CENTURY VII. 289 



dried is extreme tough, and was used by the captains 

 of armies amongst the Romans for their cudgels. 



623. It is reported, that in some places vines are 

 suffered to grow like herbs, spreading upon the 

 ground, and that the grapes of those vines are very 

 great. It were good to make trial, whether plants 

 that use to be borne up by props, will not put forth 

 greater leaves and greater fruits if they be laid along 

 the ground ; as hops, ivy, woodbine, &c. 



624. Quinces, or apples, &c. if you will keep 

 them long, drown them in honey ; but because honey, 

 perhaps, will give them a taste over-luscious, it were 

 good to make trial in powder of sugar, or in syrup 

 of wine, only boiled to height. Both these would 

 likewise be tried in oranges, lemons, and pomegra 

 nates ; for the powder of sugar, and syrup of wine, 

 will serve for more times than once. 



625. The conservation of fruit would be also 

 tried in vessels filled with fine sand, or with powder 

 of chalk ; or in meal and flour ; or in dust of oak 

 wood ; or in mill. 



626. Such fruits as you appoint for long keeping, 

 you must gather before they be full ripe ; and in a 

 fair and dry day towards noon ; and when the wind 

 bloweth not south ; and when the moon is under 

 the earth, and in decrease. 



627. Take grapes, and hang them in an empty 

 vessel well stopped ; and set the vessel not in a 

 cellar, but in some dry place, and it is said they will 

 last long. But it is reported by some, they will 



VOL. iv. u 



