"These gardens may be called the gardens of the respectable working classes"

This quote by Robert Fortune speaks with the significance of gardens in the lives of the working classes. He is recommending that gardens give pride and joy for the working classes, which they must be respected and valued. Gardens offer a place of reprieve and relaxation, and can be a source of nourishment and nutrition. They can likewise provide beauty and creativity, as the working classes can use them to reveal themselves and their culture. Gardens can also be a source of income, as the working classes can grow and offer fruit and vegetables. Gardens are a method for the working classes to take ownership of their environment and to create something of their own. Gardens are a way for the working classes to take pride in their work and to show that they are capable of developing something beautiful and meaningful.