INTRODUCTION. xx^ 



in' Pods, a fmart Stroke or two of the Plant upon 

 the Floor, when they are thoroughly ripe, will 

 aiflodge them. In the other Cafe, the Fruit muft 

 be cut open, and they muft be taken out from 

 among the wet Matter, feparatcd from the Mem- 

 branes that are about them, and fpread Upon a 

 Table, in a dry Place, where they muft be often 

 turned and rubbed as they grow dry, that in 

 the End they may be perfedly dry and clean. 



Among the Roots, a great many are to_ be 

 ufed frtifh, but a greater Number are beft dried. 

 The black and white Bryony, the Arum, andfome 

 others, loofe all their Virtue in drying-, and many 

 that retain fome, yet loofe the greater Part of it : 

 There are others which are excellent both frefli 

 and dried, as the Marfhmallow and fome more. 



As to the few which lofe their Virtue intircly 

 in drying, it will be beft to keep fome of them 

 always in the Garden, that they may be taken 

 up as they are wanted. The others are to be ma- 

 naged according to their feveral Natures, and they 

 do a great deal toward the furnifiiing this Drug- 

 ift's Shop, which fhould be filled with Medicines, 

 the Produce of our own Country. 



The beft Seafon for gathering Roots for drying, 

 is in the earlier Part of the Spring : What Nature 

 does for Plants when they are juft going 50 flower, 

 ftie does for Roots when the Leaves are juft going 

 to bud: The Juices are rich, frefli, and full, 

 and the Virtue is ftrongeft in them at tliis Seafon, 

 therefore they are to be then, taken up. 



In the End of February and the Beginning of 

 Mnrch, the Ground fliould be fearched for the 

 firft Budingof Leaves, and the Roots taken up.' 

 They are to be wiped clean, not waftied; and, ac- 

 cording to their feveral Natures, prepared for 



.drying, .. 



Some 



