IN CONNECTION WITH THE TOWN OF SAFFRON WALDEN.
11
beer to make them sweat. About five pounds of wet saffron made
about one pound when dried, but in the latter part of the season six
pounds were needed. The average portion of dried saffron obtained
from an acre the first year was rarely over two pounds, twelve for the
second year, and rather more for the third. After this third crop,
the midsummer following, the roots were taken up and transplanted
to new ground.3
Dr. Douglass's estimate for an acre under crocus cultivation in
1728, was:—
It has been stated that saffron was introduced into England directly
from Asia.4 Hackluyt (1582) says that the first root was brought here
in the reign of Edward III., by a pilgrim from Tripoli, who concealed
it in his staff; had it been discovered, he would have been liable to the
penalty of death. This story may be mythical, but Edward III. was
renowned for his encouragement of industry of all kinds. To Sir
Thomas Smith, a native of Walden, Secretary of State to Edward VI.,
is attributed the introduction of it to the town of Walden, but though
it was grown to a large extent, and its cultivation certainly facilitated
by him, he could scarcely have been the means of originating the
industry, as the Charity Commissions' report speaks of two saffron
gardens belonging to Gepy Simmonds, in 1481, and in the Church-
wardens' accounts for Walden, 2nd. Richard III., is this entry:—"Itm.
Payd to John Rede for pyking of V unc safron xiid."—and Flemming,
a clergyman who resided in the neighbourhood, relates that in 1584
it was extensively grown here; and that in 1565 its abundance was so
great that the pickers were offered half the produce for their labour.
In many of the wills of the time mention is made of saffron gardens,
3 See "Philosophical Transactions," Nos. 138, 380, 404.—Ed.
4 It was cultivated by the Arabs in Spain about A. D. 960, and is mentioned in English Leech-
books of the 10th century. See Ellacombe's "Plant lore of Shakespeare."—Ed.