# Little book of knowledge, or, The country man's choice companion

THE LITTLE BOOK OF
KNOWLEDGE,
OR THE
Country Man's
CHOICE COMPANION,
CONTAINING
Signs by which to know the Weather.
⟨The⟩ Names of the principal Fairs in Scotland, with ⟨the⟩ Month, Day, and Place, when and where they are kept.
Complete ⟨Calender⟩: containing observations on every month in the year, for Planting Sowing, &c.
⟨The⟩ Experienced Farmer, Cow-leech, Shepherd and (illegible text) herd; containing approved receipts and Medicines for the cure of Distempers (illegible text) Cattle as Horses, K(illegible text)ne, Sheep and Hogs.
⟨Directions⟩ for the buying, removing and management of Bees.
Vermin Killer—Showing a ready way to destroy (illegible text)ndry f(illegible text)s of vermin, viz. Slugs, Nits and Lice, Fleas, Rats (illegible text), Mice, Field, do. do. Moles Caterpillars, Green Bugs, Flies and Moths.
a Catalogue of Things necessary to be known
DUNBAR
(illegible text)ed and Sold by G. MILLER High Street, at whose (illegible text) may be had, a variety of Small Histories, Sermons &c. Catechisms, Ballads, Childrens Books and Pictures.
WHOLESALE and RETAIL.
Signs of Fair Weather.
The sun rising bright and clear, if he driv(illegible text) the clouds before him into the well. If at (illegible text) rising there appears a circle about him, and it ⟨vanisheth⟩ equally away. If the sun set red. If the clouds be red. If the moon (illegible text) three days a (illegible text)ter the change, or three days before the full. (illegible text) the clouds appear with yellow edges. A cloudy f(illegible text) against the wind. The rainbow after rain appearing only red and yellow, (illegible text) coming down from the hills and setting in the valleys; or white mists rising from the waters in the evening. Crow or ravens gaping against the sun. Beetles flying in the evening. Bats flying abroad sooner than ordinary. Many flies or gnat (illegible text) in the (illegible text) at evening. Spots appearing in a full moon. grey morning.
Signs of Rain.—If the sun be firey, and red at h(illegible text) rising. If he shews pale and wan. If red and black clouds be about him at his rising. If the moon three or four days after the change is blunt at both ends, the thicker the more. A circle about the moon. If the great stars be only seen, and they look only dim. The rainbow appearing in a (illegible text) day, the greener it is, the more rain. Birds washing themselves The chattering or the pye. p(illegible text) cocks and ducks; cocks often crying The o(illegible text) crying chiwit of(illegible text); swallows flying low; the wo(illegible text)ing of an insect called a spinner, many worms appearing above ground. The beasts eating greedily and licking their hoofs. The biting of flies, gnat &c. The soot falling much from chimney. The ​(illegible text)eating of stones. A circle round a candle. Achey (illegible text) ancient people's limbs or corns. Bells heard at farther distance than usual. Sparks gathering ⟨together⟩ in the fire. No dew morning nor evening, (illegible text). When the (illegible text) only appear, and that (illegible text)ty. Lute or violin rings breaking untouched.
Signs of Wind and Tempest—Red clouds appear(illegible text) in the morning. Much shooting of stars. The ⟨rainbow⟩ red. Black circles with red strokes about ⟨the⟩ moon. Stars dim and firey. Autumn fa(illegible text)r. A (illegible text)dy winter. Clouds flying swift in the air. Fire ⟨burning⟩ pale or buzzing Ravens clapping ⟨themselves⟩ with their wings. The high flying of the her(illegible text) Crying of swine. The herb (illegible text) looking very (illegible text) the sun set pale or be enclosed with a (illegible text) circle when he is near the time of his setting.
⟨Signs⟩ of hot weather.—Many bats flying abroad (illegible text) than ordinary. (illegible text)rising out of (illegible text)rs and waters before the sun rise, The (illegible text) flying high in the air. Crows or ravens (illegible text)ng against the sun. Great store of flys and (illegible text)ges playing in the sunshine towards night.
⟨Signs⟩ of drought—Stars seeming dim or fiery red, (illegible text)nes both drought and wind.
⟨Signs⟩ of cold weather-As frost snow or hail. (illegible text) flying low, seeming to touch the top of hills. (illegible text) flocks of small birds gathered together. if (illegible text) winter the sun shine clear towards night (illegible text) extraordinary twinkling of the stars. Clouds (illegible text) heaps like ro(illegible text) An obscure circle about ⟨sun⟩ or moon.
⟨Signs⟩ of frosts continu(illegible text).—Snow falling small ​in the beginning of a frost; but if the snowfall bi(illegible text) viz in grea stacks, then it's like to thaw very suddenly, especially it the Southwind blow.
January.
Kilsyth, 2 day. Muthel, 10 day. Tain, 1 ⟨tuesday⟩ after 1 day. Strathaven, 1 thursday. Cri(illegible text) 2 tuesday Dunfermling, 3 wednesday. Stirling ⟨last⟩ tuesday, O. S. Ecclefechan market, ⟨Friday⟩ after 11 day. Gartmore, 8 day Kippen, 1 wednesday, Killin in Breadalbane, 20 day. Kil(illegible text)ing, Dunkeld, 21 day. Old Meidrum, 2 tuesday ⟨Dornoch⟩ 3 wednesday, O S Peebles, 2 tuesday Hamilton last thursday, Falkirk, 31 day O. S. Mauchline, last wednesday. O. S. New-mills, (illegible text) wednesday, O. S. ⟨Glasgow⟩, 2 Monday. Coup(illegible text) in Fife, 1 thursday.
