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xxlv I N T R O D U C T I O >^. 



pies, the Conferves of Cowflips, and the like.- Of 

 thefc, a ihort general Account fhall befubjoined, 

 that nothing may be wanting to make this Book 

 zs ufefal for Families, as the Nature of fuch a 



one will admit. 



" ' Among' the Fruits of Plants, feveral are to be 



ufed frefh, as the Hip for Conferve, and the 

 Quince, Mulberry, and Black Currant -, from the 

 Juices of whichp Syrups are made. As to thofc 

 which are to be dried, as the Juniper Berries, the 

 Bay Berries, and the like, they are only to be ga- 

 thered when juft ripening, not w^hen quite mel- 

 low, and fpread upon a Table or Floor, of- 

 ten turning them, till they are dry. But of thefe- 

 we ufe very few of our own Growth ; mofl of the 

 Fruits ufed in Medicine, are brought from abroad, 

 and muft be purchafed of the Druggift or Apo- 

 thecary. 



With Refpe(51: to the Seeds and Plants, it is o- 

 therwife : Many of them are of our own Growth, 

 and nothing is fo eafy as to preferve them. Thefe 

 are all to be ufed dry •, but Nature has in a Man- 

 ner dried them to our Hands : For l^they are not 

 to be gathered till perfc<flly ripe, and then they 



need very little farther Care. They are only to 

 be fpread for three or four Days upon a clean Floor, 

 where the Air has free PalTage, but where the Sun 

 does not come ; and they are then ready to be 

 put up. 



The Seeds ufed in Medicine, may be referred 

 to three general Kinds. They either grow in 

 naked Heads or Umbels, as in Fennel, ParQey, 

 and the like ; or in Pods, as in Muftard and Cref- 

 fes; or in large fiefhy Fruits, as in Melon and 

 Cucumbers. In each Cafe they muft be left upon 

 the Plant, till perfedly ripe ; then they are only 



to be ihook from the Heads upon the Floor, or if 



• in" 



Jn 



