Containing Rules for Hearbs and Seedesof common vse, with their times and seasons,when to set and sow them.
TOGETHER,With the Husbandry of Bees, published with secretsvery necessary for euery House-wife.
As also diuerse new Knots for Gardens.
The Contents see at large in thelast Page.
Genes. 2. 29.I haue giuen vnto you euery Herbe, and euery tree, that shall be to you for meate.
Printers device
LONDON,Printed byNicholas OkesforIohn Harison, at thegolden Vnicorne in Pater-noster-row. 1631.
The soyle of an Orchard and Garden, differ onely in these three points:Dry.First, the Gardens soyle would be somewhat dryer, because hearbes being more tender then trees, can neither abide moisture nor drought, in such excessiue measure, as trees; and therefore hauing a dryer soyle, the remedy is easie against drought, if need be: water soundly, which may be done with small labour, the compasse of a Garden being nothing so great, as of an Orchard, and this is the cause (if they know it) that Gardners raise their squares:Hops.but if moysture trouble you, I see no remedy without a generall danger, except in Hops, which delight much in a low and sappy earth.
Plaine.Secondly, the soyle of a Garden would be plaine andleuell, at least euery square (for we purpose the square to be the fittest forme) the reason: the earth of a garden wanting such helpes, as should stay the water, which an orchard hath, and the rootes of hearbes being short, and not able to fetch their liquor from the bottome, are more annoyed by drought, and the soyle being mellow and loose, is soone either washt away, or sends out his heart by too much drenching and washing.
Thirdly, if a garden soyle be not cleere of weedes, and namely, of grasse, the hearbes shall neuer thriue: for how should good hearbes prosper, when euill weeds waxe so fast: considering good hearbes are tender in respect of euill weedes: these being strengthened by nature, and the other by art? Gardens haue small place in comparison, and therefore may be more easily be fallowed, at the least one halfe yeare before, and the better dressed after it is framed. And you shall finde that cleane keeping doth not onely auoide danger of gathering weedes, but also is a speciall ornament, and leaues more plentifull sap for your tender hearbes.
Icannot see in any sort, how the site of the one should not be good, and fit for the other: The ends of both being one, good, wholesome, and much fruit ioyned with delight, vnlesse trees be more able to abide the nipping frostes than tender hearbes: but I am sure, the flowers of trees are as soone perished with cold, as any hearbe except Pumpions, and Melons.
Let that which is sayd in the Orchards forme, suffice for a garden in generall: but for speciall formes in squares, they are as many, as there are diuices in Gardners braines. Neither is the wit and art of a skilfull Gardner in this poynt not to be commended, that can worke more variety for breeding of more delightsome choyce, and of all those things, where the owner is able and desirous to be satisfied. The number of formes, Mazes and Knots is so great, and men are so diuersly delighted, that I leaue euery House-wife to her selfe, especially seeing to set downe many, had bene but to fill much paper; yet lest I depriue her of all delight and direction, let her view these few, choyse, new formes, and note this generally, that all plots are square, and all are bordered about with Priuit, Raisins, Fea-berries, Roses, Thorne, Rosemary, Bee-flowers, Isop, Sage, or such like.
The ground plot for Knots.Plan of frameworkCinkfoyle.Plan of a knotFlower-deluce.Plan of a knotThe Trefoyle.Plan of a knotThe Fret.Plan of a knotLozenges.Plan of a knotCrosse-bow.Plan of a knotDiamond.Plan of a knotOuall.Plan of a knotMaze.Plan of a knot
AGarden requireth not so large a scope of ground as an Orchard, both in regard of the much weeding, dressing and remouing, and also the paines in a Garden is not so well repaied home, as in an Orchard. It is to be graunted, that the Kitchin garden doth yeeld rich gaines by berries, roots, cabbages, &c. yet these are no way comparable to the fruits of a rich Orchard: but notwithstanding I am of opinion, that it were better forEngland, that we had more Orchards and Gardens, and more large. And therefore we leaue the quantity to euery mans ability and will.