February—Ecclefechan market, friday after 1 day. Dumfries, 24 day. Linlithgow, 23 day Hamilton, 2 thursday. ⟨Drommochie⟩, 1 friday Paisley, 3 thurfday. Karktoun of Alford, last tuesday Forfar, last wednesday. Buchlyvie, 2 tuesday. Nairn, 18 day. P(illegible text)r in Athol, 1 day Dunkeld, 3 day. D(illegible text), 11 day. Ceupar in F(illegible text) 1(illegible text) day. Largs, 1 tuesday. Ruthven of Badenock Kirktoun of Weem, and (illegible text)ss, 2 tuesday. Lanark, last tuesday. Kil(illegible text), Fasten's eve Cooper in Fife, 1 Wednesday. O. S. Monymusk wednesday. Falkland, last thursday O S. ⟨Spital⟩ of Glenshee, 22 day, O, S,
​March.—Ecclefechan market, friday after 11 day. D(illegible text)in, 13 day. Perth, 16 day. Inverkeithing, 1 wednesday. Strathaven, 1 thursday. Mid Calder, 2 tuesday, Dunfermlin, 2 wednesday. Tain and Dumbarton. 3 tuesday. Melrose, thursday before Easter Boc(illegible text)e, 2 tuesday, O. S. Nairn, George’s fair 1 tuesday, Dunkeld, 8 day. Perth, 14 day Peebles, 1 tues. Kenmore in Brea(illegible text) albane, 1 tuesday O. S. L(illegible text)irk, 25 day, O. S. (illegible text)inros, 3 wed. O. S. Glasgow thurs before ⟨Easter⟩. Ochterairder, 10 day, O S Dornoch, 1 wed. O. S. Dunblane, 1 wed.
April.—Achtermuchty, 9 day. Ecclefechan ⟨market⟩, friday after 11 day Dunfermline, 4 wednes. ⟨Kippen⟩, 2 wednesday. Anstruther-easter, first ⟨tuesday⟩ after 11 day. Dumbarton, Couper of Angus, (illegible text) Aberdeen, Melrofe and Elgin, thursday before ⟨Easter⟩, Lanark last wednesday. Couper in Fife, 1 wednes. O. S. Sheep markets every tuesday. Stri(illegible text)en last tuesday, O. S. Falkland last thursday. ⟨Auchertgeavan⟩, last tues. N. S. Bathgate, 2 wed(illegible text)ay. N. S.
May.—Muthal and Dysart, 6 day. Carluke, 10 ⟨day⟩. Ecclefechan market, friday after 11 day. ⟨Greenlaw⟩, 22 day. Aberdeen, 1 Tuesday Amal(illegible text), 1 wednes Skirling, tuesday before 12 day, and tuesday after 11 day. Kirktoun of Weem, 2 ⟨tuesday⟩. Peebles, 2 wednesday. Dumbarton, 3 ⟨tuesday⟩. Inverkeithing and ⟨Paisley⟩, 3 thursday. Glam(illegible text)is, 1 wednesday after (illegible text)6 day Dunning, 4 tues, (illegible text)rtrie, 4 wed. Stirling, last thursday. Whitun(illegible text)nk, on Whitsun tuesday. Jedburgh, tuesday after ⟨Whitsun⟩-tuesday, Gartmore, 16 day. Kippen, 26 ⟨day⟩. Kilconquhar 14 day. K(illegible text)n in Breadalbane, (illegible text) day. Linlithgow and Falkirk, 12 day. ​Linlithgow held in the town, 1 thursday after old whit(illegible text) sunday. Down, 2 wed. Elgin, 4 tuesday. Lanark last wednesday, O. S. Machine, 2 tuesday, O. S. Newmills, 3 tuesday, O. S. Glasgow, ⟨Whitsunday⟩ monday fair on Whitsun-week. Kinglaffie in Fife 3 wednesday, O. S. ⟨Kilmarnock⟩, 1 tuesday O. S Couper in Fife, last ⟨wed⟩. O. S. and sheep markets (illegible text) and 2 tuesday. O. S. (illegible text) thurs O. S. Dunbar, 1 (illegible text) after 16 day, Cotton market, Perthshire, 3 thurs. O. S. F(illegible text)ny market, ⟨last⟩ thursday O. S. Bathgate, ⟨Whitsunday⟩ (illegible text), 1 ⟨wednesday⟩ after the term, O. S Ochtergeaven, ⟨last⟩ wed. N. S. Dumblane, last tues.
June.—Ecclefechan, tuesday after 11 day. P(illegible text) 15 day Dunning, 20 day. Moffat, 24 day, (illegible text) tue. after. Ceres in Fife, 24 day, N. S. Melrose (illegible text) wed. Aberdeen and Kirkton of Alford, 2 tues Trinity fair of Brechin, 2 wed. Colinsburgh, 2 friday. Skirling, 1 wed after the 11 day. Lin o(illegible text) weekly market begins the same day. Gifford and ⟨Dysart⟩, 2 tues. D(illegible text) market 3 wed. Inverkeithing and Swinton, 3 thursday. Earlstoun 29 day Dunse, 1 tuesday after Trinity. Strathaven, last thurs. Buchlyvie, 26. Dull, 9 Fortar, Falkland and Burntisland, 26 Kir(illegible text)y(illegible text)holm, 27, Kenmore in Breadalbane, 28. Falkirk 29, Mauchline, 17 o. s. Kinross. (illegible text), o, s, Monefeith, 2 tues. after 1(illegible text) Ruthven of Badenoch, 3 tues. Kinghorn last ⟨friday⟩ Midsummer market at Perth continues the last fortnight, North Berwick first thurs. Dunse 2 tues. E(illegible text)mouth 1 thurs. Nairn, 1 tues, o. s. Dornoch, 2 wed o. s. Falkland, 3 thurs o s. Spital of ⟨Glenshee⟩, 1 tues o. s Bathgate 4 wednesday, N. s. Livingston. 2 fri(illegible text) n s.
