JANƲARY, towards the latter end.

FEBRƲARY.

MEzerion. The Dwarf Bay, rising according to its Age from one to two, three or four foot high, in a bush full [Page] [Page] [Page 15] of branches, a whitish gray tough bark inclosing a soft consistence for wood, bea­ring whitish round pointed green leaves, which appear not till the flowers past, which are small, consisting of four leaves growing on clusters, or thirk and close together on the new shoots, one sort of a deep peech colour, near red, another a paler peach colour, a third milk white, each so sweet in savour, as to be sinelt at a distance, but the most odoriferous is the pale peach colour'd, but the white the most rare. The Flowers past are suc­ceeded by many small Berries, when ripe of a delicatered, but the Berries of the White, of a pure clear amber colour, by which they are raised pleasant and beautiful Plants like the Parents, or else produ­cing Children of a different complexion, which is the more rare; but these Ber­ries and Seeds are to be sowed in good light earth in Boxes, as soon as they are ripe, or else such Earth laid under these fine shrubs, for the Seeds as they ripen to fall into, and afterwards cover'd with the same mould, but not too thick.

MARCH.

MARCH, APRIL.

Hyacinths, are bulbous rooted, with many fat fibres under them, from whence spring five or six leaves of a light green, tho at first reddish, they are gutter'd on the upper side: Of these there are the

Hyacinthus Muscari flore flavo, they el­low Muscary or Musk grape flower, with a long round root, from whence a weakish stalk headed with many flow­ers like little bottles, of a fair yellow colour, and muskish scent.

Muscari flore Cineritio, like the last, but lesser and paler leaves, the flowers of a faint Ash colour, as sweet if not sweeter than the former.

Muscari flore rubro, the red Muscari with flowers of a pale bleak white, and of a strong Musky scent.

[Page 26] Hyacinthus comosus ra­mosus, purpureus elegantior fair hair'd▪ branch'd, fair curl'd hair'd, the first hath broader leaves than any of the former, standing up but hollow, like the rest, the stalk near half yard high, branched on every side with many tufts at the ends ends of a dark murry purple.

The second, like the other, only the flower consists of a bush of many branches, divided into divers long curled threds or hairs, whence its name, the flower and top of the stalk of a fine bright murrey purple, a fine strange flower.

Hyacinthus stellatus major Peruanus,

• flore albo
• flore carneo.

The great starry Hyacinth of Peru, like the Muscarini root and leaves, whence a short stalk, from the middle whereof to the top upon long foot stalks, many blew flowers star-like with some blew threds hung with yellow pendants, standing about middle head.

The white, lesser than the former, leaves lighter green. The flowers white with a shew of blush at the bottom.

The blush, like the other, but the flower, of a fine purplish blush colour.

Hyacinthus stellatus Lilifolio, & radice [Page 27] cerulea. The blew lilly-leav'd starry Hy­acinth, the root like that of the white Lilly, but smaller and longer, thence leaves broad and short, the stalk foot high, bearing many star-like flowers of a light blew colour, with six short leaves in the middle, standing like a Cup: Of this kind two other sorts, differing only from the former in that the one is white the other blush, but flowers not till May, the o­thers sooner.

The roots of these lose not their fibres, therefore not endure long out of the earth, nor to have their fibres broken when removed, and this is to be done in August, but the most rare is

Hyacinthus Indicus tuberosa radice: The great Indian tuberose rooted Hya­cinth, a thick knobbed root, fashion'd into several heads, with many fibres underneath it, hence rise several strong stalks and tall, set with several fair, long and broad green leaves, joined at the bot­tom close to the stalk, where they are biggest, diminishing even to the top gra­dually, where stand many flowers fair and large of six white leaves, spreading open like those of the white Daffodil, with some short threds in the middle [Page 28] strong, and sweetly scented: there is a smaller kind and differs only in that, but this Hyacinth is yearly to be taken up in April, and the roots carefully parted, lest the great fibres be bruised or broken, and thus replanted, let the bottom of the Pot be rich earth, the middle natural fresh earth, in which place your Root and distended fibres, covering them with some of the same earth, then fill up the Pot with the same rank earth as laid at the bottom to nourish the fibres, sink the Pot into a hot bed that begins to lan­guish in its heat, let it there abide with­out watering till the roots spring, then take it out and place it under a South Wall, watering it in dry weather, house it in September, and preserve it from wet and cold, the fresh leaner earth about the root makes it the apter to bear, and rank earth to of set, plant your Muscari in a warm place and defend it from Winters cold.

Hyacin­thus Bo­troides

• caeruleus a­maenus
• flore albo
  • sky
  • white
    • grape-flower
  • blush
  • branched
• flore rubente
• ramosus

The first of these, the sky coloured grape-flower cometh up with three [Page 29] green leaves, sometimes four, and gut­tur'd like the former, from a round white root, a stalk about half a foot high, bea­ring many flowers, set together like a small bunch of grapes; in form like the Muscary, but lesser, of a fine pale blew or sky colour, of a soft sweet scent.

The white like the former: The blush bigger in all its parts, with flowers of a pale bleak blush colour.

The branched differs in that the flow­ers grow along the stalk in branches, of a blew colour, and bigger in flowers, stalks, leavs and roots. But I shall next speak of the more to be preferred Orien­tal Hyacinths, As first

Zumbul Indi: The great Oriental Hy­acinth, that cometh up with a spled stalk, broad long green leavs, bearing on a strong stalk, many fair long blewish pur­ple flowers opening into six small leaves turning back again, as all the Orientals do, the root big, round, covered with a reddish purple Coat: Of this kind one beareth double flowers, and many that I shall not insist on, some but name, cheifly differing in the colour of the flowers: Some of a pale deeper blew with stripes down the backs of the leaves of the flow­ers: [Page 30] Some wholly white, others of a fine blush, their roots losing their fibres, may as the Tulips be taken up and kept dry, causing them to be more respected, hav­ing all a sweetish scent.

The Caelestial Hyacinth of a pale sky or blew color like the Zumbul Indi, but bigger in all its parts, often coming up with two stalks, each bearing many large flowers.

• Hyacinthus Orientalis brumalis, white early Hyacinth.
• Hyacinthus Orientalis flore pleno caeruleo, fair double blew Hyacinth.
• Hyacinthus Orientalis candidus flore ple­no, pure white double Ori.
• Hyacinthus stellatus flore cinereo, Ash co­lour starry Hyacinth.
• Hyacinthus stellatus vulgaris, common blew starry Hyacinth.
• Hyacinthus stellatus flore albo, the white starry Hyacinth.
• Hyacinthus stellatus precox, the early blew starry Hyacinth.

There is one of the last kind that beareth white flowers, another much ra­rer than any of this kind, the flowers being as large as of the first blew, strong lusty flowers, of a fine blush colour, these sorts of flowers in the beginning of March.

[Page 31] The great Oriental Hyacinth, betimes in March, the purple early Winter Hya­cinths beginning of February, the other Oriental Hyacinths single and double flower in the end of March or beginning of April, the starry Hyacinth that is Ash colour'd or light blew in April, the other starry Hyacinths in the beginning of March, the Grape Hyacinths flower in April, but all of them earlier or later as the Winters severities deter or Springs forwardness invite to shew their faces: Most of these flowers are hardy and re­quire but small attendance, most of them bear seeds, which being sown in Sep­tember, like as you will find directions for Tulips, will produce new diversities: The choicest of these named and that a Florist may not be without, are

The fair double blew, double white Oriental:

The Caelestial, white and blush starry Hyacinths, tho the others are pretty di­versions, not much valued.

APRIL.

Auricula flore coeruleo folio Boraginis.

THe Burrage-leav'd blew Auricula hath rough hairy leaves, spread on the ground like Burrage, but much lesser, and rent in the sides in some places, among which rises up one, two, or more brown hairy stalks, five or six inches high, each bearing at the top three or four flowers of five leaves, large, sharp pointed, of a fair, rich, blew colour, some small yellow threads in the middle, the root long and brown­ish with many small fibres. 'Tis a ten­der Plant, impatient of Cold, must be planted in a pot, and handled as the Flos Cardinalis is directed to be orde­red in the latter end of what is describ­ed under the Title June.

Cortusa Matthioli, Bears Ear Sanicle springs up with folded leaves, openings are fair and broad, cut in divisions, nicked about the edges, a little hairy, dark green on the upper, but whiter on the other side, whence rises one or two naked stalks five or six inches [Page 58] high, bearing at the tops divers smal flowers like Auricula's, but hang their heads, of a dark purple with a smal white eye and some threds in the middle, seeding like Auricula's, the root a thick tuft of small whitish strings fastned to a head, the leaves perish, and renew at spring, tis raised by feed, set in a pot and ordered in the winter as the last.

Corona-Imperialis, The Crown Im­perial, of which tho Mr. Woldridge gives his opinion in these words, they are but dull flowers.

There is no sound Florist of his Judg­ment, it being the most stately majesti­cally graceful of any plant in being. It hath a large round yellow root (scent­ing like a Fox) from whence springs a strong tall stalk adorned up to the middle thereof with long shining green leaves, from thence to the top (Scepter like) is naked, bearing there a tuft of smaller green leaves, under them seven, eight, nine or ten flowers, according to the age of the root, hanging down round about the stalk, each flower fashioned like a Lilly, consisting of six leaves on the dark stalk, of an Orange colour, with deeper coloured veins on the out­side, [Page 59] on that part next the stalk are e­minences or bunches, each leaf one, containing in the inside of them drops of sweet tasted clear water, pearl like, each flower in the middle having a stile compassed with six white chives and tipt with yellow pendents, upon a stalk of the same colour.

Corona Imperialis.

• Flore multiplici, The double Crown Imperial differing only in the doubleness of the flower from the last, having constantly fifteen or more leaves in a flower, as ma­ny flowers in the head and longer lasting than the single, the tuft on the top bigger, the single one is common, yet no dull flower; this is of more esteem and a gallant plant deserving it; a good en­creaser.
• Flore luteo, The yellow Crown Imperial, differing only from the first described single one, in its flowers, being of a fair yellow co­lour, on a stalk green as its leaves, by which tis known in its coming up; this is a tenderer plant than the other and more rare and e­steemable, a very slow encreaser, I [Page 60] have one as double of this kind, as the double Orange coloured one, which must be the rarest of its species.

Tho this year from an old root that bore constantly single Orange coloured flowers, came some of them double and others striped with yellow, from the seed of which I doubt not but to raise some fine variety.

These flower in the end of March and beginning of April; they are en­creased by offsets that yearly come from the old roots, which lose their fibres as often and may be taken up after the stalks are dryed down, which will be in June, and kept out of the ground till August, at which time they must be set again; the double Orange coloured and the yellow shew finely intermixed, and very well become the middle of a flower-pot.

The double bear seeds, and from the common single one small hopes, the seeds of the yellow when attainable (for 'tis a nice plant seldome offsetting and as seldome seeding) give the grea­test expectations when sown of new va­rieties.

In this month of April appears the double flowered Cherry in blossom, graft this and the Flanders cluster Cherry on the same block, to which set and spread against a wall, each mixed will shew well, and create wonder in some.

Syringa laciniatis foliis, sive gelsiminum persecum. The blew Syringa with cut leaves, or Persian Jasmine in this sea­son flowers, it comes up with many small woody branches, beset with fine green leaves, small, long, cut in and divided almost to the middle rib, some into three small leaves on a side, and a larger at the point, others into two, [Page 62] some but one on each side, and the big­ger at the end; at the end of the bran­ches come forth the flowers, many to­gether, fashion'd like those of the or­dinary blew Syringa or Lilac, but smal­ler, and of a finer purplish blew colour and better scented, and is encreased by laying down the branches, or by cuttings apt enough to root and thrive.

Lylac five Syringa Flore caeruleo, The blew Syringa or Pipe tree is too com­mon to describe it, but there are other kinds of it that are worth our notice and collection, viz. that which is snow white; another silver colour i. e. white with a light wash of blew; the last with fair purple coloured flowers, growing more upright, bearing more, and fairer flowers on one branch than any of the former, all flowring in this month, they must yearly be discharged of their suckers, lest they choake the Tree and kill it, or cause it not to bring forth flowers; they are all hardy plants ex­cept the white which is more tender and would be planted against a Wall.

Hypericum frutex, Woody Saint Johns woort hath two hundred and three or more woody stalks rising about a yard [Page 63] high, beset at certain distances with tufts of small green leaves, and amongst them in the end of this month many small flowers, white and a little purple in the middle, a pretty plant, endures the Winter and is encreased by lay­ers.

Laurus Tinus, The wild bay spread on a Wall grows five or six foot high, full of branches, at every joynt two smooth longish dark green coloured leaves, at the top of the branches come forth great tufts of small white flow­ers with blush edges, succeeded by small blew berries, wherein the seeds are contained, there's another called Lau­rus Tinus Folio glabro, differs only from the other in that the leaves are larger, of a brighter green, fairer flowers, big­ger and whiter than the former.