Seeing we allow Gardens in Orchard plots, and the benefit of a Garden is much, they both require a strong and shrowding fence. Therefore leauing this, let vs come to the hearbes themselues, which must be the fruit of all these labours.
Hearbes are of two sorts, and therefore it is meete (they requiring diuers manners of Husbandry) that we haue two Gardens: A garden for flowers, and a Kitchen garden: or a Summer garden: not that we meane so perfect a distinction, that the Garden for flowers should or can be without hearbes good for the Kitchen, or the Kitchen garden should want flowers, nor on the contrary: but for the most part they would be seuered: first, because your Garden flowers shall suffer some disgrace, if among them you intermingle Onions, Parsnips, &c. Secondly, your Garden that is durable, must be of one forme: but that, which is for your Kitchens vse, must yeeld daily rootes, or other hearbes, and suffer deformity. Thirdly, the hearbs of both will not be both alike ready, at one time, either for gathering, or remouing. First therefore
These hearbs and flowers are comely and durable for squares and knots and all to set atMichael-*tide, or somewhat before, that they may be setled in, and taken with the ground before winter, though they may be set, especially sowne in the spring.
Roses of all sorts (spoken of in the Orchard) mustbe set. Some vie to set slips and twine them, which sometimes, but seldome thriue all.
Rosemary, Lauender, Bee-flowers, Isop, Sage, Time, Cowslips, Pyony, Dasies, Cloue Gilliflowers, Pinkes, Sothernwood, Lillies, of all which hereafter.
Though your Garden for flowers doth in a sort peculiarly challenge to it seise a profit, and exquisite forme to the eyes, yet you may not altogether neglect this, where your hearbes for the pot do growe. And therefore, some here make comely borders with the hearbes aforesayd. The rather because aboundance of Roses and Lauender yeeld much profit, and comfort to the sences: Rose-water and Lauender, the one cordial (as also the Violets, Burrage, and Buglas) the other reuiuing the spirits by the sence of smelling: both most durable for smell, both in flowers and water: you need not here raise your beds, as in the other garden, because Summer towards, will not let too much wet annoy you.
And these hearbes require more moysture: yet must you haue your beds diuided, that you may goe betwixt to weede, and somewhat forme would be expected: To which it auaileth, that you place your herbes of biggest growth, by walles, or in borders, as Fenell, &c. and the lowest in the middest, as Saffron, Strawberries, Onions, &c.
Garden hearbs are innumerable, yet these are common and sufficient for our country House-wifes.
Fenell, Anglica, Tansie, Hollihock, Louage, Elly Campane, French mallows, Lillies, French poppy, Endiue, Succory and Clary.
Burrage, Buglas, Parsley, sweet Sicilly, Floure-de-luce, Stocke Gilliflowers, Wall-flowers, Anniseedes, Coriander, Feather fewell, Marigolds, Oculus Christi, Langdibeefe, Alexanders, Carduus Benedictus.
Pansy, or Harts-ease, Coast Margeram, Sauery, Strawberries, Saffron, Lycoras, Daffadowndillies, Leekes, Chiues, Chibals, Skerots, Onions, Batchellors buttons, Dasies, Peniroyall.
Hitherto I haue onely reckoned vp, and put in this ranke, some hearbs. Their Husbandry follow each in an Alphabeticall order, the better to be found.
Alexandersare to be renewed asAngelica. It is a timely Pot-hearbe.
Anglicais renued with his seede, whereof he beareth plenty the second yeare, and so dieth. You may remoue the rootes the first yeare. The leaues distilled,yeeld water soueraigne to expell paine from the stomacke. The roote dried taken in the fall, stoppeth the poares against infections.
Annyseedesmake their growth, and beareth seeds the first yeere, and dieth asCoriander: it is good for opening the pipes, and it is vsed in Comfits.
Artichoakesare renewed by diuiding the rootes into sets, inMarch, euery third or fourth yeare. They require a seuerall vsage, and therefore a seuerall whole plot by themselues, especially considering they are plentifull of fruite much desired.
BurrageandBuglas, two Cordials, renue themselues by seed yearely, which is hard to be gathered: they are exceeding good Pot-hearbes, good for Bees, and most comfortable for the heart and stomacke, as Quinces and Wardens.