July.—Melkleour, 2 day. ⟨Portrie⟩, 3 day, o(illegible text) ​⟨wed⟩. after. Greenock, 1 thurs. Carnwath, 5 day ⟨Kelso⟩, 10 ⟨day⟩. Ecclefechan market, friday after 11 day Auchtermuchty, 13 day. St. Boswell, 18 day. Moffat, 29 day, (illegible text) after. Forfar, Ormiston, ⟨and⟩ Peebles, 1 tues Dunfermline and Leven 1 ⟨wed⟩. Galashiels, 1 ⟨friday⟩. ⟨Mellerstain⟩, 2 tues. o. s. (illegible text)ddington, 2 tues. Tain, 2 wed Hamilton, 2 ⟨thurs⟩. Kirkcaldy, 3 wed. ⟨Paldy-fair⟩ 1 tues. after (illegible text) day. Stirling, fair day. Gartmore 27 day. ⟨Buchlyvie⟩ last tues. o. s. Anstruther E. 5 day. Torry(illegible text)rn 2 wed. ⟨Strathfillan⟩ in ⟨Breadalbane⟩, 3 day. (illegible text)tholm and Eddlestone, 5 day. Falkirk 10 day. (illegible text)uder, 4 Friday. Kenmore in Breadalbane and (illegible text) vo. 26 day. Mellerstain and Calsalmond, 3 (illegible text)s. Largs, 3 tues. Elgin, last tues Falkirk, last ⟨tues⟩. o. s. Lanark, last wednes. o. s. M(illegible text)ne (illegible text) day o. s. Newmills, 2 wednes, o. s. Kinross, (illegible text) wed o. s. Glasgow, 2 mon. Kilmarnock, 3 wed. s. Couper in Fife, 25 day, o. s. Ochterairder, tues. o. s. Carstairs, 2 thur. o. s. Dornoch, 22 (illegible text)w o. s. or wed. after. Strichen. 1 tues. o. s. (illegible text)thgate, 3 wed. n. s. Oldhamstocks, 1 tues.
August—Linlithgow, 2 day. Muthel and st. (illegible text)nes’s fair near Kelso 5 day. Melrose. 12 day. (illegible text)klour, 9 day. Ecclefechan, 26 day, or frid. (illegible text)ore, Auchternuchty, 21 day. Dunse 26 day (illegible text)far and Dunfermline 1 tues. Penston and Pa(illegible text)ad, 1 wednes. Oldrain, Musselburgh, Dumbarton ⟨and⟩, Jedburgh, 2 tues, Inverkeithing, 2 wed. ⟨Strathaven⟩ and Paisley, 1 th. Kirkwall 1 tues. after 11 (illegible text)ine, 3 mon. Ochtergeaven 2 wed. n s, Lawrence(illegible text) , Carnwath 3 tues. Tain 3 wed, Dysart 4 wed. ⟨Hamilton⟩ 4 thurs, Nairn last wed. Dundee and ⟨Inverness⟩, 15 day. Falkirk 26 day. Peebles tues ⟨before⟩ the 24. Stra(illegible text) last frid. Lauder 4 frid. (illegible text)kirk last tues. o s. Lanark last frid o s, Mauch(illegible text)e last tuesday o s, Newmills 22 day. o. s. ​Ochterairder 2 day o s Carstairs last thurs. o. s. S(illegible text)chen 2 tues o. s. Falkland 1 tues after the 12 ⟨day⟩ Lockerby 2 day o s or tues after, Monymusk 3 ⟨wed⟩ Cockburns-path 2 tues, Bathgate 3 wednes, Dublane o day, n s.
September—Linlithgow, 4 day, Ecclefechan 18, fr before, Skirling 15, Stirling 8 o s, Dundee 19, Dunfermline 4 frid, Eddleston 25, Wemyss (illegible text) Jedburgh 25 or tues after, Kircalday 4 wed, For(illegible text) and Dumfries last wed, (illegible text)e's at ⟨Coldstone⟩ in Cromar (illegible text) tues o s, st Andrew’s in Brem(illegible text) 3 tues o s, st John’s Day market at Perth 11 ⟨day⟩ Nairn Michaelmas-fair, 29, or frid after, L(illegible text) Michael fair that day fortnight, Kirkendbright (illegible text) day, Inverness 15 day, Kenmor in ⟨Breadalbane⟩ 17 day, Ayr, st Andrew’s, and Renfrew 29 day Falkirk 21 day, Kircalday last wed, Kingl(illegible text)f(illegible text) thurs before Michaelmas, o s.
