71 



several theological works as well as " Rci Rusticoi libri qua- 

 tuor," which was published in 1570, aud " Leji;iim rufctioanuu 

 ot operarum per singiilos menses digesta," in 1595. lie would 

 not command our attention in this work if his " Rei Rusticoe/' 

 had not been translated by Barnaby Googe. Googc was a 

 Poet, born in Lincolnshire, educated at Christ's College, Cam- 

 bridge, studied at Staples Inn, London, and through the in- 

 fluence of his relative Sir William Cecil, became Gentlemen 

 pensioner to the Queen, In 15G3, appeared his "Eglogs, 

 Epitaphs, and Sonnets," which is a very rare book. In 1565, 

 he translated and published "the Zodiake of Life," from the 

 Italian, by Palingenius. His translation of Ileresbach was 

 printed in 1678, though the preface is dated 1557, it is enti- 

 tled " Foure Bookes of Husbandrie, containing:; tr.e whole art 

 and trade of Husbandrie, Gardenings Graffeing aud Pluntin-; 

 with the antiquitie and commendation thercoj." It was re- 

 printed in 1C14, by Gervjtse Markham, with additions. 



The work is in dialogue — The first book relates to husbandry 

 or farming, and gives a lively sketch of the buildings, practice, 

 and manners of the country gentlemen of the age ; and that it 

 applied to those of this country appears evident from the fcvr 

 interpolations which may be detected as inserted by Googe. 

 Book the second, is a dialogue between Thrasybulus and Ma- 

 rius, of Gardens, Orchards and Woods, opening' with a decla- 

 ration of the antiquity of Horticulture — proceeds with a very 

 jiist description of the best situationof a Garden, the neces- 

 sity for a good supply of Water, and the time for applying it, 

 of enclosing a Garden by Walls, &c. but with especial directions 

 how to form a quickset hedge. — He then insists upon always 

 diggiiig the grou.:d some months before inserting the crops, 

 " thrt which you mean to sow in the end of Summer, may be 

 digged in the spring, &c" — " t^e beds are to be made 12 feet 

 long, and 6 broad, that they may be easier weeded." — Of dungs 

 he prefers that of the Ass. He then gives a list, of gardca 



