Nauew, if the earth haue any small goodnesse in it will grow plentifully, neither is offended with any ayre, onely the mould would be loose and rough, for otherwise it many times turneth to Rape: the séede naturally commeth vp very thicke, therefore it is expedient to remoue them and plant them thinner, for that best preserueth their natures, they may be sowne in February, March, Aprill, September, or October.
Of Parsneps and Carrets.
Parsneps or Carrets are of one and the selfe nature, they delight in a good fat earth, and would be sowne reasonably thicke, in long déepe trenches like furrowes, hauing a gentle and easie mould either in the moneth of Ianuary, February, or March, or in September, October, or December, they must be carefully well wéeded, and if the earth be fat, they néede not much watring or other attendance.
Of Pompyons.
Pompyons, Gourds, or Mellons, desire a very good ground, or by Nature or Art, the séedes must be sowne very thinne, as at least halfe a foote one from another, they would lye reasonably déepe, yet the mould very gentle which couers them, they are subiect to spread and runne ouer much ground, therefore as they grow you must direct their stemmes so as they may not annoy one another, and when they flower you shall lay broad Tiles or Slate stones vnder them, that the fruit nor flower may not touch the earth; if you plash them vp against trées or walles where they may haue the reflection of the Sunne, the fruit will be larger, pleasanter, and sooner ripe: they néede no wéeding nor watring after you sée them appeare aboue the earth, and the best seasons to sowe them in, is February, March, or Aprill, those are the best Pompyons which haue the smallest séedes, and are of the most yellowest complexion.
Of the Cowcumber.
Cowcumber, is a delicate, pleasant, yet very tender fruit, and delighteth in an extraordinarie fat earth, especially during the opening or sprouting of the séede, therefore the best and most vndoubted safest way for sowing them is, first in some corner of your Kitchin garden to make a bed of two or thrée yards square of olde Oxe dung, and Horse dung mixt together, and at least a yard or better high from the earth, then couer this bed of dung with the richest garden mould you haue, better then halfe a foote thicke: then thereon place your séedes halfe a foote likewise one from another, and be most sure that your séedes be hard and sound (for any softnesse in them sheweth rottennesse) then couer them foure fingers thicke with the like mould: then within seauen or eight dayes, after you shall sée them appeare aboue the earth, but in any wise let them continue still till the principall leaues be come forth, and they begin to créepe out in length, then with your hand griping the whole plant, take it vp by the rootes with the earth and all, and plant it in a bed new digged & trimmed for the purpose with a rich loose mould, and so replant and remoue each roote seuerally one after another, and they will grow and bring forth in great plenty. Now by the way you must obserue, that as soone as you haue sowne your séedes you shall prouide a Mat, Canuasse, or other couering, which being placed vpon stakes ouer the dung bed, shall euery night after Sunne-set be spread ouer the same, and not taken away till the Sunne be risen in the morning, for this will defend the séedes from frosts and other cold dewes which are very dangerous. Now if any demand why these séedes are thus sowne first on the bed of dung, they shall vnderstand that besides the warmth and fertility thereof, that the séedes are so pleasant and tender, that wormes and other créeping things in the earth will destroy them before they can sprout, which this bed of dung preuenteth. The months most fit for sowing these séedes, are Aprill, May and Iune onely, for other are much too colde, and in this manner you may sowe any tender séede whatsoeuer.
Of the Beane of Egipt.
Beanes of Egipt delight in a moyst watrish ground, rather fertile then any way giuen to barrainnesse, yet will plentifully enough prosper in any indifferent earth: they are rather to set then sowe, because they must take strong roote, and be fixed somewhat déepe into the earth, and the moneth which is most proper for them, is the latter end of Ianuary, all February and the beginning of March onely.
Of Skerrets.