothing; but if you do not desire Coals, let them be burnt into ashes, that they may serve for the coagulating the spirit into salt, and afterwards by the help of the air, in a certain space of time transmute it into good Salt-Petre.

_A. Ist der Ofen darin das holtz gebresset wirdt._

_B. Der deckel darmit der Ofen geschlossen wirdt._

_C. Die thur an dem Ofen dardurch man die kohlen aus nimbt._

_D. Seind die röhren darinnen sich der holtzsafft Condensirt vnd
heraus rinnt._

_E. Ist ein fas darin der holt essig laufft._]

_A. Ist der Ofen._

_B. Das distillier gefäs in dem Ofen._

_C. Das loch mit einem faltz dardurch das swänge eingetragen wird._

_D. Die Zange mit deckel darmit das gefäs nach dem eintragen
geschlossë wirdt._

_E. Ein Eisen löffel darmit der schwan eingetragen wirdt._

_F. Die recipienten._

_G. Die banck darauf die recipienten ligen._

_H. der Laborant._]

_A. Ist der Ofen wie er in der arbeit stehet._

_B. Ist der Vnterste theil des Ofens wie er offen ohne die vorder
wand anzusehen._

_C. Ist das obertheil des Ofens._

_D. Der rost in dem Ofen._

_E. der Herd._

_F. der Müffel so auff den herd gehöret._

_G. der Deckel dar mit der Ofen oben gedecket wird wann kohlen
darin sein vnd in voller arbeitstehet._

_H. das rauch fanglein an dem Ofen._]

NB. It is here also to be noted, that the expressed juice carries along with it a sharp hot Oyl of a dark reddish colour, which is not to be cast away, but is to be poured upon the Ashes together with the acid Spirit, that putrefying with the Salts, it may with the rest put on the nature of Salt-petre. But he that will may apply the same to other uses; forasmuch as it is profitable for other things. Any Wood exposed to the Rain, or standing in the Water, easily rotting, being anointed with this Oyl, will be preserved, so that it will not so easily rot, seeing that the water cannot adhere to the Wood, but is forced to slide off, or is hindered from penetrating the Wood. Carters, or Waggoners may use the same instead of Grease to their Wheels and Axle-trees, especially when it is a little thickened with Suet or Rosin. But the best use of it that I yet know (if you except Salt-petre) is to dissolve and boil it with a sharp Lixivium made of Lime and Ashes, by which it becometh a very hot and penetrant Soap, procuring fertility; if a poor sandy ground be sprinkled with the same and moistened: For it rendereth it very fruitful; which thing it doth not only in Fields, but also in Trees and Vines, insomuch, that one Tun of it avails more in the fatening of Fields, than ten Cart Loads of Horse-dung or Cow-dung: And a Hogshead, or Tun of this Soap may be carried into Fields and Vineyards, far remote, more easily than ten Loads of Dung, which is carried to Vineyards situate in Rocky places with great labour, and no small charge.

NB. If this Soap be used for the fattening of Vines, too much of it is not to be used at a time, least the Vines grow too fat and luxuriant; therefore its moderate use is required, which needs not that exactness in the dunging of Arable Land: Although in that an excess brings damage, and indeed it is the excess of good things that doth harm. A Tree, or Vine being made too fat by dunging, grows luxuriant, and putteth forth more fruit than it can bear and bring to Maturity. The Wood it self becomes too fat and soft, so that in the Winter it is easily injured by the cold. Whence in all things a Mediocrity ought to be observed. This Black Soap made of the Oyl of Wood, is truly a very great gift of God, in those places where Sand renders the ground barren. Hence the admirable Wisdom of our Creator appeareth, as it were thus speaking to us: _Ye rude, and unskilful men, wherefore do you leave this place uncultivated? Because you cannot sow it with any kind of Grain, I will that it shall produce wood, and afford you a matter, with which, if you will, you may render it fat._ For it is sufficiently known, that Animals, and Vegetables rotting, dung the earth, and render it fat; which thing even the Rusticks have now learned, that they do the same without putrefying or rotting, when they cut down, and burn the Trees and Bushes, which had grown up in the Fields, during the long time of the War, and spread the Ashes on the ground, by which it is fatned. But that they know not how to save, invert, and use with the Ashes for dunging, the acid Spirit, and hot Oyl, which vanish in the burning, ought to seem strange to none, seeing that no man hath hitherto declared it to them. Nevertheless, I perswade my self that this way of dunging of Land, will come into use, in process of time, but I believe not quickly [here in _Germany_] by reason of that great quantity of grain which every place affordeth in this time of Peace. But if hereafter, a new War should happen (which God avert) and the Fields should lie many years untilled, through the want of Men, Horses, and other necessaries, then I believe, and not before, this necessary Art will be sought after.

