Part 6

And if the Spring and Sommer shall be ouer wette, or mistie, or colde, with cloudie weather for manye daies together, whiles all the trées haue borne their blossoms, and the fieldes their floures, and beginne to shedde their floure, then shall follow the scarcitie of fruites of the earth in that yeare, or else a verie greate rot of them, and many sicknesses in that yeare.

And if the sommer be drier than customably, then shal follow the scarcitie of corne, yet the Sommer fruites shall that yeare be sound, the fishes then die, and most sharpe sicknesses shall raine that yeare.

And if the Sommer shal be hotter than customably, then shal followe many sicknesses or diseases, yet great plentie of the Sommer fruites that yeare.

And if the Sommer shal be colder than customably, then shall follow a healthfull yere, but the fruites of the earth shal late ripe that yeare.

And here further note of the spring, that if in the same season of the spring, there shal be a more plentie of all floures and fruits toward than customably, doth after signifie a scarcitie of corne that yere, vnlesse the heate of sommer doth otherwise reforme the same.

And the wise and auncient husbandmen haue obserued, that when the winter shal send downe store of raine on the earth, so that the same excéede not or bée too much, and that the March following be drie, and the Aprill wette by often shoures, and that the same part also of Sommer bée drie in which the corne falleth to ripenesse, then doth the same promise a plentifull yeare.

And when that part of the Haruest shal be faire and drie, in which the wheat is sowen, and the parte of sommer in which corne falleth too ripenesse shal be faire and drie, the spring also meanely warme, doth then not only promise fruitefulnesse, but a plentifull yeare of corne.

And nowe the Haruest moyster than customably doth putrifie the Grapes, and causeth a small yéelde of wines that yeare, with the scarcitie of other fruites.

And if in the latter part of Haruest it be moyster, then in the yere following shal ensue the scarcitie of corne.

And if the Haruest bée drier in the first part, then in the yeare following shal Rie, and that smal graine named Mill, and suchlyke, be deare.

And if the haruest be hoter than customably, then shall followe a diseased yeare and that dangerus.

And if the Haruest be colder than customably, then shall follow the losse of the Haruest fruites both in the store and tast of them.

And the Winter colde and drie, is of all husbandmen commended, but extréeme colde, doeth then flea the trées, especially those which ioy in a warme aire, as the Pomegranade trée, the Oliue trée, the Lemmon trée, the Figge trée, the Peach trée, and such like.

And if the Winter excéede in the extremitie of coldnesse, then doth it signifie harme both vnto the Vine and the Oliue trée, the Cherie trée, and the yellow Quince trée.

And if the Winter be hote and moyst, then the same doth pronounce an vnhealthfull yeare, and daunger to séedes and fruites of the earth.

And the excesse qualitie, and distemperature of any of the foure quarters, is euill and daungerous to the fruites of the earth.

And the plentie of snowe falling in the due season of the yeare, doth batten the earth, (and if the others do helpe) then doth it signifie the plentie of corne and other fruites of the earth.

And if any washeth the handes with snowe, it doth then make them stedie, in that the snowe is ingendered of a vapour somewhat drie and earthly.

And the snowe nourisheth shéepe & other beasts in that the snow is ingendered of the moyst aire, in which life consisteth.

And the snowe increaseth the corne and other growing things on earth, in that by his coldnesse it so doth shut the poures of the earth, that the heate with the whiche the séedes of the earth be cherished, cannot then breath forth.

And the snow heateth and cherisheth the earth, by the thicke couering of it, and defendeth the gréene wheat and other séedes sowen, from the sharpe and vehement colde then of the ayre.

And the snowe may be kept all the yeare under the earth, couered with strawe, and profitable it is to mixe with the wine in hote sommer, and necessarie also to coole the ayre about sick persons.

And the vnprofitable falling of the deawe, mistes, or fogges (especially when all crescent thinges doe bud foorth, and shewe theyr floure) as in the Moneth of Aprill and May, as well on the trées, corne and grasse, which beastes then feding on be greatly harmed, through the deaw fallen, and all other thinges also much harmed by the same, as hath bene often obserued by the ancient and wise husbandmen.

And the ouermuch falling of raine, frostes or haile, especially in the spring time, and in the winter time, whilst the corne is yet as grasse, the excesse of raine also doth then threaten the scarcitie of vittailes to ensue that yeare.