Laurus Tinus Lusitanica, The wild Bay of Portugal, hath leaves harder, ful­ler of veins, of a brown green colour, the flowers inclining to purple, the ber­ries like but smaller than the former, I place these in this Month 'cause now in their greatest beauty, tho they flower not till winter.

Ornithogalum Luteum, The yellow [Page 64] Starr of Bethlehem, rises at first with one long round greenish leaf, which open­ning a little above the ground, yeildeth another small leaf shorter than the first, whence rises a stalk four or five inches high, bearing at the top four or five small leaves, and among them four or five small yellow starlike flowers, a small greenish line down the backs of the leaves, and some small reddish threds in the middle; small, round, white and clear root, tho each year lo­ses it fibres, yet will not abide but lit­tle time out of the ground; this may be set amongst other tender roots that require covering and defence from frosts in winter, but not so tender as the Ara­bian or Ethiopian.

Caltha Palustris Flore pleno, The dou­ble Marsh Marigold, is that is called Water-boot, plentiful in wet grounds, only the flowers of this are thick and double, of an excellent Gold yellow colour, stringy roots and prospers well in Gardens, flowering in this month.

APRIL, MAY.

Tulipa, the Tulip, of which so many diversities that it were an endless piece of worke to recite and describe them all, I shall therefore give you (that I may come in as small a volume as pos­sible) but the names and descriptions of some few of the best (having an hundred sorts) beginning with the precoces or early blowing Tulips, leav­ing cut the Edgers, which are of least note.

Florisante, Low flower, pale Horse-flesh colour marked with some crimson and pale yellow, which at length turns white, the bottom and Tamis blew, e­very one knows the shapes of a Tulip which saves me the labour of giving the form.

Blindenburg, middle siz'd, tops of the leaves of a pease blossome colour, the sides white, yellow Tamis.

General Molswilck, well marked with Coronation and white pale yellow Tamis.

Morillion Cramosine, a delicate flow­er, of a bright Crimson or rather scar­let [Page 66] and pure white, rarely striped and well parted, bottom and Tamis pale yellow.

Perishot, of a fair shinning blewish red colour and often well marked with white, but inconstant, the bottom white, Tamis pale yellow.

Fair Ann, round pointed leaves of Claret Wine colour, marked with great flakes of white bottoms and Ta­mis as the Perishot.

Omen, Fair large and well formed flower of pale Rose colour, many veins of Crimson, guarding great stripes of white, bottom and Tamis blew.

Galatea, bright Gredeline and white striped, bottom and Tamis pale yel­low.

Superintendant, Fair and large flow­er well marked with violet purple and good white, pale yellow bottom and Tamis.

Aurora, red and white variably mar­ked, the bottom and Tamis pale yellow, good flower.

Gilden blooms, pale red marked with some stripes of Gold colour through the leaves, bottom and Tamis yel­low.

[Page 67] Alcetus, narrow leaves, good pur­ple, well striped with good white bottom and Tamis of blew purple.

MAY,

April and May.

APRIL and MAY.

MAY.

PAeonia, the Peony, is of two Sexes, Male and Female: The Male is single and known by its leaves coming constantly whole without a­ny division, long roots and round, the flower of a purplish red, of which there is but one sort: of the Females many, some bearing single, others double flowers, of the shape of the common red one, therefore needs no description; the leaves of all of them divided on the Edges, the roots more tuberous, growing in clogs, with many round pieces fast­ned to the head, with smaller strings, I shall only name the best double ones.

Paeonia faemina flore pleno—

Purpureo, the double purple Peony smaller in all its parts than the common red one, the leaves of a whiter green, those of the flower of a bright shining purple, and soon fall.

[Page 118] Rubescente, the double Carnation Peony, of a bright shining Carnati­on colour at the first opening, but daily waxing paler till almost white, but never falls the leaves, but wi­ther on the stalk, a great perfection.

Albicante, the double blush or white Peony, large flower, at first o­pening tinctured with a light blush, but in few daies turns to perfect white, and continues so long before it decays, and then withers on the stalk, and is the best yet come to our knowledge.

Variegata, smaller than the last in all its parts, the flower of a fine red, striped with white, lasts long and falls no leaf.

These all flower in May, and are hardy plants, and endure long in the ground, without stirring; October the only time of removing them, and none of those roots will grow but what have Sprouts or Buds at the end, or rather top of them, except of the double purple each piece thereof will grow: so apt to encrease. Some years the double ones bring seeds to [Page 119] perfection, which sowed very thin in September, where they may stand un­removed in the ground two years, may produce new varieties.

I must a little insist on the Ho­ny Suckles, and Columbines now in flower, tho they are so generally known, as to seem needless:

Of Woodbines the red Italian and the double are the best, the first blows in June, the double Hony Suckle, in this month of May, both easily en­creased by laying their branches in the ground, for if they but fall on the ground of themselves they are apt to root there,

Aquilegia Columbines, the double are of four colours, blew, white, pur­ple and red, any of these alone not valued, those that are variegated ac­cepted: also, the double inverted Co­lumbines, i. e. with the heels inward va­rious in their colours.

Double Rose Columbines, that have no heels, but stand on their stalks like little double Roses.

The degenerate Columbine, like the last, but that the leaves which are outermost are much larger than any of'­the [Page 120] rest, commonly of a greenish pur­ple colour.

The Virginian Columbine, hath small single flowers, withlong heels of a yellowish colour, shaddowed with red, with deeper red spots in the hollow parts of the flower: each flow'ring in the end of May, when few other flowers shew themselves, and therefore entertain'd, all bearing seeds; those flowers that come of a self colour ought to be nipt off, and only variegated ones left for seed, which sown in April in the Nursery, will bear the second year, the best whereof remove into your▪ Garden, the rest throw away before they drop their seed to in­cumber your ground with, but self co­loured or single flowers, which will last being but such flowers too many years.

In this Month also blows the great Cyanus or blew Bottle, that is lasting; those Annuals shall find another place with the Annuals for description; 'tis like the Corn flower, but much larger and pleasanter, the long blew flowers many on a head making a pretty shew, not so common, as I find some speak it: In this Month also blows

[Page 131] Os in Thogalum Arabicum, the Star­flower of Arabia, leav'd like the Oriental Hyacinth, on a round green stalk, two foot high: on long foot-stalks grow di­vers.

Orchis, sive Satyrium, the fly Orchis, or Bee-flower-Satyrions, grow wild in Mea­dows and other places; yet for their pretty form and beauty, acceptable in some parts of a Garden, especially the under named.

Mellita, sive apifera, the Bee-flower, growing about six inches high, with three or four narrow green leaves; the stalk bears three or four flowers one a­bove another, each contains four leaves, three small and sharp pointed, of a blush colour, turning up towards the top of the stalk; the fourth is round in form, and colour like a Bee that were sucking a flower, so as to deceive many that were ignorant in the flower: the Roots round, two joyned together, one of them perishing when the flowers past, the other remaining hard and sound.

Orches Spegodes, Gnats Satyrion, dif­fers from the last in larger leaves and higher stalks, and that the lower or fourth leave of the flower is like a Gnat, [Page 132] or long great fly, rooted like the Bee-flower.

Orchis Myodes, fly Orchis, like the last, but lesser, having the lower leaf like a fly with legs, a list of Ash-clour crossing the back, and the lower part black.

There is also the Butter-fly Orchis, the snow-white, the all-red, the yellow, and divers spotted, flowring about the mid­dle of May, and found wild in many pla­ces, thence transplanted with a Turf a­bout them into a shady barren place of the Garden, for they will not live in a hot good Soil: or, take a large Turf whence they naturally grow, set the herb in your garden shady, cut Roundles therein, and put in your Orches Roots fill'd up with the same earth, in June or July; at Spring clip the grass low with Sizzers, leaving the flowers, which will thus used prosper well.

Springa, sive Gelsiminum Arabicum, the double white Pipe-tree, or Arabian Jas­mine, in this Month begins to flower, and continues flowering till September be spent, and is a rare and tender shrub, ha­ving many long slender, yet stiff woody branches, set with fair green leaves, and large, two standing at each joynt against [Page 133] each other; at the end of the branches come forth divers flowers, standing on foot-stalks, each in a hole like the com­mon white Jasmine, containing fair double flowers of round pointed white leaves, the middle hollow and yellowish, of a strong sweet scent, like Orange­flowers; 'tis a nice Plant, requires hou­sing and observance in the Spring.

Citisus Maranthe, Horned-Trefoil, its fine Blossoms shew themselves in this sea­son: this Tree rises four or five foot high, the body seldom bigger than a Mans Thumb, covered with a whitish Bark, the branches more white; the leaves stand three together, being less rounder and whiter than the ordinary Laburnums its flowers like Broom, of a gold yellow­colour, coming forth three or four toge­ther at the ends of the branches, follow­ed by crooked, flat, and thin Cods, like half-moons: it is a tender Plant, and so set as to be housed with Greens in the winter, not to be increased by Seeds or Layers, but by taking off some new slips in June, setting them in the shade, keep­ing the earth moist by frequent and gen­tle waterings.

Solanum fruticosa, Shrub night-shade, [Page 134] hath a woody stock and branches, about a yard high, of a dark Brown colour, set with leaves of a sad green, the flow­ers like those of the common night-shade, in one white, in another of a blew co­lour; one of this kind hath the green leaves variegated with white: this is al­so increased by Layers and Flowers the end of this Month.

Amomum Plinii, Tree-night-shade ri­ses a yard high, with a woody stem, and many green branches, with small long green leaves, uneven at the edges, at the joynts of the branches putting forth two or three flowers together of a starlike form, turning back the leaves; of a white colour, with a yellow pointel in the middle; when faln away, are succed­ed by small green Berries, that in De­cember will be of a fine red colour, like little red Cherries, wherein are small flat white seeds. For the berries sake is this Plant respected, abiding in the win­ter, at which time set amongst Mirtles, or other greens, are a taking sight. It is raised by sowing the Seeds in March, which are apt to come up and grow, es­pecially sowed in a pot, and housed in winter.

[Page 135] Spartum Hispanicum, Spanish-broom groweth like our common broom, but bigger and higher; its flowers of the same fashion and colour, but bigger, and in my opinion onely worth the naming; but there is one more rare, that beareth white flowers.

Sambucus Rosea, the Gelder Rose, ri­ses two yards high, spreading into ma­ny branches, with broad leaves, divided into three Sections; at the top of the young branches comes out a round ball of many single white flowers, close set toge­ther: this Plant is hardy, long lasting, and increased by Suckers, which are too apt to put forth.

Nux Vesicaria, the Bladder-Nut, grows but low, if not pruned up and kept from suckers; its bark whitish, leaves like Elder-flowers, white and sweet; many in this Month hanging on a stalk; after them greenish bladders, each containing one small Nut, and is too apt to send forth Suckers, by which it is increased.

Laurocerasus, the Bay-Cherry, is a stately Ever-green, growing sometimes ten or twelve foot high, flowring in this Month, succeeded by small Cherries, black when ripe, but so apt to increase, hath [Page 136] made it so common, by the name of the Laurel, and hath made me so short in its description; nor do I at all describe the Bay-tree.

But there is a Laurel having its leaves delicately variegated, with large stripes of fine green and white, which I saw in my worthy friends Garden, Peter E­gerton of Boughton near Chester, Esquire.

May & June.

IRis, the Flower-de-luce, of which there are two sorts, Bulbous and Tuberous rooted ones; of the Bulbous there are two distinctions, Latifolia and Tenufolia's, broad and narrow leav'd; of the last there is more diversities than in the broad leaves, though many pretty ones of that kind: as,

Iris Bulbosa major flore—

Caeruleo Elegantior: The great Bul­bous Iris, with a rich blew flower, is like the old English blew flower-de-luce, (so common, that it needs no description) ex­cept the colour of the flower, which in this is a rich shining blew colour, having that spot which is in the lower leaves [Page 137] of all these flower-de-luces, of a deep yellow, towards Orange.

Caeruleo Variegata, the blew striped flower-de-luce, being diversly marked through every leaf with a dark violet purple-colour.

Purpurea, the great purple bulbous flower-de-luce, the whole flower except the yellow spot, of a reddish murrey purple.

Purpureo versicolor, the great purple variable bulbous flower-de-luce, of a rich murrey purple, a small yellow spot in the falling leaves, marked with deeper brown purple, almost black, upon a ligh­ter purple.

Cinereo. The great ash-coloured flow­er-de-luce, hath sometimes two flowers on a stalk, very large, of an Ash or La­vender colour, with a yellow spot in their falling leaves.

