ancient Greeke Writers, but _supposititiæ_, vsed in the stead
        thereof. The Germander, from the forme of the leaues like vnto
        small oaken leaues, had the name _Chamædrys_ giuen it, which
        signifieth a dwarfe Oake.

        The Vertues.

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

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

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

CHAP. CXXXIII.

_Gramina._   Grasses.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

        The Place.

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

        The Time.

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

        The Names.

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

        The Vertues.

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

THE ORDERING OF THE KITCHEN GARDEN.

CHAP. I.

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

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

CHAP. II.

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

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

CHAP. III.

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

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

CHAP. IIII.

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

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

CHAP. V.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

CHAP. VI.

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

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

CHAP. VII.

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

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

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

THE KITCHEN GARDEN.

THE SECOND PART,

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

CHAP. I.

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

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

        The Vse of winter Marierome.

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

CHAP. II.

_Thymum vulgatius siue durius._   Ordinary Garden Tyme.

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

_Thymum latifolium._   Masticke Tyme.

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

        The Vse of Tyme.

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

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

CHAP. III.

_Satureia siue Thymbra._   Sauorie.

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

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

        The Vse of Sauorie.

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

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

CHAP. IIII.

_Hyssopus._   Hyssope.

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

        The Vse of Hyssope.

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

CHAP. V.

_Pulegium._   Pennyroyall.

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

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

        The Vse of Pennyroyall.

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

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

CHAP. VI.

_Salvia._ Sage.

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

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

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

        The Vse of Sage.

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

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

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

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

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

CHAP. VII.

_Horminum sativum._   Garden Clary.

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

        The Vse of Clary.

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

CHAP. VIII.

_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.

        All sorts of Lettice are spent in sallets, with oyle and
        vinegar, or as euery one please, for the most part, while they