The Names.
The first is called Laurus siluestris, and Laurus Tinus: in English Wilde Bay, or Sweete flowring Bay. The second is called Laurus Rosea, Oleander, Nerium, and Rhododendros: in English The Rose Bay, and Oleander. The last was sent by the name of Trebezon Curmasi, that is to say, Dactylus Trapezuntina, but not hauing any affinitie with any kinde of Bay. Bellonius as I thinke first named it Laurocerasus, and Cerasus Trapezuntina. Dalechampius thinketh it to bee Lotus Aphricana, but Clusius refuteth it. Those stones or kernels that were sent me out of Italie, came by the name of Laurus Regia, The Kings Bay. Wee may most properly call it according to the Latine name in the title, The Cherry bay, or Bay Cherry, because his leaues are like vnto Bay-leaues, and both flowers and fruit like vnto the Birdes Cherry or Cluster Cherry, for the manner of the growing; and therefore I might more fitly I confesse haue placed it in my Orchard among the sorts of Cherries: but the beautifulnesse of the plant caused mee rather to insert it here.
The Vertues.
The wilde Bay hath no propertie allotted vnto it in Physicke, but that it is not to be endured, the berries being chewed declare it to be so violent hot and choking. The Rose Bay is said by Dioscorides, to be death to all foure footed beasts, but contrariwise to man it is a remedie against the poison of Serpents, but especially if Rue bee added vnto it. The Cherry Bay is not knowne with vs to what physicke vse it may be applyed.
Chap. CIIII.
Cerasus flore multiplici. The Rose or double blossomd Cherry.
Malus flore multiplici. The double blossomd Apple tree. And
Malus Persica flore multiplici. The double blossomd Peach tree.
The beautifull shew of these three sorts of flowers, hath made me to insert them into this garden, in that for their worthinesse I am vnwilling to bee without them, although the rest of their kindes I haue transferred into the Orchard, where among other fruit trees, they shall be remembred: for all these here set downe, seldome or neuer beare any fruite, and therefore more fit for a Garden of flowers, then an Orchard of fruite.
Cerasus flore pleno vel multiplici. The Rose Cherry, or Double blossomd Cherry.
The double blossomed Cherry tree is of two sorts for the flower, but not differing in any other part, from the ordinary English or Flanders Cherry tree, growing in very like manner: the difference consisteth in this, that the one of these two sorts hath white flowers lesse double, that is, of two rowes or more of leaues, and the other more double, or with more rowes of leaues, and besides I haue obserued in this greater double blossomd Cherry, that some yeares most of the flowers haue had another smaller and double flower, rising vp out of the middle of the other, like as is to bee seene in the double English Crow-foote, and double redde Ranunculus or Crowfoote, before described: this I say doth not happen euery yeare, but sometimes. Sometimes also these trees will giue a few berries, here and there scattered, and that with lesse double flowers more often, which are like vnto our English Cherries both for taste and bignesse. These be very fit to be set by Arbours.