8 



AtheniaQ General, about four hundred aud thirty years, before 

 the Chriatian era, as well as other Gardens of which we hate 

 record, consisted of walks shaded by Plane Trees, watered by 

 Streams, and enclosed by Walls.* The warlike manners of 

 the people made them delight in the addition of the Gym- 

 nasium, where their exercises were performed. Fruit Trees 

 were planted in them, not caring for the produce of which, 

 we read that Cimon threw open his Gardens to the public.f 

 Epicurus, the philosopher of the Garden, as he has been 

 called, died at the age of seventy-two, B. C. 270. His Gar- 

 dens were celebrated as much for their beauty as for the Lec- 

 tures he delivered in them. The scite of the one he possessed 

 at Athens cost him eighty Mince, or about two hundred and 

 sixty pounds, no inconsiderable sum in that age. He had it 

 laid out around his house, being the first of the kind intro- 

 duced into the city.^ Of their Horticultural skill the Geo- 

 ponick writers, give us a favourable idea, for however empiri- 

 cal and accompanied by gross superstitions, they were aware of 

 practices at present adopted and recommended. Thus Anato- 

 lius says, that if you wish an Apple Tree to bear much fruit, a 

 piece of pipe should be bound tight round the stem. Sotian 

 recommends the same, and to sever some of the largest roots 

 when the tree is over luxuriant. They were aware of the ne- 

 cessity of Caprification, and bringwildFigs upon the branches 

 of the cultivated Trees to prevent them casting their fruit, 

 •* wherefore, says Democritus, some insert a shoot on each 

 Tree that they may not be obliged to do that every year." 

 The knowledge of grafting which this and other passages 

 intimate, was the acquirement of a period coeval with the 

 earliest age of which we have any informaton. Of manures 

 they had a correct knowledge, and when this was deficient, 

 they turned in green vegetable matters, and even sowed 

 Beans, for the purpose of ploughing them in, when grown up.]) 

 They were very fond of flowers, which were used as ornaments 



• PanftOdttfe b. i. S9. f Corn. Nepoginvi<A, Cimoa. J Pliny b, xix> 

 «. 4. I T%*opliraitQi viii. 9. 



