French gardens pre-sixteenth century

209.Previously to the sixteenth century, any notices of gardening in France chiefly relate to other branches than that under consideration. At the end of this century, Francis I. built the palace of Fontainebleau, and introduced there some traits of the gardening of Italy. Stephens and Liebault published their Maison Rustique about this time: the early editions contain little on the subject of design, farther than directions for forming avenues, arbours, and flower-gardens. (L' Agriculture a la Maison Rustique, 4to, Paris, 1567.)