Century VII. Another Diſeaſe is the putting forth of Wilde Oats, whereinto Corn often-
times (eſpecially Barley) doth degenerate. It hapneth chiefly from the
weakneſs of the Grain that is ſown; for if it be either too old or mouldy,
it will bring forth wilde Oats. Another diſeaſe is the ſatiety of the
Ground; for if you ſow one Ground ſtill with the ſame Corn (I mean not
the ſame Corn that grew upon the ſame Ground, but the ſame kinde of
Grain, as Wheat, Barley, & c.) it will proſper but poorly; therefore be-
ſides the reſting of the Ground, you muſt vary the Seed. Another ill Accid ent
is from the Winds, which hurt at two times; at the flowring by ſhaking off
the Flowers, and at the full ripening by ſhaking out the Corn. Another ill
Accident is Drought at the ſpindling of the Corn, which with us is rare, but
in hotter Countreys common, inſomuch as the word Calamitas was firſt
derived from Calamus, when the Corn could not get out of the ſtalk. Another ill Accident is Over-wet at ſowing time, which with us breedeth
much Dearth, inſomuch as the Corn never cometh up; and (many times)
they are forced to re-ſow Summer-Corn, where they ſowed Winter-Corn. Another ill Accident is bitter Froſts, continued without Snow, eſpecially in
the beginning of the Winter, after the Seed is new ſown. Another Diſeaſe
is Worms, which ſometimes breed in the Root, and happen upon hot Suns
and ſhowers immediately after the ſowing; and another Worm breedeth in
the Ear it ſelf, eſpecially when hot Suns break often out of Clouds. An-
other Diſeaſe is Weeds; and they are ſuch, as either choak and over-ſhadow
the Corn, and bear it down, or ſtarve the Corn, and deceive it of nouriſh-
ment. Another Diſeaſe is, over-rankneſs of the Corn, which they uſe to
remedy by Mowing it after it is come up, or putting Sheep into it. An-
other ill Accident is, laying of Corn with great Rains near or in Harveſt. Another ill Accident is, if the Seed happen to have touched Oyl, or any
thing that is fat; for thoſe ſubſtances have an antipathy with nouriſhment of
Water.

The remedies oſ the Diſeaſes of Corn have been obſerved as followeth. The Steeping of the Grain before Sowing, a little time in Wine, is thought a
preſervative; the Mingling of Seed. Corn with Aſhes, is thought to be good; the Sowing at the wane of the Moon, is thought to make the Corn ſound. It hath not been practiſed, but it is thought to be of uſe to make ſome Miſſel-
lane in Corn; as if you ſow a few Beans with Wheat, your Wheat will be the
better. It hath been obſerved, that the ſowing of Corn with Houſleek doth
good. Though Grain that toucheth Oyl or Fat receiveth hurt, yet the
ſteeping of it in the Dregs of Oyl, when it beginneth to putrefie, (which they
call Amurca) is thought to aſſure it againſt Worms. It is reported alſo, that
if Corn be moved, it will make the Grain longer, but emptier, and having
more of the Husk.

It hath been noted, that Seed of a year old is the beſt, and of two or
three years is worſe; and that which is more old is quite barren, though
(no doubt) ſome Seed and Grain laſt better then others. The Corn
which in the Vanning lieth loweſt is the beſt; and the Corn which broken
or bitten, retaineth a little yellowneſs, is better then that which is very
white.

It hath been obſerved, that of all Roots of Herbs, the Root of Sorrel
goeth the furtheſt into the Earth, inſomuch as it hath been known to go three
cubits deep; and that it is the Root that continueth fit (longeſt) to be ſet
again, of any Root that groweth. It is a cold and acide Herb, that (as it ſeem-
eth) loveth the Earth, and is not much drawn by the Sun.