But what other things the said juice of Wood is able to effect, we cannot here declare, by reason of our intended brevity: Yet this I will add, that if this acid Spirit be rectified, it may be used in the preparation of good Medicines, in Mechanick Arts, in the making of many fair Colours, from the extraction of Metals, Minerals, and Stones, and for all things for which common Vinegar is used; yea, far more commodiously, because it much exceedeth the common Wine, and Beer Vinegar in sharpness. And even it self alone is a Medicine which cureth many incurable Diseases; being mixed with warm water, and used in a Bath for washing the Body, is far more efficacious than those Baths which issue out of the Earth; especially in all Scabs, in Members relaxed by the _French_ Palsie, _Paralysis Gallica_ [I suppose he means the Venereal Lues] in Fistulous and stinking Ulcers in the Legs and other parts of the Body. Also in the Gout, Stone, Cramp, Sciatica, Palsie, Diseases of the Womb, and all sorts of sickness otherwise to be cured by the help of Baths, which this Vinegar pressed out of Wood, far exceedeth in Salubrious Vertues.

The same also doth the hot Oyl which is expelled by expression with the Spirit, which exerteth wonderful Virtues in curing those Ulcers and external affects. For which certainly, as a great gift, and to be easily found in all places, none of those who are burdened with grievous Diseases, can render sufficient thanks to the Almighty: But especially the Poor, who have not Money to buy Physick.

NB. Here also it ought to be observed, that those who use the Bath tempered with the juice of Wood, should before they enter into it drink some spoonfuls of this Vinegar. For this Vinegar by penetrating the whole Body, casteth out all things superfluous and noxious to nature by sweat, and openeth all Obstructions of the Liver, Spleen, and Lungs: And especially when the Vinegar is elicited from a Wood, or Herb, which is endowed with peculiar Virtues for the eradicating of those Diseases. As for Example: The acid Spirit of the Vine, Beech, Birch, and the like, taketh away the Obstructions of the Internal Bowels. That of the Oak, and other hard Woods, cureth the Corruption of the Blood, and all Diseases proceeding thence, as the Pox, Leprosie, external Ulcers of all sorts, Scabs, Fistula, and all open Sores. Also all Contractures or Cramps, Falling-sickness, Apoplexy, and Palsie. So the Vinegar of Ash, Cherry-tree, Plumb-tree, Sloe, or Bullace-tree, Medlar-tree, Arbute-tree, and the like Trees, which bear Fruits having Stones or Kernels, cure the Gout, and the Stone of the Reins and Bladder. That of Balsamick Herbs, as St. _John_’s Wort, Sage, _Paul_’s Betony, or Fleuellin, Sanicle, Betony, Lung-wort, Liver-wort, Saxifrage, and other like, taketh away the internal Hurts of the Liver and Lungs, and all inward affects arising from Blows, Falls, _&c._ So efficacious a Medicine is this juice of Wood, that the most costly Galenical Compositions are forced to give it place. In making the Bath one Pound of the acid Spirit is to be added to ten pints of water, and this quantity to be augmented, or diminished, according to the condition of the Patient and the Disease.

Before the use of the Bath, some drops of the Oyl may be adjoined to the spoonfulls of Spirit, which so fortifieth the Spirit, that it more readily penetrateth the body, more forcibly accosteth the Disease, and the sooner expelleth it. In Gouty Pains, and in the stone of the Kidneys, the same Oyl being rubbed upon the part with the Spirit, gives a relief not to be contemned. In brief, this juice of Woods and Herbs, if it be duly prepared and used, is able to shame and confound all the Apothecaries Shops of Galenical Medicines, notwithstanding their proud Furniture of Painted and Gilded Glasses and Boxes.

And I do not doubt but in process of time, that Physicians out of a good Conscience, will explode those unprofitable Coctions, and in their room institute better preparations, that God may have his due praise, and the miseries of the sick receive succour.

