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JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



THE OLD GARDENS OF ITALY. 

 By J. Cheal, F.R.H.S. 

 [Lecture* delivered November 24, 1908.]* 



The Italian love of gardening dates from an early period. Roman 

 generals in the zenith of their power, no doubt, brought home from 

 Eastern countries which came under their sway marvellous tales of the 

 gardens of Assyria, Babylonia, and Egypt. 



It was probably this that fired the imagination of Lucullus, and led him 

 to make the magnificent garden at Naples described by Pompey. Lucullus 

 also laid out other gardens in different parts of Italy, and was probably a 

 pioneer in the sumptuous style of gardening which became so prevalent 

 at a later date. He not only designed magnificent gardens, but is said to 

 have introduced into Italy many plants and fruits, especially the peach, 

 apricot, and cherry. Greek architecture also impressed its influence on 

 Roman design. 



The Emperor Hadrian early in the second century seems to have 

 greatly stimulated the taste for architecture and horticulture. He was 

 not only a great general and traveller, but an insatiable collector, and 

 enriched his magnificent villa and gardens at Tivoli with a wealth of art 

 treasures brought from the East and South, and especially from Egypt. 

 His villa he designed on the grandest scale for the entertainment of his 

 courtiers and friends. 



Pliny the Younger, about the same time, not only built many villas 

 and designed gardens, but left copious descriptions of some of these, which 

 give a good idea of the gardens of the period. 



For several centuries during the decline of the Roman power the love 

 of gardening, or at any rate the enjoyment of its luxuries, also declined. 

 There was a great revival in this direction, however, about the close of the 

 fourteenth century. A great impetus to gardening seems to have been 

 given by Lorenzo de' Medici, a friend of Michael Angelo, and indeed the 

 whole family of Medici were enthusiastic gardeners, and they had much 

 to do with the creation of the beautiful villas and gardens around Rome 

 and Florence. During the period of the Renaissance, zoological speci- 

 mens were also introduced into gardens and parks, which were stocked 

 with collections of birds and animals. 



At this period wealthy senators, merchants, and Church dignitaries 

 seem to have vied with each other in the creation of charming residences and 

 gardens, all the arts of the architect, the sculptor, and the gardener being 

 employed in the production of the wonderful gardens of the period, many 

 of which can be seen to-day ; some in varying stages of decay, others still 

 maintained and preserved with great care. 



* This lecture was illustrated by a large number of beautiful pictures from photo- 

 graphs taken by the lecturer, only a very few of which can be reproduced here, and 

 the notes given refer mainly to those gardens we are able to illustrate. 



