63.  Sparagus, Asparagus (ab Asperitate) temperately hot, and moist; Cordial, Diuretic, easie of Digestion, and next to Flesh, nothing more nourishing, as Sim.  Sethius, an excellent Physician holds.  They are sometimes, but very seldom, eaten raw with Oyl, and Vinegar; but with more delicacy (the bitterness first exhausted) being so speedily boil’d, as not to lose the verdure and agreeable tenderness; which is done by letting the Water boil, before you put them in.  I do not esteem the Dutch great and larger sort (especially rais’d by the rankness of the Beds) so sweet and agreeable, as those of a moderate size.

64.  Spinach, Spinachia:  of old not us’d in Sallets, and the oftner kept out the better; I speak of the crude:  But being boil’d to a Pult, and without other Water than its own moisture, is a most excellent Condiment with Butter, Vinegar, or Limon, for almost all sorts of boil’d Flesh, and may accompany a Sick Man’s Diet.  ’Tis Laxative and Emollient, and therefore profitable for the Aged, and (tho’ by original a Spaniard) may be had at almost any Season, and in all places.

Stone-Crop, Sedum Minus.  See Trick-Madame.

65.  Succory, Cichorium, an Intube; erratic and wild, with a narrow dark Leaf, different from the Sative, tho’ probably by culture only; and for being very bitter, a little edulcorated with Sugar and Vinegar, is by some eaten in the Summer, and more grateful to the Stomach than the Palate.  See Endive.

66.  Tansy, Tanacetum; hot and cleansing; but in regard of its domineering relish, sparingly mixt with our cold Sallet, and much fitter (tho’ in very small quantity) for the Pan, being qualified with the Juices of other fresh Herbs, Spinach, Green Corn, Violet, Primrose-Leaves, &c. at entrance of the Spring, and then fried brownish, is eaten hot with the Juice of Orange and Sugar, as one of the most agreeable of all the boil’d Herbaceous Dishes.

67.  Tarragon, Draco Herba, of Spanish Extraction; hot and spicy:  The Tops and young Shoots, like those of Rochet, never to be secluded our Composition, especially where there is much Lettuce.  ’Tis highly cordial and friendly to the Head, Heart, Liver, correcting the weakness of the Ventricle, _&c._

68.  Thistle, Carduus Mariae; our Lady’s milky or dappl’d Thistle, disarm’d of its Prickles, is worth esteem:  The young Stalk about May, being peel’d and soak’d in Water, to extract the bitterness, boil’d or raw, is a very wholsome Sallet, eaten with Oyl, Salt, and Peper; some eat them sodden in proper Broath, or bak’d in Pies, like the Artichoak; but the tender Stalk boil’d or fry’d, some preferr; both Nourishing and Restorative.