October—Mellerstain, 1 tuesday o s, Linlithgow 2 day Blackford and path-head 7 day, Crieff (illegible text) day, Couper in Fife 12 day, Ecclefechan 26 day, (illegible text) frid before, Ceres in Fife 20 day n s, Perth, 2(illegible text) day, Moffat 20 day, or tues after, Ochtergeaven 1(illegible text) day n s, Dunning 24, Muthel 31, Stirling 22 o ⟨s⟩ Aberdeen and Gifford 1 tues, Gallashiels (illegible text) friday Haddington 2 thurs, Leven, 2 wed, Colinsburg (illegible text) frid, ⟨Katho⟩ friday after 2 tues, Tain, Dalkeith, and Ayr 3 tues, Inverkeithing and Stenton 3 wed, ⟨Swinton⟩ 4 tuesday, Earlston 3 thurs, Rutherglen (illegible text)mond, Kirkintilloch 20 day, Dunfermline last thu Meikleour 18 day, Carluke, 31 day, Gartmore, (illegible text) day, Kippen 23 day, Kirkton of Dull 6 day, Kirk(illegible text)y(illegible text)holm 24 day, Yetholm 31 day, Elgin 2 tu Kinghorn 2 frid, Montifieth 2 tues after the (illegible text) day, Largs 4 tues, Partoncraigs last tues, Stranrac(illegible text) ​last frid, Eyemouth last thurs, mid calder 2 tues, Ormiston 4 tues, machline 27 day o s, Newmills and Kinross 18 day o s Kilmarnock 3 wed o s, Couper in Fife 1 thurs ⟨o⟩ s. Dornoch 22 day of, or wed after, Lockerby 2 day o f, or tuef after, fpittal g tuef o f, Bathgate 4 Wednefday n f.
November—Kelso 2 day, Linlithgow 4 day, Langholm 5 day, Fo(illegible text)s 6 day, Hawick and Dysert 8 day, ⟨Ecclefechan⟩ frid after the 1(illegible text), Dumblain 12 day n s, Dunse 17 day melrose and Couper in Fife, 12 day, Dunkeld 22 or tues after, moffat 1 tues o s, Ochtergeavan 15 day, n s, Forfar 1 wednes, Cockenzie and Strathaven 1 thurs. Jedburgh and Dumbarton, 2 tues Paisley 2 thursday, Greenock 4 tues Lanark 3 wed, north Berwick last thurs, Glammis (illegible text) wed af the 22 day, Dunfermline 4 wed, Hamilton (illegible text) thurs, Buchlyvie 18, Anstruther e 12 day, Stirling (illegible text) day, Falkirk 6 day, Borrowstouness and Lauder 6 day, Tain 22 day, Down 26 day, Kirktoun of Weem thur before 28, K(illegible text)in in Breadalbane and moffat, 1 tues o s, Peebles 1 tues, Forfar 1 wed Edinburgh Hallow-fair 2 monday, n s, Ruthven of Badenoch 4 tues, Lauder 4 frid, Lanark 1 wed o s, (illegible text)irnside last thur, Newmills 29 o s, Glasgow wed after martinmas, Couper in Fife 11 day o s, ⟨Ochterairder⟩ 25 o s, Dornoch 22 day o s, or tuesday after Dunbar 1 tues after the 22 day, Bathgate Martinmas-fair 1 wed after the term, o s, Old hamstocks, (illegible text) tues, Livingston 1 friday.
December—Perth 11 day, Ecclefechan friday ⟨after⟩ the 11 day, Aberdeen 1 tues, Stirling 1 tues o s, ⟨Kirktown⟩ of Alford 2 tues, Tain 3 tues, Nairn ⟨Margaret’s⟩ fair 2 tues Kenmore in Breadalbane 3 day, (illegible text)nmore in Breadalbane 24 day, Down 26 day, ⟨Peebles⟩ tues preceeding 12 day, Elgin 2 tues ​Inverness ⟨and⟩ (illegible text)ain, tues before Christmas, Lanark last tuesday machline, 2 tues o s.
The Complete Gardener: containing obfervations on every month in the year, for planting, sowing, &c.
January.
PLant vines and lay them for increase, and plant apple and pear-trees, and all sorts of wall fruits; if the weather be open trim wall trees, cut and nail them. Set and sow kernals and stones, in this and the next months, breaking only the stones, o(illegible text) shells, and sow, only the kernel; set beans and pease out, set, and lay all quick sets and roses; all these may be done also the next month.
February—Now is a very good time for grafting the forward sort of fruit trees: If the weather be temperate, sow hardy seeds, as pease, beans radishes, parsnips, carrots, onions, parsley, spinnage: make up hot beds for onions, cucumbers, and such like: Lay branches of vines, roses, wood (illegible text)nes, jessamines, lauriestinus, phileroy, pyracutha, &ct. plant goose-berries, currants, raspberries, and begin to plant herd herbs towards the latter end of the month: transplant cabbage and colliflowers, and sow asparagus.
March—This is the principal month for grafting all forts of fruit-trees, transplant all sorts of hardy herbs and flowers, make up hot-beds for cucumbers, melons, coliflowers, to come late, the Russian cabbage, and tender flower-seeds, as amarants of all sorts, African, marvail of Paris, &ct. sow most sorts of garden seeds, as endive, succory, leeks, raddish, beets, parsnips, skirrets, parsley, sorrels ​bugloss, burrage, chervil, celery, lettuce, onions, orrice, purslain, carrots, cresses, spinnage, marigold, &c sow most sorts of flower-seeds; likewise turnips in this and the next month, to have them early. This is the principal month for sowing of seeds, and planting of flowers and slips; sow pinks and carnations, gilly flowers at the full moon, and the seeds of winter greens; plant out colliflowers, and all sorts of cabbages, where they are to stand: and likewise carnation layers in this and the next month. In this month also sow oats and barley.
April—You may graft some sorts of fruit-trees in the beginning of this month; sow all garden-seeds in dry weather; and plant all sorts of garden-herbs in wet weather. You may yet sow those sorts of seeds spoken of in march: sow tender seeds, as ⟨sweet⟩ marjoram, basil, pinks, carnation, hyslop, thyme, savory and purslain, Dutch and English savoys. Set all sorts of winter greens in this and the former month, set sage and rosemary, sow lettuce, spinnage, chervil and cresses once in three or four weeks to have it young. Plant cucumbers, melons, and artichoaks. In this month also sow hemp and flax, pull hops; and open your bee-hives, and bark trees and tanners
May—About the beginning, or within a fortnight under or over, sow French beans in a fine mould; sow tender garden-seeds; as sweet marjoram, thyme, and basil, Dutch and Englifh savoys, plant out cucumbers and amberenthus, &c. of (illegible text)e hot bed. Take up tulips whose stocks are dry, ⟨sow⟩ purstain, set your stills on work. Weed your (illegible text)op gardens, cut of superfluous branches, (illegible text), and weed gardens and corn.
​June—The beginning of this month, sow Dutch and English savoy, sow sallad, seeds for latter sallads, take up your best anemonies, ⟨tuliips⟩, and ranunculasses, sow turnip seeds in this and the next month; and transplant those favoys that were sown the ⟨last⟩ month; plant slips of myrtle, shear your sheep, the moon increasing.
July—This is the principal month to innoculate apricocks, peaches, nectarines, and roses, &c. Prune your wall trees, lay gillyflowers and carnations, sow lettuce, and spinnage, for latter sallading, transplant or remove tulips, or other bulbous roots, plant cuttings of myrtles, but let them not have too much sun at first. Remove your large sided cabbage planted in may, to head in autumn. Keep weed from growing to seed, and begin your howing. Gather the snails from your wall-fruit, but pull n(illegible text) off the bitter fruit, for then they will begin with others.
Auguft—The beginning of this month sow cabbage and colliflower seed, prune superfluous branches from the wall fruit trees, unbind the buds you innoculated the month before, if they take. Sow spinnage and lettuce for latter sallading; set suckles, plant them rather in the shade than in the sun sow lark-spur, and candie-raft, co(illegible text)bbines, bo(illegible text) the bush, and such hardy plants as will endure the winter: Plant strawberries, and other garden plants Reap and gather in the harvest while the weather continues fair, for you may reap and carry in you corn, as well as make hay when the sun shines.
September—Transplant colliflowers and cabbages that were sowed in August: plant tulips, and othe bulbous roots you formerly took up, take off your ​carnation layers, and plant them where they are to stand the winter, remove fruit trees from September till March, except in frost: set cuttings of bays, laurels, &c. Transplant most sorts of herbs and flowers, gather hops the beginning of this month, and sow your wheat and rye.
October—Sow beans and pease; sow all sorts of fruit-trees, as nuts, kernels and seeds, either for trees or stocks, in this or the next month; plant rose-trees and your bulbous roots of all sorts; plant all fruit-trees that have shed their leaves, drench stiff lands.
November—Sow beans and pease, prune all sorts of fruit-trees, and begin to cut and trim all wall-trees, lay up carrots, parsnips, cabbages, either for your use or feed, cover your asparagus and artichoaks set nuts and kernels; you may plant tulips, kill your swine at or near the full of the moon.
December—Set pease and beans if the weather be moderate, set and transplant all sorts of fruit-trees, especially such as are not very tender and subject to the injury of the frost, prune vines if the weather be open, nail and cut all sorts of fruit-trees, sow bay, and laurel berries dropping ripe.
Horses.
FOR a galled back, take honey and unflockned lime (illegible text)eat, put it in a linen cloth, bind it close, ​and lay it in the embers all night, then strew it on the galled place; but if it bleed, strew thereon little verdigrease or old shoe leather burnt ⟨in⟩ ashes.
For a broken wind, take a boars dung and powder it, and pour a good quantity of it into milk luke warm, give the horse a quart every third day and in four or five times it will cure him.
For a horse cough, take five or six eggs, and lay them in sharp white wine-vinegar, till the shells be somewhat soft, then sling them down his throat and it will cure forthwith.
For the belly bound, take good wort, and ⟨so⟩ much soap as an egg, mixed together, and give it to your horse to drink.
For the batts, take a good handful of agrimony, and make the horse to eat it early in the morning, and keep him fasting a pretty while after it.
For the hidebound, take fenugreek, tumerick, anniseeds, bay-berries, liquorish and cumminseeds of each a like quantity, beat them to powder, mix them well together, and give him spoonful in ale or beer at a time, blood warm, and this will cure him speedily.
For itching and burning in the eyes, take rosewater, plantain water, myrtle, houseleek, and flower-water of turti prepared, of camphir, of white siruse, without opium, and the whites of roasted eggs, of each three grains, set the water on the fire until it be hot, and heat them to for the space of three or four hours, then strain them, and keep the liquor in a brass vessel well stopped, apply this to the corner of the eyes.
For a Fistula in the head, take the juice of houseleek, and dip a lock of wool in it, put in his ears and bind it fast; observe to do this once a day and it will help him.
​For a fever, let him blood in the thigh, in the middle vein, some four fingers breadth under his (illegible text)wl, or else take the vein in the neck, and afterwards give him a drink.
For the glanders, take twenty cloves of garlick, (illegible text) quarts of ale, and one pennyworth of sallad-(illegible text), peel and beat the garlick, and mix them altogether, and give it him to drink; then take a pan of coals, and strew on them the powder of brimstone, laying on it a little wet hay and hold it under the horse's nose in a tunnel, that the smoke may ascend to his nostrils, and perfume him well with the same, and then ride him forth till he begins to sweat, and set him up warm, and an hour after give him meat.
To stench blood, take the scrappings of the ⟨outside⟩ of a pottage pot, that you seethe meat in, (illegible text)y it to the breeding place, plaister ways, and it (illegible text) stench the blood forthwith.
To skin sores, take molten butter, and strew upon the powder of rosin a day or two, then take two ⟨spoonfuls⟩ of very thick ⟨cream⟩, and wich the foot (illegible text) a chimney, make a paste thereof, , and spread it (illegible text)n the fore.
To help a tired horse, pour a quart of good wine ⟨or⟩ ale down his throat, and it will very much ⟨refresh⟩ him. If your horse in travel fall suddenly sick, where no town is nigh, alight, and with a knife bodkin, pick him in the roof of the mouth, and make him to bleed, suffering him to chew and eat ⟨his⟩ own blood, is a cure to himself.
Kine—How to know and help a cow that is like (illegible text) cast her calf She will look hollow eyed and (illegible text)ne: Take (illegible text) grounds of ale, and the powder of ⟨cinnamon⟩, ⟨liquorish⟩, and ginger, and give it her ⟨to⟩ drink.
​For a cow that has cast her calf; take grains ⟨and⟩ long-pepper, of each two pennyworth in powder and give it her to drink in milk.
For a cow that hath calfed and cannot glea(illegible text) take a quart of good ale, boil it, and scum it ⟨well⟩ then put in a handful of the flour of barley (illegible text) and give it her to drink in a warm mash.
To help calfs from worms, when they are troubled therewith, they will run up and down, and not stand still in a place, but quiver and shake, and hold their heads towards their sides. Take ⟨southernwood⟩ or wormwood, and bruise it with dry f(illegible text) and fitches, and make a ⟨paste⟩ thereof, and put into their throat.
For the weaning of calves, take five branches ⟨of⟩ tanfey, five branches of rosemary, and sprigs ⟨of⟩ mint stomp them, and give the juice to drink with four fpoonfuls of verjuice.
To increase milk, take sugar candy, cinnamon and strong drink, and give it to drink now and then.
To help a beast that cannot piss, take and bruise Carduus Benedictus, then strain it with white wine and so give it to drink.
For the cholic, take the powder of one penny worth of ginger, and so much of the powder of liquorice; give it in a quart of mead, and it wil help her.
For the loss of cud take half a pint of urine baysalt, and wall-earth, of each a handful, mix them well together, and wash the roof of the mouth but pull out the tongue, and force some down.
For a beast that cannot dung, take hay, seethe it well, atamp it and ⟨strain⟩ the liquor, and put into it fresh grease and soap, and give it.
For the staggers, take cloves and fennel-seeds, beat them to powder, and with milk give it the ​beast to drink, and then let him blood.
To make a cow take Bull, give her of the herb called cow make; which groweth like a white gilly-flower among corn, two hours before she shall take the bull, if she should refuse the bull.
Against the biting of a mad dog, take garlick and put it in a linen cloth, then chafe and rub the place therewith. Or take the root of the great (illegible text)ur bruised with salt, lay it to the place, it will help. man or beast.
Sheep—For sheep that hath the staggers, give them one pennyworth of treacle, one race of turmerick, and one pennyworth of English saffron, all mixed together.
For sheep that make red water, take a little piece of roche-allum and a little piece of butter, mix it together, and give them as you see occasion.
For the scab and itch, take tar and fresh grease, of each a like quantity, mix them well with the juice of chervil and a little brimstone; make a salve and anoint the sore place therewith.
Loosness of the teeth, grief of the mouth, take sage, salt and earth, of each a like quantity, beaten together, and rub the mouth and gums of the sheep until you make them bleed.
For the general rot, or water in the belly, take sage, tanfey, holy thistle, horse-mint, worm-wood-flowers, rosemary, rue, plantane, dill and lungwort, of each a like quantity, beaten in a mortar, then strain out the juice, and to five spoonfuls of it put in a pint of hopied water boiled, with two spoonfuls of the powder of ⟨bay-berries⟩, long-pepper, liquorish, and anniseeds, of each a like; then take it from the fire, put in two spoonfuls of good salt, and as much sweet-butter as a walnut, stir altogether, and give it the sheep lukewarm in a horn to ​drink morning and evening, rubbing the mouth very well with salt, is a certain and approve cure.
Hogs—For the murrain or garren. Take gun-powder, bay salt, (illegible text) armoniack and garlick, beat them together, and with a knife make a hole between their claws, put in the quantity of a hazlenut, and let them blood under the tongue, or in the ⟨shoulder⟩ vein.
For scurf and manginess, let them blood in the tail, then take black soap brimstone, vinegar swine's-grease, and honey mixed together, of each a like quantity, and anoint the same all over with it, having first rubbed off all the scurf and filth with a wool-card.
