THE CHARM OF GARDENS 



have control over the supply of hot water which must 

 flow through the green-houses where early fruits and 

 flowers were forced ; such fruits as Winter Grapes, 

 Melons, and Gherkins ; and of flowers, the Rose in par- 

 ticular, for use in garlands and crowns. 



Violets and Roses were the principal flowers, being 

 often grown as borders to the beds of vegetables, so 

 that one might find Violets, Onions, Turnips, and Kidney 

 Beans flourishing together. 



Besides these flowers there were also the Crocus, 

 Narcissus, Lily, Iris, Hyacinth (the Greek emblem of 

 the dead in memory of the youth killed by Apollo by 

 mistake with a quoit), Poppy, and the bright red Damask 

 Rose and Lupias. 



In the orchards of Rome were Cherries, Plums, Quinces, 

 Pomegranates, Peaches, Almonds, Medlars, and Mul- 

 berries ; and in the vineyards were thirty varieties of 

 Grapes. Those kinds of fruits which were hardy enough 

 to stand our climate were grown here, and to judge 

 from all account only the Olive failed to meet the test. 



Not only were flowers and fruit grown in profusion 

 but Herbs, Asparagus, and Radishes had their place. 



Honey, which took a great place in Roman cookery, 

 and in making possets, and in thickening wine, was pro- 

 vided by bees kept especially in apiaries built in shel- 

 tered places, with beds of Cytisus, and Thyme and 

 Apiastrum by them. The hives were built of brick or 

 baked dung, and were placed in tiers, the lowest on 

 stone parapets about three feet above the ground ; 

 these parapets being covered with smooth stucco to 

 prevent lizards and insects from entering the hives. 



The descriptions by the younger Pliny of his villas 

 and gardens are so delightful in themselves, besides 

 being of great value, that I am going to quote largely 

 from them. 



78 