Cinereo Striata, The great Ash-colour'd striped Bulbous Iris, like the last, one­ly the flower is striped and veined all o­ver with small lines of purple.

Versicolor, The great variable coloured bulbous flower-de-luce, hath the three falling leaves of the flower of a pale sil­ver colour, with a circle of Ash-colour [Page 138] about the yellow spot; the arches are of the same colour, viz. Silver ridged with Ash-colour, the top-leaves striped with blew.

Rubente, The great pale red, or Peach-colour'd bulbous flower-de-luce, is more rare than any of the former, having a small yellow spot in each of the three falling leaves.

Albo, The great White; there is this and the greatest white flower-de-luce, which will come sometimes, the three top leaves striped and spotted with a faint purple; several diversities the Seed of this flower hath produced. There is another that is of a pure White, finely striped, and marked with veins and drops of a shining watchet or blew colour through every leaf. There is another that is striped with purple through eve­ry leaf, the Seeds of which produce good varieties.

Luteo, The great yellow bulbous flow­er-de-luce, of a fine bright gold-colour, with the spot in the middle of the three falling leaves, of a deeper yellow, almost Orange.

There are more diversities of this kind in other Countries, and raised in [Page 139] ours by sowing their Seeds, which must be performed as those of Tulips. They flower some in May, most in June; the blews first, than whites, and last the pur­ples.

Their Roots yearly loose their Fibres, and must be taken up as soon as they are dryed down, if not a little before; for stay they longer, they will shoot forth new Fibres, and then not to be stir­red; therefore rather before than after they are wither'd, take them up and keep them dry till August, at which time set them again in beds of good fresh sifted earth, not too poor, nor over-rank or hot, for that will rot and consume them; nor too much in the Sun, that will scorch and spoil their flowers: chuse the East-part of your Garden for their abode; experience forbids either South or West, as not agreeing with them. Next comes to be mention'd

JƲNE.

IRis bulbosa minor, Flore albo, The lesser white bulbous flower-de-luce, rising out of the ground before winter. Ano­ther [Page 140] white, that is bigger, another whose falling leaves have a little shew of yel­lowness; as also have the middle ridges of the arched leaves; another very small, but the yellow spot larger in the lower leaves, that in this flower stand outright.

There is one called the Spanish yel­low, a lower flower, of an excellent deep gold yellow throughout the whole flow­er. Another, with pale yellow flowers, with a deep yellow spot: of this many diversities, some bigger, some lesser; some paler, some deeper, yellow colour, and one with the falling leaves white, except the yellow spot, common to all the bul­bous flower-de-luces.

There is the party-colour'd Spanish flower-de-luce, whose falling leaves are white, the arched leaves silver-colour, and the top-leaves of a blewish purple; ano­ther hath the falling leaves circled with blew, the arched leaves pale blew, and top-leaves purple. Some fair blewish purple, others of a reddish purple. A­nother hath yellow falling leaves, sky-colour'd arches, and top-leaves of a mur­rey purple. Another falling leaves yel­low, arches and top-leaves of a black co­lour. Another of a sadder and duller [Page 141] brown colour. Another larger than any of the rest, with falling leaves of a duskie yellow, with veins and borders about the edges, of a dun colour, the arches of a dull purplish yellow, and the top-leaves of a sullen blewish purple, with many more, which would be but too tedious here to mention, therefore end I these sorts with two more rare than the rest.

Iris bulbosa Augusti folia, Elegantissi­ma Persico flore, The most Elegant nar­row-leav'd bulbous Iris, with a Peach-colour'd flower, large and long falling leaves, with a yellow spot in the midst of them, arched leaves also large, and the divided ends long and turning up, the top-leaves sutably long and large, the whole flower except the yellow spot, of a fine reddish Peach-colour.

Iris bulbosa Augusti folia Serpentaria­caule, The narrow-leav'd bulbous Iris, with a spotted stalk; the flower stands round and neat, and of a reddish murrey­purple, except the spot in the falling leaves, which is of a deep yellow, round at the head, and with a small list running under the arched leaves; thus the green leaves coming up before winter, may be known, in that the bottoms of them for [Page 142] an Inch above ground, are of a reddish colour full of dark Purple Spots.

If any wet falls upon these flowers, presently after shake it off, or the leaves of the flower will soon be spoiled; their Roots, as the rest, loose their Fibres, and must be managed after the same manner; the Seeds of the best sorts become a Flo­rists pains in sowing for producing varie­ties; the commoner sorts increase fast enough by off-sets; the two last are the most tender, as they are the best, and re­quire to be planted in good fresh earth, that is not hot with dung, and where they may have the benefit of the Morn­ing Sun onely.

I forgot to mention the Iris Persica, with a Bulbose root, a fine flower, and known to most florists; as also Clusius flower-de-luce, both of esteem, though old flowers; nor shall I give you the Ca­talogue of Morines (a French Florist) long since painted, of many strange-colour'd Iris, which you may find in Mr. Rea's flora, indeed worthy the perusal of the curious.

But come to the flag-leav'd flower-de­luce, with Tuberous roots, which also are of two sorts, Iris Major, & Iris mi­nor, [Page 143] or tall and dwarf, or else broad and narrow leav'd flag or sedg flower-de-luce. Of these, many varieties, but I will men­tion but two or three of the best of each.

Iris Chalcedonica major, the great Chal­cedonian Iris, or Turkey flower-de-luce, by som called the Toad-flag; (so dark a marbled flower.) The form is like the rest of the flower-de-luces, but that the leaves are broad, of a yellowish green, folded one within the other at the bot­tom, opening at the top; out of the middle whereof rises a stiff stalk, near two foot high, bearing at the top there­of a large and gallant flower, of nine leaves, as the rest do; the three lower leaves large and broad, of a sad purple-colour, almost black, diversly spotted, straked and marked with grayish white colour, with a great black freez in the middle of each of them; the three ar­ched leaves that cover the small part of these, of the same colour and making, but a little paler, especially towards the sides and ends; the three upper leaves al­so very large, marbled like the other, but of a brighter colour, the roots tu­berous, thick and long, but of a yellower [Page 144] brown colour than the other flag flower­de-luces, with great long fibres.

Iris Chalcedonica minor, The lesser Chal­cedonian Iris, or flag-flower, &c. differs onely from the former in being lesser in all its parts, the leaves of a yellow green, the flower darker, and not so well mar­ked, each flowering in May, and are the best kinds of flag-flowers; their roots sometimes loose their fibres, and then the green leaves die to the ground; such as do, must be taken up and kept out of the ground till October. The best time to transplant them is in August, or early in September, in fresh soil, mixed with well-rotted wood-pile earth, but not as some advise, under a south-wall, for in two days the hot reflexion of the Sun from thence will destroy their flowers; but so as to have the morning, but not the mid-day scorching Sun. Some take them up in June, and keep them dry till late in October, which, as they say, makes them the apter to bear flowers.

There is the flower-de-luce of Asia and of Dalmatia, that bear many flowers on a head, the first of a deep, the last a lighter blew, both very sweet scent­ed. [Page 145] Iris Lusitanica biflora, The twice­flowring Portugal flower-de-luce, flowers in Spring, and commonly the same year in Autumn, and sweeter in scent than any of the former.

Iris Camerarii purpurea versicolor, The variable purple flower-de-luce of Came­rarius, the three lower leaves of a reddish purple, the arched leaves of a bleak yel­low, shaddowed with purple, the three top-leaves of a dull smoaky yellowish purple-colour.

Iris caerulea versicolor, The blew parti­coloured, falls blew at the edges, the rest white, arched leaves whitish yellow, top-leaves pale sky with yellow edges.

Iris alba versicolor, the white variable flower-de-luce, rises near yard-high, bear­ing four or five flowers one above ano­ther, of a silver colour, listed with blew­ish purple down the backs of the top-leaves, the lower leaves whipt about the edges with blew; the arched leaves of a pale sky-colour, more blew towards the ridge.

Iris Aurea angusti folia Tripolitata, The yellow flower-de-luce of Tripoli, grows about four foot high, bearing two or three long narrow-leav'd gold yellow flowers.

[Page 146] Clusius narrow-leav'd variable flower­de-luce, bears four or five small flowers, the lower leaves markt with white and blew, arched leaves of a light blew.

There is great blew, bearing many flow­ers on a stalk; also the double narrow-leav'd flower-de-luce blew and white.

The blush-colour'd dwarf flower-de­luce, falling leaves of a reddish purple, with blew thrums, the arched and top-leaves of a fine pale red, or blush-colour. Some of these flower in April, others in May, and some bring forth their flow­ers not till June; they are hardy Plants, grow and increase in most places, but the better the soil, the more they will flourish, and are too roomy for a flower-garden, fitter for the borders of a fruit­apartment: the beginning of September the best time for their Transplanting; part their Roots, set them neither too thick nor too deep.

JƲNE.

IN this Month the Lillies are in their full flower, before the Martagons, and first to be mentioned; to wit,

Lilium Rubrum, The Red Lilly; the flower so vulgar, every Countrey-wo­man can form an Idea of it in a stran­gers head, by their Rustick descriptions, and several other sorts thereof which are here regardless. There are three sorts [Page 163] that are mentionable; the Red, Yellow, and White: as,

Lilium Cruentum bulbi ferum, The fiery red bulby Lily, bearing on a high stalk many fair flowers, containing six broad thick leaves, of a fiery red at the tops, declining towards the bottom to an Orange-colour, with small black specks.

Lilium Rubrum flore pleno, The dou­ble red Lily, beareth many Orange-co­lour'd single flowers on a stalk, with small brown specks on the insides, sometimes but one fair double flower, as if all the rest were there concatenated.

Lilium Luteum, The yellow Lily, of all the kinds most esteemable, like the other, but taller and bigger, many flow­ers on a stalk, of a fine gold-colour.

Lilium Album vulgare, The common white, like the common red, needs no farther noticing.

Lilium album Bizantium, The white Lily of Constantinople, is smaller in all its parts than the common white, but bears more flowers, twenty or thirty on a stalk: sometimes the stalk comes flat and broad, with one hundred or more flowers on it.

[Page 164] Lilium album flore pleno, The double white Lily, in all things like the com­mon kind, the flowers excepted, which are five or six on a stalk, each constant­ly double, the leaves long green ere they turn white and open, seldom opening at all but in a fair season; more a rarity for the double flowers, than beautiful, There is

Lilium Persicum, The Persian Lily, rooted like the Crown Imperial, but longer, smaller, and whiter, from whence springeth up a round whitish green stalk, beset with many long whitish green leaves from the bottom to the middle thereof, from thence to the top with many small flowers hanging their heads, containing six leaves apiece, of a dead or over-worn purple-colour, with a Pointil and Chives in the middle, tipt with yellow Pendents: but this flower is in May, a flower of small beauty, and onely entertained for variety, its heavy colour setting off others that are more brisker.

Next come the Martagons, a rambling flower onely fit for flower-pots, or Chim­neys, and to be planted in by-borders or under hedges, but the blossoms of many and pretty varieties: as,

[Page 165] Martagon Imperiale, The Martagon Imperial, sealy Root of a pale yellow, stalk above a yard high, brownish co­lour, at some distances beset with single rounds of broad green leaves, and naked betwixt: at the top of the stalk come forth, in an old Plant, sometimes one hundred flowers, each on a several foot-stalk, hanging down their heads, and turning the leaves back again, which are thick and fleshy, of a pale purple-colour, with brown spots on the inside, a stile in the middle, with six yellow Chives tipt with Vermilion Pendants.

Martagon flore albo, the White Marta­gon differs from the last in a greener stalk, fewer flowers; and white flower.

Martagon flore albo maculato, The White Martagon spotted, differs from the for­mer in the stalk, being brown, flowers inclining to a blush-colour▪ with many red spots on the inside.

Martagon Canadense maculatum, The spotted Martagon of Canada, this bears four or five flowers on long foot-stalks, in form like a Red Lily, having the head of a fair yellow, with many black spots on the inside, Chived and Pointil'd like the rest, the root smaller, and stalk lower.

[Page 166] Martagon Constantinopolitanum, The Martagon of Constantinople, yellowish scaly root, brownish stalk, large round-pointed green leaves confusedly placed thereon, on the top whereof come forth four or five more, or fewer flowers on long foot-stalks, hanging their head, the leaves turning back again, of a fair O­range colour, with a Pointel and six Chives tipt with yellow Pendants; this is very common; but those follow are not, as,

Martagon Constantinopolitanum macula­tum, The red spotted Martagon of Con­stantinople, like the last, but larger flow­ers, more on a head, of a deeper Orange-colour, thick speckled on the inside, with small black spots.

Martagon Pannonicum, The Martagon of Hungary, than the last larger leaves, thinner set, flowers bigger, of a bright pale Orange colour, the best and rarest of all the Martagons.