For although this acid water doth not contain the Virtues of the whole Herb, nevertheless it is to be reputed and used as an efficacious water of Herbs, in Medicine, seeing that that which is used in the Shops hath very little virtue, as daily experience witnesseth: It being nothing but the pure Phlegm of the Herb, the chief Virtues and Essence of the Herb remaining in the supposed fœces, although the water hath carried along with it something of the Smell and Taste. Look upon any dry Herb, which the heat of the Sun or Air hath deprived of all its Phlegm and Humidity, and see whether it be also deprived of its Smell, Taste, and Efficacy. And although in length of time it will lose all its Taste and Smell, nevertheless its chief Virtues yet lie hid in it. Yea, although its _acetum_ be drawn from it by distillation, that an unskilful man would think that there remained no virtue at all in the remaining black Coals of Wood or Herbs, yet the most efficacious Virtues yet lie hid in the best Sulphur and Salt. And that great Virtue doth yet remain in the Coals, is not unknown to Rusticks, who in the Winter burn them to warm themselves, and boil their food, which thing they could never do by the Phlegm separated by distillation. Those black and contemptible Coals are of so great vertue, that they emulate the powers and properties of the most Noble Creature the Sun, for which cause they merit the name of Terrestrial Suns. For whatsoever the Astral and Sydereal Sun effecteth in the superiour Firmament, the same doth the Terrestrial Suns, _viz._ Coals, which are its Vicars, also effect. The superiour rendereth all things partakers of Life and Growth, the same doth also the inferiour Suns. In the Winter time when the Sun is far distant from us, all the Vegetables of the Earth are as it were dead: In the Spring upon his return, all things revive, grow, move, increase, and are nourished.

Insects themselves which have hid themselves in Holes and Caverns of the Earth to fly from Cold, and have lain as dead, do again come forth into the light. All which effects are produced by the superiour Sun. The same things also the inferiour Sun can effect. For when Flies, Spiders, and other like Insects in any Parlour or Chamber, to shun the cold, betake themselves to Holes and Chinks, and there lie as it were dead; the first heat they perceive by the making of a fire in that room, recover their former life, and again creep out of their hiding places, as upon the Suns approaching us in the Spring. Yea, if in such a Room made hot, there had been before reposited great Insects, as Frogs, Snakes, Lizards, and the like, as also Herbs killed by the cold, they would revive, recover strength and grow equally as if they had been illustrated by the Rays of the great Elementary Sun. Therefore if this Contemptible Coal, which in the judgment of the unskilful is deprived of all its Juice and Virtue, can perform these things; what a Medicine think you may be prepared by the help of Art of such a Coal?

But some Putatious Physician may here ask; who can prepare any Medicine from so dry and insipid a Coal? It can neither be dissolved by the strongest Corrosive Liquor, nor by the most intense fire, if no air come to it: of which, if the least Portion shall touch it, it presently conceiveth flame, and is consumed, so that nothing of it remains but a few ashes mixt with a little Salt. And those Virtues which refresh all things living, and revive the dead, all perish by Combustion, and vanish in smoak, which could they be taken and preserved, might doubtless afford a Medicine of great moment. To this I answer: wherefore cannot so great an efficacy be preserved, and used for the making of a good Medicine, before that it vanisheth by burning, and flieth into the air? Whatsoever Philosopher is ignorant of the manner of effecting this, truly he is a weak Philosopher, who ought to blush in that he setteth himself before others, and contemneth them who exceed himself in Learning and Science. He that knoweth not how to use any palpable and coagulated matter, before it be consumed by burning, and vanisheth away, by what means will he elicit the same out of its Chaos, and concentrate it? But that the way of freeing this Noble Sulphur from its Bonds and Keepers, is not known to everyone, is no wonder. For it will not come at every call. Of all the Philosophers, there is none who more clearly and openly teacheth by what means it may be delivered from its Bonds, than _Sandivogius_, who expresly saith, _That this Sulphur lies hid and is held Captive in an obscure or dark prison, and kept by very strong keepers. But that Salt only in the conflict or fight, gave him a deadly wound._ No Man hath spoken more clearly than this worthy Author. Therefore he that knoweth not how to extricate that Vital virtue from its bonds, and how to use it in Medicine, let him read the above cited _Sandivogius_, who will clearly instruct him. If he cannot learn of him, there is no reason why any one should labour to help him.

I will propose the matter by a similitude; a Man is compounded of three things, _viz._ Body, Soul, and Spirit; The _Body_ is visible, immoveable, gross, earthy, and corruptible: The _Spirit_ is invisible, movable, living, and nevertheless mortal; But the _Soul_ of Man, which is his most noble part, is immortal.

In like manner, there is also a certain _Anima_ or Vital Principle in Vegetables and Minerals, although there are few who know how to extract it. Therefore as in Man the Soul is the most noble part; to which the Spirit is inferiour, and the Body the lowest or vilest; so it is also with Vegetables and Minerals. To acquire the _Anima_ or Vital Principle of any Vegetable or Mineral, that fixed and constant _Anima_ is to be separated by the help of Art, from the gross, unprofitable, and dead body. For as long as the gross body adhereth to this noble Principle, so long it cannot move it self in a due manner, nor demonstrate its nobility, but is held Captive by its gross body, till it be set at liberty, by some body who knows how to dissolve its bonds. Being freed from its bonds, and the gross body laid aside, it can presently exert its power. Therefore let this be the principal care of Physicians, that instead of a body dead, and destitute of Virtue, they labour to attain the fixed and living _Anima_ of Vegetables, that using that in the cure of diseases they may perform far greater things than now they do.

