A Plain and Easy Introduction to the Knowledge and Practice of Gardening

The Alphabetical Lists in Section 19, contain a great
number of plants, and those trees, shrubs, and flowers, which
are not referred to in the Index, must be looked for in this
Section; where is mentioned their stature, time of flowering,
colour, nature, and propagation; all which arrangements are
formed on a plan entirely new. Those who are led by the
Index to any of the articles of observation in Sect. 19, should
also turn to the preceding List for the same article, in order
to complete their information.

SECTION 1.

THE PRAISE OF GARDENING.

It is of importance to the welfare of any art, that

those whose taste inclines towards it, should have a good opinion of its utility, and competent notions of its principles. It is therefore the design of the present section, to shew the degree of estimation that the art of gardening is worthy of; and it is the object of the next, to assist in the acquiring that knowledge of Nature, upon which the art so much depends.

Not to enlarge upon the profits of gardening, its employments are certainly conducive to health of body, and peace of mind; and great indeed are the charms and recreations of a garden well stocked, and well managed by the hand, or under the direction of the owner himself: It at all times serves him as a source of rational amusement, and honest satisfaction.

The praise of gardening, it is presumed, can hardly be too much extolled; and, as its praise has been set forth by the best of men, and most respectable of writers, it may better answer the present purpose to produce their sentiments, than to attempt new ones.

What we admire, we praise; and when we praise,
Advance it into notice, that its worth

Acknowledged, others may admire it too.

COWPER.

The great Lord Bacon's opinion of gardening, as given in the motto of the title page, is certainly

both just and honourable. The agreeable Cowley speaks of his darling subject of nature as enjoyed in a garden, thus:

When God did man to his own likeness make,
As much as clay, tho' of the purest kind,
(By the great potter's art refin'd)
Could the divine impression take,
He thought it fit to place him, where
A kind of heaven too did appear,

As far as earth could such a likeness bear!
That man no happiness might want, pub 16
Which earth to her first master could afford;
He did a garden for him plant, +

By the quick hand of his omnipotent word;
As the chief help and joy of human life,
He gave him the first gift, even before a wife.

And well he knew, what place would best agree,
With INNOCENCE and with FELICITY.
And we else where still seek for them in vain,
If any part of either yet remain.
If any part of either we expect 90

bow This may our judgment in the search direct;3

Gop the first garden made, and the first city,Cain.

and When Epicurus to the world had taught

teoThat pleasure was the chiefest good,

(And was perhaps i'th'right, if rightly understood)
His life he to his doctrine brought,

And in a garden's shade, that sovereign pleasure sought.
Whoever a true epicure would be,

May there find cheap and virtuous luxury.

Nor does this happy place only dispense
Such various pleasures to the sense,

Here health itself does live,

That salt of life, which does to all a relish give,
Its standing pleasure, and intrinsic worth,
The body's virtue, and the soul's good fortune, health.

Methinks I see great Dioclesian walk

In the Salonian garden's noble shade,
Which by his own imperial hands was made:

I see him smile, methinks, as he does talk
With the ambassador, who came in vain.
T'entice him to a throne again:

If I, my friends, said he, should to you show
All the delights which in these gardens grow,
'Tis likelier much that you should with me stay,
Than 'tis that you should carry me away:
And trust me not, my friends, if every day
I walk not here with more delight
Than ever after the most happy fight,

In triumph to the capitol I trod,

To thank the Gods, and to be thought myself a God.

Mr. Cowley's passion for retirement was indeed very strong; but might he not well say, "Is there not a cause?" He had been conversant in high and public life, and was very glad to leave

Those dangerous posts, where customs ill agree
With virtuous rules, or sound philosophy.

As one reason for his going out from Sodom (as he speaks) to his little Zoar, he asks,

Who that has reason and his smell
Would not among roses and jasmin dwell,
Rather than all his spirits choak

With exhalations of dirt and smoak;

And all th' uncleanness which does drown
In pestilential clouds a populous town.

Another poet (Clericus) retiring from town to a cottage and a garden, says,

I strait betook myself to trace the laws
Of nature, upwards to its fruitful cause;
And, digging mines of true philosophy,
The mystic stone I found, whose energy
Apply'd, transmutes some matter, some sublimes,
Drawing within my circle golden times.

Often amused with feats of gardening,
Delightful exercise, I work and sing!
And moving cheerful feel not half my toil,
Like swains that whistle, while they plough the soil :

Should any disbelieve, I here invite
Such infidels to come, and trust their sight.

-Uncorrupt and happy days were those
When Roman Consuls exercised their hoes;
Whose leisure hours in country cares were spent,
And whose diversions all were innocent.
Oft their own labours furnish'd out their feast,
And thus their fruits and sallads relish'd best.

ART OF GARDENING.

Mr. Evelyn, who had so great knowledge and experience in the way of gardening, speaks its praise in these words: Though the gardener's life be a laborious one, yet is it full of tranquillity and satisfaction. A condition furnished with the most innocent, laudable and purest of earthly felicities; and such as does certainly make the nearest approaches to that blessed state, where only they enjoy all things without pains.

Mr. Addison says, I look upon the pleasure which we take in a garden, as one of the most innocent delights of human life. A garden was the habitation of our first parents before the fall. It is naturally apt to fill the mind with calmness and tranquillity, and to lay all its turbulent passions at rest. It gives a great insight into the contrivance and wisdom of providence; and suggests innumerable subjects for Ineditation.

Mr. Hercey, in his Meditations, on return from a walk, having entered the flower garden, and called it a beautiful spot, says, "Here nature always pleasing, every where lovely, appears with peculiar at, tractions. Yonder she seems dressed in her deshabille; grand, but irregular. Here she calls in her hand-maid art; and shines in all the delicate ornaments, that the nicest cultivation can convey. Those

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A Plain and Easy Introduction to the Knowledge and Practice of Gardening ...