Farther Directions concerning the proper Seaſons for the Gathering, Compoſing, and Dreſſing of a Sallet.
A nd Firſt, as to the Seaſon both Plants and Roots are then properly to be Gather'd, and in prime, when moſt they abound with Juice and in Vigour: Some in the Spring, or a little anticipating it before they Bloſſom, or are in full Flower: Some in the Autumnal Months; which later Seaſon many prefer, the Sap of the Herb, tho' not in ſuch exuberance, yet as being then better concocted, and ſo render'd fit for Salleting, 'till the Spring begins a freſh to put forth new, and tender Shoots and Leaves.
This, indeed, as to the Root, newly taken out of the Ground is true; and therefore ſhould ſuch have their Germination ſtopt the ſooner: The approaching and prevailing Cold, both Maturing and Impregnating them; as does Heat the contrary, which now would but exhauſt them: But for thoſe other Eſculents and Herbs imploy'd in our Compoſition of Sallets, the early Spring, and enſuing Months (till they begin to mount, and prepare to Seed) is certainly the moſt natural, and kindly Seaſon to collect and accommodate them for the Table. Let none then conſult Culpeper, or the Figure-flingers, to inform them when the governing Planet is in its Exaltation; but look upon the Plants themſelves, and judge of their Vertues by their own Complexions.
Moreover, in Gathering, Reſpect is to be had to their Proportions, as provided for in the Table under that Head, be the Quality whatſoever: For tho' there is indeed nothing more wholſome than Lettuce and Muſtard for the Head and Eyes; yet either of them eaten in exceſs, were highly prejudicial to them both: Too much of the firſt extreamly debilitating and weakning the Ventricle, and haſtning the further decay of ſickly Teeth; and of the ſecond the Optic Nerves, and Sight it ſelf; the like may be ſaid of all the reſt. I conceive therefore, a Prudent Perſon, well acquainted with the Nature and Properties of Sallet-Herbs, &c. to be both the fitteſt Gatherer and Compoſer too; which yet will require no great Cunning, after once he is acquainted with our Table and Catalogue.
We purpoſely, and in tranſitu only, take notice here of the Pickl'd, Muriated, or otherwiſe prepared Herbs; excepting ſome ſuch Plants, and Proportions of them, as are of hard digeſtion, and not fit to be eaten altogether Crude, (of which in the Appendix) and among which I reckon Aſh-keys, Broom-buds and Pods, Haricos, Gurkems, Olives, Capers, the Buds and Seeds of Naſturtia, Young Wall-nuts, Pine-apples, Eringo, Cherries, Cornelians, Berberries, &c. together with ſeveral Stalks, Roots, and Fruits; Ordinary Pot-herbs, Anis, Ciſtus Hortorum, Horminum, Pulegium, Satureia, Thyme; the intire Family of Pulſe and Legumena; or other Sauces, Pies, Tarts, Omlets, Tanſie, Farces, &c. Condites and Preſerves with Sugar by the Hand of Ladies; tho' they are all of them the genuine Production of the Garden, and mention'd in our Kalendar, together with their Culture; whilſt we confine our ſelves to ſuch Plants and Eſculenta as we find at hand; delight our ſelves to gather, and are eaſily prepar'd for an Extemporary Collation, or to Uſher in, and Accompany other (more Solid, tho' haply not more Agreeable) Diſhes, as the Cuſtom is.
But there now ſtarts up a Queſtion, Whether it were better, or more proper, to Begin with Sallets, or End and Conclude with them? Some think the harder Meats ſhould firſt be eaten for better Concoction; others, thoſe of eaſiest Digeſtion, to make way, and prevent Obſtruction; and this makes for our Sallets, Horarii, and Fugaces Fructus (as they call 'em) to be eaten firſt of all, as agreeable to the general Opinion of the great Hippocrates, and Galen, and of Celſus before him. And therefore the French do well, to begin with their Herbaceous Pottage, and for the Cruder, a Reason is given:
[60]Prima tibi dabitur Ventri Lactuca movendo
Utilis, & Poris fila refecta ſuis.
And tho' this Cuſtom came in about Domitian's time[61], ο μ αρκαιοι,