Camomile, set rootes in bankes and walkes. It is sweete smelling, qualifying head-ach.
Cabbagesrequire great roome, they seed the second yeare: sow them inFebruary, remoue them when the plants are an handfull long, set deepe and wet. Looke well in drought for the white Caterpillers worme, the spaunes vnder the leafe closely; for euery liuing Creature doth seeke foode and quiet shelter, and growing quicke, they draw to, and eate the heart: you may finde them in a rainy deawy morning.
It is a good Pothearbe, and of this hearbe calledColeour Countrie House-wiues giue their pottage their name, and call themCaell.
Carduus Benedictus, or blessed thistle, seeds and dyes the first yeere, the excellent vertue thereof I referre to Herbals, for we are Gardiners, not Physitians.
Carretsare sowne late inAprillorMay, as Turneps,else they seede the first yeere, and then their roots are naught: the second yeere they dye, their roots grow great, and require large roome.
ChibalsorChiueshaue their roots parted, as Garlick, Lillies, &c. and so are they set euery third or fourth yeere: a good pot-hearb opening, but euill for the eies.
Clarieis sowne, it seeds the second yeere, and dyes. It is somewhat harsh in taste, a little in pottage is good, it strengtheneth the reines.
Coast, Roote parted make sets inMarch: it beares the second yeere: it is vsed in Ale inMay.
Corianderis for vsage and vses, much like Anniseeds.
Daffadowndillieshaue their roots parted, and set once in three or foure yeere, or longer time. They flower timely, and afterMidsummer, are scarcely seene. They are more for ornament, then for vse, so are Daisies.
Daisie-rootes parted and set, as Flowre-deluce and Camomile, when you see them grow too thicke or decay. They be good to keepe vp, and strengthen the edges of your borders, as Pinkes, they be red, white, mixt.
Ellycampaneroot is long lasting, as is the Louage, it seeds yeerely, you may diuide the root, and set the roote, taken in VVinter it is good (being dryed, powdered anddrunke)to kill itches.
EndiueandSuccoryare much like in nature, shape, and vse, they renue themselues by seed, as Fennell, and other hearbs. You may remoue them before they put forth shankes, a good Pot-hearbe.
Fennellis renued, either by the seeds (which it beareth the second yeere, and so yeerely in great abundance) sowne in the fall or Spring, or by diuiding one root into many Sets, as Artichoke, it is long of growthand life. You may remoue the roote vnshankt. It is exceeding good for the eyes, distilled, or any otherwise taken: it is vsed in dressing Hiues for swarmes, a very good Pot-hearbe, or for Sallets.
Fetherfewleshakes seed. Good against a shaking Feuer, taken in a posset drinke fasting.
Flower-deluce, long lasting. Diuide his roots, and set: the roots dryed haue a sweet smell.
Garlickemay be set an handfull distance, two inches deepe, in the edge of your beds. Part the heads into seuerall cloues, and euery cloue set in the latter end ofFebruary, will increase to a great head beforeSeptember: good for opening, euill for eyes: when the blade is long, fast two & two together, the heads will be bigger.
Hollyhockeriseth high, seedeth and dyeth: the chiefe vse I know is ornament.
Isopis reasonable long lasting: young roots are good set, slips better. A good pot-hearbe.
Iuly-flowers, commonly calledGilly-flowers, orCloue-Iuly-flowers(I call them so, because they flowre inIuly) they haue the name ofCloues, of their sent. I may well call them the King of flowers (except the Rose) and the best sort of them are calledQueene-Iuly flowers. I haue of them nine or ten seuerall colours, and diuers of them as big as Roses; of all flowers (saue the Damaske Rose) they are the most pleasant to sight and smell: they last not past three or foure yeeres vnremoued. Take the slips (without shanks) and set any time, saue in extreme frost, but especially atMichael tide. Their vse is much in ornament, and comforting the spirits, by the sence of smelling.
