DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.49977#0176
154
A HISTORY OF GARDENING IN ENGLAND.
as coming in September, along with “peaches and melocotones.”
Of the latter, Parkinson writes it “ is a yellow fair peach . . .
and is better rellished than any of them.”
The only “curran,” so called by Gerard, is the small grape or
currant of Corinth, classed with gra.pes. The red currant is
referred to under Gooseberries or Flaberries. Parkinson, however,
gives them a chapter to themselves, and explains the difference
between them and those “ sold at the Grocers.” He describes
the red, white and black kinds, and says the white are “more
desired . . . because they are more dainty and lesse common.”
Raspberries, white and red, were eaten “ in summer-time, as an
afternoon dish to please the taste of the sick as well as the
sound.”* The cornel tree or Cornelian Cherry (Co/wms mas)
was introduced about this time, and found a place in orchards
along with barberries, service berries and almond trees.
Before closing this rapid review of the fruit of this period, I
must say a few words about vineyards and grapes. Many of the
larger gardens had vineyards attached. Barnaby Googe says they
were invariably placed on the western side of the garden, and it
is curious to note that such is the position of the one mentioned
in Measure, for Measure, act iv. scene i.
“ He hath a garden circummured with brick,
Whose western side is with a vineyard back’d ;
And to that vineyard is a planched gate,
That makes his opening with this bigger key.
This other doth command a little door,
Which from the garden to the vineyard leads.”
Gerard gives five pictures of what he calls “tame” or “manured”
vines. He advises “ shavings of horn disposed about the roots,
to cause fertility.” Parkinson’s list includes twenty-three
names. He says that Tradescant grew twenty sorts, but “he
never knew how or by what name to call them.” “ The ordinary
grape, both white and red, which excelleth crabs for verjuyce,
and is not fit for wine with us,” was probably what was usually
grown in vineyards, the choicer sorts being only found, as these
old writers would say, in the gardens of the curious. He has on
his list black and white “ Muscadine,” and the “ Frontignack ” ;
* Parkinson.
A HISTORY OF GARDENING IN ENGLAND.
as coming in September, along with “peaches and melocotones.”
Of the latter, Parkinson writes it “ is a yellow fair peach . . .
and is better rellished than any of them.”
The only “curran,” so called by Gerard, is the small grape or
currant of Corinth, classed with gra.pes. The red currant is
referred to under Gooseberries or Flaberries. Parkinson, however,
gives them a chapter to themselves, and explains the difference
between them and those “ sold at the Grocers.” He describes
the red, white and black kinds, and says the white are “more
desired . . . because they are more dainty and lesse common.”
Raspberries, white and red, were eaten “ in summer-time, as an
afternoon dish to please the taste of the sick as well as the
sound.”* The cornel tree or Cornelian Cherry (Co/wms mas)
was introduced about this time, and found a place in orchards
along with barberries, service berries and almond trees.
Before closing this rapid review of the fruit of this period, I
must say a few words about vineyards and grapes. Many of the
larger gardens had vineyards attached. Barnaby Googe says they
were invariably placed on the western side of the garden, and it
is curious to note that such is the position of the one mentioned
in Measure, for Measure, act iv. scene i.
“ He hath a garden circummured with brick,
Whose western side is with a vineyard back’d ;
And to that vineyard is a planched gate,
That makes his opening with this bigger key.
This other doth command a little door,
Which from the garden to the vineyard leads.”
Gerard gives five pictures of what he calls “tame” or “manured”
vines. He advises “ shavings of horn disposed about the roots,
to cause fertility.” Parkinson’s list includes twenty-three
names. He says that Tradescant grew twenty sorts, but “he
never knew how or by what name to call them.” “ The ordinary
grape, both white and red, which excelleth crabs for verjuyce,
and is not fit for wine with us,” was probably what was usually
grown in vineyards, the choicer sorts being only found, as these
old writers would say, in the gardens of the curious. He has on
his list black and white “ Muscadine,” and the “ Frontignack ” ;
* Parkinson.