60. HISTORY AND GEOGRAPHY OF TREES. PART I. 
The limited variety of evergreens which existed in the Lon- 
don nurseries at the beginning of this century, according to 
Collinsov, is confirmed by the preface to the first edition of 
Miller’s Dictionary, published in 1724, in which it is stated that 
the catalogue of evergreens kept by nurserymen for sale contained 
only twelve sorts; viz., alaternus, arbutus, bay, box, holly, juni- 
per, laurel, laurustinus, phillyrea, pyracantha, Italian green 
privet, and yew. In the eighth and last edition which Miller 
published of his Dictionary, dated March 1. 1768, the number 
of plants then cultivated in England is said to be more than 
double those that were known in 1731. It appears difficult to 
reconcile Collinson’s and Miller’s relation with the ample list of 
trees and shrubs published in 1730, in the nurserymen’s Cafa- 
logue, which we are about to give some account of: most pro- 
bably Collinson and Miller referred only to the ordinary gardens 
and nurseries; or perhaps the defective state of the catalogues of 
these was one reason why the larger catalogue about to be 
noticed was produced. From Bradley’s New Improvements of 
Planting and Gardening, published in 1720, the former appears 
to be the case; for, after treating of the common shrubs, he 
speaks of American trees, which were commonly kept in pots, 
and housed during the winter ; so that what are now considered 
hardy plants were then looked upon as inmates of the green- 
house, or of the cold frame or covered pit. (Bradley, New Im- 
provements, &¢., p. 87.) 
In the year 1730, the Society of Gardeners, consisting of ail 
the principal nurserymen and florists about London, published 
A Catalogue of Trees and Shrubs, both Exotic and Domestic, 
which are propagated for Sale in the Gardens near London. 
This catalogue is in folio, ornamented with an elaborate frontis- 
piece, containing a vista in a garden laid out in the ancient style, 
exhibiting walls, pillars, and arcades of clipped verdure; and 
the descriptions of the trees and shrubs refer to engraved plates. 
As this may be considered a work of unquestionable authority, 
we shall quote, from the preface, a general view there given of 
the principal encouragers of planting and gardening in England, 
previously to and at that time. 
The work is dedicated to the Earl of Pembroke and Mont- 
gomery, F.R.S.; and, after complimenting His Lordship on his 
various merits, the Society say, ‘‘ Your Lordship’s good taste in, 
and great encouragement of, planting and gardening, are fully 
displayed in those noble gardens at Wilton, where are a greater 
number of the trees here treated of, and in a more flourishing 
condition, than can be found in any one garden in this king- 
dom besides.” (p. iv.) 
There are now (1834) a considerable number of cedars at 
Wilton of a large size, and some planes, limes, evergreen oaks, 
