GLEANINGS ON GARDENS. 73 



CHAPTER V. 

 ON COTTAGE GARDENS. 



WORLIDGE, who wrote about 1680, when 

 speaking on the general attachment for 

 gardens, says, * Such is its pre-excellency, that there is 

 scarcely a cottage in most of the southern parts of 

 England but hath its proportionable garden ; so great 

 delight do most men take in it that they may not only 

 please themselves with the view of the flowers, herbs, 

 and trees, as they grow, but furnish themselves and 

 their neighbours upon extraordinary occasions, as 

 nuptials, feasts, and funerals.' 



A Mr. Moggridge, of Monmouthshire, communi- 

 cated to the Gardener's Magazine, in January, 1827, 

 respecting the village gardens and cottages which his 

 compassionate feelings for the poor labourers caused 

 him to establish, 'where seven years ago there was 

 nothing but thickets, brakes, and wood;' but now 

 * every cottager has his own oven, and bakes his own 

 bread; he has also a corner in his pantry, which I 

 hope to live to see fitted with a small cask of good home- 

 brewed beer or ale ; but what is worth both put 

 together he has his garden. All the villagers' gardens 

 are now well cultivated, some of them highly, pro- 



