SACRED AND CLASSICAL PLANTING. 



The Pomegranate (^Punica Granatum,') Pliuy informs us, was first found near Car- 

 thage. It is the malus punica of the Romans, and the rimon of the Hebrews, probably 

 from rania, to project, from the strong projection or reflexion of light from the star-like 

 crown of the fruit which bears the upper part of the calyx. The high estimation in which 

 this tree was held in the land of Isreal may be inferred from the fact, that it was one of 

 the three kinds of fruit brought from Eschol to Moses and the congregation in the wilder- 

 ness; and from its being distinguished by the rebellious sojourners as one of the most 

 delicious luxuries they enjoyed in Egypt. No circumstance more clearly evinces the value 

 which the eastern nations put upon this fruit than the choice which king Solomon makes 

 of it to represent certain graces of the church — " Thy temples are like a piece of pome- 

 granate within thy locks." The ornaments placed in the net work over the crowns which 

 were on the top of the two brazen pillars of Solomon's temple were carvings of this fruit, 

 as were also those decorations ordered to be fixed on the skirt of Aaron's robe. Greece 

 was full of it. That district known as the land of Pindar, Hesoid, and Plutarch, was in 

 particular noted for rich crops of this fruit. Agatharchides relates the following anecdote 

 connected with this tree : A dispute arising between the Athenians and Boeotians, respect- 

 ing a spot called Side, situated on the borders, Epaminondas, in order to decide the ques- 

 tion, took out a pomegranate from under his robe, and demanded of the Arthenians what 

 they called it. " Rhoa," they replied. "Very good," said Epaminondas; " but we 

 call it Side, and, as the place derives its name from the fruit which grows there in abun- 

 dance, it is clear the land must belong to us." And it was decided in favor of the Boeo- 

 tians. In fine seasons it produces its fruit of the full size in this country when trained 

 against a wall. 



The fig tree is frequently mentioned in the Holy Scriptures, and is common throughout 

 Palestine and the east generally. Amongst the ancient Hebrews it was known as thaena, 

 signifying the tree of grief, probably from the leaf causing inflammation when applied to 

 the bod3^ It was of this tree that our first parents, immediately after the fall, twisted 

 for themselves girdles or aprons. Throughout the Holy Land the failure or destruction 

 of the fig tree was accounted one of the greatest public or private calamities. Hence it is 

 said, " Although the fig tree shall not blossom, &c., yet I will rejoice in the Lord." In 

 ancient Greece this fruit tree was well known and extensively cultivated. It was the 

 pride of Attica. According to the traditions of the Athenians, figs first grew on a spot 

 not far distant from the city on the road to Eleusis, thence called Hiera Suke, " the sacred 

 fig tree." So much prized was the fruit here produced, that the inhabitants were forbid- 

 den to export them. This law, however, was often contravened, and the informers against 

 the delinquents were called sycophants, or " revealers of figs;" a word which has since 

 been in use to characterise mean-souled, dastardly persons, such as informers generally 

 are. Naxos, a celebrated country in the ^gean sea, was celebrated for its fig trees, which 

 were especially cherished by Bacchus, who was the chief god of the island. Here this 

 divinity obtained the title of Meilicliios, " the gracious," because he taught them the use 

 of this fruit. In the processions of this god the fig was carried next to the vine. Through- 

 out Sussex the fig is i»lanted as a standard; and it is in this character that it can be best 

 introduced in a classical group with others. 



To the Olive tree the Sacred AVritings abound in references; it has been from the earliest 

 ages the emblem of peace, and the bounteous gift of heaven. In the garden of the Horti- 

 cultural Society at Chiswick, and in several parts of Devonshire, it grows as a standard, 

 rvives the severest winter. In other counties, therefore, it may be made to flour- 

 th the aid of shelter. This tree rose plentifully all over Judea, and so viewed, ex 