And the great plentie of beanes, after the opinion of the common husbandmen, through the much raine fallen, doth fore shewe the scarcitie of corne, and especially of wheate that yeare.

And a like iudgement may be giuen of the Oke and Holly trée, which if they beare plentifully, then a fruitfull yeare followeth, and contrariwise bearing but few, then a deare yeare of corne to ensue.

And the great plentie of Grashoppers, wormes and Catterpillers appearing in their proper time more than customably, doe not only declare harme to vines and séedes sowen, but to all fruites that yeare.

And the great store of windes, not only cause little fruites, but scarcitie of corne to ensue that yeare.

And a stilnesse in a manner throughout the yeare, doth declare a likelyhode of the plague to ensue shortly after.

And the auncient _Hipocrates_ writeth, that when in the Sommer the North winde long continueth, and in the Harvest, the South winde with store then of raine, it doeth after threaten in the Winter the headache, hoarsenesse of voice, the coughe, consumptions or impostumes to ensue.

And if after a drie Sommer (as write the auntient Phisitions) the North winde doeth long continue in the Harueste, then the bodies of women, and suche diseased with a moiste sicknesse, doe then in that season the rather recouer health, in that the drinesse of the seasons and windes is contrarie to the excesse, and to the rottennesse of the humors, by whiche the sicknesses were caused.

And if the Winter shall be hote and moiste, and the Spring colde and drie, then doth the same threaten sicknesse to men in the Sommer, and that women with childe shall haue vntimely birthes of a light occasion.

And _Hypocrates_ writeth, that when in the Winter be longer Northerly windes, and in the Spring longer Southerlye windes, and that raynie and wette in the Sommer following, then doeth followe Agues, and the Diseases of the eies.

And when after a colde Winter, and that South windes and raynie in the Spring, and that the Sommer be drie then in the Haruest following doe agues ensue, paines also of the bowels thoroughe the greate scouring of the bodie, and Sicknesses, with the whiche olde men, diseased persons, and children be then more pained.

And when the Southwest winde doth long blowe aboute the end of Haruest, then those persons diseased with a long sicknesse, do shortly after die.

And a further knowlege of dearth and plentie of victualles, and of sickenesse may be had on this wise.

Firste in the end of Haruest, cutte open two or thrée Oke apples, looking whether there be in them either Flyes, Worms, or Spiders.

For if in the Oke apple be founde Wormes, or Magots, then they signifie (after the opinion of auncient husbandmen) to the dearth and scarcitie in that yeare.

And if the Oke apple cut open be founde like to flies, it doth after threaten battel to ensue in that yeare.

And if in the Oke apple be founde like to Spiders, then doe they foreshewe the plague or pestilence to ensue in that yeare.

And to conclude, the onely proofe of the former taught, shal moue the Reader better to credite these.

¶ _An euerlasting Prognostication of the_ state and condition of euerye yeare, by the only Kalends of Ianuarie: written by that antient _learned_ Leopoldus Austriacus, _and others, for the commoditie of the wise Husbandmen_. Cap.ij.

And nowe, when the first day of Ianuary shal happen on the Sunday, then the Winter shall be temperate and good, yet windie, the Spring wet, the sommer drie, and the Haruest hurtfull throughe windes. So that victualles shall be reasonable good cheape, plentie of Wines, the good health & encrease of shéepe and other cattell, and the indifferent plentie of hony, and the like plentie also of Peason, Beanes, Vetches, and the herbes and fruites of the Gardens. Also yong men shal die that yeare, and a discorde to be feared betwéene Kings, or else some manifest perils to happen to Kings and greate Prelates in aucthoritie, and that diuers robberies shall be attempted that yeare. And if controuersies happen betwéen Princes, then a conclusion of peace to be looked for in that yeare.

And if the firste day of Ianuarie shall happen on the Monday, then shall the Winter be warme, the Spring very colde, with Snow and Frostes that season, the Sommer boisterous through winds, and haile oftentimes, and lande floudes shall be somewhere, and the Haruest very drie. So that sicknesses shall ensue, throughe which many of the simple sorte shal then die, and diuers also shall die, throughe the sodaine plague then happening. Also the likelihoode of greate alteration to ensue, & that auntient women to mourne, Kings to die, and a greate slaughter to be feared by the sword. Also small store of wines, the death of Bées, and little hony that yeare.

