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

During the period 15001750 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, 'The points of Huswifrie' in Fiue hundreth points of good husbandry (1573/4); John Partridge, The Treasurie of commodious conceits (1627); Gervase Markham, 'The English Housewife' in Countrey Contentments (1623); William Lawson, 'The Covntrie Hovsewifes Garden' in A New Orchard and Garden with The Countrie Housewife's Garden (1618). Part Two: Books for Ladies: Thomas Harris, 'The Ladys Diversion in her Garden' in Hannah Woolley, The Accomplisht Ladys Delight (1675); Charles Evelyn, '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 (1717) Appendix: Pierre (Peter) Erondelle (Erondel), 'The Twelfth Dialogue' in The French Garden: for Ladies and Gentlewomen to Walke In (1605) . About the Author: Jennifer Munroe is Assistant Professor of English and Adjunct Assistant Professor of Women's Studies, at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, USA.