The English Husbandman (The Second Booke) /

by Gervase Markham

Of Borage and Buglosse.

Then Borage and Buglosse, both which are of one nature: they would be sowne in small quantity, for where they take they will runne ouer a whole Garden: the séed must be gathered when it is halfe ripe it is so apt to shed, and when you gather it you must plucke vp the stalkes, leaues & all, and so laying them one vpon another thrée or foure dayes, their own heat will bring the séed to ripenes.

Of Rosemary.

Then Rosemary, which is an Hearbe tender and curious, yet of singular vertue: it is soone slaine with frost or lightening: it will grow plentifully from the séede, but much better from the slip, it delighteth to be planted against some Wall where it may haue the reflection of the Sunne, for to stand vnpropped of himselfe, the very shaking of the winde will kill it.

Of Penyroyal.

Then Penyroyall, which most properly is vsed to be mixt with Puddings, made of the bloud of Beasts, & Oatmeale: of it there be two kindes, Male and Female: the Male beareth a white flower, and the Female a purple: it must be sowne in small quantity, for it will runne and spread ouer-much ground: it delighteth most in moyst earth.

Of Leekes.

Then Leekes, which would haue a fertile ground, and as soone as they be shot vp a good length you shall cut the blades to the polt, and then remoue the heads, and set them borderwise about your other beds: this remouing after the cutting off the blades, wil make them grow bigger, and prosper better, as for thrusting Oyster-shels or Tyle-shreads vnder them, to make the heads bigger, it is a toy, for if the mould be loose and good, the Léeke will come to his perfect growth: they may be sowne both in March, Aprill, May, and Iune, and they may be remoued all Iuly, August, September and October.

Of Onions.

Then Onions, which differ not much from the nature of Léekes, they loue a fertile Soyle, and would be sowne with the séeds of Sauory: when they come vp if they grow too thicke, as is often séene, you shall plucke vp some and spend them in the Pot and in Sallets, to giue the rest more roome, and some you shall take vp and replant in other beds, which you may preserue for séede: those Onions which you would not haue to séede, you shall cut off the blades in the midst, that the iuyce may descend downeward, and when you sée the heads of the Onions appearing aboue the earth, you shall with your féet tread them into the ground: there be some very well experienst Husbands, which will take the fayrest, goodliest and soundest Onions they can get, and in this moneth of March set them thrée fingers déepe in the earth, and these of all other bring forth the purest and best séede, for which purpose onely they are preserued: as soone as your séed-Onions are knotted, you shall vnderproppe them with square cradles, made of stickes, least the waight of the boules which carry the séede, should breake the blades.