And if the firste beginning of the moneth of Ianuarie shal be on Tuisday, then that Winter shal be long, and much snow in that season, and the likelihoode of land floudes, throughe the muche raine then falling, the Spring windie, the Sommer verye wette, and the Haruest abounding in grosse and rotten humors (so that a moste gréeuous plague is to be feared, and especially of women, and the likelihoode of many shipwrackes, and very greate cares and troubles to happen vnto Princes, with the scarcitie of fruites of the trées: and corne shall be deare, with the sodaine death of cattel to be feared that yeare. Also wood shal that yeare be deare, and the likelihoode of fearefull fyres, and that the plague to be grieuous that yeare. And yet shal there be store of Peason, Beanes, and Vetches, & plentie of hearbes and floures. Also there shall be plentie of Hony, Oyle, and wines that yeare.

And when the firste of Ianuarie beginneth on the Wednesday, then shall the Winter be warme and calme, the Spring wette, and disposed to sicknesses, the Sommer hote, and the Haruest vnprofitable, so that long sicknesses are to be feared, & the Quarten Ague with them. Also yong men shall then be sick, and in ieopardie of death, and women the like, & in sundrie places shall happen a famine, with a greate brute of straunge newes. And there is also to be feared the grieuous passions of the hearte, the ydlenesse of minde, or rather distraught, and the diseases of the matrice in women. And yet the plentie of Oyle and Wines, but the scarcitie of corne to be doubted that yeare.

And if the beginning of Ianuarie be on Thursedaye, then shall the Winter be calme, & temperate, the Spring windie, the Sommer vnseasonable, and the Haruest drie, so that corne and victualles shall then be deare, yet store of Oile and Wines that yeare. And there is a likelihoode of lighte sickenesses to happen vnto the common people, but more dangerous sicknesses vnto the richer sorte. And the blearednesse of eies also is to be feared, and that yong children shall then die, battels procured, and the sedition of souldiours, and an earthquake to be doubted that yeare. Also great talke of newes shal be in Kings and Princes houses, and greate perills also be doubted to happen vnto Princes in that yeare.

And if the firste daye of Ianuarie happen on Fridaye, then shall the Winter be verie cold and drie, the Spring boysterous and wette, the Sommer temperate, the Haruest more wette than drie. So that the blearednesse, and other diseases with the filthinesse of matter running in the eies is to be feared, and the pinne or web is likewise to be doubted to happen in that yeare. And yong children shall ther die, and a likelihoode that young women shall be allured vnto a wanton loue, throughe the flatterie and great perswasions of men. Also a suspition of battels to ensue in that yeare, and the plague and robberies then to happen. Also the plentie of fruites is then promised, althoughe muche haile fall that yeare.

And if the beginning of Ianuarie happen on Saterdaye, then the Winter shall be windie and vnstable, the Spring windie, and vnconstant of weather, the sommer vnstable with manye tempestes, and the Haruest drie: So that victualls shall be deare, small store of corne, and little fruite that yeare. Also shéepe shall not well prosper that yeare, and a likelihoode then of the death of swine, and that woode shall be deare.

Also there shall be manye tertian agues, and diuers other diseases rayning among men, so that olde men shall then die, and a likelyhoode of the death of many men, by the plague. Also many fires shall be hearde of, little store of Wines, Oyle, and Hony, yet plentie of hay that yeare.

And if Neweyeares night (being the first night of Ianuarie) shall be calme and cleare, as withoute winde and raine, then doeth the same promise a prosperous yeare following.

And if in the same night the winde happen to blowe oute of the East, then doth the same signifie the death of cattell to ensue that yeare.

And if the same night the winde happen to blowe out of the West, then a likelyhood of the death of Kinges or Princes to ensue that yeare.

And if in the same night the wind happen to blow out of the South, then doth the same signifie the death of manye persons to ensue that yeare.

And if in the same night the wind happen to blow out of the North, then doth the same signifie the small yéelde of all fruites of the earth that yeare.

