CHAP. II. BRITISH ISLANDS. 87 
tree nor a shrub on the original site. Notwithstanding the ex- 
ample shown by the arboretum in the Botanic Garden, how- 
ever, the planting of foreign trees and shrubs still appears to 
have been but little practised in Scotland. A public garden, 
to contain fruit trees, it appears, was projected for Edinburgh so 
early as 1662. Maitland informs us that the town council of 
Edinburgh, “ by their act of 15th of March, 1662 (Coun. Rep., 
vol, xxi. f. 99.), demised to John Thomsone, gardener, for a term 
of nineteen years, the plot of ground at present called Parliament 
Close, with the brae or side of the hill, inclosed with a stonern 
wall;” and that ‘ ‘the said Thomsone was to plant a hedge 
as the eastern boundary.’ This spot of ground, according to 
the tenour of the tack, or lease, was to be laid out in walks, and 
to be planted with trees, herbs, and flowers, exclusive of cabbage, 
and other common garden stuff. Pursuant to the above agree- 
ment, Thomsone, on the 8th of April following, delivered to the 
council a plan for beautifying the inclosure, which was approved 
of.’ Two walks were to be made, a larger and a less one, 
from east to west; and “their western end, opposite to the 
Parliament House, was ordered to be planted with plum and 
cherry trees; and to be bordered with gooseberry, currant, and 
rose bushes; and flowers to be set along the southern wall or 
wooden rail at the head of the brae, or brow of the hill; and, at 
the eastern end, as aforesaid, a hedge.” (Maztland’s Hist. of 
Edin., p. 186.) It seems, however, from a subsequent passage, 
that the plan for this garden was never carried into execution, 
and that the eastern boundary of the Parliament Close was 
let soon after for building small shops. Reid, in his Scofs 
Gardener, published in 1683, mentions very few trees and 
shrubs. The most rare of these are, the evergreen oak, the 
cypress, and the arbutus. He says there are the Indian and 
Spanish jasmines, myrtles, oleanders, and orange trees, which 
some are at great pains in governing; but he adds, ‘ for my 
part I would rather be in the woods, parks, &c., measuring, 
planting, and improving.” (p. 112.) ‘Those who are curious in 
trees and other plants, he refers to the catalogue of the ‘learned 
and most ingenious Mr. James Sutherland, Physic Gardener 
at Edinburgh.” (p. 114.) It appears by an Essay on Enclosing, 
Planting, &c., in Scotland, published in Edinburgh in 1729, that 
there was ‘ but a very little stock of trees, either barren, fruit, 
or hedging quicksets. One who encloses,” continues the author, 
“ must get his quicksets from England or Holland, or he must 
sow Devonshire or French whin seed.” (p. 289.) 
It is fortunate for the historian of tree culture in Scotland, 
that such a writer existed before him as the late Dr. