CENTURY VI. 241 



putting into them earth holpen with muck, and set 

 ting seeds, or slips, of violets, strawberries, wild 

 thyme, camomile, and such like, in the earth. 

 Wherein they do but grow in the tree as they do in 

 pots ; though, perhaps, with some feeding from the 

 trees. It would be tried also with shoots of vines, 

 and roots of red roses ; for it may be they being of 

 a more ligneous nature, will incorporate with the 

 tree itself. 



505. It is an ordinary curiosity to form trees and 

 shrubs, as rosemary, juniper, and the like, into sun 

 dry shapes ; which is done by molding them within, 

 and cutting them without. But they are but lame 

 things, being too small to keep figure ; great castles 

 made of trees upon frames of timber, with turrets 

 and arches, were antiently matters of magnificence. 



506. Amongst curiosities I shall place coloration, 

 though it be somewhat better ; for beauty in flowers 

 is their pre-eminence. It is observed by some, that 

 gilly-flowers, sweet-williams, violets, that are co 

 loured, if they be neglected, and neither watered, 

 nor new molded, nor transplanted, will turn white. 

 And it is probable that the white with much culture 

 may turn coloured. For this is certain, that the 

 white colour cometh of scarcity of nourishment ; 

 except in flowers that are only white, and admit no 

 other colours. 



507. It is good therefore to see what natures do 

 accompany what colours ; for by that you shall have 

 light how to induce colours, by producing those 

 natures. Whites are more inodorate, for the most 



VOL. IV. R 



