i5>6 Of L u s e r n e. Chap. XllX % 



tedious Method of Planting, and ordering the Me- 

 dica. But when the Romans were brought down to 

 the Level of other Nations, and in Danger of being 

 Siaves, inftead of having them ; and the Lands of 

 Italy came to -be cultivated by Italian Hands only; 

 they found fomething elfe more neceffary to employ 

 them in, than the Sarritions, Runcations, and Riga- 

 tions of the Mcdica. Their Labour being beftow'd 

 in getting Bread for themfclves, they fubftituted other 

 artificial Graffes of more eafy Culture, in the room 

 of Medica, for the Food of their Cattle. They were 

 fo bigotted to all the Superftitions of their Anceftors, 

 that they were content to lofe the Ufe of that mod 

 beneficial Plant, rather than attempt to cultivate it 

 by a new, tho' more rational Method, when they 

 were become unable any longer to continue it by the 

 old. 



Thus, as I take it, Superflition has chafed Medica 

 from the Roman Territories, and fo little of it is plant- 

 ed there, that beyond the Alps I could not find one 

 whole Acre of it. 



Luferne makes a great Improvement in the South 

 of France: There, when their low fandy Land is well 

 prepar'd, and very clean, they fow it alone, in 

 March, and at Michaelmas, as we do Clover: Their 

 fowing it at thofe Seafons is of a double Advantage : 

 Firit, it faves the Labour of watering it, which 

 would be impracticable for fo many thoufand Acres, 

 as there are planted. Secondly, Thole Seafons being 

 much moifter than that wherein the Romans fow'd it, 

 the Grub has Opportunity of eating more of it at 

 its firft coming up •, and often the Fro 11 kills fome 

 of it. By thefe Advantages the Ground is lefs over- 

 ftock'd. 



The Summers there are much drier than in Italy, 

 fo that the Sun fcorches up the natural Grafs, and 

 fuffers it not to come to a Turf till after fome Years * 

 iiid therefore has lefs need of Weeding. 



But. 