Iuly flowersof the wall, or wall-Iuly-flowers, wall-flowers, or Bee-flowers, or Winter-Iuly-flowers, becausegrowing in the walles, euen in Winter, and good for Bees, will grow euen in stone walls, they will seeme dead in Summer, and yet reuiue in Winter. They yeeld seed plentifully, which you may sow at any time, or in any broken earth, especially on the top of a mud-wall, but moist, you may set the root before it be brancht, euery slip that is not flowr'd will take root, or crop him in Summer, and he will flower in Winter: but his Winter-seed is vntimely. This and Palmes are exceeding good, and timely for Bees.
Leekesyeeld seed the second yeere, vnremoued and die, vnlesse you remoue them, vsuall to eate with salt and bread, as Onyons alwaies greene, good pot-hearb, euill for the eyes.
Lauendar spikewould be remoued within 7 yeeres, or eight at the most. Slips twined as Isop and Sage, would take best atMichael-tide. This flower is good for Bees, most comfortable for smelling, except Roses; and kept dry, is as strong after a yeere, and when it is gathered. The water of this is comfortable.
WhiteLauendarwould be remoued sooner.
Letticeyeelds seed the first yeere, and dyes: sow betime, and if you would haue themCabbagefor Sallets, remoue them as you doeCabbage. They are vsuall in Sallets, and the pot.
Lillieswhite and red, remoued once in three or foure yeeres their roots yeeld many Sets, like the Garlicke,Michael-tideis the best: they grow high, after they get roote: these roots are good to breake a Byle, as are Mallowes and Sorrell.
Mallowes, French or gagged, the first or second yeere, seed plentifully: sow inMarch, or before, they are good for the house-wifes pot, or to breake a bunch.
Marigoldsmost commonly come of seed, you may remoue the Plants, when they be two inches long. The double Marigold, being as bigge as a little Rose, is good for shew. They are a good Pot-hearbe.
Oculus Christi, or Christs eye, seeds and dyes the first or second yeere: you may remoue the yong Plants, but seed is better: one of these seeds put into the eye, within three or foure houres will gather a thicke skinne, cleere the eye, and bolt it selfe forth without hurt to the eye. A good Pot-hearbe.
Onyonsare sowne inFebruary, they are gathered atMichael-tide, and all the Summer long, for Sallets; as also young Parsly, Sage, Chibals, Lettice, sweet Sicily, Fennell, &c. good alone, or with meate as Mutton, &c. for sauce, especially for the pot.
Parslysow the first yeere, and vse the next yeere: it seedes plentifully, an hearbe of much vse, as sweet Sicily is. The seed and roots are good against the Stone.
Parsnepsrequire and whole plot, they be plentifull and common: sow them inFebruary, the Kings (that is in the middle) seed broadest and reddest. Parsneps are sustenance for a strong stomacke, not good for euill eies: When they couer the earth in a drought, to tread the tops, make the rootes bigger.
Peny-royall, or Pudding Grasse, creepes along the ground like ground Iuie. It lasts long, like Daisies, because it puts and spreads dayly new roots. Diuide, and remoue the roots, it hath a pleasant taste and smell, good for the pot, or hackt meate, or Haggas Pudding.
Pumpions: Set seedes with your finger, a finger deepe, late inMarch, and so soone as they appeare, euery night if you doubt frost, couer them, and water them continually out of a water-pot: they be very tender,their fruit is great and waterish.
French poppybeareth a faire flower, and the Seed will make you sleepe.
Raddishis sauce for cloyed stomacks, as Capers, Oliues, and Cucumbers, cast the seeds all Summer long here and there, and you shall haue them alwaies young and fresh.
Rosemary, the grace of hearbs here inEngland, in other Countries common. To set slips immediately afterLammas, is the surest way. Seede sowne may proue well, so they be sowne in hot weather, somewhat moist, and good earth: for the hearbe, though great, is nesh and tender (as I take it) brought from hot Countries to vs in the cold North: set thinne. It becomes a Window well. The vse is much in meates, more in Physicke, most for Bees.
Rue, or Hearbe of Grace, continually greene, the slips are set. It lasts long as Rosemary, Sothernwood, &c. too strong for mine Housewifes pot, vnlesse she will brue Ale therewith, against the Plague: let him not seede, if you will haue him last.
