154120Natural Hiſtory;
Some Herbs are but Annual, and die Root and all once a year;
as Bor-
11582. rage, Lettuce, Cucumbers, Musk-Melons, Baſil, Tohacco, Muſtard-ſeed, and all kindes
of Corn; ſome continue many years, as Hyſſope, Germander, Lavender, Fennel,
& c. The cauſe of the Dying is double; the firſt is, the tenderneſs and
weakneſs of the Seed, which maketh the period in a ſmall time, as it is in
Borrage, Lettuce, Cucumbers, Corn, & c. And therefore none of theſe are hot.
The other cauſe is, for that ſome Herbs can worſe endure cold, as Baſil,
Tobacco, Maſtard ſeed; and theſe have (all) much heat.
11582. rage, Lettuce, Cucumbers, Musk-Melons, Baſil, Tohacco, Muſtard-ſeed, and all kindes
of Corn; ſome continue many years, as Hyſſope, Germander, Lavender, Fennel,
& c. The cauſe of the Dying is double; the firſt is, the tenderneſs and
weakneſs of the Seed, which maketh the period in a ſmall time, as it is in
Borrage, Lettuce, Cucumbers, Corn, & c. And therefore none of theſe are hot.
The other cauſe is, for that ſome Herbs can worſe endure cold, as Baſil,
Tobacco, Maſtard ſeed; and theſe have (all) much heat.
THe laſting of Plants, is moſt in thoſe that are largeſt of Body, as Oaks,
22583. Elm, Cheſnut. the Loat-tree, & c. And this holdeth in Trees, but in Herbs
33Experiments
in Conſort,
touching the
Laſting of
Herbs and
Trees. it is often contrary; for Borrage, Coleworts, Pompions, which are Herbs
of the largeſt ſize, are of ſmall durance; whereas Hyſſope, Winter-Savory,
Germander, Time, Sage, will laſt long. The cauſe is, for that Trees laſt ac-
cording to the ſtrength, and quantity of their Sap and Juyce, being
well munited by their Bark, againſt the injuries of the Air: But Herbs
draw a weak Juyce, and have a ſoft Stalk; and therefore thoſe a-
mongſt them which laſt longeſt, are Herbs of ſtrong ſmell, and with a
ſticky ſtalk.
22583. Elm, Cheſnut. the Loat-tree, & c. And this holdeth in Trees, but in Herbs
33Experiments
in Conſort,
touching the
Laſting of
Herbs and
Trees. it is often contrary; for Borrage, Coleworts, Pompions, which are Herbs
of the largeſt ſize, are of ſmall durance; whereas Hyſſope, Winter-Savory,
Germander, Time, Sage, will laſt long. The cauſe is, for that Trees laſt ac-
cording to the ſtrength, and quantity of their Sap and Juyce, being
well munited by their Bark, againſt the injuries of the Air: But Herbs
draw a weak Juyce, and have a ſoft Stalk; and therefore thoſe a-
mongſt them which laſt longeſt, are Herbs of ſtrong ſmell, and with a
ſticky ſtalk.
Trees that bear Maſt and Nuts, are commonly more laſting than thoſe
44584. that bear Fruits, eſpecially the moiſter Fruits; as Oaks, Beeches, Cheſnuts,
Walnuts, Almonds, Pine trees, & c. laſt longer than Apples, Pears, Plumbs,
& c. The cauſeis, the fatneſs, and oylineſs of the Sap; which ever waſteth
leſs, than the more Watry.
44584. that bear Fruits, eſpecially the moiſter Fruits; as Oaks, Beeches, Cheſnuts,
Walnuts, Almonds, Pine trees, & c. laſt longer than Apples, Pears, Plumbs,
& c. The cauſeis, the fatneſs, and oylineſs of the Sap; which ever waſteth
leſs, than the more Watry.
Trees that bring forth their Leaves late in the year, and caſt them like-
55585. wiſe late, are more laſting than thoſe that ſprout their Leaves early, or ſhed
them betimes. The cauſe is, for that the late coming forth, ſheweth a moi-
ſture more fixed; and the other looſe, and more eaſily reſolved. And the
ſame cauſe is, that wilde Trees laſt longer than Garden-trees; and in the
ſame kinde, thoſe whoſe Fruit is acide more than thoſe whoſe Fruit is
ſweet.
55585. wiſe late, are more laſting than thoſe that ſprout their Leaves early, or ſhed
them betimes. The cauſe is, for that the late coming forth, ſheweth a moi-
ſture more fixed; and the other looſe, and more eaſily reſolved. And the
ſame cauſe is, that wilde Trees laſt longer than Garden-trees; and in the
ſame kinde, thoſe whoſe Fruit is acide more than thoſe whoſe Fruit is
ſweet.
Nothing procureth the laſting of Trees, Buſhes, and Herbs, ſo much
66586. as often cutting; for every cutting cauſeth a renovation of the Juyce
of the Plant; that it neither goeth ſo far, nor riſeth ſo faintly, as when
the Plant is not cut: Inſomuch, as Annual Plants, if you cut them ſea-
ſonably, and will ſpare the uſe of them, and ſuffer them to come up ſtill
young, will laſt more years than one, as hath been partly touched; ſuch
as is Lettuce, Purſlane, Cucumber, and the like. And for great Trees,
we ſee almoſt all overgrown Trees in Church-yards, or near ancient
Building, and the like, are Pollards or Dottards, and not Trees at their
full height.
66586. as often cutting; for every cutting cauſeth a renovation of the Juyce
of the Plant; that it neither goeth ſo far, nor riſeth ſo faintly, as when
the Plant is not cut: Inſomuch, as Annual Plants, if you cut them ſea-
ſonably, and will ſpare the uſe of them, and ſuffer them to come up ſtill
young, will laſt more years than one, as hath been partly touched; ſuch
as is Lettuce, Purſlane, Cucumber, and the like. And for great Trees,
we ſee almoſt all overgrown Trees in Church-yards, or near ancient
Building, and the like, are Pollards or Dottards, and not Trees at their
full height.
Some Experiment would be made, how by Art to make Plants more
77587. laſting than their ordinary period; as to make a Stalk of Wheat, & c. laſt a
whole year. You muſt ever preſuppoſe, that you handle it ſo, as the Winter
killeth it not; for we ſpeak onely of prolonging the Natural Period. I con-
ceive, that the Rule will hold, That whatſoever maketh the Herb come later,
than at his time will make it laſt longer time: It were good to try it in a Stalk
of Wheat, & c. ſet in the ſhade, and encomp aſſed with a caſe of Wood, not
touching the Straw, to keep out open Air.
77587. laſting than their ordinary period; as to make a Stalk of Wheat, & c. laſt a
whole year. You muſt ever preſuppoſe, that you handle it ſo, as the Winter
killeth it not; for we ſpeak onely of prolonging the Natural Period. I con-
ceive, that the Rule will hold, That whatſoever maketh the Herb come later,
than at his time will make it laſt longer time: It were good to try it in a Stalk
of Wheat, & c. ſet in the ſhade, and encomp aſſed with a caſe of Wood, not
touching the Straw, to keep out open Air.