Martagon Virginianum, The Virginian Martagon, pale yellow scaly root, the stalk rises yard-high, beset with sharp­pointed whitish green leaves in rundles, the head bearing three or four, or more, somewhat large flowers turning back, of [Page 167] a gold yellow colour, with many brown spots about the bottom of the flowers, the points or ends of the leaves that turn up, of a red or scarlet colour, without spots: a very tender Plant, and must be defended from winters frosts.

Martagon Pomponion, The Martagon of Pompony, yellowish brown scaly root, stalk yard-high, set promiscuously with many small long green leaves, almost to the top, where stand many flowers, ac­cording to the age of the Plant: some standing long unremoved, have born a hundred flowers of a yellowish Orange-colour, with small black specks on the inside, fashion'd like the red Martagon of Constantinople, but smaller.

There is also the yellow Martagon without spots, and the yellow spotted Martagon, but of no great esteem, and onely for variety admitted, as some of the others are; your choicest is that of Canada and Virginia, and must be plan­ted in the richest and hottest earth you can get, in boxes or pots, to be so hou­sed as to be kept from freezing in the winter.

The Lilies, and most of the Martagons flower in June, but the Martagon of [Page 168] Pompony first, in the end of May; that of Constantinople about the beginning of July; the Virginian last, in August.

All, except what before-mentioned, very hardy Plants, increase but too fast by the roots; which hold their fibres, and therefore like not often removing, but when occasion fer it, the best time when their stalks dryed down, for then the roots have fewest fibres; the roots ought to be set five inches deep in the Earth that should be every year uncover'd t [...] the bottoms, that without stirring the fibres of the old roots, the young ones may be parted from them, and they only remain with new rich earth put to them and cover'd, which will much ad­vantage the fairness and number of their flowers; your young roots disposed in some other place convenient, (considering the height they grow to, and great in­creasing) not keeping them out of the ground.

The Moly in this season is in flower, from the beginning to the end of the Month chiefly.

Moly Homericum, The great Moly of Homer, that riseth up with two or three great thick long hollow leaves▪ of a whi­tish [Page 169] green colour, like the Tulip-leaves, from amongst which the stalk rises a­bove a yard-high, naked, round and smooth, bearing on the top a great Um­bel or Tuft, of small star-like purplish­flowers, upon equal-footed stalks, which continue long before the decay, the root big and white, and of the smell of Gar­lick.

Moly Indicum, The Indian Moly hath shorter, though broader leaves than the former, the stalk not so high as its leaves, without any flowers, bearing a cluster of reddish scaly bulbs, each as big as an Acorn, standing on foot-stalks, which set, will bring Plants of the same kind, great white Root covered with a dark-colour'd Coat, little increasing un­der ground.

Moly Montanum Pannonicum, The Mo­ly of Hungary, of two sorts, the first hath three or four long and broad green leaves, carried up with the stalk, a foot high one above another, beset at the top with some reddish bulbs, with long foot-stalks, with flowers of a pale purple, fa­shioned like Homers Moly, the root small and apt to increase; the second like the first, but the green leaves smaller, the [Page 170] stalk bearing a greater cluster of dark green bulbs, flowers alike in fashion, co­lour, and in a manner of growing, the root wearing a dark purple-coat.

Moly Serpentinum, Serpents Moly, like the former, but more beautiful, the bulbs on the head of a lower stalk, are redder, the small green leaves twine and crawl like a Serpent, therefore so named; the root small and round, increasing into many smaller ones, no bigger than pease.

Moly Montanum flore luteo, The yellow Moly when it flowers, hath two long and broad leaves, otherwise but one, near the bigness of a Tulip, between which cometh up a slender stalk, bearing at the top a tuft of yellow star-like flowers, greenish on the back, with yellow threds in the middle, whitish Root, apt to in­crease, smelling strong, as the flowers and leaves do of Garlick.

Moly Montanum latifolium Hispanicum, The Spanish purple Moly, hath two long broad leaves, betwixt which rises the stalk two foot high, bearing at the top many star-like flowers, of a decayed purple-colour, with threds of the same, tipt with yellow, yielding near the ground bulbs by which they are increa­sed, [Page 171] having no scent of Garlick in any part.

Moly Pyxidatum argenteum Hispanicum, The silver-cupped Spanish Moly, with two or three long rushlike leaves, passing away when the stalk at its height, which is a yard or more, bearing a great head of flowers, which at length spread much open, and grow long on foot-stalks, of a silver-colour, with lines on both sides the leaves, fashioned small and hollow, like a Cup, white and clear root, apt to in­crease, without any ill scent in any part.

Moly Dioscorideum, Dioscorides his Moly, from a transparent root, covered with a thick yellow skin, springs up three or four narrow grassy leaves, with a stalk foot and half high, bearing at the top a tuft of milk-white flowers, like those of Ramsons, with a little scent of Garlick; there is another lesser, the flower-leaves rounder pointed; these last and the yellow are too common for a good Florists Collection.

Moly Muscatum Monspeliense, The sweet Moly of Montpelier, hath four or five small leaves no bigger than Bents-stalks, foot high, bearing many star-like sweet flowers, which if the season hot, smell [Page 172] like Musk; small root and tender, re­quiring defence from winter-frosts; this last flower not till September.

They all loose their fibres, and may be taken up when the stalk dryed down, thriving well in any Soil, great increasers, standing long unremoved; they will last long in flower-pots, if the water renew­ed, and are preserved more for variety than for their smell or beauties-sake.

Asphodelus, The Asphodil also bears star-like flowers, as the great white bran­ched, the white unbranched, the blush-colour'd, the great white striped, the lit­tle hollow white Asphodil, and the small yellow, flowers of small worth, therefore only named; as another kind called the Lilly Asphodil, having sedgy leaves and roots, many of which not the least va­luable, except the Lilly Asphodil, with a white flower, and the blush Lilly As­phodil, which may be entertained: As also

Phalangium, Spider-wort: the Savoy and Italian are onely fit for your choice, which flower about the beginning of June, and are hardy Plants, live and thrive in any Soil, but best in that which is moist; as the Lilly-Asphodils, [Page 173] their time of transplanting in August, parting the Roots, and presently setting them again. More ado about them not worth while.

Gladiolus, Corn-flag, fit for by or out­borders, because of their rambling, with broad, long, stiff, green leaves, full of Ribs coming out by the side of the other, and joyned at the bottom; the Stalk rising from among them, bearing many Flowers one above another, standing all one way like the Fox-gloves: As,

Gladiolus Bizantius, the Corn-flag of Constantinople, with Flowers of a deep red, with two white spots within the mouth of every Flower, round and flat Root netted over; gives many off-sets, if long unremoved.

Gladiolus flore suave rubente, The Corn-flag with a bright red Flower.

Gladiolus flore albo, The Corn-flag with a white Flower. There are seve­ral others; but one that's fit to be re­tain'd amongst the before-mention'd, because of its colour, and that is the French Ash-colour'd Corn-flag. These several coloured ones set thick, and in­termixed when the blow makes a pret­ty show, which is the beginning of July, [Page 174] and loose their fibres as soon as stalks dry, and may then be taken up and kept out of the ground, freed from their ma­ny off-sets, and in September set again. They prosper in any place, increase too much.

Lychnis, Champions, the best whereof Lychnis Coronaria rubra multiplex, The double Red-rose-champion, like the single kind, so well known, needs no description, onely the Flowers of this thick and double, of the same delicate Velvet red-colour which is in the com­mon single kind.

Lychnis Coronaria alba multiplex, The double White-rose-champion, like the last, but that the Flowers are more thick and double, and rarer than the Red. There is

Lychnis Chalcedonica flore simplici, The single Non-such, Flower of Constantino­ple, or as more commonly known by the name of the Flower of Bristow, bearing a great head of many single Scarlet­flowers: Another differing in the colour of the Flowers, which is at first of a red­dish blush-colour, growing paler by de­grees, so that in one head there will be several shades of blushes: Another with [Page 175] Flowers Snow-white. But the most va­luable, is the

Lychnis Chalcedonica flore pleno miniato, The double rich Scarlet Non-such, or Flower of Bristow, a lusty, strong, great, double-headed Flower, of the richest Scarlet imaginable.

The Champions flower the end of June, and continues till September; the several Non-suches, the latter end of the same month also.

The Champions must be planted of slips taken from the old Roots in the end of August, that they may root be­fore Winter; for if set at Spring, they run up to flower and die at Winter, as the old Plants are apt to do; therefore set Slips every year, lest you lose the kind.

The Non-such are more hardy, and prosper worst in a Soil over-hot or too rank; they continue long, and are in­creased by taking young Plants from the old Roots. Do this in the end of March, when they come up with many heads; each then divided with some share of the Root, will grow, and soon come to bear Flowers. No doubt but the Seeds of the single kinds, sowed as Auricula-seeds, [Page 176] being as small, may produce new Va­rieties.

In this month appears

Hesperis, sive Viola Matronales, Dames Violet, or Queens Gilliflower, by Coun­try-women call'd Close Sciences; two sorts of them common in their Gardens, both single, one pale-blush, the other white; the Flower but of four Leaves. But the nobler sorts are,

Hesperis flore pleno alba, The double white Queens Gilliflower, like the single kinds, but that in this there are many Flowers on a branch, and on stalks ma­ny branches standing thick together in a long spike, each Flower thick and double, of a pure white colour and sweet scent, chiefly in the Evening; therefore called Hesperis.

Hesperis flore pleno purpurascente, The double Purplish Queens Gilliflower dif­fers onely from the last in the colour of the Flowers, which are of a fine, pleasant, light, reddish, purple colour; more rare than the double white.

Hesperis flore pleno variegata, The dou­ble striped Queens Gilliflower, like the last, but that the Flowers are finely stri­ped with white, and most esteemed. [Page 177] There is one that beareth single Flowers thus striped, respected for its bearing Seeds, which sowed, produce Vari­eties.

They flower the beginning of June, and blow till the end of July, easily rai­sed from any slip or branch; which set in the ground at Spring, shaded and wa­tered, will grow: but neglect not to nip off the Buds (of your under-set Plants) as soon as they appear for Flow­ers, otherways they will blow, and assu­redly die.

Armerius, Sweet Williams. Of these and Sweet Johns, are several sorts; their form too well known to be here descri­bed: and of each, onely the double Sweet Johns, and the Velvet Sweet Williams, worthy esteem. Every slip of them set in the Spring, will grow; they flower in June; and if you keep their Seeds and sow them, other Varieties may be gained; but let it be done in A­pril: they flower not till the second year.

Speculum Veneris, or Venus Looking-glass, a pretty Seedling; the branches low and tender, divided into many parts, commonly lying on the ground; little [Page 178] leaves slightly nicked on the edges; small flowers of a bright Purple-colour tending to blueness, with wide mouths, having a white chive in the middle that adds much to its beauty; the roots very slender, and perish when they have perfected their small seeds; which sow in April: afterwards they will sow themselves, and yearly pay you tribute for your first pains in sowing them.

Hedysarum clypiatum, The Red Sat­ten-flower, called the French Honey­suckle, hath many stalks, set with winged green leaves; at the joynts come out smaller stalks, set with many flowers of a shining red colour, in some white, which is the rarer. After the Flowers past, the Seeds are contain'd in flat round Husks, three or four standing one above another. The second year after their sowing, they flower this and the next month, and die the Winter following. In the beginning of April sow their Seeds.

Papaver multiplex, Double Poppies, need no description they are so common, some red, purple, scarlet, lead-colour, white, blush, &c. Another, each leaf of the Flower is half scarlet and half white: [Page 179] Another, striped with the same colours: But the chiefest, and of most esteem, is that of a younger date, of a fine gold­yellow, and double, flowering in June, yield much seed, and either sowed or falling of themselves, will come up and prosper in any place.

The latter end of this month flowers also Nigella, the Fennel-flower, the Spa­nish single of a bleak blue, and a double of the same colour; but of like worth either.

Fraxinella flore rubente, Bastard-Dittany with a reddish flower, grows about two foot high, with divers woody brownish stalks, the lower part set with many winged-leaves like those of a young Ash, seven, nine, or eleven together, some­what large and long, purled about the edges, of a sad green colour, and strong resinous scent; on the upper part of the stalks in this month blow many flowers, growing in a spike at distances one a­bove another, each containing five long leaves, four whereof stand on the two sides bending upwards, the fifth hanging down, turning the end up again, of a pale red colour, striped through every leaf with a deeper red, a tassel in the [Page 180] middle of five or six long purplish threads that bow down with the lower leaf, and turn up the ends again with a little freeze at the end of each; when these gone, succeed hard & clammy husks pointed at the ends, wherein is contain­ed round shining black seeds, the root white, large, and spreading under ground; the whole Plant of a strong resinous scent, more delighting to the Eye than Nose.

