147 
CHAP, IX. 
GARDENS AND ORCHARDS. 
Besides the domestic gardens attached to houses i'u 
the country, are tracts of garden ground near the prin¬ 
cipal towns, for the supply of their markets; particu¬ 
larly near Worcester to the north-east, where there are 
considerable gardens and nurseries, and near the town 
of Evesham to the north, where are considerable garden 
grounds for the raising of all the usual garden plants, 
as well as onions, cucumbers, and asparagus, for the 
supply of the neighbouring markets, and the town of 
Birmingham; there is now supposed to be near three 
hundred acres of land, under the garden culture in 
the neighbourhood of Evesham ; and from these pre¬ 
mises, asparagus, and early pease, are sent to Bath and 
Bristol, as well as to Birmingham; from sixty to 
eighty horses have formerly been laden in a day with 
garden stuff for Birmingham market; but the roads 
being now improved, it is sent in wheel-carriages, with 
a much fewer number of horses. 
The rent of garden ground near Stourpott, and other 
populous towns, is 2s. 6d. per perch or rod, of eight; 
yards square, this is nine guineas per acre; the pro¬ 
duce can be worth little more than rent and labour • 
but a garden is a convenience, as well as a source o 
amusement. 
This 
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