Saffroneuery third yeere his roots would be remoued atMidsummer: for when all other hearbs grow most, it dyeth. ItflowrethatMichael-tide, and groweth all Winter: keepe his flowers from birds in the morning, & gather the yellow (or they shape much like Lillies) dry, and after dry them: they be precious, expelling diseases from the heart and stomacke.
Saueryseeds and dyes the first yeere, good for my Housewifes pot and pye.
Sage: set slips inMay, and they grow aye: Let it not seed it will last the longer. The vse is much and common. The Monkish Prouerbe istritum:
Cur moritur homo,cumsaluia crescit in horto?
Cur moritur homo,cumsaluia crescit in horto?
Skerots, roots are set when they be parted, asPyonie, and Flower-deluce atMichael-tide: the roote is but small and very sweet. I know none other speciall vse but the Table.
SweetSicily, long lasting, pleasantly tasting, either the seed sowne, or the root parted, and remoued, makes increase, it is of like vse with Parsly.
Strawberrieslong lasting, set roots atMichael-tideor the Spring, they be red, white and greene, and ripe, when they be great and soft, some byMidsummerwith vs. The vse is: they will coole my Housewife well, if they be put in Wine or Creame with Sugar.
Time, both seeds, slips and rootes are good. If it seed not, it will last three or foure yeeres or more, it smelleth comfortably. It hath much vse: namely, in all cold meats, it is good for Bees.
Turnepis sowne. In the second yeere they beare plenty of seed: they require the same time of sowing that Carrets doe: they are sicke of the same disease that Cabbages be. The roots increaseth much, it is most wholesome, if it be sowne in a good and well tempered earth: Soueraigne for eyes and Bees.
I reckon these hearbs onely, because I teach my Countrey Housewife, not skilfull Artists, and it should be an endlesse labour, and would make the matter tedious to reckon vpLandtheefe,Stocke-Iuly-flowers,Charuall,Valerian,Go-to bed at noone,Piony,Licoras,Tansie,Garden mints,Germander,Centaurie, and a thousand such physicke Hearbs. Let her first grow cunning in this, and then she may enlarge her Garden as her skill and ability increaseth. And to helpe her the more, I haue set her downe these obseruations.
In the South parts Gardening may be more timely, and more safely done, then with vs inYorkeshire, because our ayre is not so fauourable, nor our ground so good.
2 Secondly most seeds shakt, by turning the good earth, are renued, their mother the earth keeping them in her bowels, till the Sunne their Father can reach them with his heat.
3 In setting hearbs, leaue no top more then an handfull aboue the ground, nor more then a foot vnder the earth.
4 Twine the roots of those slips you set, if they will abide it. Gilly-flowers are too tender.
5 Set moist, and sowe dry.
6 Set slips without shankes any time, except atMidsummer, and in frosts.
7 Seeding spoiles the most roots, as drawing the heart and sap from the root.
8 Gather for the pot and medicines, hearbs tender and greene, the sap being in the top, but in Winter the root is best.
9 All the hearbs in the Garden for flowers, would once in seuen yeeres be renued, or soundly watered with puddle water, except Rosemary.
10 In all your Gardens and Orchards, bankes and seates of Camomile, Peny-royall, Daisies and Violets, are seemely and comfortable.
11 These require whole plots: Artichokes, Cabbages, Turneps, Parsneps, Onyons, Carrets, and (if youwill) Saffron and Scerrits.
12 Gather all your seeds, dead, ripe, and dry.
13 Lay no dung to the roots of your hearbs, as vsually they doe: for dung not melted is too hot, euen for trees.
14 Thin setting and sewing (so the rootes stand not past a foot distance) is profitable, for the hearbs will like the better. Greater hearbs would haue more distance.
15 Set and sow hearbs in their time of growth (except atMidsummer, for then they aretoo tootender) but trees in their time of rest.
16 A good Housewife may, and will gather store of hearbs for the pot, aboutLammas, and dry them, and pownd them, and in Winter they will make good seruice.
