68 S Y L V A BOOK in 



altogether to be rejected, both as to the various con- 

 figurations of the superior bodies, and operation on 

 both vegetable and sensitive, especially as to the 

 growth of fruit, sowing, planting and cultivating : 

 (Indicating the proper seasons, according to the 

 access and recess of the greater luminaries, through 

 the zodiaque) : It were ingratitude to impute it all to 

 the superstition of the Ancients, or the total ignor- 

 ance of causes in those great and learned men (such 

 as Hesiod, Virgil, Cato, Varro, Columella, Pliny, 

 and the rest) who have so freely left us these lessons ; 

 doubtless from their long experience, and extraor- 

 dinary penetration and enquiry into nature : Let the 

 curious then (for his better satisfaction) consult that 

 learned treatise of Judicial Astrology^ written by Sir 

 Christopher Heydon. 



In the mean time the old rules are these : 

 Fell in the decrease, or four days after conjunction 

 of the two great luminaries ; some the last quarter of 

 it ; or (as Pliny) in the very article of the change, if 

 possible ; which hapning (saith he) in the last day of 

 the Winter Solstice, that timber will prove immortal : 

 At least should it be from the twentieth to the thirtieth 

 day, according to Columella : Cato four days after the 

 full, as far better for the growth, nay oak in the 

 Summer : But all vimineous trees silente lund ; such 

 as sallows, birch, poplar, &c. Vegetius for ship-timber, 

 from the fifteenth to the twenty-fifth ; the moon as 

 before ; but never during the increase, trees being 

 then most abounding with moisture, which is the 

 only source of putrefaction : And yet 'tis affirm'd 

 upon unquestionable experience, that timber cut at 

 any season of the year, in the old moon, or last 

 quarter, when the wind blows westerly, proves as 



