In ‘The Countryman’s Recreation’ (1640) the author fully recognises the obligation of gardeners to study the Moon in all their principal operations. Says he: “From the first day of the new Moone unto the xiii. day thereof is good for to plant, or graffe, or sow, and for great need some doe take unto the xvii. or xviii. day thereof, and not after, neither graffe nor sow, but as is afore-mentioned, a day or two afore the change, the best signes are Taurus, Virgo, or Capricorne.” And as regards the treatment of fruit trees, he tells us that “trees which come of Nuttes” should be set in the Autumn “in the change or increase of the Moone;” certain grafting manipulations are to be executed “in the increase of the Moone and not lightly after;” fruit, if it is desired of good colour and untouched by frost, ought to be gathered “when the time is faire and dry, and the Moone in her decreasing;” whilst “if ye will cut or gather Grapes, to have them good, and to have good wine thereof, ye shall cut them in the full, or soone after the full, of the Moone, when she is in Cancer, in Leo, in Scorpio, and in Aquarius, the Moone being on the waine and under the earth.” In ‘The Expert Gardener’ (1640)--a work stated to be “faithfully collected out of sundry Dutch and French authors”--a chapter is entirely devoted to the times and seasons which should be selected “to sow and replant all manner of seeds,” with special reference to the phases of the Moon. As showing how very general must have been the belief in the influence of the Moon on vegetation at that time, the following extract is given:-- _A short Instruction very profitable and necessary for all those that delight in Gardening, to know the Times and Seasons when it is good to sow and replant all manner of Seeds._ Cabbages must be sowne in February, March, or April, at the waning of the Moone, and replanted also in the decrease thereof. Cabbage Lettuce, in February, March, or July, in an old Moone. Onions and Leeks must be sowne in February or March, at the waning of the Moone. Beets must be sowne in February or March, in a full Moone. Coleworts white and greene in February, or March, in an old Moone, it is good to replant them. Parsneps must be sowne in February, April, or June, also in an old Moone. Radish must be sowne in February, March, or June, in a new Moone. Pompions must be sowne in February, March, or June, also in a new Moone. Cucumbers and Mellons must be sowne in February, March, or June, in an old Moone. Spinage must be sowne in February or March, in an old Moone. Parsley must be sowne in February or March, in a full Moone. Fennel and Annisseed must be sowne in February or March, in a full Moone. White Cycory must be sowne in February, March, July, or August, in a full Moone. Carduus Benedictus must be sowne in February, March, or May, when the Moone is old. Basil must be sowne in March, when the Moone is old.