Thus haue I lined out a Garden to our Countrey Housewiues, and giuen them rules for common hearbs. If any of them (as sometimes they are) be knotty, I referre them toChap. 3. The skill and paines of weeding the Garden with weeding kniues or fingers, I refer to themselues, and their maides, willing them to take the opportunitie after a showre of raine: withall I aduise the Mistresse, either be present her selfe, or to teach her maides to know hearbs from weeds.
There remaineth one necessary thing to be prescribed, which in mine opinion makes as much for ornament as either Flowers, or forme, or cleanlinesse, and I am sure as commodious as any of, or all the rest: which is Bees, well ordered. And I will not account her any of my good House-wiues, that wanteth either Bees or skilfulnesse about them. And though I knowe some haue written well and truely, and others more plentifully vpon this theame: yet somewhat haue I learned by experience (being a Bee-maister my selfe) which hitherto I cannot finde put into writing, for which I thinke our House-wiues will count themselues beholding vnto me.
Bee-house.The first thing that a Gardiner about Bees must be carefull for, is an house not stakes and stones abroad,Sub dio: for stakes rot and reele, raine and weather eate your hiues, and couers, and cold most of all is hurtfull for your Bees. Therefore you must haue an house made along, a sure dry wall in your Garden, neere, or in your Orchard: for Bees loue flowers and wood with their hearts.
This is the forme, a Frame standing on posts with a Floore (if you would haue it hold more Hiues, two Floores boorded) layd on bearers, and backe posts, couered ouer with boords, slate-wise.
Form of a bee hive
Let the floores be without holes or clifts, least in casting time, theBeeslye out, and loyter.
And though your Hiues stand within an hand breadth the one of another: yet will Bees know their home.
In this Frame may your Bees stand drye and warme, especially if you make doores like doores of windows to shroud them in winter, as in an house: prouided you leaue the hiues mouths open. I my self hauedeuised such an house, and I find that it keeps and strengthens my Bees much, and my hiues will last sixe to one.
Hiues.M.Markhamcommends Hiues of wood. I discommend them not: but straw Hiues are in vse with vs, and I thinke with all the world, which I commend for nimblenesse, closenesse, warmnesse and drinesse. Bees loue no externall motions of dawbing or such like. Sometimes occasion shall be offered to lift and turne Hiues, as shall appeare hereafter. One light entire hiue of straw in that case is better, then one that is dawbed, weighty and cumbersome. I wish euery hiue, for a keeping swarme, to hold three pecks at least in measure. For too little Hiues procure Bees, in casting time, either to lye out, and loyter, or else to cast before they be ripe and strong, and so make weake swarmes and vntimely: Whereas if they haue roome sufficient, they ripen timely, and casting seasonably, are strong, and fit for labour presently. Neither would the hiue betoo toogreat, for then they loyter, and waste meate and time.
Hiuing of Bees.Your Bees delight in wood, for feeding, especially for casting: therefore want not an Orchard. AMayesswarme is worth a Mares Foale: if they want wood, they be in danger of flying away. Any time beforeMidsummeris good, for casting and timely beforeIulyis not euill. I much like MMarkhamsopinion for hiuing a swarme in combes of a dead or forsaken hiue, so they be fresh & cleanly. To thinke that a swarme of your owne, or others, will of it selfe come into such an hiue, is a meere conceit.Experto crede Roberto.His smearing with honey, is to no purpose, for the other Bees will eate it vp. If your swarme knit in the top of a tree, as they will, if the winde beate them not to falldowne: let the stoole or ladder described in the Orchard, doe you seruice.
Spelkes.The lesse your Spelkes are, the lesse is the waste of your honey, and the more easily will they draw, when you take your Bees. Foure Spelkes athwart, and one top Spelke are sufficient. The Bees will fasten their combes to the Hiue. A little honey is good: but if you want, Fennell will serue to rub your Hiue withall. The Hiue being drest and ready spelkt, rubd and the hole made for their passage (I vse no hole in the Hiue, but a piece of wood hoal'd to saue the hiue & keep out Mice) shake in your Bees, or the most of them (for all commonly you cannot get) the remainder will follow. Many vse smoke, Nettles, &c. which I vtterly dislike: for Bees loue not to be molested. Ringing in the time of casting is a meere fancie, violent handling of them is simply euill, because Bees of all other creatures, loue cleanlinesse and peace. Therefore handle them leasurely & quietly, and their Keeper whom they know, may do with them, what he will, without hurt: Being hiued at night, bring them to their seat. Set your hiues all of one yeere together.
