1st Edition

Making Gardens of Their Own: Advice for Women, 1550-1750 Essential Works for the Study of Early Modern Women: Series III, Part Three, Volume 1

By Jennifer Munroe Copyright 2008

    During the period 1500-1750 a general shift in gardening practice took place, from which emerged three distinct types of gardens: (traditional) subsistence or kitchen gardens, aesthetic gardens, and gendered aesthetic gardens. The gardening and husbandry manuals published during the period, typified by the texts selected for this volume, reveal how and what one planted was related to one's role in society. These texts attest to the changing nature of gardening - from a largely subsistence endeavour to an artful practice that became defined in gendered terms. The texts reproduced have been divided into two parts: gardening books for the 'country' housewife and gardening books for 'ladies'.

    Contents: Preface by the General Editors; Introductory Note; Part One: Books for Housewives: Thomas Tusser, title page 'The points of Huswifrie' in Fiue hundreth points of good husbandry (1574); John Partridge, The Treasurie of hidden secrets (1627); William Lawson, title page and pp1-26 'The Covntrie Hovsewifes Garden' in A New Orchard and Garden with The Countrie Housewife's Garden (1618): Gervase Markham, title page and extracts from Covntrey Contentments or the English Husvvife (1623). Part Two: Books for Ladies: Thomas Harris, 'The Ladys Diversion in her Garden', title page and pp161-176 in Hannah Woolley, The Accomplisht Ladys Delight (1675); Charles Evelyn, title page 'The Ladys Recreation; or, The Third and Last Part of the Art of Gardening Improv'd' in John Lawrence, The Art of Gardening Improv'd (1718); Appendix: Pierre (Peter) Erondelle (Erondel), title page, 'The 12.Dialogue' in The French Garden: for Ladies and Gentlewomen to Walke In (1605) .

    Biography

    Jennifer Munroe is Assistant Professor of English and Adjunct Assistant Professor of Women's Studies, at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, USA.