EARLY TUDOR GARDENS. 



abrode in the fieldes amonge other bushes 



97 



This passage is 



curious, as the subject has frequently been discussed, whether 

 the gooseberry is an indigenous plant in this country. Tusser 

 tells us that they are to be planted in September : — 



"The Barbery, Respis, and Gooseberry too 

 Looke now to be planted as other things doo. 

 The Goosebery, Respis, and Roses, al three 

 With strawberies vnder them trimly aoree." 



Al'KlCOT TREES ON ULU GARDEN WALL, LITTLECOTE. 



The greatest addition to the number of cultivated fruits was 

 the apricot, which was certainly introduced before the middle 

 of the sixteenth century, probably by Henry the Eighth's 

 gardener. Wolf, about 1524. Turner mentions it in both his 

 works under Malus Armeniaca, and gives Abrecok, or Abricok, 

 as the English nam^e, though he maintains that "an hasty 

 peche is a better and a fitter name for it. But so that the 

 tre be well knowen, I pase not gretely what name it is knowen 



7 