I have here inserted this discourse, only for this cause, that I might shew that a whole or intire body is of very little moment, and that that thing whereby any Good is to be effected in Medicine, is to be found only in the most noble part, to wit, the _Anima_.

And even, as in Minerals, besides a fixed and incombustible Sulphur, there is also found another, combustible and fugacious: so also there is found a twofold Sulphur in Vegetables, in the destilling of which, by a Retort, an Oil is expelled, together with the acid Spirit and Phlegm, which indeed hath its virtues, but can in no wise perform those things which that part remaining in the black Coals is wont to effect. For by how much a Medicine shall be more fixed and constant, by so much the more do they enter and encounter long and fixed diseases; so on the contrary, fugacious medicines are found less efficacious in eradicating the same.

What I have said concerning Vegetables, _viz._ That there is in them a volatile and fugacious spirit, and a constant fixed _Anima_; the same is also to be understood of Minerals, which besides a combustible Sulphur, possess also a fixed and constant _Anima_.

But whosoever knoweth how to conjoin the _Anima_ of Vegetables with the _Anima_ of Minerals, hath obtained a Medicine which is able, after a wonderful manner, to corroborate the Vital Spirit in Man. For the _Animæ_ of Vegetables and Minerals, are the Rays of the Sun coagulated, which necessarily contain a vivifying or enlivening power, seeing that the sun maketh all things partakers of Life.

And a man, if he only beholds the sun, or its Vicar the fire, the earthly sun, although he be in some very deep and cold place under ground, where he cannot feel its warming and enlivening power; yet he shall perceive his Heart to be recreated and strengthened by the bare aspect of it: But how much greater a recreation and corroboration would he perceive, if he should take the _Anima_ of Wine, or of some other Herb conjoined with the _Anima_ of Gold, for the curing of his body, with both which it hath a great familiarity; for like rejoiceth in like, and desireth to be joined to it: And therefore it ought to seem strange to no man, that I assert, the _humidum radicale_ of the humane body may be augmented by the _Animæ_ of Vegetables and of Gold: For the _Anima_ of Vegetables is nothing else but an essential universal salt, which is found in all things.

Seeing therefore that Philosophers confess, that the redness of gold and whiteness of silver may be encreased by its own universal salt, it is reasonable for us to acquiess in the same opinion, and to maintain it against those that erre. A visible and palpable demonstration is to be credited. Nevertheless I easily perswade my self, that this discourse of mine will not be credited by many, which I cannot help. It contenteth me, that I have written the Truth, and lighted a Candle to my Neighbour.

After one and the same manner, of Wood of little or no worth, I have shewed the making of _Salt-petre_, for _Souldiers_, _Gardeners_, _Vintners_, and _Husband-men_, fit for the dunging of Orchards, Vineyards, Fields, and Meadows; of commodious Baths, for the Sick; of a good Vinegar for Chymists and Apothecaries, necessary for many extractions. It now remains, that I also offer a Gift to the Owners of Metallick Mines. If they shall humect or moisten the _Calx viva_, or Lime made of stones, in the Press, as we have taught, with the _Acetum_ or Vinegar of Wood, they shall obtain a cheap Flux, by which those hard and untractable stones digged out of metallick Veins, may easily be melted; for the acid spirit of Wood is fixed by the Lime, and converted into a salt, causing an easie Flux. Nevertheless, this salt will be of greater profit to Husband-men, for the dunging and fattening their Fields (for whose sake I also describe it) than in the melting of Mineral bodies. Physicians may use the noble and efficacious juice of Wood, for the happy cure of many incurable diseases, and to their own honour and profit. This Vinegar of Wood being exposed in Hogsheads to the cold in Winter, that it may be frozen to Ice, the Phlegm only freezeth, but the sharp spirit, with the Oil, is not turned into Ice, but remaineth in the middle of the Hogshead so sharp, that it corrodeth metals like _Aqua-fortis_. If Princes and Great men would be pleased to take care that the Wood in their Dominions (otherwise rotting in the Woods) might be turned into _Salt-Petre_, they would do well, and it would not repent them of their labour, seeing there is a time at hand, in which _Salt-Petre_ will be much wanted.

