New Principles: of Gardening. 
Crocus that. blows in the Spring. The Flower appears  be- 
fore the Leaves, wherein is contain’d a Stz// or Piftillum, which 
is the pure Saffron its felf,and not the Fiower wherein it grows. 
This Sti// or Piftillum of the Saffron Flower muft be gather'd 
very early in a Morning before the Sun rifcs, otherwile when 
the Sun begins to influence them, they fhrink very much, and 
withdraw themfelves almoft into the Earth. 
The Soil wherein it has been known to thrive very well, as 
at Saffron Wald.n, isa fhallow chalky Loam, not but I have 
feen very good Saffron produced in the Kitchen Garden of 
the Honourable Fames fohnftone of Twickenham, whofe Soil 
is inclinable to a brick Earth. And I my felf have had it in 
very great Perfection on a frefh {andy Loam. So that ‘tis my 
humble Opinion, it will thrive in moft Sorts of Land, a hot 
Sand or Gravel, and cold Clay excepted. 
3. Its Temperature. 
Saffron is dry in the firft Degree, and hot in the fecond. 
4. Ihe medicinal Virtues. 
Too much Saffron being taken prevents Sleep, but when 
taken with Moderation, ‘tis good for the Head, revives the 
Spirits, expells Drowfinefs and makes the Heart merry. 
It alfo ftrengthens the Heart, concoés crude or raw Hu- 
mours of the Cheft, opens the Lungs, and removes Ob- 
ftruGions. 
‘Tis an excellent Remedy for thofe that have a Confumption 
of the Lungs, when ten or fifteen Grains are given in good 
Stomach Wine, and is alfo a very great Reftorer of Breath, 
where People breathe with great Difficulty 5 ‘tis alfo very good 
againft a Surfeit, and Zellow Faundice. 
Leoiiat a eae 5- Its, Culstvatians cD yeh Oe 9 m7 
The proper Seafon for planting of Saffron is os Mid- 
‘ummer, at which time having digg’d and prepared your round, 
and divided the fame into Beds about three Feer wide, with 
Alleys between of one Foot or fifteen Inches , plane therein 
sour young Bulbs three or four Inches diftant from one an- 
a and about three Inches deep; but that you may be fure 
sae obferye the following Method. 
Aa 
‘; Growth, | : 
of their Vous 
TT 
