The compleat gardeners practice, directing the exact way of gardening in three parts : the garden of pleasure, physical garden, kitchin garden : how they are to be ordered for their best situation and improvement, with variety of artificial knots for the by Stephen Blake, gardener.

First for the Situation.

IF a Man would have a Garden situated accor∣ding to his desire, it would be so, that it might be shelving or declining on the South-East Sun; so that the Sun at its first rising may re∣flect upon the Garden, for the vanishing of va∣pours, dispelling of mists, and quallifying of cold air and frosts, which oftentimes perish Herbs and Flow∣ers in their first gemination, and nipping of fruits at the first knitting, which causeth them to fall at an untimely birth; or if you please, before they come to perfection.

The air is farther to be observed for Plants that are at their full growth. Being planted in a bad air, though the soyl be never so rich, yet the Herbs are never so vertuous, the Flow∣ers never so beautifull, the fruit of the fruit-trees is never so sound, as those that are planted in a clear air. Yet seeing that all men cannot obtain this, though they have never so earnest a desire, therefore let the Inhabiter learn how to di∣spence with his own habitation, so that he may make the best improvement that may be upon all advantages, for the ma∣king of his Garden fruitfull. And let the Purchaser learn, that in purchasing, the choice of air is the chiefest thing to be looked after: for if the soyl be bad, it may be improved with labour and soyl, and made rich: or if it should be so barren, that it could not be made rich under two or three years time, by any art in digging and dunging of it; yet a man may re∣move thir barren earth and bring good mould in its stead; or otherwise it may be laid a top of the other: so a man may have a Garden fruitfull, if the air be good, with industry and charge. But if the air be bad, all the cost, care and skill that

may be used, cannot change it, or remove it for a good; Therefore the air is the chiefest to be looked upon for health, pleasure and wealth.

Secondly, What means is best to be used for the situation of Gardens of pleasure, according to every mans respective place, which is the modelizing and contriving of it.

The modelizing of a Garden, is to compose it of the big∣ness according to the cost intended for it, in the making of it up, and for the keeping of it afterwards. This rightly un∣derstood, the second thing in modelizing, is to raise it by a direct square, from that part of the house where it is appoint∣ed to be; for if it be not took by a true square, there will be a confusion in all the work that is to be done in that ground∣plat, intended for a Garden: besides that it will never an∣swer the face of the house, but all things will seem to stand a∣skew, when there is any prospect took of it from a window, or a Balcony of the said house.

The ready way to prevent these mistakes is thus: having appointed the place and the quantity of ground, according to the former directions; then lay a line upon one side thereof, as I told you, by a direct square from the foundation of the house; then look how many yards you will have your Gar∣den in length, so many yards measure out by the line side, beginning at the house: and when you are come to the end of the account of your measure, there stick down a stake; so done lay another line across at that said stake, which must be one corner of your Garden, in that corner place the square, so that one part of it agree with the first line; then cause the se∣cond line to come exactly straight by the eye of the other part of the square: this observed, measure out so many yards as you would have the Garden in breadth; and if it be to be laid at a full square, then measure just as many as before: this done you are come where the next corner must be, there stick down a stake in all respects as you did at the first corner; then take up your first line, and lay it across as you did be∣fore, making of it agree with the square. Do thus till you come to that place where you begun, leaving a stake at every corner, which will stand at a just square, which is the first and chiefest part of modelizing of a Garden of pleasure.

Secondly, Lay two lines from each corner cross-wayes to the next corner opposite to it, and where these lines cross, there is the center of the Garden-plat, and in that place set another stake; let this stake and the rest be drove in stifly, so that they may not be easily pulled up; and also let these stakes be as straight, and as long, and stand as upright as it may be possible; for if the Garden-plat be unlevell, you will have an occasion to raise your lines by these stakes, as I shall shew you afterward in the levelling of a Garden.

Thirdly, A form for a Garden-plat thus laid out, what remains but that I make some queries, what kind of earth it is, and what air and shelter it hath, and what work may be intended to be amplified in this space of ground: but I will first speak of the improvement; so that in the future ages the Garden may be fruitfull, and then of draft-work.

