Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Lawson, William
LAWSON, WILLIAM (fl. 1618), writer on gardening, was a resident in the north of England. He states that his work on gardening produced, in 1618, was the result of forty-eight years' experience; hence he must have been born before 1570. He claims no other guide than his own observation, but seems to have been an educated man. Lawson wrote 'A New Orchard and Garden, Or the best way for Planting, Grafting, and to make any pound good for a Rich Orchard; particularly in the North Parts of England . . .,' London, 1618, 4to. It is dedicated to Sir Henry Belasyse. With it was bound up Gervase Markham's 'Countrey Housewife's Garden,' bearing the date 1617. Another edition appeared in 1622 (with a chapter by Simon Harward [q. v.], on the 'Art of Propagating Plants.' It was incorporated with Markham's 'A Way to Get Wealth,' 1623, 1626, 1638, 1648, &c, and was from time to time enlarged. Lawson also wrote a 'Tractatus de Agricultura,' 1656, 4to, reprinted 1657 (Watt, Bibl. Brit.)
[Works; Brit. Mus. Cat.]