CENTURY VI. 207 



apples, early pears, apricots, rasps ; and after them, 

 damascenes, and most kind of plums, peaches, &c. ; 

 and the latest are apples, wardens, grapes, nuts, 

 quinces, almonds, sloes, brier-berries, hips, medlars, 

 services, cornelians, &c. 



578. It is to be noted, that, commonly, trees 

 that ripen latest blossom soonest ; as peaches, cor 

 nelians, sloes, almonds, &c. ; and it seenieth to be a 

 work of providence that they blossom so soon ; for 

 otherwise they could not have the sun long enough 

 to ripen. 



579. There be fruits, but rarely, that come twice 

 a year ; as some pears, strawberries, &c. And it 

 seemeth they are such as abound with nourishment ; 

 whereby after one period, before the sun waxeth too 

 weak, they can endure another. The violet also, 

 amongst flowers, cometh twice a year, especially the 

 double white ; and that also is a plant full of 

 moisture. Roses come twice, but it is not without 

 cutting, as hath been formerly said. 



580. In Muscovy, though the corn come not up 

 till late spring, yet their harvest is as early as ours. 

 The cause is, for that the strength of the ground is 

 kept in with the snow ; and we see with us, that if 

 it be a long winter, it is commonly a more plentiful 

 year : and after those kind of winters likewise, the 

 flowers and corn, which are earlier and later, do 

 come commonly at once, and at the same time, 

 which troubleth the husbandman many times ; for 

 you shall have red roses and damask roses come 

 together ; and likewise the harvest of wheat and 