Fraxinella flore rubro, Bastard-Dittany with a red flower, differs from the o­ther, in that it is bigger in all its parts, leaves dark-green, longer spike of flow­ers, and deeper red; another raised from the seeds of this, thicker of flowers, and of a deep bloudy red colour.

Fraxinella flore albo, Bastard-Dittany with a white flower; its stalk and leaves of a fresher green, the flowers white, and not so big as the other.

There is two other sorts, the one Ash-colour, the other raised from the seeds of this, of a bleak blue colour, striped with a deeper, less in all its parts than any of the other; all of them continue in flower from this month till the end of July; the seed ready to gather the end [Page 181] of August; which will be all lost, with­out care taken to prevent it by the spring of the Pods. 'Tis a hardy Plant, endures long without removing, yields many new ones, which ought to be ta­ken from the old root the beginning of March; they are raised with Varieties, by their seeds sowed in rich Earth as soon as they are ripe, especially of the deep red, white, and Ash-colour.

Cistus Mas, The Male Cistus, a small shrubby Plant about yard high, with ma­ny brittle, slender, woody branches, co­ver'd with a whitish bark, on which many long whitish green leaves, hardish in handling, two at every joynt, with flowers in this month coming forth at the end of the branches, three or four together upon slender foot-stalks, each of five small round leaves like a small sin­gle Rose, of a fine reddish purple, with many yellow threads in the middle, that soon fall away, and are succeeded by round hard hairy heads, containing small brown seeds.

Cistus Ledon, The Gum Cistus rises higher, spreads more than the former, with many blackish woody branches, set with long, narrow, dark, green leaves, [Page 182] whiter on the back-sides, two at each point, the whole dewed with a clammy sweet moisture, but more in hotter Coun­tries than in ours (which artificially taken off, is the black sweet Gum call'd Ladanum); at the top of the branches stand single white flowers larger than those of the former, like single Roses with five leaves, having at the bottom a dark purple spot, broad below, and poin­ted upwards, with yellow threads in the middle; which past, corner'd heads suc­ceed, containing like the former, small brownish seeds. These Plants continue flowering from May to September; are raised from seeds: the Plants endure not cold, but must be housed in winter.

Ficus Indica minor, The Indian Fig consists of leaves springing one out of a­nother from one leaf put half into the Earth, which takes root and puts out o­thers; these leaves are a finger thick, flat, and round-pointed, of a pale green colour, which shews at first of brown prickles on the upper side; at the tops of the leaves in this month break out the flowers set with two rows of pale yellow leaves, with a yellow thrum tipt with red in the middle: after the flow­er's [Page 183] past, the head they stood on grows bigger in form of a Fig, but never comes with us to perfection. This is planted in pots, and housed in Winter, or else the frosts will rot and destroy it. There is also

Canna Indica, The Indian flowering Reed, with fair large green leaves, co­ming from the joynts of the stalks, which is above yard high, bearing at the top one above another divers flowers like in shape to the Corn-flag, of a bright crim­son colour, succeeded by three square heads, containing seeds which are round and black, about a Pease bigness; it hath a white tuberous root, whereby it is apt­ly increased.

There is another of this kind, with flowers yellow with reddish spots.

These Plants must be set in large boxes in good earth, often water'd, and housed in Winter, for one nights frost destroys them.

Helleborus albus, The white Hellebore comes up with a great round head, of a whitish green colour, opening into many beautiful large green leaves, eminently plaited throughout, and compassing each other at the bottom; out of them the [Page 184] stalk riseth a yard high, with small leaves to the middle thereof, whence divided into many branches, bearing a multitude of small Star-like, yellowish, green-co­lour'd flowers; the roots thick and big at the head, with divers great white strings running deep in the ground.

Helleborus albus flore atro rubente, The white Hellebore with a dark red flower, differs from the last, in that it comes up a month before the other, larger leaves, smaller and finer plaited, flowers less, of a dark red, and is a fine Plant; the roots of both these and the black that flowers at Christmas, are hardy, abide long unremoved, therefore at first ought to be set in good ground. There is the Ladies Slipper, small, white, and purple Hellebore, but onely the two white and the black worth our collecting.

Trachelium Americanum, sive planta Cardinalis, The Cardinals flower hath many leaves, like Canterbury-bells, but lesser, of a yellowish green colour, from whence rises tall hollow stalks, set with leaves smaller by degrees to the top, from the bosoms whereof come forth the flow­ers, made of five long narrow leaves, three of them standing close together, [Page 185] hanging downright, the other two are turned up, with an umbone betwixt them, of a paler colour than the leaves, which are of an excellent rich crimson colour; the root is compacted of very many white strings, and well looked to, abides many years. There is another with blue flowers lately come from Vir­ginia.

This must be planted in a Pot in good rich light Earth; and when Winter be­gins to grow sharp, set the Pot in the ground under a South-wall, three inches deeper than the top, and clothe it about on the top with dry Moss, covered with a glass, which take off in warm days and gentle showers, to refresh it; which must be observ'd in April: at which time you may take out the Pots and expose them safely.

JƲLY.

CAryophyllus hortensis, called July-flowers from the month they blow in, and are indeed the Summers glory, as Tulips the pride of Spring, deserving a Flowerists care in their propagation and [Page 186] preservation, especially the nobler sorts, which are called Dutch July-flowers, or more vulgarly Carnations, raised from seeds in the Netherlands, and other parts adjoyning to the Sea, and thence con­veyed to us. Our inland endeavours to raise them seldom countervail our trou­ble, none or very few raising good ones, that have not the neighbourhood of the Sea, which annually produce new mix­tures, though seldom new colours; and though their dyes not many, as red, pur­ple, scarlet, tawny, and white, and of those deeper or paler, yet so recompen­sing that defect in their delicate variega­tions, various mixtures, and pleasing scents, as to vie with any species whatso­ever, considering the usefulness of some of them as the best Cordials, extreamly comforting the noblest part of man, the heart, either in the Conserve of the Cloves made with Sugar, or in Syrups: the single colours as flowers little esteem­ed, in comparison of those striped, flaked, or powder'd upon white or blush, with darker or lighter red, crimson or carna­tion, sadder or brighter, purple, deeper or paler scarlet; so that the chief July-flowers may be brought under these [Page 187] four sorts: Red and White, Crimson and White, Purple and White, and Scar­let and White; some whereof shall be named, that those unacquainted may the better know how to collect them, being such sorts as a Flowerist ought not to want, viz.

• Crown of Bohemia.
• Emperour, the largest flower in being, and well marked with broad flakes,
• King Charles the second.
• Queen Katherine.

• William the Conquerour, a sullen flower.

• Empress, the largest but
• Countess, the rounder and neater flower.
• Teages delight.
• Phisbe.

• King Solomon, a neat flower finely mar­ked on Snow-white.
• Purple Imperial.
• Musidorus.
• [Page 188] Prince William.
• Oilinans.
• Glory of Worcester, little purple and white.
• Fair. Hellena, onely edged with purple.

• Mayor of London, the best.
• The Giant.
• Romulus.
• Florida.
• Flambosa.
• Fair Rosanna.
• Paramour.

• Pluto, striped with black through each leaf.

• The Golden Fleece.
• Golden Grove.
• Prince of Orange.
• Princess of Orange.

• Mayor of York.

• [Page 189] Aurora, a very brisk colour.
• Morning-star.

• The Wiggon, a Self-colour.

• Giant-clove.
• Astragon.
• Birtha.

Another intermixt with Purplish Leaves and Stripes.

I have heard but of two kinds that are of three colours; the one is, Bedford-Tawny, Tawny, Scarlet, and white.

These are the best of each sort now in request, and to be had as my Gardens furniture may declare; there flowering from the middle (sometimes beginning) of July, till the same time in August.

A chief thing to be considered, for their producing fair and gallant flowers, and many Layers, is the Soil wherein [Page 190] they ought to be planted, which must be neither too stiff, nor over-light; the best course is to provide a quantity of good fresh earth, that which the Mole casts out of good ground, that is not stiff nor over-sandy, that hath lain long untill'd, or taken four or five inches deep from under the Sward; but I prefer the Mole-hills best, that have not been long cast up, and mix the same with a third part of Ox, Cow, or sheep-dung, that hath been long made, intermingling a little lime; leave your heap high and round, that it take not too much wet; let it lie by so long till well digested, which will be the sooner effected, if often tur­ned over and well stir'd together; and be sure this Earth be well mellowed ere you put it in pots or beds for planting your Layers in, and your success in flow­ers will be the more prosperous, taking off your Layers either in September, or in March, which I account always best; from your Layers cut off all dead leaves, and the tops of all that are too long, and then take them up, with earth about the roots, and set them in your pots, filled with the before-mentioned prepared earth, which set in the shade, and gently [Page 191] watered, will grow well, and then they may be removed into the morning-sun, which is the onely Sun these flowers willingly admit of; never over-glut any with water, and moisten them not with any out of Well or Pump, till it hath stood two days at least in some vessel sun­ning, for raw water too much chills, and rather backs tender Plants, than advan­tages their growth and flourishing, nay, often destroys many. In winter till A­pril, water in the morning, otherways your moistned earth about tender roots, may so freeze, as to kill them; and after that time, the Sun growing more vigo­rous in heat, water in the evening, and your pots as soon as the Sun off them; otherwise the Suns heat exhales the moi­sture before it can have time to give due refreshment to the Plants.

Another sort of earth for July-flowers I was acquainted with by one Mr. Fid­kin, Gardiner to the worthy Sir John Packington of Westwood in Worcestershire, in which I saw his flowers flourish and mark beyond expectation; it was thus compounded.

Rotten Tan, i. e. the relicks or rub­bish of a Tanners pit, that by long lying, is [Page 192] converted to earth, this layn on a heap for a quarter of a year to sweeten, for in its own nature 'tis too sour for such uses; to one barrow-full of which, four of good rotten wood-pile earth, and the rubbish of old-walls, for want of which a little old decayed lime, a quarter of a peck at most, mixed well together, and let lie a fortnight ere you put it in your pots for your July-flower-layers to be transplanted in, is a secret few know.

When your flowers begin to spindle, nip off all but one or two at the most of the biggest at each root, leaving them only to bear flowers; and when they come to bud for flowering, nip off all those too, but three or four that are best placed, by this means will your flowers be the fairer, and more layers gained; by which your kinds are continued and in­creased. Remember to be often tying up their spindles, as they grow in height, to small rods, set by them on purpose for their support, lest by their bending down they break off, and you loose the pleasure of their flowers.

From the middle of June, till the same time in July, is the prime time of laying July-flowers: which is thus performed.

[Page 193] Make choice of such slips as are stron­gest, having joynts sufficient for laying; prune off the side and end of the top-leaves, cut the undermost part of the middlemost joynt half through, from thence slit the stalk through the middle upwards to the next joynt; open the earth underneath to receive it, then gently bend it down therein, with a small hook-stick stuck in the earth to keep it down, keeping up the head of the slip, that the slit may be open, and so pressed down and earthed up, which as soon as performed, must be sure to be water'd, which must be often reiterated, especially if the season dry, it will make them root the sooner, and shoot forth fi­bres sufficient to be removed with earth about them the beginning of September following, into pots or beds of the afore­mentioned prepared Earth, which must be shaded and gently watered; but take heed of too much moisture, lest it rot their young and tender fibres; therefore for preventing great rains, shelter them under boards supported by forks and sticks laid on them, but not too near them, lest on the other hand they perish for want of Air, in a freedom of which [Page 194] they chiefly delight, many having been suffocated for want thereof, as too close housing in winter hath shewed the ex­perience, and in transplanting your lay­ers, set them not too deep, for that hath rotted and spoiled many.

Some July-flowers in Summer shoot up but with one stem or stalk, without any layer; if you suffer it to blow, the root dies, therefore if you have no more of that kind, suffer it not to flower, but timely cut off the spindle that it may sprout anew, which preserves the root.

When any July-flowers in your pots die, empty it of its old earth, and put in new before you plant another July-flow­er in it, otherwise the proper nourish­ment being drawn out, and spent by the first flower, will visibly appear in the ill thriving of this second.

When your roots produce too many layers, if in good flowers, covet not a­bove three or four to be laid, for they draw so much nourishment from the root, as not enough to ascend to the flower, so hindring both fairness and bigness; but in May or June (not too far in the last Month neither) seek out from the stems such shoots onely, as are reaso­nable [Page 195] strong, that run not up to spindle: cut these off close to the stem, and throw them in a pail of water for twenty four hours, then in a bed of rich and fine mould, that hath been sifted through a wire riddle, cutting off your slip close at a joynt, trimming away the lower leaves close to the stalk, and cut off the upper­most even at the top, make a hole in the earth with a little stick, and put your slip therein so deep, that the upper leaf may be wholly above ground; then close the ground to the stem of the Plants; and lastly water them, remembring to do it often, unless rain saves you that labour, and that this bed be as much as may be in the shade.

