20 
THE ART OF GARDEN DESIGN IN ITALY 
species of odoriferous herbs, such as goat’s-rue, sage, basil, marjoram, mint, and the like. The 
paths were to be of grass, and against the wall a high bank of earth arranged as a seat, blossoming 
and beautiful, whilst pergolas of vines gave to the charming spot a cool and delightful shade. 
‘As in trees of this kind the shade is sought rather than the fruit, they must not be dug or 
manured, because it would hurt the neighbouring herbs and flowers,’ 1 and care must be taken that 
the trees neither be too many nor grow too thickly, because the shutting off of air corrupts the 
health of the place, also because the garden requires a free current of air.’ He recommends the 
use of sweet-scented and shady trees, as vines, apples, pears, laurels, pomegranates, cypresses, and 
the like. ‘ In the middle of the lawn there must be no trees, but let the fresh level of the grass 
remain alone in a pure and glad air, and if possible let there be brought a clear fountain, which 
will add pleasure and gaiety by its beauty.’ 
The author then proceeds to deal with gardens ' For ordinary persons from two to four acres in 
extent ’; these, he suggests, should be surrounded by trenches with a fence of prickly shrubs and white 
briars, with a hedge beyond of pomegranates in hot climates, and of hazel nuts or quinces in cold. 
The principal reason of such a garden was for the production of fruit, but a part was set aside as a 
small flower garden and another portion as a meadow, with probably a ‘ ragnaia,’ or bird snare : a 
feature still to be seen in many parts of Tuscany. He also suggests an arbour or trellis-bower made 
in the fittest and most convenient place, ‘ like unto a pavilion.’ Thirdly, the treatise deals with the 
gardens of kings and other rich persons ; for ' whereas such persons having great riches and power 
can in these worldly things entirely satisfy their wills, most times only lack the industry and the 
science of ordering them.’ For such gardens Crescenzi suggests a level site, ' not marshy or closed to 
the blowing of good winds,’ in which there should be a fountain flowing through all its parts and 
places. ' The size should be twenty acres or more according to the sire’s pleasure, and girt with walls 
as high as it is meet. On the northern side let there be planted a forest of different trees where the 
wild animals let loose in the garden can run and hide. On the southern side let there be built a 
beautiful palace where the king or queen will dwell when bent on escaping serious thoughts and renew 
their souls with comfort and mirth. Because such a palace if built on that side will in time of 
summer cast around it on the garden side a temperate outlook and without the heat of the sun. 
Also in some part of this garden can the orchards be planted. And let a fishpond be made in which 
many generations of fish shall be fed, and also let there be hares, stags, roebucks, and rabbits, and 
such animals as are not rapacious. And at the top of some small trees near the palace let there 
be built a kind of house having a roof and walls of copper-wire finely netted, where shall be put 
pheasants, partridges, nightingales, blackbirds, goldfinches, linnets, and all kinds of singing birds. 
And let the rows of the trees in the garden of the palace be far from the forest, in order that from 
the palace it may be seen what the animals in the garden are doing. There also ought to be made 
in this garden a dwelling-place, with walks and bowers of trees only, in which the king or the 
queen may sojourn with their barons in dry weather. Such a place can be conveniently built in 
this wise. Let all the spaces of the paths and of the walls be measured and marked, and in the 
