Sylva; Or, A Discourse of Forest Trees. Vol. 1 (of 2)Evelyn, John
History
Sylva; Or, A Discourse of Forest Trees. Vol. 1 (of 2)
Evelyn, John
Forests and forestry -- Early works to 1800; Gardening -- Early works to 1800; Trees -- Early works to 1800
4. And these afford (besides a tolerable pepper) one of the most
universal remedies in the world, to our crazy forester: the berries
swallow’d only, instantly appease the wind-collic, and in decoction most
soveraign against an inveterate cough: They are of rare effect, being
steeped in beer; and in some northern countries, they use a decoction of
the berries, as we do coffee and tea. The water is a most singular
specifique against the gravel in the reins; but all is comprehended in
the virtue of the theriacle, or electuary, which I have often made for
my poor neighbours, and may well be term’d the forester’s _panacea_
against the stone, rheum, pthysic, dropsie, jaundies, inward
imposthumes; nay, palsie, gout, and plague it self, taken like
Venice-treacle. Of the extracted oyl (with that of nuts) is made an
excellent good varnish for pictures, wood-work, and to preserve polish’d
iron from the rust. The gum is good to rub on parchment or paper, to
make it bear ink, and the coals, which are made of the wood, endure the
longest of any; so as live embers have been found after a year’s being
cover’d in the ashes: See St. Hierom _ad Fabiolam_, upon that
expression, _Psal._ 120. v. 4. If it arrive to full growth, spits and
spoons, imparting a grateful relish, and very wholesome, where they are
us’d, are made of this wood, being well dried and season’d. And the very
chips render a wholesome perfume within doors, as well as the dusty
blossoms in Spring without, and excellent within to correct the air, and
expel infection; for which purpose the wood should be cut about May, and
the rasures well dried.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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