THE BRACKEN. 75 
written of herbes have affyrmed and holden that the 
brake hath nether sede nor frute, yet have I dyvers 
tymes proved the contrarrye. . . . I have foure yeres to- 
gether, one after another upon the vigill of Saynte John 
the Baptiste . . . soughte for this sede of brakes upon 
the nyghte and indeed found it earlye in the mornynge 
before the daye brake. The sede was small, blacke and 
like unto poppye. ... 1 gathered it after this manner. 
I laid shetes and mollen 
leaves underneath the 
brakes which receyved 
the sede that was by 
shakyng and beatynge 
broughte out of the 
branches and leaves. . . 
I went about this busy- 
ness, all figures, conjur- 
ings, saunter’s charms, 
wychcraft,andsorceryes 
sett asyde, takyng wyth 
me two or three honest é PRE are 
men to bere me com- 
panye.” If the charm failed to work, no doubt it was 
because all “ sorceryes ” were “ sett asyde.” Those who 
observed all the rules and waited for the small blue 
flower, no doubt came home disappointed. ‘‘ Watching 
the fern,” as this practice was called, had too much of 
black art in it to suit the Church, and in France a Synod 
condemned all who should gather ferns or fern seed on 
St. John’s eve. 
This is also one of the few species for which uses have 
been found. Asa packing for fruit, fish and vegetables it 
has the reputation of keeping off mildew and decay. In 