There is yet another secret, which for the sake of Country-men I ought to discover, which will yield them no small profit; which is this: If Hop-poles be burnt at the ends which are to go into the Earth, and those burnt ends dipt in the Oil of Wood, that they may imbibe or suck in that fatness, and afterwards set into the earth, they admit no humidity or moisture, which otherwise they are wont to do, being every year diminished in that part which standeth in the earth. It also cometh to pass, that they communicate their fatness to the vines and stalks of the Hops to which they are joined, and render them more fat and fruitful, by this means affording a twofold profit, first in preserving the Hop-poles from rotting a longer time than they are wont to last. The other is, That the Roots of the Vines and Hops, drawing fatness and nourishment from the bottoms of the poles grow the faster, and are more fruitful. Moreover, those ends of the poles, in length of time growing rotten, yet there is no loss of the Oil, but still the same profit remaineth, seeing that those rotten ends of the poles being taken up and planted again in the earth with the Roots of Hops, they will afford them nourishment for some years, better than if they had been dunged with dung. In like manner, by the help of this Oil of Wood, strong and durable quick-hedges may be made for the fencing in of Vineyards, Orchards, Gardens, and Hop-yards, by which Beasts and Thieves may be kept out. For this purpose the sharp end of the stakes fit for the Hedges, are to be put into the Fire till they grow black, and then whilst they are hot, be dipped into the Oil, that they may well imbibe the same.

With these, being drove into the ground after the usual manner, an Hedge may be made by planting a young shoot or set of Thorn, Crab-tree, _&c._ all along between the Stakes. Those sets or sprigs, which otherwise, growing but slowly, are many years before they come to a requisite height and thickness, their roots now obtaining fatness and nourishment from this Oil, arrive to maturity in less than half the usual time, and become a thick and strong Quick-hedge before the Stakes are rotten. Moreover, there is no danger of wild Beasts coming into those places where the Hedge stakes are imbrewed with this Oil, seeing that wild Beasts shun all strong odours, and dare not approach them. If you shall imbibe Hempen-Cords, or such as are made of the Bark of Trees twisted together with Grass, with the said Oil, and then bind them about Fruit-trees, it will hinder the creeping up of Spiders, Ants, or Pismires, Palmer or Canker-Worms, and other the like Insects, which are wont to damnifie Fruit; inasmuch as those Insects plainly abhor such hot Oils. _By this means also may Rats and Mice be hindered from creeping up Hovel-posts, and devouring the Grain._

There is yet another manner of promoting the dunging of Fields, and the happy growth of Seeds, and not only those Fields which are lean and sandy, to which Cow-dung may be used, but also those which are hard and craggy, in which neither sand nor any dust of Earth is found.

But in making manifest this Artifice to the whole World, my intention is not that the World should thereby be inriched with great profit, as I have endeavoured by describing the manner of Dunging poor Sandy Land, by the acid juice of Wood. My Scope or end is only this, That every man may see and consider how many wonderful things may be effected with wood and shrubs, which are every where found in great quantity, and nevertheless are of no use or profit.

Who would credit any man, affirming, that it might be effected, that not only Grain, but all sorts of Trees, and excellent Vines should grow in any hard and naked Rock, without the addition of any Earth or Dung? Truly, I believe that there is no man in the World, to whom this will seem likely. This will more amaze _Farnner_, with his whole Crew, than my _Miraculum Mundi_ did. Yet because the thing may be done, I cannot forbear to divulge the Artifice, only to this end, that I may subject the Divine Wonders to the eyes of the blinded World. But yet it cannot be, but that it will be profitable in many places, in those especially which lie near Rivers, and afford Wine; such are those which lie upon the _Mœne_, _Mosell_, _Necker_, _Rhine_, _Danube_, and other the like Rivers, where great and craggy Mountains frequently occurr; in which having the heat of the Sun all the day, Vines might be commodiously planted, if Earth and Dung could be carried thither. Certainly Vines grow no where better than in Rocks and Craggs, into whose clefts and cracks they insinuate their roots, that they may thence attract to themselves nourishment, which few other Plants are wont to do: And because for the most part much Wood grows about such Rocks, it would be worth while to press out its juice, by which the hard Rocks might be reduced into a soft Dust, fit for the Reception of Vines, which might be performed by this operation; which nevertheless would not be necessary to undertake, but for the manifesting of the wonders of God to the unskilful, and shewing that such things may be done. If any desireth to plant in a place of this sort, in which Vines or Trees growing freely in rocky and stony places, as Cherry-trees, Plumb-trees, Service-trees, and others, bearing Fruits which have Stones; at the beginning, a little hole is to be cut in the Rock by the help of Masons Tools, which is to be filled with the Vinegar of Wood; which being done, the hole is to be covered to keep off the Rain. After some daies, let him see whether the Vinegar hath insinuated it self into the Rock, and again fill up the hole with fresh Vinegar, and cover it with a Stone, as before. And this Labour is to be repeated in the Summer time so often, till the Rock hath drunk up much Vinegar, and be thereby so softned for the space of an Ell in length, breadth, and depth, that it may be easily dug up with a sharp Instrument, and become a great hole; the matter digged out is again to be cast into the hole, and to be again filled with the Vinegar of Wood, and covered with stones, and so left till all the matter grows so soft, that it may be crumbled to pieces with the fingers. And in the _Autumn_, when Trees have lost their Leaves, or in the _Spring_, before the Leaves come forth, _viz._ in the Month of _March_, Vines or Trees are to be planted in the matter contained in the hole, and the matter to be trampled close down about their Roots, then all to be wetted by the pouring on of Water, and the event to be committed to God. So the Vines or Trees grow as well as if they had been planted in other manured ground. The reason is this; Because the Rocks consisting not of Sand, but of stones, fit for the making of Lime, do contain much _Salt-Petre_, as also the acid juice of Wood, partaketh of the same nature, this, by corroding the Rock, dissolveth the _Salt-Petre_ in the stone, and setteth it free, and at the same time loseth its own corrosive Acrimony, so that it cannot hurt the Roots of Vegetables, but is like to Cow-dung or rather better, for it fatteneth and nourisheth the Roots better. Therefore a Tree or Vine planted after this manner in a Rock, if it shall once put forth, afterwards dieth not, but the Roots insinuating themselves into the Clefts of the Rock, seek their own nourishment. Nevertheless every Winter when the Leaves are fallen off, some of that acid juice is to be poured to the Trunk of the Tree or Vine, that during the Winter, it may again soften some Portion of the stone, which will afford new matter of nourishment to the Roots. And by thus affusing of fresh juice every year, there will be no need of Earth or Dung, seeing that the Stone is changed into earth and dung by the juice of the wood.

