One Strawberry more I promised to shew you, which although it be a wilde kinde, and of no vse for meate, yet I would not let this discourse passe, without giuing you the knowledge of it. It is in leafe much like vnto the ordinary, but differeth in that the flower, if it haue any, is greene, or rather it beareth a small head of greene leaues, many set thicke together like vnto a double ruffe, in the midst whereof standeth the fruit, which when it is ripe, sheweth to be soft and somewhat reddish, like vnto a Strawberry, but with many small harmlesse prickles on them, which may be eaten and chewed in the mouth without any maner of offence, and is somewhat pleasant like a Strawberry: it is no great bearer, but those it doth beare, are set at the toppes of the stalks close together, pleasant to behold, and fit for a Gentlewoman to weare on her arme, &c. as a raritie instead of a flower.
The Vse of Strawberries.
The leaues of Strawberries are alwaies vsed among other herbes in cooling drinkes, as also in lotions, and gargles for the mouth and throate: the rootes are sometimes added to make it the more effectuall, and withall somwhat the more binding.
The berries themselues are often brought to the Table as a reare seruice, whereunto claret wine, creame or milke is added with sugar, as euery one liketh; as also at other times, both with the better and meaner sort, and are a good cooling and pleasant dish in the hot Summer season.
The water distilled of the berries, is good for the passions of the heart, caused by the perturbation of the spirits, being eyther drunke alone, or in wine; and maketh the heart merry.
Some doe hold that the water helpeth to clense the face from spots, and to adde some cleerenesse to the skinne.
Chap. LVII.
Angelica. Garden Angelica.
Hauing thus furnished you out a Kitchen Garden with all sorts of herbes, roots & fruits fit for it, and for any mans priuate vse, as I did at the first appropriate it; let me a little transcend, and for the profit & vse of Country Gentlewomen and others, furnish them with some few other herbes, of the most especiall vse for those shall need them, to be planted at hand in their Gardens, to spend as occasion shall serue, and first of Angelica.