"SWEET SUMMER BUDS" 211 



dried and the powder pressed into cakes and sold in 

 the shops. 



"The true saffron," writes Parkinson, "that is 

 used in meats and medicines, shooteth out his nar- 

 row long green leaves first, and, after a while, the 

 flowers, in the middle of them, appear about the 

 end of August, in September and October, according 

 to the soil and climate where they grow. These 

 flowers are composed of six leaves apiece, of a mur- 

 rey, or reddish purple color, having a show of blue 

 in them. In the middle of these flowers there are 

 some small yellow chives standing upright, which 

 are unprofitable ; but, besides these, each flower hath 

 two, three, or four greater and longer chives hanging 

 down, upon, or between, the leaves, which are of a 

 fiery red color and are the true blades of saffron 

 which are used physically, or otherwise, and no 

 other." 



The raising of saffron was a great industry. Old 

 Tusser gave the good advice to 



Pare saffron plot, 



Forget it not. 

 His dwelling made trim, 



Look shortly for him! 

 When harvest is gone, 



Then Saffron comes on; 



