66 THE SHAKESPEARE GARDEN 



that you may have ver perfetuum, as the place 

 affords." 



Gardening was a serious business. The duties 

 of gardeners were not light. We are told that 

 "Gardeners should not only be diligent and painful, 

 but also experienced and skilful ; at the least, one of 

 them to have seen the fine gardens about London 

 and in Kent; to be able to cast out the Quarters of 

 the garden as may be most convenient that the 

 Walks and the Alleys be long and large; to cast 

 up Mounts, to tread out Knots in the Quarters of 

 arms and fine devices, to set and sow in them sweet- 

 smelling flowers and strewing herbs; to have in the 

 finest parts of the garden Artichokes, Pompions, 

 Melons, Cucumbers and such-like; in other places 

 convenient Radishes, Keritts, Carrats and other 

 roots with store of all kind of herbs for the Kitchen 

 and Apothecary; to know what Flowers and Herbs 

 will best endure the Sun and which need most to be 

 shaded : in like sort, for the East and North winds, 

 not only to be skilful in planting and grafting of 

 all kinds of fruit-trees, but also how to place them 

 in best order; and to be able to judge of the best 

 times and seasons to plant and graft all fruits and 

 to set and sow all flowers, herbs and roots; and 

 also the best time when to cut and gather all herbs 



