CENTURY VII. 345 



the lust of the earth over-spendeth itself: howsoever 

 some other of the ancients have commended warm 

 winters. 



663. Snows lying long cause a fruitful year ; 

 for first they keep in the strength of the earth; 

 secondly, they water the earth better than rain : for 

 in snow, the earth doth, as it were, suck the water 

 as out of the teat : thirdly, the moisture of snow is 

 the finest moisture, for it is the froth of the cloudy 

 waters. 



664. Showers, if they come a little before the 

 ripening of fruits, do good to all succulent and moist 

 fruits ; as vines, olives, pomegranates ; yet it is rather 

 for plenty than for goodness ; for the best wines are 

 in the driest vintages : small showers are likewise 

 good for corn, so as parching heats come not upon 

 them. Generally night showers are better than day 

 showers, for that the sun followeth not so fast upon 

 them; and we see even in watering by the hand, it 

 is best in summer time to water in the evening. 



665. The differences of earths, and the trial of 

 them, are worthy to be diligently inquired. The 

 earth, that with showers doth easiliest soften, is com 

 mended ; and yet some earth of that kind will be 

 very dry and hard before the showers. The earth that 

 casteth up from the plough a great clod, is not so 

 good as that which casteth up a smaller clod. The 

 earth that putteth forth moss easily, and may be 

 called mouldy, is not good. The earth that smelleth 

 well upon the digging, or ploughing, is commended, 

 as containing the juice of vegetables almost already 



VOL. iv. x 



