38 



GARDEN CRAFT IN EUROPE 



of the flowers. So let not the little garden be inferior in the amenity of its 

 site to Italy herself, which, sheltered from the cold of the sterile north wind 

 by her Alpine walls, seemed to Varro to be one orchard spread out towards 

 the fertile warmth of the southern sky." 



Poggio a Cajano, some ten miles beyond Florence, was laid out about 



A COURT IN THE GARDENS OF THE VATICAN. 



1485 from the designs of Giulio di San Gallo, and was famous for its planta- 

 tion of mulberry trees and for its wonderful parks, where Lo renzo de M edici 

 formed a collection of all kinds of rare birds and animals. He was also keenly 

 interested in the study of plants, and owing to his efforts Italy may claim to 

 be the creator of botanical gardens. The grounds of his villa at Careggio might 