Ferrarius, lib. 2. cap. 15. avers, from the month of February to the middle of March (in the time of their germina­tion) is the best time to slip this flower; nor will he have the slip, nor twisted in the bottom, nor Barley put under them to raise adulterous fibres, but onely ad­vises that they be cut off at a joynt: In­deed both Spring and Autumn are good Seasons for making out Roots; the latter requires that the slip be so early set, as that it may have time enough to [Page 196] take root before the coldness of Winter; the former, that the Plant set in the Spring may have taken root before the Sun rises to that strength to emit violent and parching heats. General Rules for Vernal and Autumnal Settings.

As your July-flowers blow, if you ob­serve any to break the pod, with a Pen­knife or Lancet open it as much at each division thereof, then bind it about with a small slang, or narrow list of the thin Film of a Gold-beaters old Mould, which moistened with your tongue, will stick together; keep pour flower round, and scarcely be perceived: If any come all of one colour, the Layers from that stem will continue so, and be a new kind.

Keep your first flowers for seeds, let­ting their pods stand as long as you may for danger of frosts, kept as much as may be from wet; then cut the stems off with the pods on them, and dry them so as not to lose the seeds. The driness of the cods, and blackness of the seeds, ar­gues their ripeness.

Ferrarius, lib. 3. chap. 15. says, the bottom of every cod or pod brings the best seeds, and the largest flowers. The [Page 197] seeds producing most varieties, are the striped tawnies. The most variety of double flowers are raised from the seeds of double flowers, though many times the seeds of single ones will produce double. The best time to sow them, is the beginning of April, or full Moon, near that time before or after, on indif­ferent good ground, mixed with the ashes of too old rotted and superfluous slips and stems of July-flowers burnt, in a place so shaded, as to have only the morning and evening Sun; sow them not too thick, and sift the same com­pound over them a quarter of an inch thick: when the Plant is grown to a considerable strength, which will be in August or September following, remove them into beds of a very good soil, a­bout the full Moon, where they must stand till they flower; these seedling come up sometimes with three, some­times with four leaves, though they most have but two, and by some obser­ved that those with but two leaves prove single, those with more prove double flowers; if you mark such, you will the year after their sowing find its verity by their flowers, the best of which set in [Page 198] pots, that they may be so placed each season, as to have the morning Sun on­ly; not up against a south wall, for they love not intemperate heat.

Clematis peregrina flore rubro, Red Vir­gins-bower, hath many limber weak woody branches, covered with a thin brown outer bark, and green underneath, winding about any thing it can take hold of; the leaves stand at the joynts, con­sisting of three parts, some notched on one side, some on both: the flowers the latter end of this Month begin to ap­pear from the joints on long foot-stalks, made of four leaves, standing like a Cross of sullen dark red, the roots a bundle of brown strong strings, fastned to a head, running deep in the ground.

Clem. &c. purpureo, Purple Virgins bower, of a sad heavy blewish purple.

Clematis, &c. pleno purpureo, The dou­ble purple Virgins bower, like the for­mer, but bigger and stronger, colour'd alike in the flower, which is very thick and double; the outward leaves broad as the others are, but the inward nar­row folded close together, like a big but­ton [Page 200] in the middle of the flower, which open so slowly, that the outward leaves fall off before the others spread them­selves, and continue flowering the next month; these must be supported against a wall: the young and small branches that are apt to die in winter, pruned off in March; the nearer cut, the fairer the flowers.

Geranium nocte olens, This is the onely Cranes-bill worth our notice, and so called, because it smelleth sweet onely in the night; it hath a great root like a Paeony, with large jagged leaves; the flowers come forth in this Month, with small and round-pointed leaves, of a pur­ple colour, listed about with yellow; these stand on smooth stalks eight or ten on a head, which by night are as sweet in the night, as beautiful in the day; the Plant is tender, and therefore set in a pot; and govern'd in winter as the Cardinals flow­er, or housed and kept dry in winter, for any moisture rots the root.

Jucca Indica, The Indian Jucca, hath a large Tuberous root and fibres, thence springs a great round tuft of hard long hollow green leaves, with points as sharp as thorns, always remaining, but [Page 201] some of the outward ones which are supplyed by those that spring in the middle: from an old Plant well kept sometimes springs a strong round stalk, divided into several branches, which bear divers flowers, something like the Fri­tilaria's, but narrower at the bottom, containing six leaves, the three out­ward veined on the backs, from the bot­tom to the middle, with a reddish blush upon white, coming forth in this Month, and soon fall away without seeding with us. This Plant must be set in a large square box, wide and deep, fill'd with good rich earth, housed in winter, and defended from Frosts; it never here in­creases, that I yet know of, but are brought from the West-Indies.

Periptoca Virginiana, Virginian silk, rises with one or more round stalks, near four foot high, at several joynts set with two long, broad vein'd, round pointed green leaves; on the top of the stalk, out of a skinny-hose, a great tuft of flowers come forth, thirty or forty hanging down on long foot-stalks, each consisting of five small hollow leaves, of a purplish colour; which past, come long crooked Cods standing upwards, containing flat [Page 102] brown seeds, wrapped within a great deal of fine soft whitish brown silk, the root big and white, running far un­der-ground, and springing up in many places; it flowers in July, bringeth Seeds and silks in August; it hath been raised from seeds brought from Virginia; the stalks die to the ground every win­ter, but springs again at Spring, if the place where it stands be covered with horse-dung in winter to defend it from frosts.

Jasminum album, White Jasmine: from the bigger boughs that come from the root, proceed divers green flexible branches, set with winged leaves of a dark green colour, standing two together at the joynts, made of many small poin­ted leaves, set on each side of a middle rib, commonly three on a side, one big­ger and more pointed at the end; at the tops of the young branches, divers flow­ers come forth together in a tuft, each on a long foot-stalk, which are small, long, and hollow, opening into five white pointed leaves, of a strong sweet scent, falling away here with us without seed­ing.

[Page 203] Jasminum Catilonicum, the Catilonian or Spanish Jasmine, like the last in grow­ing, differs only in the flowers, which be­fore open in a blush, after white with blewish edges, the branch and green leaves larger but shorter, the whole not rising half so high, the flowers sweeter than the other.

Jasminum Hispanicum mutiplex, the double Spanish Jasmine grows like the last, the flowers white but bigger and double, containing two rowes of leaves, with some smaller coming forth of the middle of the flowers which are as sweet as the former.

Jasminum Luteum, the yellow Jasmine, hath many long slender branches, set at distances with three small dark green leaves together, the middle or end leaf being the biggest; at the joints where the leaves come forth, stand long stalks, bear­ing small long hollow flowers, ending in five, sometimes six yellow leaves: the flowers past, round, black shining berries succeed them, the roots are tough and white, creeping in the ground, coming up in divers places, much increas­ing.

Jasminum Indicum flore Phaenico, the [Page 204] Indian scarlet Jasmine, cometh up from a large spread root, with one, two or more flexible branches, which must have some­what to support them, putting forth at every joint small and short tendrils, by which it fastens to any woody substance; at the same place comes forth two wing­ed leaves, large almost as Rose leaves, full of veins and finely nicked on the edges, standing usually three on a side, and one at the end, which are reddish at first, after of a fair yellowish green colour; at the end of the branches comes forth the flowers, many together, long like a Fox glove, at the ends opening into five fair broad leaves, with a stile and small threds, in the middle of a Saffron colour, some Plants have on the inside the flowers small, red leaves, others of a deep scarlet, vein'd with small yellow lines.

These Jasmines flower from July to the middle of August, the first white and common yellow are hardy and endure our Winter colds, encreasing fast enough by suckers; but the Indian yellow and the Spanish, must be planted in pots or boxes, that they may be housed in Winter, encreased usually, by grafting them late in the Spring on the common white Jas­mine, [Page 205] the approach way, they may also be encreased by layers.

Laurus Rosea, sive Oleander, the Rose Bay-tree is of two sorts, one breaking red the other white flowers, in nothing else differing, its stem growing to the bigness of a mans thumb, divided into three branches, at each joint bearing long, hard, thick, dark green leaves; at the end of the branches come forth the flowers, of a deep blush in the one and white in the other, consisting of four narrower long yet round pointed leaves, which here fall away without seed.

Laurus Indica, the Indian Bay thrives with us but slowly, rising not above four foot high, the branches cover'd with a yellowish green bark, thick set with leaves, which are betwixt those of the Cherry-Bay and the common kind, the flowers grow in a long spike, of a greenish white colour, succeeded by Berries like small O­lives; this plant must be defended from frosts in Winter and is encreased by layers.

AƲGƲST.

CYclamen or Sowbread now appears without leaves on small naked stalks, the flowers coming up folded in the leaves, hanging down their heads and turning up their leaves again, which are in all but five, some of a bright shining reddish purple, as the vernal one, another that flowers in the Spring is of a pale purple, there are also vernal whites ones single and double.

The small purple Cyclamen, another larger of a reddish purple, both Summer flowers. But the most are those that in this Month of August begin to flower and continue so in September, and some in October, viz.

The Ivie-leaved Cyclamen of Autumn, of the palest purple colour.

The narrow leaved Cyclamen, whereof one purple, another white.

The double purplish colour'd Cyclamen having about a dozen leaves in a flower.

There is another as double, that is white.

The spring Cyclamens are preferable [Page 207] before the rest, but the double ones most of all and hardest to be got. Some few dayes after the flowers come up, their leaves fashion'd almost like Colts-foot leaves, but have some indenting on the edges, some more, other sorts less, some longer some rounder, all of them strangely variegated, spotted and circled with white green, about the middle of the leaves on the upper side, but that side underneath is red. These flowers and leaves spring from a round flat Turnip root; black on the outside not loosing their fibres, there­fore seldome removed, but their time for Transplanting is a little before they put forth buds or flowers: They seldom en­crease by roots; therefore raised by seeds, the head or Vessel that contains them, af­ter the flowers are past, shrinketh down, winding the stalk in a scroul about it, and lieth on the ground hid under the leaves, where it groweth great and round, con­taining some small seeds, which must be sown as soon as ripe in good light earth in Pots or Boxes and cover'd near a fing­er thick; after they are sprung up and the small leaves dried down, put some more of the same earth upon them, and after the second year, remove them to [Page 108] convenient distances abou Nine inches a­sunder, where they may stand and bear flowers, and probably may yield you some variety, either in flower, shape or marking of their Leaves.

Thlaspi Creticum or Candy Tufts, an Annual, are now in their prime, and be­gin to blow in July; they are small plants about a foot high, their stalks set with long, narrow, notched whitish green leaves; at the top stand many small single flowers set close together, in some all white, some have a purplish spot in the middle, others are all of a pale purple colour, the seeds are small and reddish (their roots yearly perishing) and must be yearly sowed in April, almost any ground will serve their turn.

Lathirus Latifolius, the everlasting Pease now flourishes, bearing many large Pease like Blossoms of a purplish red co­lour, standing on long foot stalks, the Haum rises high, and must be so planted as to be born up; it dies to the ground in Winter, and rises again at Spring; in Sep­tember its Cods will be ripe, filled with small Pease which must be sowed or set at Spring, and allowed two or three years ere they grow strong enough to bear flowers. [Page 109] There is a blew one that is more rare, and continues as long.

Flos Africanus, the African, and by some called the French Marigold.

There are several varieties thereof, the best whereof are,

Flos Africanus maximus multiplex: The greatest double African, or French Mari­gold, having many winged leaves, purled about the edges, of a dark green colour, the stalk rising about a yard high, divided towards the top into many Branches, each branch bearing one large double flower, of a fair gold yellow colour on the up­perside, and paler underneath; there are diversities sometimes comes from the seeds of the same flower, some paler than others, rising out of a large Pod, wherein after the flowers past, are contain'd long narrow black seeds, from which the several varieties are raised, some coming with large single flowers with a thrum in the middle, tho they seed from double ones.

Flos Africanus fistuloso flore multiplex, the hollow leav'd African Marigold, the flowers thick and double, composed of many hollow leaves, opening at the end, in some of a deep in others of a paler yel­low colour.

[Page 210] Flos Africanus minor flore pleno: The lesser double French Marigold smaller than either of the former, the stalks not so strong, but twining several ways, the outward leaves sometimes bigger than the rest, and of a deeper and sadder co­lour: they flower in August, the roots pe­rishing with the first frosts, and are year­ly renewed by seeds sowed in April in a Hot Bed; but sow not any seeds fom single flowers, but from the first of the double ones: after they are come up to some strength remove them into a rich soil that lieth to the Sun, where being water'd, they prosper and bear large and stately Flowers; as broad as the palm of any hand; or as big thick and double and shaped like the red Belgick Rose.