The improveing of a thing is to bring it from barrenness to fruitfulness; for barrenness is a disease, and improvement is a cure; therefore I must know the disease, before I can give di∣rections for the cure. To be brief, if I know what earth it is, and what place and manner it lyeth in, reason telleth me the cause of barrenness, and experience teacheth me the cure. viz. If it be a cold wet and clayey ground, then contrive it with high walks, which in the making of them will make motes: but if the Garden should be large and spacious, and springs lye in the middle, then dig trenches where the walks of the Garden are intended, and lay in those trenches stones and wheat-straw; it is no matter whether it be in any order yea or no; it will convey the small springs and issues out of the earth, better than those gutters which are laid by a Mason with lime and sand. Yet further observe, that stones thus laid in the ground, if they have not a vent for that water which it receiveth, they are of no use: therefore lay them so, that they may be somewhat falling from the center of the Garden, to those motes afore-named, or to any other respective place.

The second cure which is more available for stubborn and barren earth is this: levell it about Michaelmas or Candlemas, when opportunity shall best serve: the next Midsummer fol∣lowing or thereabout dig the quarters at a spit depth, casting

off the stones and roots out of it, breaking the clods; which will be then as dry as dust. Now consider what good this will do; and if you please I will name some of those benefits to you. First, The Sun by reason of the looseness of the earth, killeth all the weeds that are displanted there, and it breaketh the heart of the stubbornness of the earth. Second∣ly, The rain mollifieth it, and maketh it to shiver; where∣as before if it were digged in the wet time, it bindeth it and maketh it the stronger. Thirdly, The reason of this loos∣ness is, the air hath recourse and influence into it, whereby it purgeth it, and maketh it fruitfull: for let me premise a word or two; earth and water are that whereof bodies are made; but air is that which giveth life and vertue to all things that are sensible and insensible. I cannot stay here, but must insist upon that promise which I made, touching the level∣ling of a Garden.

I am come now to the levelling of a Garden, either by de∣scents, or a true levell-fall, and that which is better than ei∣ther is a true water level: the last of these shall be the first I will speak of before I give you the directions. If you please to look back into the second Page, there you shall find that I spoke of modelizing, and I also gave directions for it; that is, to leave the stakes standing at the corners and the centers thereof. This observed, here followeth the level∣ling of it.

First of all find out the highest corner thereof by your eye; then go to that place with a water-levell, and they are placed like a levelled Canon, against that corner cross-wayes oppo∣site against you, which is generally the lowest part of a piece of ground: your levell thus placed, fill it with water, so that it may stand at both ends alike; then lay your eye to the uppermost part of the levell, as if you were shooting at a mark; take your sight exactly on the furthermost stake, and mark the place well: do so likewise of that in the center; then strain a line from that place where your levell lyeth, to that place where you fixt your eye upon the lowermost stake; then consider how many yards, foot or handfuls that is from the ground, just half so many set another line below that; again strain it as far towards the upper corner at that height,

as the ground will give you leave, which if the ground be of a true fall, before it will be just at the center: be it more or be it less, take your gage from the uppermost line; then fasten it, and stick some pegs down as may be just as high as the line; so done, you may take away both lines, and do so cross-wayes again, leaving pegs in like manner. Now un∣derstand, that earth which riseth above the pegs being brought down, will make good what is wanting there, and abate what is too much in the other: so the Garden-plat will be levell, without bringing of any to it, or carrying any from it. I think this experiment would sometimes have sa∣ved many a Noblemans purse, and a Gardners credit.

Next for laying a Garden by a true fall: that is done with great ease, if you know how to levell it, or did observe what directions I gave you for it. You may remember what was said for setting of lines, to make the Garden of a levell; then it is no more but to set the line at the lowermost stake, a foot or a yard, more or less under the levell-mark, according as you would have your Garden fall; and this bringeth it exact∣ly to pass, if you observe to lay cross lines, as was said of the levell-work, for casting the ground by.

