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Joseph Prentis (1754-1809) was a Virginia politician who loved to garden. He represented Williamsburg in the Virginia House of Delegates, and served as that body's Speaker from 1786 until 1788.
Garden Book 1784-1788
Garden Book - March 1784
Sowed Earth Pease in the square next chimney, the 17th.
19. Sowed Rape seed in same square.
Glory of England sowed same Day in square next street oposite.
19. Sowed Carrots in this square.
19. Transplanted Rose Bushes an dRaspbarries
19. Sowed Lettuce seed.
19. Planted square; Beans
29. Sowed Parsley
23d Mar. Sowed Carrott seed Rhadish, Cresses.
April 1st
Sowed Marrow fats
Planted Ovio [?] Planted Flowering peas, sowed Endive, set out Garlick & Onions.
1786
April 2d sowed Colliflower, Savoy Cabbage. Celery Seed.
August 1st Transplanted three rows of Colliflower Brocoli from seed saved this psring.
Transplanted solid Celery.
3.d August.
Sowed two Rows of six week Peas.
Two Rows of Dwarf marrow fats.
Sowed Lettuce seed, on border on left Hand under small Paling in the large Garden.
7th Au.
Sowed four Rows Peas opposite to those sown 3.d
Sowed Lettuce under North Paling. & Garden.
28 Sowed Lettuce on small Border under Yard Pales
28 Planted out Strawberrys in both Gardens.
January 1787
Sowed Peas on the Border of the north Paling on the 17th day of Jany (all rotted)
19th Planted three tows of large Hotspur Beans in Est Garden
Sowed Cabbage seed on north Border, in E. Garden
Feby 19 Sowed Lettuce & Cabbage from E. shore on Border of White Pales in E. Garden
23d Sowed Peas on the north Border, in the place where they were put the 17th Jany, these are of the six Week
February 1788
13th Sowed Peas on the Border of the E. Garden under the north paling in double rows.
15 Planted Mazagan Beans 7 first Rows in first square in E. Garden.
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