For a sow that eateth her pigs, watch the piging, and take the least or worse pig, and annoint it all over with the juice of the herb called stone crop, and give to her eat, and she will never do the like again.
For the measles or pox, let them blood under the ears, or in the tail then bind the sore with the bark of green ossiers, then take an ounce of treacle, the juice of wormwood, liver wort, and gail-wort, half a pint; of red-oaker and hen's dung, of each a handful, and of barley-meal three handfuls, mixed with a bottle of urine and honey altogether, put it into two gallons of sweet warm wash, and give it the swine to drink, and annoint all the sore places with a boar's grease and brimstone mixed together.
⟨Directions⟩ for the buying, removing and managemenent of Bees.
O store yourfelf, there are three manner of ways; either by buying them, taking wild ⟨swarms⟩, or making them by art. If you buy your ⟨bees⟩ observe they be lively, little, smooth and shining; rejecting the rough and unseemly ones, and ⟨above⟩ all, let the king, or master-bee, be long, (illegible text)inning. and chearful not too great or too small for ⟨upon⟩ his (illegible text) depends the welfare of the whole ⟨swarm⟩ Observe, likewise, that the swarm be whole and great, which you may know by looking into the ⟨hive⟩, or observing great numbers cluftering about ⟨the⟩ door: if these two observations fail, finding them ⟨all⟩ at rest, blow in amongst them, and by the greatness of smallness of the answering found, you will ⟨perceive⟩ them to be more or less. If you transport ⟨them⟩ far, the change of the air many times incom(illegible text)odes them; to remedy which you must let them in ⟨pleasant⟩ gardens, or scatter sweet smelling herbs ⟨about⟩ their hives. The best way to carry them is ⟨upon⟩ a man's shoulders in ⟨sheets⟩ upon a pole; one ⟨hive⟩ behind, and the other before, in the ⟨night-time⟩ when they are at rest, being very cautious of (illegible text) them for fear of mashing their comb; and ⟨the⟩ ⟨best⟩ time to remove is in the month of April; (illegible text) sure you carry them not from a pleasant place ⟨to⟩ one that is otherwise, for if you do, they will (illegible text) leave you. When you have brought them to ⟨the⟩ place you intend, if it be day time, you must ⟨neither⟩ open nor place them till night, to the end ⟨that⟩ s(illegible text) the quiet ⟨rest⟩ ⟨in⟩ the night, they may ⟨go⟩ ⟨chearfully⟩ to work the next, ⟨morning⟩; and be ⟨sure⟩ ⟨you⟩ observe them narrowly for two or three days ​after, whether they go out or not, for if they do 'tis a shrewd sign they intend to leave you.
In the placing of your bees, observe (illegible text) be so ⟨that⟩ in the winter and spring, the face of the hives in(illegible text) stand to the rising sun; and so order it that ⟨neither⟩ in winter nor summer, they be too hot or too ⟨cold⟩ observing above all things, that the air be w(illegible text) some, as also the herbs, plants, and flowers growing about them. The herbs, &c. that bees most delight in, are these, Thyme, (illegible text)affi(illegible text), Rosemary, Savory, Smellage, Violets Sage, Lavender Myrrh Wild Marjoram, Wild Thyme, Balm, Sweet Marjoram. Saffron, Bean Flowers, Mustard Seed, ⟨Melliot⟩, Poppies, Roses, and the like. And those ⟨they⟩ hate, are for the most part, Yew trees, ⟨Wormwood⟩ Wild Cucumbers, Elms Cornel, Spurge; Lawrel and all bitter herbs and flowers. They thrive better in the vallies than on the hills, and love to be near clear water springs. The best honey is extracted from Thyme, the second from wild Thyme, and the third from Rosemary. As for their hives, ⟨you⟩ may place them in three ranks, and (illegible text)nd a yard one above another; suffer them to be quiet and undesturbed, keeping all hurtful creatures from them: as the Toad, Redbreast, Wood ⟨peckers⟩, Moth, Hornet, Lizard, Swallow, Sparrow, Spider, Butterfly, Serpent, and Stork: all which are utter enemies to the bees. All winter they rest, and live upon part of what they got in the summer; or, if you have taken the honey almost bare, you must feed them by putting in sticks very gingerly, dipped in honey, or sugar and water boiled; as also figs, raisons, curants, or the like. About the Sun's entering the sign Aries they come abroad and labour diligently, fr(illegible text)ng their combs, ⟨the⟩ which when they have done, they begin to breed, and afterwards fill them with honey; their wax being extracted from ​gummy trees, and the honey from flowers. The honey ⟨harvests⟩, as many terms them, are in some (illegible text)oun(illegible text): (illegible text)e times a year viz the latter end of May, ⟨the⟩ end of July and beginning of September; tho' (illegible text) take the comb but twice a year, viz. May and ⟨August⟩, is best. If the hive by reason of a young (illegible text) be overcharged, which you may perceive by ⟨the⟩ bees clustering about the mouth of it, and the (illegible text)at noise within, having new hives in readiness, (illegible text)tch the coming forth of the young fry for several ⟨days⟩, from eight till twelve in the morning, lest (illegible text)ing wing they seek a new habitation; or if they (illegible text)ay to come forth, you may drive out the whole (illegible text)ck with galbanum, at which time, having two (illegible text)gs, they will settle in two companies, and so you ⟨may⟩ hive them. Or if a stock be decayed, you ⟨may⟩ put two hives together, by killing the king or ⟨master-bee⟩ of the one hive. If at any time two (illegible text)es swarm together and fight, cast dust upon the (illegible text)es or sprinkle them with the juice of pleasant ⟨herbs⟩, or honey and water boil'd; and the fray will (illegible text)d.
