THE ELIZABETHAN FLOWER-GARDEN 131 



Rustique," translated by Markham, it was first pointed 

 out that " The frame and toil used on our French 

 Country Farms be not alto- 

 gether like that of former and 

 ancient days." 



Sir Hugh Platt in " Floraes 

 Paradise," Markham in his 

 books on gardening, and Law- 

 son in " A New Orchard and 

 Garden " show the develop- 

 ment of a style of gardens 

 particularly appropriate to England. The descriptions 

 given by Markham and Lawson are especially inter- 

 esting. 



Cautiously the idea was introduced at this time that a Gardens as 



, . r . , r , useful orna- 



thmg of beauty might be an excuse in itself, and me nts. 

 this led to the garden of pleasure, or flower-garden. 

 But orchards, herbaries, and kitchen gardens were 

 not done away with, and at the outset even the 

 pleasure garden was excused as having a useful side. 

 For instance, in the " Maison Rustique," the author 

 concludes his statement that "the most pleasant 

 and delectable thing in our French gardens is the 

 flower garden as well in respect as it serveth the 

 chief lord whose inheritance it is to solace himself 

 therein," by adding, " as also in respect to their ser- 

 vice to set beehives in." Gerard also points out that 



