130 NATUEAL HISTORY. 



well to dry and comfort, as for other intentions. I 

 wish trial be made of the drying fume of rosemary, 

 and lignum aloes, before-mentioned, in pipe ; and so of 

 nutmeg, and folium indum, &c. 



928. The following of the plough hath been ap 

 proved for refreshing the spirits and procuring appe 

 tite ; l but to do it in the ploughing for wheat or rye, is 

 not so good; because the earth hath spent her sweet 

 breath in vegetables put forth in summer. It is better 

 therefore to do it when you sow barley. But because 

 ploughing is tied to seasons, it is best to take the air of 

 the earth new turned up, by digging with the spade, or 

 standing by him that diggeth. Gentlewomen may do 

 themselves much good by kneeling upon a cushion and 

 weeding. And these things you may practise in the 

 best seasons ; which is ever the early spring, before the 

 earth putteth forth the vegetables ; and in the sweetest 

 earth you can choose. It would be done also when the 

 dew is a little off the ground, lest the vapour be too 

 moist. I knew a great man that lived long, who had a 

 clean clod of earth brought to him every morning as 

 he sate in his bed : and he would hold his head over it 

 a good pretty while. I commend also, sometimes, in 

 digging of new earth, to pour in some Malmsey or 

 Greek 2 wine ; that the vapour of the earth and wine 

 together may comfort the spirits the more; provided 

 always it be not taken for a heathen sacrifice, or liba 

 tion to the earth. 



1 It is difficult to say to what the good effect, if it exists, is to be ascribed ; 

 as the air contained in the interstices of vegetable mould contains much 

 more than the usual proportion of carbonic acid gas, and a smaller propor 

 tion of oxygen. 



2 The name Malmsey has been given to wine grown in various places, 

 but the original Malmsey came from Malvisia in the Morea. Malmsey is 

 of course a corruption from Malvisia. 