Next for laying Gardens in the ascents, it must be done in the selfsame manner, one quarter after another levelled, as I prescribed for a whole Garden, according as the ground will rise, either one yard or two yards, more or less, with half pa∣ces, or steps to walk up out of one part of the Garden into the other. I have more and greater things in hand for the ad∣vancement of Garden-plats, either for pleasure, physicall or profitable, viz.

• How to levell ground to make it fruitfull.
• How to divide ground into quarters for knots.
• The expert way of laying of Grass-work.
• The manner of setting of hard quick-set and Poll-work.
• The ready way to make borders and beds according to the new art.
• The way of purifying of earth, for to receive curious plants.
• The best way for laying of walks, either with Grass, gravell or Taris-morter.
• ...

• The way of making high walks and mounts.
• How to make bowling Allyes with great ease and little cost.
• Rules for cutting of a wilderness and maze-work.
• Also one hundred proper drafts, as were never so drawn by any, with rules and directions how they may be amplified in the ground, with an information and a farewell on them in verse.
• The advancement of a physicall Garden by improving the earth.
• Preparations for Indian plants.
• Contrivance for a physick-Garden for profit and pleasure.
• Means for the saving of plants from hurtfull worms.
• Errors discovered in the practice of digging.
• The means of improving a Kitchin-Garden.
• The ready way to cleanse and destroy weeds.
• Seasons for digging for improvement.

All these experiments I shall not fail to bring forth, if God permit me life.

But what remaineth at the present, but that you modelize and contrive your Garden-plats, by these few directions which I gave you, or others, which you may better like of; and also to beautifie them with such knots as follow hereafter of my invention, or those that may be invented by your self, which probably may please your fancy better than mine.

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1 This Figure represents Lines how they ought to be layde before you begin to drawe a large Knott but especially that following, And allso note that these Lines are not to be stirred till the Knott be finisht, and so by the use of these Lines and two lines more you may draw any Knott. This figure is sup∣posed to contayne. 18: yards square & allowing. 21: Inches to each footpath.

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2

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3

a Scale by one foote Measure

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4

This is a Scale of 20 Foote

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5 Heere I have made the true Lovers Knott
To ty it in Mariage was never my Lott.

This Scale will serve for 3: other Knots folowing. a Scale of 32: Foote

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6 Running Drafts

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7

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8 Cross Diamonds in the paper I doe frame
And in the ground I can draw the same.

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9

This Scale by 9: Inch Measure

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10

This Scale is 18: Foote

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11

a Scale by Foote Measure

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12

by the foote Measure

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13 Four severall Quarters fit for to be drawne with herbe or box for to set Flowers there in.

These workes neede no Scale being so plaine

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14 Heere is other foure fit for the same purpos as the last

This by 19: Inches page weere. This by twentie.

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15 This Knot may be drawne with foure Lines onely as it is heere

This Scale by prescribed. one foote

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16

It is by twenty two a Scale Inches Measure

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17

This Scale by 10: Inch Measure

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18

a Scale of 28 foote

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19

a Scale of 30 foote

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20 a Scale by the foote etc: Also a forme how to lay your Lines.

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21 This is a good patern for a Wilderness as well as for a Quarter of Herbes.

a Scale of 24 foote

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22 a Labyrinth

This scale by two foote and two Inches

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23 a forme how to lay Lines for the folowing worke.

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24 The Flower of Deluse Ovall. Heere I have in the paper the Ovalls so round put And in the Ground the same I can Cut.

a Scale of 40 foote

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25

a Scale by the two foote Measure

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26 The halfe Moones.

Every black and white in this Scale is two foote and two Inches vpon y^e worke Grass worke.

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23 a forme how to lay Lines for the folowing worke.

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24 The Flower of Deluse Ovall. Heere I have in the paper the Ovalls so round put And in the Ground the same I can Cut.

a Scale of 40 foote

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25

a Scale by the two foote Measure

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26 The halfe Moones.

Every black and white in this Scale is two foote and two Inches vpon y^e worke Grass worke.

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27 The Figure of a whole Garden.

This y^e a foote and half.

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28 a plaine Ovall for Flowers.

by: 15: Inches Grass worke

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29 This is the Triangle Ovall.

a Scale by two foote.

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30 a plaine Wilderness.

a Scale of Yards.