¶ Howe to foreknowe the state of the yeare, by the only rising of the dogge starre, out of the husbandrie of Diophanes. Cap.iij.

And about the knowledge of this, there is to be considered and noted, in what signe the Moone shall then be, at the first appearance of the dogge starre aboue the Earth in our Realme of England, which generally to be reckened is about the seauenth day of Iuly.

And nowe if the Moone runne then in the signe Aries, at the first appearance of the Dog starre, it doth after declare the death of Cattell and much raine. So that small yéelde of corne yet plentie of Oyle shal be that yeare.

And if the Moone runne then in the signe Taurus, at the first appearance of the dog starre, then doth it signifie much raine, fogges and mistes that shal harme much that yeare.

And if the Moone runne then in the signe Gemini, at the first appearance of the dogge starre, it doth after promise the plentie of corne and wine and all other fruites of the earth, a yet diseased yeare, and to be doubted that a King shal then die, and that rebellion also shall be moued that yeare.

And if the Moone run then in the signe Cancer at the first appearance of the dog starre, aboue the earth, it doth after threaten drought, with the great scarcitie of corne to ensue in that yere:

And if the Moone runne then in the signe Leo at the firste sight of the dogge starre, it after promiseth the plentie both of wines and Oyle, and the good cheape of corne and other victuals that yeare. And yet to bée feared the commotions of the common people, and slaughter of the same to ensue, with an erthquake, and land floudes to happen in that yeare.

And if the Moone runne then in the signe Virgo, at the first appearance of the dogge star, it after signifieth the plentie of showers, and the greate store of fruites of the earth, and the cheapenesse also of cattell. And yet to be feared, that women shal be deliuered before their time in that yeare.

And if the Moone runne then in the signe Libra, at the first appearance of the dogge starre, it after declareth the stirring vp of a king, and a commotion of the common people. And yet the plentie of fruites of the trées, although there be a likelyhood of the scarcitie of corne and oyle in that yeare.

And if the Moone runne then the signe Scorpio, at the first appearance of the dogge starre, it after declareth the commotion of priests, the destruction of Bées, and an infectiue aire to ensue that yeare.

And if the Moone runne then in the signe Sagitarius, at the first sight of the dogge starre aboue the earth, it after signifieth a raynie yeare, yet fruitefull, and the plentie of corne, and ioy among men. And yet is to be feared the death of cattell, & the multitude of foules in that yeare.

And if the Moone runne then in the signe Capricornus at the first appearance of the dogge star aboue the earth, it after declareth the commotion of souldiours, and greate store of raine, and yet the plentie of corne, wines and Oyle, and al other thinges good cheape in that yeare.

And if the Moone run then in the signe Aquarius, at the first appearance of the dog star aboue the earth, it after signifieth of a most likelyhood, the death of a king or Prince, the scarcitie of corne, and the plentie of such flyes with the long hinder legges, that burne corne by the touching of it. And yet little raine, with the plague to ensue in that yeare.

And if the Moone runne then in the signe Pisces, at the first appearaunce of the dogge starre aboue the earth, it after declareth much raine, and the death of byrdes. And yet doth it promise a sufficient store, & laudable plentifulnesse, both of Wines, Oyle, and corne, but manye persons shall be diseased in that yeare.

¶ Other profitable instructions, right necessarie for husbandmen to know. Cap.iiij.

And first if the horne of the Ramme (nere his eare) be boxed, the same doeth tame his fiercenesse. And if his right genitour be trussed vp before he goeth to couer the Ewe, then doeth he beget an Ewe lambe. And if the left be thus straite trussed vp, and the righte hanging downe, then doeth he begette a hée lambe.

And if in the time of the South wind blowing, the Ram doth then couer the Ewe, he doth after beget a shée lambe.

And if when the North wind bloweth the Ram doth then couer the Ewe, doth after beget a hée lambe. And of what colour also the vaines shal be vnder the tongue of the Ewe, suche shal the colour of the skinne of the lambe be, for if she hath black vaines vnder the tong, then the Lambe shall be blacke of skin, and if white vaines vnder the tong, then shall she haue a white lambe: and if of diuerse colours, then the lambe shal be of diuerse colours on the skin. And that antient Isaac writeth, that Rams in their yong yeares be of lesser moysture and clammynesse, than be the sucking lambs, and this is, through their age and qualitie then ruling.

