352 Directions for making of Syrups, Sfci 



he touclics tlie tropic of Capric rn, and ascends to us-ward, it be- 

 gins to wax ihin again, and by degrees it is congealed. But to 

 proceed, 



3 The drier time you gather the roots in, the better they are» 

 for they have less excrementitious moisture in them. 



4. Such roots as are soft, your best way is to dry in the sun, or 

 else hang them in the chimney corner upon a string ; as for such 

 ^s are hard, you may dry them any where. 



5. buch roots as are great, will keep longer than such as are 

 small ; yet moit of them will keep all the year. 



6. Such roots as are soft, it is your best wav to keep them always 

 near the fire, and take this general rule for it. If in winter time 

 you find any of your herbs, roots or flowers begin to be moist, as 

 n>any limes you shall, (for il is your best way to look to them once 

 a month) dry them by a very gentle fire, or if you can with con- 

 veniency keep them near the fire, you may save yourself the la- 

 bour. 



. 7. It is in vain to dry roots that may commonly be had, as 

 Parsley, Fennel, Plantain, &c. but gather ihem only for present 

 need. 



CHAP. V. Of Barks. 



1. BARKS, which physicians use in medicine, are of these 

 sorts : of fruits, of roots, of boughs. 



2. The barks of fruits i.re to be taken when the fruit is full 

 lijpe, as Oranges, Lemons, &c. but because I have nothing to do 

 with exotics here, 1 pass them without any more words. 



3. The barks of trees are best gathered in the Spring, if of oaks, 

 or such great trees; because then they come easier off, and so you 

 pjay dry them if you please ; but indeed the best way is to gather 

 all barks only for present use. 



4. As for the bark of roots, 'tis thus to be gotten: lake the 

 roots of such herbs as have a pith in them, as pa sley, fennel, &c. 

 slit them in the middle, and when you have taken out the pith 

 (which you may easily do) that which remains n called (tho' im- 

 properly so) the bark, and indeed is only to be used. 



CHAP- VI. Of Juices. 



1. JUICES are to be pressed out of herbs when tlieyare young 

 and tender, out of some stalks, and tender tops of herbs and 

 .plants, and also out ot some flowers. 



2. Having slathered the herb, you would preserve the juice of 

 it, when it is viry dry (for otherwise the juice will not be worth 

 a button) bruise it weil in a stone mortar with a wooden pestle, 

 then having put it into a canvas bag, press it hard in a press, then 

 take the juice and clarify it. 



3. The manner of clarifying il is this : Put it into a pipkin or 

 skillet, 01 some such thing, and set it over the hre > and when 



