CENTURY VI. 



often contrary : for borage, colewort, pompions, 

 which are herbs of the largest size, are of small 

 durance ; whereas hyssop, winter-savoury, german 

 der, thyme, sage, will last long. The cause is, for 

 that trees last according to the strength and quantity 

 of their sap and juice, being well munited by their 

 bark against the injuries of the air ; but herbs draw 

 a weak juice and have a soft stalk, and therefore 

 those amongst them which last longest, are herbs of 

 strong smell, and with a sticky stalk. 



584. Trees that bear mast, and nuts, are com 

 monly more lasting than those that bear fruits, 

 especially the moister fruits ; as oaks, beeches, 

 chestnuts, walnuts, almonds, pine trees, &c. last 

 longer than apples, pears, plums, &c. The cause is 

 the fatness and oiliness of the sap, which ever wasteth 

 less than the more watery. 



585. Trees that bring forth their leaves late in 

 the year, and cast them likewise late, are more lasting 

 than those that sprout their leaves early, or shed 

 them betimes. The cause is, for that the late 

 coming forth sheweth a moisture more fixed, and 

 the other loose and more easily resolved. And 

 the same cause is, that wild trees last longer than 

 garden trees ; and in the same kind, those whose 

 fruit is acid, more than those whose fruit is sweet. 



586. Nothing procureth the lasting of trees, 

 bushes, and herbs, so much as often cutting , for 

 every cutting causeth a renovation of the juice of 

 the plant ; that it neither goeth so far, nor riseth so 

 faintly, as when the plant is not cut ; insomuch as 