Signes of breeding, if they be strong:
1 They will auoid dead young Bees and Droanes.
2 They will sweat in the morning, till it runne from them; alwaies when they be strong.
1 They will fly Droanes, by reason of heat.
2 The young swarme will once or twice in some faire season, come forth mustering, as though they would cast, to proue themselues, and goe in againe.
3 The night before they cast, if you lay your eare to the Hiues mouth, yo shall heare two or three, but especially one aboue the rest, cry, Vp, vp, vp; or, Tout, tout, tout, like a trumpet, sounding the alarum to the battell.
Much descanting there is, of, and about the Master-Bee, and their degrees, order and gouernment: but the truth in this point is rather imagined, then demonstrated. There are some coniectures of it,viz.we see in the combs diuers greater houses then the rest, & we heare commonly the night before they cast, sometimes one Bee, sometimes two, or more Bees, giue a lowd and seueral sound from the rest, and sometimes Bees of greater bodies then the common sort: but what of all this? I leane not on coniectures, but loue to set downe that I know to be true, and leaue these things to them that loue to diuine. Keepe none weake, for it is hazard, oftentimes with losse: Feeding will not helpe them: for being weake,theycannot come downe to meate, or if they come downe, they dye, because Bees weake cannot abide cold. If none of these, yet will the other Bees being strong, smell the honey, and come and spoile, and kill them.Catching.Some helpe is in casting time, to put two weake swarmes together, or as M.Markhamwell saith: Let not them cast late, by raising them with wood or stone: but with impes (say I.) An impe is three or foure wreathes, wrought as the hiue, the same compasse, to rase the hiue withall:Clustering.but by experience in tryall, I haue found out a better way by Clustering, for late or weake swarmes hitherto not found out of any that I know. That is this: After casting time, if I haue any stocke proud, and hindered from timely casting, with former Winterspouerty, or euill weather in casting time, with two handles and crookes, fitted for the purpose, I turne vp that stocke so pestred with Bees, and set it on the crowne, vpon which so turned with the mouth vpward, I place another empty hiue well drest, and spelkt, into which without any labour, the Swarme that would not depart, and cast, will presently ascend, because the old Bees haue this qualitie (as all other breeding creatures haue) to expell the young, when they haue brought them vp.
There will the swarme build as kindely, as if they had of themselues beene cast. But bee sure you lay betwixt the Hiues some straight and cleanly sticke or stickes, or rather a boord with holes, to keepe them asunder: otherwise they will ioyne their workes together so fast, that they cannot be parted. If you so keepe them asunder atMichael-tide, if you like the weight of your swarme (for the goodnesse of swarmes is tryed by weight) so catched, you may set it by for a stocke to keepe. Take heed in any case the combes be not broken, for then the other Bees will smell the honey, and spoyle them. This haue I tryed to be very profitable for the sauing of Bees. The Instrument hath this forme. The great straight piece is wood, the rest are iron claspes and nailes, the claspes are loose in theStapes: Two men with two of these fastened to the Hiue, will easily turne it vp.
Device with two hooks
They gather not tillIuly; for then they be discharged of their young, or else they are become now strong to labour, and now sap in flowers is strong and proud: by reason of time, and force of Sunne. And now also in the North (and not before) the hearbs of greatest vigour put their Flowers; As Beanes, Fennell, Burrage, Rape, &c.
The most sensible weather for them, is heat and drought, because the nesh Bee can neither abide cold or wet: and showres (which they well fore-see) doe interrupt their labours, vnlesse they fall on the night, and so they further them.
