THE MOON AND PLANT GROWTH 87 



grafting operations. The writer even considered 

 that the moon would exercise her powers in making 

 single flowers double, if only she were respectfully 

 courted. For instance: " Remove a plant of stock 

 Gilliflowers when it is a little wooded, and not too 

 green, and water it presently. Doe this three 

 days after the full, and remove it twice more before 

 the change. Doe this in barren ground; and like- 

 wise, three days after the next full Moone remove 

 again; and then remove once more before the 

 change. Then at the third full Moone, viz: eight 

 days after, remove again, and set it in very rich 

 ground, and this will make it to bring forth a double 

 flower; but if your stock Gilliflowers once spindle, 

 then you may not remove them. Also, you must 

 make Tulippes double in this manner. Some 

 think by cutting them at every full Moone before 

 they beare to make them at length to beare double." 

 In " The Countryman's Recreation," published 

 in 1640, the following advice is given: 



" From the ist day of the New Moon unto the 

 13 th day thereof is good for to plant, or graffe, or 

 sow, and for great need some doe take unto the 

 17th or 1 8th day thereof, and not after, neither 

 grafte nor sow, but as is afore-mentioned, a day or 

 two afore the change, the best signes are Taurus, 

 Virgo, or Capricorne." With regard to the treat- 

 ment of fruit trees, the author goes on to tell 

 us: "That trees which come of nuttes should be 

 set in the autumn in the change or increase of the 

 Moone, fruit, desired of good colour, and untouched 

 by froste, should be gathered, when the time is 

 faire and dry, and the Moone in her decreasing." 

 In " The Expert Gardener," published in 1640, 