Nasturtium Indicum, Indian Cresses, or yellow Larks heel, spread into many long trailing branches, four or five foot long, which unless supported, lie on the ground and take up a great deal of room, smooth leaves and round, the Flowers of a fair yellow colour, shaped something like a single Larks heel, but the leaves stand plainer and some of them streaked with red, the seeds rough and uneven, falling off themselves, and are to be ga­ther'd [Page 201] off the ground, the root dying in Winter; sow them in April, on a hot Bed or otherways, which may be removed into good Earth, having the advantage of the Sun, and craggy poles or sticks of a yard and half high to lead up their wie­ry Branches, which guided up by your hand to the top, when in flower make a glorious shew: The Blossoms gather'd before the Winter, and pickled up with Vinegar and Sugar, is an excellent and rare Sallet.

Mirabilia Peruviana, the Marvel of Pe­ru, hath a big stalk bunched at the joints, spreading into many branches, set at the joints with fair green leaves, betwixt which and the stalk, come forth the flow­ers on short foot stalks, fashion'd like those of the lesser blew Bindweed, nar­row at the bottoms, and wide open at the brims, of which several kinds, white, red, or yellow, but the rarest are those with variegated Flowers, red and white, or red and yellow; all but the white kind flowr'd plentifully with me this year: and these (like the Bindweed) open in the Night, and as soon as the Sun shines upon them, the brims shrink inward and wither away and seldom thefore seen, [Page 212] but late in the Evenings or Mornings, for which reason by some called the Flowers of the Night, after the blossoms are past, they are succeded each by one seed, about the bigness and colour of a black Pease, the roots long like a Reddish, black on the outside, commonly perishing in the Win­ter.

They Flower from the beginning of August, till Winter; Frosts destroy them: The seeds are set the begin­ning of April in a Hot Bed, and thence removed into rich earth, where they may have the benefit of the Sun: if any flower not the first year, lay Horse Litter or Dung on them before the Frosts, and so cover'd all Winter, they will flower the sooner the year following, and the roots of your best kinds when done Flowering, taken up and dried, and each wrapped in Woollen rags and kept from moisture all Winter, being set in the earth the beginning of March will in their due seasons bear Flowers.

Amaranthus, Flower gentle, by some called Princes Feather, of which the greater and the lesser, and of each diver­sity.

Amaranthus purpureus major, the great [Page 213] purple Flower Gentle, hath a thick and tall stalk, with many large green leaves, the stalk divided into many branches, bearing long spikes of round hairy Tufts, of a reddish purple colour, divided into several parts, wherein are contained a great many, when full ripe, of small white seeds; of this there are many kinds big­ger and lesser, some purple mixed with green, some all whitish green co­lour, &c.

Amaranthus purpureus minor, The lesser purple Flower Gentle, hath yellowish green leaves a little reddish, broad at the stalk, and sharp pointed, set with these leaves, the stalk rises two foot high, branched at the top, bearing long soft and gentle tufts of hairs, standing like a Pyramis, of a deep shining murrey pur­ple, lasting so many months after it is gather'd; the seeds are small black and shining.

Amaranthus diversorun colo [...]um Flower Gentle of divers colours, differ little ei­ther in leaves or stalks or seeds, only their flowers are of deeper or lighter co­lours, of Purple, Scarlet and Gold co­lour: I have had this year some Scarlet and Purple, Lemon and Orange, some [Page 214] straw colour and crimson, &c. these mix­ed in a Pot with African Marigolds shew finely.

There are Amaranths of three colours, their beauty consisting not in the Flow­ers, but leaves; in hot years are parted in­to green red and yellow colours, the seeds of all being black, small and shining, ex­cepting the first, and ought to be sowed as the Africanus on a hot bed, in April, and when grown to any strength may be removed, where they may have no interception from the Sun beams, and this yearly, because the first frosts destroy them: their soil must be light and rank; if you covet to have good seeds, sow them in a hot Bed in the middle of March, when grown up to any strength, remove them into another new hot Bed, taking them up with earth about them, so set­ting them the beginning of May, trans­plant them, where they may stand to bear Flowers, which this way you will have the sooner, as also their seeds, and better ripened, which you may reserve for two or three years following, for so long will they last good.

These four last being the best of seed­lings, a Garden ought not to be unfurnish­ed [Page 215] with, (besides their beauty) to sup­ply their vacancy of other Flowers in your emptied Beds of Tulips, Ranunculus and Anemonies, till their time of replant­ing.

There is your Garden Mallows, dou­ble Holy Hocks, Snap Dragons, Toad flax, Fox Gloves, Thistles, Scabious, Mullen, Fennel Flower, Bindweed, Larks heels, Canterbury Bells, Thorn Apples, Apples of Love, Garden Lupines, Scar­let Bean, Snails, Cater-Pillers, Oak of Je­rusalem, and of Cappadocia, triflles ador­ed amongst Countrey women in their Gardens, but of no esteem to a Florist, who is taken up with things of more value.

But of little more value is your sensi­ble Plant, your humble Plant, and Noli me tangere, considering their trouble in the raising, and want of Beauty: the first, the leaves being toucht shrink from you; the second when handled fall down; the lasts their Pods being taken betwixt your fingers before they are ripe, fly in pieces with a suddain snap; being all annuals and raised from seeds, and only propagated for those qualities, and pe­rish with the first frosts, especially the two first.

[Page 216] Then for your sweet Herbs, Basil, Mar­jerom, Mastick, Sage, Peny-royal, La­vender, Time, Rosemary, Gold and Sil­ver, and double flowr'd, the Kitchen-Made so well understands as to excuse any more but their bear names.

There is also double Pellitory, double Feather-few, double Cammomil, double Dog Fennel, double Lady Smocks, dou­ble Dazy, &c. which most women are acquainted with and know how to order.

In this month flowers,

Ormithogalum Aethiopicum, the Star Flower of Aethiopia, having green leaves a foot long, Inch broad, woolly when broken, stalk cubit high, bearing from the middle to the top many large white Starlike Flowers, with some yel­lowness in the bottom of them, with a three square head, compassed with white threds, tipt with yellow thick root, round and white, as tender as that which blows in May; the Star Flower of Arabia, and must be used accordingly; these two and that which blows in April, the yellow one which is less tender, only worth a Florists collection and care in preserving.

Hyacinthus Indicus tuberosa radice; the great Indian tuberous Hyacinth, the best [Page 217] and most desired of all its kinds, hath a thick tuberous Knobbed Root, formed into several heads, with many thick fi­bres at the bottoms of them; from whence rise up several strong and tall stalks, set with divers fair, long and broad green leaves, joined at the bottom close to the stalk, where they are biggest, growing by degrees smaller to the top, where in this month stand many fair large Flowers, composed of six white leaves, spread open, like those of a white Daffo­dil, with some short threds in the middle, and of so strong a sweet scent, that a pot of them set in a lower room, the doors open, it shall be smelt all the house over; there is another in this kind, but lesser in all parts. This is yearly to be taken up in April (tho you may do it in September and keep the roots dry in Sand, or when dry in Papers in a warm Clo­set till April) and then carefully part the roots, not breaking the great fibres, and to replant them presently thus, put rich earth in the bottom of the pot up to the middle, then some natural fresh earth, placing the root therein, but so that the fibres may have nourishment from that below, then cover the whole root with the same fresh earth, and fill up the rest [Page 218] of the pot, with the rank rich earth that you put in the bottom, then plunge your pot in a hot Bed, let it there remain; if that Bed make it not spring, remove it to a second, till it spring grass high or two inches, then set it under a South wall, whole in the hot Bed, not water it, but afterwards in dry weather water it gently; in August it will shew its rich and fragrant Flowers; about the middle of September house it, for it will not endure cold or wet; if you would have it, of-set, then set the root naked in rich earth, but probably it rises not to flower that year.

Althaea Fruticosa, shrub Mallow, with woody branches, with a whitish bark and soft woolly whitish green leaves like the Curran trees, large Flowers like single Holly hock; some deep reddish or pur­ple; others lighter with the bottom of a deeper purple running into the leaves in small veins: another fresher green leaves and white Flowers with a large purple spot in the bottom; of this sort another with its flowers striped with blush lines, these shrubs that grow to a mans height and sometimes higher are [...]ncreased by laying down the branches in the earth, and sometimes by their seeds which seldom come to maturity here, or [Page 219] you may graff them by approach one up­on another, and on one of these shrubs have all the varieties.

Balaustium, or double blossom'd wild Pomegranate Tree, Flowers the end of this month, and is the rarest of all the flowering shrubs, if pruned grows up high, otherwise in a thick bush full of small branches with some Thorns there­on, and many small shining green leaves, which fall away in Winter, and are re­newed in the Spring; at the sides and ends of the branches come out many hard and coral coloured Cups, and out of them beautiful flowers, as big and double as a province Rose, of an excellent bright crimson colour; there is another that is less in all its parts, sadder green leaves, the flowers inclining more to O­range colour. I have read of another, with double striped flowers, but have not seen it nor spoke with any that have: but if you will have the Balaustium here descri­bed bare with you, you must plant it in a Box or Case made of wood, that it may be housed in the Winter, and in Spring the young sprouts sheer'd off, that it spend it self not too much in them, and this done two or three times, this [Page 220] plant is easily encreased by its suckers or by laying.

Spirea frutex, the shrub Spirea flowers this month, and rises up more than yard high, with divers woody stalks set with leaves, like those of sally, but lesser, and nicked on the edges; on the top of the stalks come forth many small pale peach colour'd flowers, set thick together in a long spike, lessening by degrees like a Py­ramis, the root woody and lasting, endures the Winter and is encreased by layers.

Maracoc▪ sive Climatis Virginiana, the Virginian Climer, come out of the ground in May, with long round win­ding stalks, more or less, and in height ac­cording to the age, liking of the plant; it grows with us five or six foot or more high; from the joints come forth the leaves, at each one from the middle to the top, a clasper like a Vine, and a flower also; the leaves broad at the bot­tom, about the middle divided into three parts, nickt about the edges, the bud of the flower before it opens, like the seed Vessel of the common single Vigella, but long­er, having at the top five crooked horns, opening the bud, divideth it self into ten parts, sustaining the leaves of the flow­er, [Page 221] which are many, long, sharp pointed, narrow, well spread one by another, some streight and others crooked; these leaves are of a whitish colour, thick spot­ted with a peach colour, having towards the bottom a ring of a perfect peach co­lour, and above and beneath it a white Circle, adding much to the beauty of the flower; but the most strange is the Umbrane, which riseth in the middle, parting it self into four or five crooked spotted horns; from the midst of these rises another roundish head, which car­ries three nails or horns, biggest above, and small at the lower end: but never with us, that I have heard on is this flow­er succeeded by any fruit, but in the West-Indies, (where 'tis a native) it bear­eth fruit like a Pomgranate, containing a whitish pulp, and many corner'd rough black seeds, about the bigness of Pear Kernels, long roots thicker then the Sarsa Parilla's, which run far in the earth, putting up heads in several places, by which means encreased, its beautiful flowers shew themselves in August, the stalk dying to the ground every Winter, springing again from the roots in May, which may be cover'd and defended from [Page 222] hard frosts in Winter, it ought to be planted in a large pot to hinder the roots running, and for housing in the Winter, and setting in the hot Sun in Summer, the hottest place that may be, or it will not bear at all; we set the pots in the spring in hots Beds to bring them for­ward.

In this month blossoms that curious pleasant, fragrant, and ever green plant The Mirtle, of which is,

Mirtus Latifolia, the broad leav'd Myr­tle; In thick bush, full of branches, grow­ing four or five foot high, set with bright shining and ever green leaves, of a sweet scent, somewhat broad and long; at the joints of the branches come forth the flowers, of five small white leaves, with some white threds in the middle, and ve­ry sweet, the roots consisting of many strings and fibres as all shrubs do.

Mirtus minore folio, the lesser leav'd Myrtle grows like the former, but not so high, the leaves thicker on the branch­es, smaller pointed at the ends, of a deeper green colour, in little else differ­ing.

Mirtus Rotundiore folio, the Box leav'd Mirtle differs from the last, the leaves [Page 223] being round, pointed like Box, there is a­nother call'd the upright Mirtle, having sharp pointed leaves and branches grow­ing erect; another call'd the Birds nest Mirtle, thick set with narrow leaves and close compacted branches.

Mirtus Latifolia flore pleno, the double flowr'd Mirtle grows like the first, but being more tender, grows not so large nor high, its flowers being like the o­ther, white, but very thick and double, of a delicate sweet scent.

