YI 224 GAKDENS OF THE BIBLE. 



Lily of tlio ^';llll•\•, llie Calamus, Camphor, Spikoiianl, SatlVou, aiij Cinnamon ; timber- 

 trees, as the Cedar, the Pine, and the Fir; and the riehest fruits, as the Fig, Crape, 

 Apple, Palm,* and I'omegranate." — London. It was also watered by wells and run- 

 ning streams. Nauoth had a vineyard in Samaria, adjoining the palace of Aiiar. 

 He must have been a very good gardener, or his king a very covetous man ; fur it 

 aj)pcars that his purple clusters looked so tempting, from Aiiab's windows, that the 

 king could not restrain his desire to get possession of them. Aiiasuerus had a gar- 

 den near his palace at Jerusalem, whilher he often went to refresh himself; but of its 

 size or products we know nothing. 



It is evident that the garden among the Hebrews, as throughout all the East, was 

 a place of more frequent resort than it is with us. It was fitted up with arbors em- 

 bowered in vinos, and with aviaries and seraglios (or tasteful cottages) ; and streams 

 of water were conducted through it, both for use and beauty. It was resorted to 

 less for exercise than for rest and enjoyment; the climate of that country rendering 

 desirable a place for repose, a quiet spot sheltered from the sun by broad-leaved trees 

 and clustering branches, amid which to breathe the fresh air, to view the landscape, to 

 hear the song of birds and the sound of running water. The Bible is the only book 

 from which we can learn how the Hebrew managed his farm and garden ; and the 

 information from this source is somewhat scanty. This, however, we know, that in 

 his fields he grew Wheat, Rye, Barley, Millet, Vetches, Lentils and Beans ; and in his 

 garden he raised Cucumbers, Melons, Almonds, Pomegranates, Olives, Figs, Grapes, 

 Gourds, Onions, Garlic, Anise, Cummin, Coriander, Mustard, and various Spices ; to 

 which may be added many flowers, whose names the Bible does not record. He 

 raised in his garden what his climate especially required for his comfort and health — 

 juicy, cooling fruits, to assuage his thirst ; spices and fragrant herbs, to regale him 

 with pleasant odors ; and wine, to refresh his spirits. 



Before leaving this part of the subject, it may be worthy of remark, as showing 

 the horticultural knowledge of Moses, that he forbade the Hebrew to ripen any fruit 

 on the Vine and Olive for the first three years after they were planted, so as to enable 

 them to become mature and thrifty. 



"When the sacred writers would speak of a state or condition of the Jewish people 

 much to be desired, they often represent it by such figures as, " Sitting every man 

 under his own vine and fig-tree, with none to molest or make afraid," &c. ; thus indi- 

 cating, it would seem, that in the mind of a Hebrew the peaceful ownership of a 

 garden was among the highest of earthly felicities. And in Abraham's purchase of 

 "the field of Ephron, with the cave, and all the trees that were in the field," and in 

 the frequent burials amid groves of Oak, mentioned in the Bible, may we not see how 



* The more careful writers of tlie present day hold that the Rose of modem gardens is not once referred to in the 

 Scriptures, though it is not doubted that it was well known in the earliest fges of the world, and had a place in every 

 garden of the Bible. The Lily of the Valley was not the liumble plant w)iich appears in our borders, hut a large 

 flower growing wild in Palestine, especially in valleys. The " Lilies of the field," between which and Solomon's 

 Christ drew a com] arison, was, it is SJpposed, a red Lily ; anil, as the royal robe was purple, such compari' 

 beautifully ajijiropriate. The fruit referred to in the Bible under the name of the Apple, is now commonly 

 pposed to have been the Citron. 



