Acetaria: A Discourse of Sallets by John Evelyn
page 41 of 180 (22%)
page 41 of 180 (22%)
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deliciis. Those, in the mean time, which are esteemed best, and less
pernicious, (of which see the _Appendix_) are such as rise in rich, airy, and dry [34]Pasture-Grounds; growing on the Staff or _Pedicule_ of about an Inch thick and high; moderately Swelling (_Target_-like) round and firm, being underneath of a pale saffronish hue, curiously radiated in parallel Lines and Edges, which becoming either Yellow, Orange, or Black, are to be rejected: But besides what the Harvest-Months produce, they are likewise rais'd [35]Artificially; as at _Naples_ in their Wine-Cellars, upon an heap of rank Earth, heaped upon a certain supposed _Stone_, but in truth, (as the curious and noble [36]_Peiresky_ tells us, he found to be) nothing but an heap of old _Fungus_'s, reduc'd and compacted to a stony hardness, upon which they lay Earth, and sprinkle it with warm Water, in which _Mushroms_ have been steeped. And in _France_, by making an hot Bed of _Asses_-Dung, and when the heat is in Temper, watering it (as above) well impregnated with the Parings and Offals of refuse _Fungus_'s; and such a Bed will last two or three Years, and sometimes our common _Melon_-Beds afford them, besides other Experiments. 40. Mustard, _Sinapi_; exceeding hot and _mordicant_, not only in the Seed but Leaf also; especially in _Seedling_ young Plants, like those of _Radishes_ (newly peeping out of the Bed) is of incomparable effect to quicken and revive the Spirits; strengthening the Memory, expelling heaviness, preventing the Vertiginous Palsie, and is a laudable _Cephalick_. Besides it is an approv'd _Antiscorbutick_; aids Concoction, cuts and dissipates Phlegmatick Humours. In short, 'tis the most noble _Embamma_, and so necessary an Ingredient to all cold and raw _Salleting_, that it is very rarely, if at all, to be left out. In _Italy_ in making _Mustard_, they mingle _Limon_ and _Orange-Peel_, with |
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