12 



GARDEN CRAFT IN EUROPE 



trellis, with angle posts carved and decorated. Such structures were painted 

 in the gayest colours, an example which might with advantage be followed 



to-day. The pergola has always been a 

 great feature in Italian garden design and, 

 by the use of marble columns with carved 

 and painted beams, was capable of great 

 elaboration. 



With the fall of Rome and the incursions 

 of barbaric tribes the sumptuous villas did 

 not long survive destruction, often being 

 converted into fortified abodes where there 

 was little opportunity for gardening. The 

 best traditions, however, passed on to the 

 Eastern Empire, and under the influence of 

 Byzantine taste, were never entirely lost. In 

 Italy and the West of Europe generally, the 

 art of horticulture was only kept from entire 

 degeneration by the monks in the compara- 

 tive peace afforded by convent walls, and 

 by their untiring labours whole districts in 

 Italy, France and Spain were fertilized after 

 having been abandoned in consequence of the 

 ravages of Goths and Saracens. Nevertheless, the influence of Pliny and other 

 writers on agriculture was felt through all these centuries. The Herbal of 

 Apuleius, founded on Pliny's works, was compiled in the fourth century and 

 later translated into Anglo-Saxon. 



TRELLIS ARBOUR FROM A 

 FRESCO AT POMPEII 



