Bacon, Francis - Sylva sylvarum : or, a natural history in ten centuries

THere be ſome Flowers, Bloſſems, Grains, and Fruits, which come more
11577. early, and others which come more late in the year. The Flowers
22Experiments
in Conſort,
touching the
Seaſons in
which Plants
come forth. that come early with us, are, Prime-Roſes, Violets, Anemonies, Water-Daffa-
dillies, Crocus Vernus, and ſome early Tulippa’s. And they are all cold Plants,
which therefore (as it ſhould ſeem) have a quicker Perception of the heat
of the Sun increaſing, than the hot Herbs have, as a cold hand will ſooner
finde a little warmth, than a hot. And thoſe that come next after, are Wall-
Flowers, Cowſlips, Hyacinths, Roſemary-flowers, & c. And after them
Pinks, Roſes, Flower deluces, & c. And the lateſt are, Gilly flowers, Holly-
Oaks, Larks-Foot, & c. The earlieſt Bloſſoms are, the Bloſſoms of Peaches,
Almonds, Cornelians, Mezerions, & c. And they are of ſuch Trees, as have
much moiſture, either Watery, or Oyly. And therefore Crocus Vernus alſo,
being an Herb that hath an Oyly Juyce, putteth forth early. For thoſe alſo
finde the Sun ſooner than the dryer Trees. The Grains are, firſt Rye and
Wheat, then Oats and Barley, then Peaſe and Beans; for though Green
Peaſe and Beans be eaten ſooner, yet the dry ones that are uſed for Horſe-
meat, are ripe laſt; and it ſeemeth, that the fatter Grain cometh firſt. The
earlieſt Fruits are, Strawberries, Cherries, Gooſeberries, Corrans; and
after them early Apples, early Pears, Apricots, Raſps; and after them, Da-
moſins, and moſt kinde of Plumbs, Peaches, & c. And the lateſt are, Apples,
Wardens, Grapes, Nuts, Quinces, Almonds, Sloes, Brier-berries, Heps,
Medlars, Services, Cornelians, & c.

It is to be noted, That (commonly) Trees that ripen lateſt, bloſſom
33578. ſooneſt; as Peaches, Cornelians, Sloes, Almonds, & c. And it ſeemeth to be
a work of providence that they bloſſom ſo ſoon, for otherwiſe they could
not have the Sun long enough to ripen.

There be Fruits (but rarely) that come twice a year; as ſome Pears,
44579. Strawberries, & c. And it ſeemeth, they are ſuch as abound with nouriſh-
ment, whereby after one period, before the Sun waxeth too weak, they
can endure another. The Violet alſo, amongſt Flowers, cometh twice a
year, eſpecially the double White, and that alſo is a Plant full of moi-
ſture. Roſes come twice, but it is not without cutting, as hath been formerly
ſaid.

In Muſcovia, though the Corn come not up till late Spring, yet their
55580. Harveſt is as early as ours. The cauſe is, for that the ſtrength of the Ground
is keptin with the Snow; and we ſee with us, that if it be a long Winter, it
is commonly a more plentiful year: And after thoſe kinde of Winters like-
wife, the Flowers and Corn which are earlier and later, do come com-
monly at once, and at the ſame time; which troubleth the Husbandman
many times: For you ſhall have Red-Roſes and Damask-Roſes come toge-
ther, and likewiſe the Harveſt of Wheat and Barley. But this hapneth
ever, for that the earlier ſtayeth the later, and not that the later cometh
ſooner.

There be divers Fruit Trees, in the hot Countreys, which have Bloſ-
66581. ſoms, and young fruit, and ripe fruit, almoſt all the year, ſucceeding one
another. And it is ſaid, the Orenge hath the like with us, for a great part of
Summer, and ſo alſo hath the Fig. And no doubt, the Natural Motion of
Plants is to have ſo: But that either they want Juyce to ſpend, or they meet
with the cold of the Winter. And therefore this Circle of ripening cannot
be, but in ſucculent Plants, and hot Countreys.

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