Although this _Arcanum_ will seem a thing impossible to many, yet it is most true, of which, if any will make trial, he may easily do it in this manner: Let him get a stone which doth not consist of sand, but of such of which Lime is made, which being exposed to the Sun, let him pour upon it the acid Liquor of Wood; which when the stone shall have well imbibed or drank in, let him pour on more, and repeat this labour so often, till the stone be rendered so soft, as it may be rubbed to powder between the fingers. In this matter, rubbed or ground small, let him sow any Seed, which will sprout forth thence, as if it had been sowed in any good earth: The reason we have already declared, _viz._ because the stone is converted into earth, having its own _Salt-Petre_, or proper Dung in it self, and moreover, changing the juice of wood into _Salt-Petre_. He who rightly understandeth and followeth my Doctrine, and shall set about the Work with diligence, will without doubt attain his end. But if he tries with a Sandy stone, he will effect nothing. For stones of this sort want a nourishing Salt, and they wholly refuse solution by the Liquor of Wood, so far are they from imbibing, coagulating, and changing it into a Dungy Salt. But after the following manner any one may prove, that natural Salt-Petre may be made of the stones of which Lime is made, and the juice of Wood. Let him take some pieces of this sort of Lime-stone, not yet burnt (for when burnt, it is much more facile, as I have taught) and immerge or dip them all over in the Vinegar of Wood, and dry them in the heat of the Sun, or some other warm place, and let him repeat this labour so often until they be so soft that they may be rubbed or ground to pieces like Earth. From this ground matter extract the Salt with Rain-water, which will be plainly like to Salt-Petre. So of the Stone is made Earth; of the Salt of that Stone, and the Vinegar of Wood, Salt-Petre; or a salt equally Serving with the Dung of Cows or Sheep, for the dunging of all Vegetables.

Nevertheless we have not written these things to that end, as if it were necessary to plant Rocks with Vines, by the help of the Vinegar of Wood. Our purpose is only to set forth how the great efficacy of the juice of Wood may be known, and how by its help, fertility may be procured even to the hardest Rocks, which being hitherto unknown and unheard of, my diligent search and enquiry hath now brought to light. Let it not seem absurd to any, that I ascribe so great power to the Vinegar of Wood; for common Vinegar doth the same thing in softening of hard Rocks: Why then should not this acid juice of Wood do it, which far exceeds the common in strength and sharpness? It is said, that _Hannibal_ made a passage through the _Alps_, for himself and his Army, softening the Rocks by the benefit of Vinegar; what Vinegar that was, Histories do not mention. Perhaps it was the Vinegar of Wine; but if he had had the Vinegar of Wood, he might sooner have attained his desire.

This _Arcanum_, without doubt, will give occasion of finding out many other profitable things, by the help of this Vinegar. I have opened the way, let another come, who by searching further may enlarge it, that thereby some perfection may the sooner be acquired. There are many things lie hidden in Nature, which through our sloth and negligence not being sought after, yield no profit to Mankind. But I doubt not but time will produce sedulous men, who will make a further progress in this Vinegar, so that much profit may redound from it.

