OF GARDENING IN 1685 



orforty cherries before meals,or the like proper- Of fruits 

 tion of strawberries, white figs, soft peaches, or 

 grapes perfectly ripe. But these after Michael- 

 mas I do not think wholesome with us, unless 

 attended by some fit of hot and dry weather, 

 more than is usual after that season; when the 

 frosts or the rain have taken them, they grow 

 dangerous, and nothing but the autumn and 

 winter pears are to be reckoned in season, be- 

 sides apples, which, with cherries, are of all 

 others the most innocent food, and perhaps the 

 best physic. Now, whoever will be sure to eat 

 good fruit, must do it out of a garden of his own; 

 for besides the choice so necessary in the sorts, 

 the soil, and so many other circumstances that 

 gotocomposeagoodgarden, and produce good 

 fruits, there is something very nice in gathering 

 them,and choosing the best, even from the same 

 tree. The best sorts of all among us, which I 

 esteem the white figs and the soft peaches, will 

 not carry without suffering. The best fruit that 

 is bought,has no more of the master's care,than 

 how to raise the greatest gains; his business is 

 to have as much fruit as he can upon as few 

 trees; whereas the way to have it excellent, is 

 to have but little upon many trees. So that for 

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