"So doth the woodbine the sweet honeysuckle
Gently entwist."
[E272] "Gregorie." "This day (12th March) seems to have been much used as a date for agricultural observances: cf. [37. 3]. In connexion with this it is worth while to note the Suabian saying, 'Säe Erbsen Gregori' (sow cabbage on St. Gregory's Day). See Swainson's Weather Folklore, p. 168."—Note by Mr. J. Britten, F.L.S.
[E273] "Mastiues and Mungrels." Although the influence of a very patriotic sumptuary tax has diminished the number of dogs, we have still 'thousands too manie.' [This may with truth be said even still.] However, as Lent now makes little difference in the mode of living, which it certainly did in the earlier period of the Reformation, our dogs are not driven by our meagre fare to prey on the lambs; and therefore need not be particularly watched on this account.—M. Mastif is derived from O. Fr. mestif = a mongrel (Cotgrave). In the Craven dialect a great dog is still called a masty. See note [E35].
[E274] By "hooke or by crooke" occurs in Spenser, Faery Queene, Bk. v. Canto 2, stanza 27; also in Heywood's Works, 1562, reprint 1867, p. 35.
[E275] No trees appear preferable to willows for fencing hop grounds; and none are said to be worse than elms, as they attract mildews.—M.
[E276] "What better to skilfull," etc., that is, what can be more profitable to the experienced farmer than to know when to be bold, that is, to venture the early sowing of barley?
[E277] The Mayweed (Anthemis cotula) is common in corn-fields and hedgerows. "May-weed or stinking camomile."—T.R. "Resembling cammomil but of a stinking savour and odious to bees." Coles' Dict. 1676.
[E278] Cockle or Cokyl was used by Wycliffe and other old writers in the sense of a weed generally, but in later works has been confined to the gith or corn-pink.
[E279] Our author's meaning is, sow barley, oats and pease above furrows and harrow them in; while rye is best ploughed in with a shallow furrow.