94 NATURAL HISTORY. 



a trial to make tobacco more aromatical, and better 

 concocted, here in England, were a thing of great 

 profit. Some have gone about to do it by drench 

 ing the English tobacco in a decoction or infusion of 

 Indian tobacco ; but those are but sophistications and 

 toys ; for nothing that is once perfect, and hath run 

 his race, can receive much amendment. You must 

 ever resort to the beginnings of things for melioration. 

 The way of maturation of tobacco must, as in other 

 plants, be from the heat either of the earth or of the 

 sun : we see some leading of this in musk-melons ; 

 which are sown upon a hot-bed, dunged below, upon 

 a bank turned upon the south sun, to give heat by 

 reflexion ; laid upon tiles, which increaseth the heat ; 

 and covered with straw to keep them from cold. They 

 remove them also, which addeth some life : and by 

 these helps they become as good in England, as in 

 Italy or Provence. These, and the like means, may 

 be tried in tobacco. Inquire also of the steeping of 

 roots in some such liquor as may give them vigour to 

 put forth strong. 



Experiment solitary touching several heats working the 

 same effects. 



856. Heat of the sun for the maturation of fruits ; 

 yea, and the heat of vivification of living creatures ; 

 are both represented and supplied by the heat of fire ; 

 and likewise the heats of the sun, and life, are repre 

 sented one by the other. Trees set upon the backs of 

 chimneys do ripen fruit sooner. Vines that have been 

 drawn in at the window of a kitchen, have sent forth 

 grapes ripe a month at least before others. Stoves at 

 the back of walls bring forth oranges here with us. 