And therefore the fleshe of yong weathers be better, and ingender better bloud than the sucking lambes.

And this is héere spoken of such Rammes as be gelded, in that their moysture and hotenesse is then temperate.

And the wethers ouer old are to be refused in eating, in that they be then cold and drie without moysture, and they smallye nourish and hardly disgest.

Also béefe and other fleshe of beastes being olde, be euill to eate, through the coldenesse and drynesse, and through the lacke of the moysture and hotnesse. And when the olde Rams in their time to couer the Ewe, be sooner moued thereto, than the yong Rammes, it doeth then signifie a good and profitable season to ensue in that yeare, and a good season and prosperous also for shéepe. But if in the proper time to couer the Ewe, the yong Rammes be sooner prouoked thereto than the olde Rams, then doeth followe the greate rotte or murreyne of shéepe in that yeare.

Also Ewes by drinking of water conceiue the sooner wyth Lambe and of this the shéepeheardes giue them salte to eate, wherby the more drinking of water, they may so conceiue with yong, and they are also by that meanes preserued the healthfuller. And in the Haruest also some sheapheardes giue them to eate Gourdes seasoned with salt to encrease their milke, for by that meanes both the milke more plentifully issue forth of their teates, and the Ewes do sooner conceiue. Also in Sommer is the colde Northerly water good for them, and in the Haruest the warme Southerly water good for them.

Also to let shéepe féede in the ende of the day, is greatelye commended: and if they also stirre but little abrode, the same is thought very profitable, in that the muche iourneying, and labouring of them hither and thither, doth so cause them to become leane. Also the skilful shéepeheards knowe, whiche shéepe will well endure the sharp winter, and which not, in that vpon some of the shéepes backes (as they affirme) Ise maye be founde, and vpon othersome none at al. So that by this may be learned, that such shéepe which be weake, a man can hardely plucke off the Ise from their backes. And further learne, that those shéepe whiche haue long tayles, maye hardlier abide the sharpe colde winter, than those hauing broade tayles: and the shéepe also curled of haire (do in like sorte) hardlier endure the bitter winter.

And besides these, the number greatly harmeth shéepe, especially if anye Ewe being with yong happeneth to be alone at that instant, for that she then with lambe, doeth of the fearefull noyse of the thunder, deliuer hir yong one before the time. And for a speciall remedie to saue that vntimely casting of Lambes at such times, the skilfull shéepeheardes haue found out, that the only driuing of many Ewes togither, is a sure safegard to them to auoyde this occasion. Besides, if you will remoue the rot of shéepe, that they die no more, then take the belly of a Ram, and séeth the same in wine and water togither, which after mixe with water, and giue the same generallye to all the shéepe to drinke, for by that meanes shall they againe be recouered of their disease. And here learne, that the fleshe of shéepe, and other foure footed beastes, which commonly féede in moyste ground, is euill to féede vpon, for the harde digestion of the same. Also learne, that the good shéepe are knowen by their age, as being neyther to olde, nor yet as Lambes: and by the forme also they are knowen, if so be you finde them large of body.

And they besides haue much and soft wool, and both thicke & long heare, especially on the nape, and about the necke, and the like haire on the belly. And both the health & sicknesse of shéepe may be knowen, if so be any openeth their eyes, and findeth the vaines within to be redde and small, which vndoubtedly declareth them to be sound and good: but it those vaines that appeare white, or redde, and bigge, then those shéepe are diseased and weake.

And if the shéepe go lustily and boldely by the waye, it is a sure token that they be sound, but sadly and hanging down the heade, then be they diseased. These hitherto of the yearely coniectures, and other rules, only méete for husbandmen to vnderstand and know.

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Transcriber's note:

Scribal abbreviations have been expanded.

Variations in spelling, accenting, and hyphenation have been retained.

All instances of 'VV' standing in for 'W' have been changed to 'W.'

Table of Contents entries have been regularised to the format 'cap.xij.'

cap.first., comma inserted after 'Aristotle,' "Palladius, Aristotle, Theophrastus"

cap.first., 'aud' changed to 'and,' "diuided with plightes and rings."

cap.vij., 'diligeuce' changed to 'diligence,' "care and diligence of the Bees."