Droanes.After casting time, you shall benefit your stockes much, if you helpe them to kill their Droanes, which by all probability and iudgement, are an idle kind of Bees, and wastefull. Some say they breed and haue seene young Droanes in taking their honey, which I know is true. But I am of opinion, that there are also Bees which haue lost their stings, and so being, as it were gelded, become idle and great. There is great vse of them:Deus, et natura nihil fecit frustra. They hate the Bees, and cause them cast the sooner. They neuer come foorth but when they be ouer heated. They neuer come home loaden. After casting time, and when the Bees want meate, you shall see the labouring Bees fasten on them, two, three, or foure at once, as if they were theeues to be led to the gallowes, and killing them, they cast out, and draw them farre from home, as hatefull enemies. Our Housewife, if she be the Keeper of her owne Bees (as she had need to be) may with her bare hand in the heate of the day, safely destroy them in the hiues mouth. Some vse towards night, in a hot day, to set before the mouth ofthe hiue a thin board, with little holes, in at which the lesser Bees may enter, but not the Droanes, so that you may kill them at your pleasure.
Annoyances.Snayles spoile them by night like theeues: they come so quietly, and are so fast, that the Bees feare them not. Looke earely and late, especially in a rainie or dewey euening or morning.
Mice are no lesse hurtfull, and the rather to hiues of straw: and therefore couerings of straw draw them. They will in either at the mouth, or sheere themselues an hole. The remedy is good Cats, Rats-bane and watching.
The cleanly Bee hateth the smoake as poison, therefore let your Bees stand neerer your garden then your Brew-house or Kitchen.
They say Sparrowes and Swallowes are enemies to Bees, but I see it not.
More hiues perish by Winters cold, then by all other hurts: for the Bee is tender and nice, and onely liues in warme weather, and dyes in cold: And therefore let my Housewife be perswaded, that a warme dry house before described, is the chiefest helpe she can make her Bees against this, and many more mischiefes. Many vse against cold in Winter, to stop vp their hiue close, and some set them in houses, perswading themselues, that thereby they relieue their Bees. First, tossing and mouing is hurtfull. Secondly, in houses, going, knocking, and shaking is noysome. Thirdly, too much heate in an house is vnnaturall for them: but lastly, and especially, Bees cannot abide to be stopt close vp. For at euery warme season of the Sunne they reuiue, and liuing eate, and eating must needs purge abroad, (in her house) the cleanly Bee will not purgeher selfe. Iudge you what it is for any liuing creature, not to disburden nature. Being shut vp in calme seasons, lay your care to the Hiue, and you shall heare them yarme and yell, as so many hungred prisoners. Therefore impound not your Bees, so profitable and free a creature.
Taking of Bees.Let none stand aboue three yeares, else the combes will be blacke and knotty, your honey will be thinne and vncleanly: and if any cast after three yeares, it is such as haue swarmes, and old Bees kept all together, which is great losse. Smoaking with ragges, rozen, or brimstone, many vse: some vse drowning in a tub of cleane water, and the water well brewde, will be good botchet. Drawe out your spelkes immediatly with a paire of pinchars, lest the wood grow soft and swell, and so will not be drawne, then must you cut your Hiue.
Straining Honey.Let no fire come neere your hony, for fire softeneth the waxe and drosse, and makes them runne with the hony. Fire softneth, weakeneth, and hindereth hony for purging. Breake your combes small (when the dead empty combes are parted from the loadencombes)into a siue, borne ouer a great bowle, or vessell, with two staues, and so let it runne two or three dayes. The sooner you tunne it vp, the better will it purge. Runne your swarme honey by it selfe, and that shall be your best. The elder your hiues are, the worse is your honey.
Vessels.Vsuall vessels are of clay, but after wood be satiated with honey (for it will leake at first: for honey is maruellously searching, the thicke, and therefore vertuous.) I vse it rather because it will not breake so soone, with fals, frosts, or otherwise, and greater vesselsof clay will hardly last.
When you vse your honey, with a spoone take off the skin which it hath put vp.
And it is worth the regard, that bees thus vsed, if you haue but forty stockes, shall yeeld you more commodity cleerely than forty acres of ground. And thus much may suffice, to make good Housewiues loue and haue good Gardens and Bees.
Deo Laus.
FINIS.