There is found another kind of stones, which for the most part is used for the building of Houses, which being soft, is easily cut, so that steps or stairs, and Window-frames are made of it. It is to be reduced by the help of Fire into a Calx of a white, ashy, and reddish colour; it also refuseth to be melted; nor is it like to Sandy stones, but is Partaker of both natures, and contains much Salt-Petre. But neither by its reduction into a Calx, nor by the pouring on of water, can it be extorted from them, except it be first prepared after a singular manner, for then it yields to water; concerning which thing I have written a peculiar Treatise, which God willing shall shortly come forth. There are whole Mountains of this sort of stone, containing a great Treasure of Salt-Petre, which hath hitherto been known to none.

These few things I was willing to offer to Country-men, concerning the pressing of wood, and the utility thereof. The Circulatory Vessels in which the juice of the wood, and all the salts of the Air are animated by an uncessant motion, and converted into Salt-Petre, I will not divulge at this time, but reserve them for my self and my Friends. [_These are described in the Third Part of =The Prosperity of= Germany._]

In the mean time this excellent Art will not sleep, but will be exercised in many places. Now whosoever shall need the same, he will know what is to be done. For I have determined to bestow the same for the good of my Neighbour, lest it should be buried with me in oblivion.

I have also an Artificial Invention (_which is taught in The Prosperity of_ Germany) of turning common salt in the space of a few hours, so that it shall be plainly like Salt-Petre, for the enriching of poor, lean fields; and yet an hundred weight of it will scarce cost a _Doller_ (_which is about_ 4 _s._ 6 _d._) Which is indeed a singular Gift of God in these last times, which will be highly profitable both to the Rich and Poor, in all places of the World. For if the Culture of Wine and Corn shall every where become better, and more profitable, by the help of this Art, it cannot be, but that all men will receive profit, and obtain a more commodious way of living.

For by this Art, not only all Fields, whether they have lately brought forth Fruit, or whether they have lain fallow, and for some time brought forth nothing, are brought to that condition, that they may bear Fruit every year: but also barren places, which would never bring forth any Fruit, are rendered fertile, and fit to bear Fruit; so that no place can be found in the world, how barren soever it be, which by this _medium_ may not be rendered fertile. Moreover, this Art is to be greatly esteemed, because by it ground may be fattened in those places where no Cattel are found, and therefore afford no dung; seeing that hitherto no other than the ordinary way of dunging hath been known.

So also in places far remote from the Dwellings of men, to which Dung cannot be carried, this Art may be exercised with great profit; especially when Dung is difficult to be procured, or costs dear, and is not carried to those remote places without great charge, for which reason they cannot be tilled, but are forced to lie uncultivated.

Seeing that one Hogshead of my fattening Salt can effect more than some Cart-loads of common Dung. Nevertheless this is to be noted, That when any Field dunged with the said salt, is to be sowed with Corn, the seed is first to be macerated or steeped for one night in water, in which that salt is dissolved. For being so prepared, it will grow faster than if it had been committed to the Earth, without any foregoing maceration.

Consider, when the Souldiers have taken away the Horses and Carts, carried away the Oxen, devoured the Cows and Sheep, and wasted the whole Country, by what means shall the wasted Fields be dunged and restored to the Husband-man, that returning to their former fruitfulness, he may reap from them the expected Fruit.

Indeed, in time of Peace, when Horses and Oxen abound both for the ploughing of the ground, and making of Dung, Dung is alwaies of worth, there never being too much of it, and therefore this my Invention may bring not a little profit. Whence it may be of a far greater advantage in those places, where (by the Divine permission) those Locusts have eaten up all things. Ought we not then to receive so excellent a Gift of God with all Thankfulness?

_The Omnipotent GOD give to us all His Grace, that we may shun all temporal and carnal Security, as the deceitful snare of the Devil, and seek after that which is eternal, constant, and perpetual._ Amen.

Arcanum II.

_Being a Gift presented to rich Merchants, =&c.= that they may
improve their Money and Estates without Usury._

Although I had determined to treat of this _Arcanum_, with other excellent uses of _Salt-Petre_ in the emendation of Metals, in the Third Part of _The Prosperity of_ Germany; yet for certain reasons I have deferred the publishing of that Book for some time; but considering my profitable Inventions of making _Salt-Petre_, and not doubting but that there will be found men who will put _Salt-Petre_ to better uses than that of making Gun-powder, I could not forbear here to describe one good and profitable use of the said salt in the emendation of Metals, which is free for any boldly to experience, seeing that I have written the very Truth. He that shall follow the sence of my words, and hath some skill in metallick Labours, will not lose his pains, but will thence reap no contemptible profit. But if any man would perswade himself that such a work is to be done without labour and trouble, and great Masses of Gold to be obtained with idleness, he will be greatly deceived, not considering that this requires his putting his hand to the plough, and using great diligence.