It the master-bee of any hive be too apt to lead ⟨the⟩ swarm abroad, and by that means endanger (illegible text)ing them, to prevent this roving, clip his wings, (illegible text) then not daring to trust them, he will stay at ⟨home⟩.
The ⟨signs⟩ to know when your combs are full of ⟨honey⟩, are when the bees drive out the drones; ⟨when⟩ there is an extraordinary noise and rejoicing ⟨within⟩, and when they play about the mouth of ⟨the⟩ hive, neglecting to perform their tasks; for in (illegible text)ise take the honey before the combs are full, (illegible text) displeasing the bees, they leave you.
Many are of opinion, that the mouth of the hive (illegible text) rubbed with Calves dung, or (illegible text)bles and ⟨marjoram⟩, the bees will never leave it. And thus ​much shall suffice for the ordering and improving of bees, from whose labour rises great profit to ⟨most⟩ kingdoms.
Bugs.
TAke a handful of wormwood and white hellebore; boil them in urine till it is half wasted and wash the joints of your bedstead with it.
Burn brimstone under the joints of the bedstead and creases where they lie, and they'll come out presently, that you may kill them; do this two or three times a week, and keep the room close.
Old oil and brimstone powdered and mix'd together, then anoint the bedsteads with it.
Boil glue and vinegar together, then rub the bedstead with it, and it will kill them.
Nits and lice—Take of bees-wax an ounce, three ounces of olive oil, three drams of staves acre, of these make a salve, and anoint; it kills both nits and lice.
Take red orpiment and saltpetre, each a dram, louse herb two drams, mix them together with oil and vinager, so anoint the head.
Fleas—Take lavender and wormwood, and boil them in vinegar well, and sprinkle your blankets with it; or savory laid in your chambers kills them.
Take wormwood well dry'd and put in a bag ​⟨with⟩ holes in it, so place it under your bed; or (illegible text)awo(illegible text)t laid under and about your bed kills them. (illegible text), take wormwood, nut-leaves, lavender, eve (illegible text)eron, and green coriander, put them under the ⟨bed⟩ or pillow, and the fleas will die.
Rats—Take oatmeal and powder'd glass only, (illegible text)x them with fresh butter, and lay where they ⟨come⟩. Or, filings of iron mixt with oatmeal, or (illegible text)h dough or oatmeal flower, and lay where they (illegible text) come.
Field rats and mice-In the dog days the fields (illegible text) generally bare, then find out their holes or nests, ⟨which⟩ are little and round, like an augre-hole, and (illegible text) hemlock feed thereinto, or hellebore mixt ⟨with⟩ barley; they eat it greedily, so it kills them.
Moles—Take a head or two of garlick, onion, or (illegible text)k, and put it into their holes, and they'll run out (illegible text) amazed, and so you may with a spear or dog (illegible text)e them.
Weasles—Take salt armoniac and beat it, and with (illegible text)t, Flower and honey make it into (illegible text) paste ⟨and⟩ the white of an egg, and lay it in pellets where ⟨they⟩ come, and they eat it, and kill them
Caterpillars—Destroy the leaves of trees, and de(illegible text) cabbages and other ti(illegible text)age, and are generally (illegible text) effects of ⟨great⟩ ⟨droughts⟩. To prevent their ⟨numerous⟩ encrease (illegible text) trees, gather them off in ⟨winter⟩ taking the prickets away that cleave to the ⟨branches⟩, and burn them.
(illegible text)kid flies—Take white hellebore, and steep it ​in milk or sweet wine, and fprinkle the room they come to, and they'll die.
Moths—About August they appear, and that mostly in the night, and if you set a candle in an apple tree lighted in the night, they will fly about it and burn themselves, and you'll find abundance of them dead in the morning.
Green bugs—To kill green bugs in Gardens, sprinkle the places where they fix with strong vinegar, mix'd with the juice of henbane; or, some water the plants haunted by them with the cold decoction of mustard and laurel seed in winter.
A Catalogue of Things, necessary to be known.
A Ream of Paper, 20 Quires.
A Quire of Paper, 24 Sheets.
A Bale of Paper, 10 Reams.
A Roll of Parchment, 5 Dozen, or 60 skins.
A Dicker of Hides, 10 skins.
A Last of Hides, 20 Dickers.
A Load of Timber unhewed, 40 Feet.
A Chaldron of Coals, 36 (illegible text)hels.
A Hogshead of Wine, 63 Gallons.
Ditto of Beer, 54 Gallons.
A Barrel of Beer, 36 Gallons.
Ditto of Ale, 32 Gallons.
A Gross, 144, or 12 Dozen.
A Weigh of Cheese, 256 Pounds.
Days in a year. 365. Weeks 52 and Hours 8766.
Pence in a Pound, 240.
An Acre of Land, 160 square Poles or Perches,
A Last of Corn or Rapeseed, 10 Quarters.
A Tun of Wine, 252 Gallons.
A Pack of Wool, 364 Pounds.
A Stone, Horseman's weight, 14 Pounds.
A Truss of Hay, 56 Pounds.
A Load of ditto, 30 Trusses.
Printed by G. Miller; Highstreet, Dunbar
This work was published before January 1, 1929, and is in the public domain worldwide because the author died at least 100 years ago.
Public domainPublic domainfalsefalse