Mirtus Boetica Latifolia, the great Spa­nish, or Lawrel leafed Myrtle, in all parts bigger than the former, rises near two yards high, the leaves are like those of the Bay, but a whiter green, set in a double row on both sides, the branches sweet in scent, in flowers and fruits differs little from the first; all but the last are pre­served in Cases, and diligently housed in Winter, but that is more hardy and with any care will endure the violence of Win­ter tho planted at large, about the same time flowers;

Gelsimenum Indicum flavum odoratissi­mum, the sweet yellow Indian Jasmine, a beautiful green, and rises about two [Page 224] foot high, dividing into branches, co­ver'd with a purplish colour'd Bark, deckt with many fair shining dark e­vergreen leaves, shaped like the Pome­granates, but longer and broader; the flowers like the common white Jasmine, but bigger and of a fair yellow and sweet scent: where they grow naturally, they are succeeded by fruits like small Olives, but flowering so late with us, never come to perfection.

Phillirea variegata, the striped Phillirea, most beautiful of all its kinds, deserving a Case with the best▪ greens; this Plant if suffer'd, rises to the height of a man, thick set with small branches, and those with small evergreen leaves, edged and striped with white, yet hardy e­nough to be planted at large, if you de­defend it a little from snows and frosts.

Marum Herb Mastick, unless a back­ward Summer, flowers in this month, o­therwayes later, and rises about foot high, with stiff hard stalks divided in­to many branches, but thinly set with small green leaves, two at a joint, at the tops of the stalks and branches come [Page 225] forth small white flowers, among a tuft of white downy threds; the whole plant is of sweet and pleasant scent; this is encreased by setting slips in A­pril.

Marum Siriacum, Assyrian Mastick, not so tall as the former, smaller leaves, whiter and thicker set on the branches, like the Mirtle; at the tops of the stalks stand many green Knaps or Heads, like those of sweet Marjerom, but bigger and greener; a woody root, the whole plant of a delicate scent, very tender and im­patient of cold, and therefore must be set in a pot, and not housed in Winter, but order'd as the Flos Cardinalis, and unless defended from Cats by sharp thorns, 'twill be destroyed by them.

SEPTEMBER.

CRocus verus The true Saffron comes up with many narrow long leaves, and after them the flowers in form like the former mention'd in the Spring, of a reddish purple colour; in the middle are some unprofitable small yellow chives, standing upright, as all other kinds have, but in this flower there is also three or four longer chives, hanging down on or between the leaves, of a fiery red co­lour, the true blades of Saffron, which picked thence and pressed between two papers, and so dried is the Saffron, that is Sold in Shops; the roots are big­ger than any other kind and cover'd with a hairy skin, distinguishing them from the rest.

Crocus pirenaeus purpureus, the purple mountain Crocus riseth like a Colchicum before the leaves, with one, sometimes two flowers one after the other, standing on long foot stalks, of a violet purple colour, near as large as the biggest pur­ple of the spring, with yellow chives, and long feather'd top, pointed in the [Page 227] middle; the green leaves succeed the flow­ers, sometimes before Winter, but most usually not till the Spring, the Root small and white.

Crocus Byzantinus Argenteus: The Sil­ver colour'd Autumn Crocus, with the three outward leaves silver colour, the other three more white and lesser.

Crocus Montanus Autumnalis: The Au­tumn Mountain Crocus of a pale bleak blew colour standing on short foot stalks, scarcely appearing above ground at the first, but afterwards grows a little high­er; These two last flower not till the next month.

Colchicum: The Meadow Saffron, of which there are several sorts worth col­lecting.

Colchicum versicolor: The party co­lour'd Meadow Saffron, like the Cro­cus's, composed of six leaves, some whereof are white, others of a pale pur­ple, some half white and half purple, with some threds or chieves in the mid­dle like Spring Crocus. The flowers ap­pear before the leaves that are of a dark brown colour at first, rising about the end of February, but at Spring are large, long, and green, from the middle of [Page 228] which the seed Vessel appears, contain­ing round brown seeds, the root like a Tulips, but larger, having a long emi­nence at the bottom, whence its fibres shoot into the ground,

Colchicum variegatum: The variegated Meadow Saffron, in every leaf pale blush and deep purple, another of this kind of a sadder purple and blush.

Colchicum variegatum dictum Aggrippina: A newer flower, white and red striped like a Tulip.

Colchicum frittillaricum Neapolitanum: Checkered Meadow Saffron of Naples, deep purplish red flowers, checquered like a frittillary.

Colchicum frittilaricum Chiense: The Checquered Meadow Saffron of Chio, of a pale purple colour, thick spotted and checquer'd with blewish purple, small but beautiful flowers, the root small and tender.

Colchicum flore pleno: The double Mea­dow Saffron, like the common one in colour, but very double, and of a pale purplish colour: There is another double one of a deeper purple.

Colchicum variegatum flore pleno: The double variegated Meadow Saffron, some [Page 229] of the leaves whereof are striped and garded with white upon the pale blush.

Colchicum maximum: flore pleno: The greatest double Meadow Saffron of a pale purplish blush colour, spreading o­pen, and transcending any of the dou­ble kinds.

These are to be set about the end of August, and will flower some in Septem­ber, the rest the month following, and after their green leaves having appear'd and dryed down, the roots are to be ta­ken up, and order'd as other bulbous roots; by sowing their seeds, may you raise other rarities.

OCTOBER.

BEcause I find no Plant in this month begins to flower that is worth our notice, its room shall be taken up in de­scribing a Plant, that is alwayes in flow­er, and how to order that and its nice attendants, viz.

Mala Arantia: The Orange-tree, which in Spain and other hot Countries grow to tall and fair Trees, but with us the highest to a Mans height, (that I have [Page 230] seen or heard of.) The bark of the El­der boughs is brown, and the younger green, with some thorns, large leaves of a fresh shining green colour, twining a little like Ivy, with many small holes in them, of a strong sweet scent, and ne­ver falling till new thrusts them off; the flowers are of a whitish colour and very sweet, followed by small round green fruit, which in time grows to be some­what large, and of a yellowish red co­lour, as most know, though not the Tree.

The Orange Tree being one of the finest greens, and as tender as any: I shall here name the most tender that must be housed, with care in Winter, and how to order them, after I have mention'd our common greens that grow without that care.

• Yew
• The Fir
• Tree of Life
• Cypress
• Stone crop Tree
• Evergreen Oak
• Holly
• Laurel
• Bayes
• Holy Holly
• Box, and Gilded
• Evergreen Hathorn
• Staffe Tree
• Privet
• Phillirea
• Spanish broom
• English broom
• Gosse.

• [Page 231] Phillirea striped.
• Laurus Tinus of several sorts.
• Mirtles of divers sorts.
• Yellow Indian Gessimine.
• The Rose Bay, or Oleander.
• The Indian Bay.

• Lemons and Oranges.

To save room, we will here name o­ther nice Plants, that must have the like care: the same directions for some will serve them all, viz.

• The bloody double Wall Flower.
• Amomum plinii.
• Geranium nocte olens.
• Tuberose Hyacinth.
• Blew Borage leav'd Auricula.
• Bears Ear Sanicle.
• Marum.
• Marum Syriacum, &c.

These plants are set in Cases and with Oranges, and other tender Plants housed in Winter, and encreased by layers; the best time to Transplant the hardier [Page 232] ones, is about the tenth of March, for the more tender, to be set in Cases the end of April; the earth fit for them, is the digested Earth of a Melon Bed, e­qually mixed with fine loamy earth, ly­ing and often turned the foregoing Win­ter, and sifted through a wyre Sieve e're put in your Cases, for want of which Neats dung rotted and mixed as before filling the bottoms of your pots and Cases, with any kind of rubbidge, that will ly hollow to draw the wet from the earth above them, that will else rot their roots, and if ye mix the whole earth with little sticks to make it lie light and hollow, it will be the better; then tak­ing your plant, cut the roots a little, e­specially at the bottom, spreading the roots, set it not too deep, rather let some of the root appear; and lastly, settle it with Temperate water (not too much) set them in the shade for twelve days, and afterwards expose them to the Sun.

The last April, I had sent me several sorts of cuttings of Mirtles, I prepared my Pots to receive them thus, Old Neats dung beaten small and an equal share of good loamy earth with a little [Page 233] Willow earth and Sun water, mixed to the consistence of that is call'd a stir pudding, three parts of the Pots, the forth the same mixture without water, and with a dipper run them almost to the top therein; by September following I found most of them had well rooted just betwixt the moist and dry mixtures, this Experiment I tried, tho never heard of before, and thought good here to men­tion it.

The beginning of May, give all your housed Plants fresh earth, taking out of the tops of your Pots and Cases the old earth three or four fingers deep, and loosening the rest with a Fork or some fit Instrument, so as not to hurt or pre­judice the roots, then fill them up with your best and richest soil, half Neats dung well rotted, consumed, and mix­ed, that hath been preserved for such uses, that the Virtue may be washed down into the rest of the earth to nou­rish and comfort your plants: water them as the driness of the season requires with discretion: Sprinkling your greens all over with your water Pots of clear water, 'twill make them have the more delicate lustre.

[Page 234] Your Mirtles will shew finely inter­mixed with your Posts of Julie flowers.

About the middle of Agust is your se­cure season, for removing and laying your Perennial greens, Oranges, Lemons, Mirtles, Phillireas, Oleanders, Jessemines, Arbutes, and other rare shrubs, as Pome­granates, best Roses, &c. by taking the shoots and branches of the last Spring, and pegging them down with a hook-stick, in very rich earth (but it must be perfectly consumed, watering them on all occasions in Summer; that time twelve Month, they will be prepared for a remov­al, which must be in fit earth, and set in the shade, kept moderately moist, not over wet, lest ye rot the young fibres; within three weeks after expose them to some more airy place, and a little of the morning Sun but not a full Sun till a fortnight after.

About Mihacelmas (according as the season admonishes) in a fair and clear day your rarest greens and plants being dry, lodge them in their Winter quarters, your green house; recruiting them with fresh earth (as in May) to nourish them all Winter, leaving at first your Doors and Windows open, giving them all the air you can, unless the Winds be sharp, and [Page 235] Foggy weather; enclose them by degrees, unless the Frosts force you to do it soon­er, and enclose them by shutting up Win­dows and Doors together; Mirtles are more hardy and will endure out till the next month after.

When the cold comes on, set such plants that will not endure housing, in­to holes made in the earth two or three inches lower than the surface thereof, under some South wall or pale, cover­ing them with sweet and dry moss, and then putting Glasses over them, in all warm and Sun-shine dayes or in gen­tle and sweet showers, give them air by wholly uncovering them; thus may you preserve your precious Marum Siriacum, Cistus's, Geranium nocte Olens, Flor Cardi­nalis, Maracocs seedling, Arbutus, choicest Ranunculus and Anemonies, &c. Thus go­verning them till April, and then about again as before taught, unless you have or do find out better wayes which I should be glad to be informed of; but remember that in November you so seclude out all cold, you can out of your green house or conservatory, by close stopping all chinks by laying Straw and Mats, where cold may enter, for if it [Page 236] freez in your Conservatory (for which you must set a bole of water on purpose to know) kindle some Charcoal, and put them in a hole sunk a little into the floor about the middle of it; if the Plants be exceeding dry, and it do not freez, re­fresh them sparingly with qualified wa­ter, i. e. mingled with a little Sheeps or Cow dung, but then take heed of wetting the leaves therewith: at all times when the air is warmed by the beams of the Sun, in a fine day the Sun darting on the house, open your Windows and Doors that way, but shut them again before the Sun be off; observe also that it is better to give housed plants too little water than too much, and that Aloes or Sedums must­have none at all.

NOVEMBER. In this Month is,

ARbutus, the Strawbury Tree in its greatest glory; the body hath a rough but the branches a smooth Bark, with leaves alternately green like the Bayes, finely purled about the edges, long yet round pointed, the flowers grow on the ends of the branches, with long stalks and are small little white bottles, like those of the Lilly of the Valley, which are of little beauty, but succeeded by red berries like to Straw-berries, harsh in taste, containing small and many seeds: the whole rises not here to two yards high, its usual height in its native Countrey Ire­land; the berries are its beauty, ripe in this Month: and therefore herein placed, which being mixed with its fine green leaves, are very delightful to the eye; young Plants are raised from seeds, and some by layers, but long e're they root, and when removed, the earth must be ta­ken up with them and carefully planted, being nice whilest young, but elder are hardy, and will prosper under any warm Wall.

DECEMBER.

HElleborus niger verus, the true black Hellebor, from a root of many long brown strings, running deep in the ground, and fastned to a big head, springeth up many green leaves, standing on big stiff foot stalks, divided into eight or nine parts, nicked about the edges, the flowers come forth in this month upon short foot stalks, shaped like single white Roses, at first white, at last turn to a blush colour with a pale yellow thrum, and a green head in the middle; by many called the Christmas Rose.