I have described the following Operation openly and clearly; affirming, that it will succeed to the Operator, according to my description. If any shall erre in the performance, let him blame himself and his own ignorance, and not me. For in this process all things are plain, and to be understood according to the Letter, and may also be performed by an easie imitation.

_The manner of the Operation._

R. of Copper one part, of Gold or Silver two parts, and of _Regulus Martis_ three parts, all which melt together in a good and well-covered Crucible, taking great heed that no Coals fall into the Crucible and corrupt the Work. All being melted, and the cover taken off, yet warily that no Coals fall into the Crucible, cast in as much _Salt-Petre_, well dried and powdered, as there is of Copper and _Regulus_ in the Crucible, to the melted matter, and again cover the Crucible, with the same caution about the Coals, which so put about the Crucible, that they may not lie upon its Cover, but it may be at liberty, to be commodiously lifted up with the Tongs for the inspecting the Mass in the Crucible. For if the Fire should be too great, the _Salt-Petre_ would boil over the Crucible, and inferr loss. And this may easily happen, seeing that the _Salt-Petre_ entring and working upon the _Regulus_ and Copper, swelleth and riseth up. Wherefore it is necessary, that this Work should be done in such a Furnace, as I have described in the Fourth Part of my Furnaces, having its doors, by which the Fire may be governed, and rendered stronger or weaker.

After that the _Salt-Petre_ hath imbibed the _Regulus_ and Copper, and turned them into a reddish _Scoria_, which is wont to be done in the space of a quarter or half an hour, the lower door being opened, the upper one must be shut, that the Fire becoming stronger, may melt the _Scoria_, till they flow like water; which when you see, by lifting up the Cover a little, remove the Coals about the upper part of the Crucible, and take off the Cover, and having taken good hold of the Crucible with your Tongs, lift it out of the Furnace, and pour out the melted matter into a melting Cup or Cone, [_Such a one is described by its Figure in the Fourth Part of Furnaces_.] being first heat, and well smeared within with Wax; in the bottom of which, when cold, there will be a _Regulus_ of pure Gold, which being freed from the Scoria, will be so much encreased in weight, as it hath attracted from the Copper and _Regulus Martis_, which will be the fiftieth part of the weight of the Gold.

The red Scoria, which have a fiery taste upon the Tongue, contain the Salt-Petre, Copper, and _Regulus_ reduced into a Scoria; which if you would separate from the Salt-petre, as soon as you have parted it from the _Regulus_, put it again into the Crucible in the Furnace, put a Coal to it in the Crucible, which being well covered, let it again flow well for a quarter of an hour. In this Operation, the Coal or Coals put to the Metals, _viz._ the Copper and _Regulus_ of Antimony, will separate them by precipitation from the Salt-Petre, so that they will become a _Regulus_ together, and the fixed Salt-Petre will be separated, and rest upon the _Regulus_, from which being cooled, it may be removed by knocking it off. If the operation be rightly performed, you will recover almost all the _Regulus_ and Copper: but little also of the Salt-Petre is lost, which hath now put on another nature, becomes fixt, and answereth in virtue to the salt of Tartar. NB. Because those Scoria cannot be so perfectly removed from the Salt-Petre by the Coals, but it still retaineth somewhat of the Copper and _Regulus_, which the Coals could not precipitate; they may be kept in some warm place, lest they be dissolved by the air, till you have a quantity of them; which being reduced by burning Coals, may yield their Metal. Of which more shall be said anon.

* * * * *

This Labour, although it squares not with the capacity of the rude and unskilful, nevertheless it is easie to be done by those who have any knowledge in the melting of Metals. But all the manners of operating cannot be so accurately delivered, that every unskilful man should presently be rendered capable of understanding them; I write the Truth openly, and he that well understandeth me, may rejoice with profit. I write not to unskilful _Tyro_’s, but only to those who know how to handle Metals in the Fire. It may be here asked, Whether this augmentation of the Gold, ariseth from the Copper, or from the _Regulus_ of Antimony? I answer, from both, but more from the Copper than from the _Regulus_. For there is no Copper or Antimony found, from which Gold is not elicited after the aforesaid manner, seeing that there is in both an invisible and spiritual Gold, nevertheless one containeth more than another; and being melted with Gold, give it forth to the same, which also attracteth it. Therefore as often as Copper, and Regulus of Antimony, and Salt-petre shall be melted together with Gold, so often will the Gold receive an encrease; so that this Labour being repeated eight or ten times every day, there will be an augmentation of the Gold not to be contemned, for besides all the Cost, it will afford the daily Gain of one Floren out of an hundred. (_A Floren is 2 s. in =Germany=, about two and twenty pence value in our Money_.) This is certainly a profit to those who will put their Money to Usury, much more honourable and safe than their trusting it in the hands of others.