151 A ///STOAT OF GA/^DEMNG IX EXGLAND. 



as coming in September, alonj^' with "peaches and melocotones." 

 Of the latter, Parkinson writes it " is a yellow fair peach . . . 

 and is better rellished than an\- of them."" 



The only '* curran," so called by Gerard, is the small grape or 

 currant of Corinth, classed with grapes. The red currant is 

 referred to under Gooseberries or Flaberries. Parkinson, however, 

 gives them a chapter to themselves, and explains the difference 

 between them and those " sold at the Grocers." He describes 

 the red, white and black kinds, and says the white are " more 

 desired . . . because they are more daint}' and lesse common." 

 Raspberries, white and red, were eaten " in summer-time, as an 

 afternoon dish to please the taste of the sick as well as the 

 sound."* The cornel tree or Cornelian Cherr}- {Cornus mas) 

 was introduced about this time, and found a place in orchards 

 along with barberries, service berries and almond trees. 



Before closing this rapid review of the fruit of this period, I 



must say a few words about vineyards and grapes. ISIany of the 



larger gardens had vineyards attached. Barnaby Googe says they 



were invariabl}- placed on the western side of the garden, and it 



is curious to note that such is the position of the one mentioned 



in Measure for Measure, act iv. scene i. 



" He hath a garden circummured with brick, 

 Whose western side is with a vineyard back'd ; 

 And to that vineyard is a planched gate, 

 That makes his opening with this bigger key. 

 This other doth command a little door, 

 Which from the garden to the vineyard leads." 



Gerard gives five pictures of what he calls "tame" or "manured" 

 vines. He advises " shavings of horn disposed about the roots, 

 to cause fertilit}'." Parkinson's list includes twenty-three 

 names. He says that Tradescant grew twenty sorts, but " he 

 never knew how or b\- what name to call them." " The ordinary 

 grape, both white and red, which excelleth crabs for verjuyce, 

 and is not fit for wine with us," was probably what was usually 

 grown in vineyards, the choicer sorts being only found, as these 

 old writers would say, in the gardens of the curious. He has on 

 his list black and white "Muscadine," and the " Frontignack " ; 



* Parkinson. 



