THE HISTORY OF GARDENING 3 



When they had finally subjugated the ancient 

 Britons and peace prevailed, history tells us that 

 the Roman settlers planted vineyards and orchards 

 of apples, pears, figs, and mulberries; also they grev^^ 

 corn extensively for home use and for export. 



In the twelfth century it is recorded that vineyards 

 flourished in the Vale of Gloucester, apple orchards 

 were plentiful in the fertile district of Worcester, 

 and market gardens existed at Fulham. These 

 vi^ere simple patches or enclosures, within walls, 

 planted with fruits, vegetables, and herbs. 



^he Monks of the Middle Ages were the real 

 pioneers of gardening, and it is to their skill and 

 knowledge that we owe much. Their superior 

 education and general habits made it possible for 

 them to bring skilled method into the work, and 

 gardening as an " art " may be rightly said to date 

 from the monastery gardens. 



Also, the monks were naturally in the habit of 

 travelling a good deal, and so had the chance of 

 seeing new plants cultivated in other countries, 

 which they could secure and grow in their own 

 gardens. 



hi the reign of Edward III. the art of gardening 

 began to be taken seriously in hand. Gardens 

 were laid out on a more ornamental scale, and 

 plants for medicinal purposes were cultivated 

 extensively. 



The first book on gardening — " De Yconomia de 

 Housbrandia," by Walter de Henley — appeared 

 in the sixteenth century, and others soon followed, 

 including that of Thomas Tusser, who detailed the 

 work of the garden and farm in quaint and curious 

 rhyme. 



