CENTURY VI. 247 



post the earth ; as we see that water mint turneth 

 into field mint, and the colewort into rape, by 

 neglect, &c. 



519. Whatsoever fruit useth to be set upon a 

 root or a slip, if it be sown, will degenerate. Grapes 

 sown, figs, almonds, pomegranate kernels sown, 

 make the fruits degenerate and ^become wild. And 

 again, most of those fruits that use to be grafted, if 

 they be set of kernels, or stones, degenerate. It is 

 true that peaches, as hath been touched before, do 

 better upon stones set than upon grafting ; and the 

 rule of exception should seem to be this : that what 

 soever plant requireth much moisture, prospereth 

 better upon the stone or kernel, than upon the 

 graft. For the stock, though it giveth a finer 

 nourishment, yet it giveth a scanter than the earth 

 at large. 



520. Seeds, if they be very old, and yet have 

 strength enough to bring forth a plant, make the 

 plant degenerate. And therefore skilful gardeners 

 make trial of the seeds before they buy them, whe 

 ther they be good or no, by putting them into water 

 gently boiled ; and if they be good, they will sprout 

 within half an hour. 



521. It is strange which is reported, that basil 

 too much exposed to the sun doth turn into wild 

 thyme ; although those two herbs seem to have small 

 affinity ; but basil is almost the only hot herb that 

 hath fat and succulent leaves, which oiliness, if it be 

 drawn forth by the sun, it is like it will make a very 

 great change. 



