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Of the last Condition, which requires that both the Fruit and Kitchen-Garden, should not be far distant from the House, and that the coming to it should be easie and convenient.
I Am not ignorant that the Countrey affords large and moderate Houses, of which the first may be accompany'd with several Gardens, and the other satisfy'd with one only.
As to those which may have several Gardens, it is proper that those that are design'd for Flowers and Shrubs, I mean the Parterres, should face the principal Aspect of the House, since nothing can be more agreeable than to see at all times on that side the charming va∣riety of a Succession of Flowers whatever they be; they are so many different Scenes, or Decorations upon a Stage, of which the Figure never alters, they afford perpetual mat∣ter to delight the Eye, and charm us with their Sweets; but whereas generally those Parterres are as publick, and as open to every body as the very Court of the House, it is not fit to put any thing into them, the loss whereof might discompose us.
For these Reasons I allow that in such Houses, the Fruit and Kitchen-Garden should not be Situated in the best Place, besides the last being subject to have many things, which though necessary, are not always pleasing to the Eye or Smell; as also producing many things, design'd for the Pleasure and Satisfaction of the Master, which might tempt some licourish indiscreet Persons, and so occasion cause of Displeasure and Complaint, I think it very necessary to place those Gardens out of the reach of the Publick.
Therefore as much as can be, we content our selves with placing them in the best Ground we can meet with, without prejudicing the place of the Parterre, pretty near to the House, being of a convenient easie Access; the Ancients were of this Sentiment, when they said, that the Steps of the Master, that is, his frequent Visits, were of won∣derful use for the Neatness, Abundance, Goodness and Beauty of Gardens; so that Gardens that are at a distance, or of difficult Access, are liable to Disorders, Filth and Sterility, &c.
I hope that whereas in the beginning of this Work, I have presum'd to say, that none ought to pretend to have one of our Gardens, unless he were passably well skill'd in the Culture of it; none will undertake to make one, unless he may be able to afford himself the Pleasure of seeing it well Cultivated, and consequently he will de∣sire to see it often, which cannot be done, the Garden being at a distance, or of a diffi∣cult Access.
As to the Houses, that can no wise afford above one Garden, I suppose it will hardly enter into any ones Thoughts to employ it wholly in Box or Bowling-Greens, instead of Imploying it in Fruits and Legumes: In such a Case, whether in the Town or Country, the space of the Garden being reasonably large, it will be proper to take part of that which is nearest to make a small Parterre, leaving the rest for things that are of use and necessary; but if the Place be not large, my Advice is to make no Parterre; at least I would make none, being persuaded, that Flowers may be easily dispens'd with; resolving then to employ ones Ground in Plants that are for use; that part of the Kitchen-Garden which is most pleasing, ought to be put most within sight of the House, keeping such as might offend the Sight or Smell, most at distance: Fine Espaliers, Dwarfs, Greens, Arti∣chokes, Sallads and the perpetual Action of the Gard'ners, &c. being sufficient to employ the Neighbourhood of some Windows, even for pretty considerable Houses, as well as for ordinary ones.
I am so sensible of the innocent Pleasure, the sight of a fine Kitchen-Garden can afford, that I am for making some fine Arbor in all large Gardens, not only to serve for shelter in case of a sudden Storm, which happens pretty often, but also for the Satisfaction of conveniently seeing the Culture of a Ground that is well em∣ploy'd.
Notwithstanding all I have said, I do not condemn those, who having but a ve∣ry small Garden, affect Flowers, their Inclination leading them to it preferably to any other Plants.
Having said what is to be wish'd for, when People are at liberty to choose the Place of a Garden, let us now consider what is to be done when within the Depen∣dency of a House, we find our selves reduc'd and necessitated to make use of any Place, whatever it may be, regular or irregular, good, indifferent or bad; and let us follow the same Order we have observ'd in the pretended choice I have explain'd.
Optima sterco∣ratio vestigia domini. Ex Pln∣tarch.