244 



A DISCOURSE 



BOOK I, Alder purges all hydropic and serous humours ; but it must be dried in 

 '^'"^^^"^ the shade, and not used green, and the decoction suffered to settle two 

 or three days before it be drunk. 



Being beaten with vinegar, it heals the itch certainly : As to other 

 uses, the swelling bunches which are now and then found in the old 

 trees, afford the inlayer pieces curiously chambleted, and very hard ; but 

 the fagots are better for the fire than for the draining of groimds, by 

 placing them (as the guise is) in the trenches ; which old rubbish of 

 flint, stones, and the like gross materials, does infinitely exceed, because 

 it is for ever, preserves the drains hollow, and being a little moulded 

 over, will produce good grass, without any detriment to the ground ; but 

 this is a secret not yet well understood, and would merit an express 

 paragraph, were it here seasonable. 



I et jam nos inter opacas 



Musa vocat Salices ' ■ ■ • ^ • ■ > 



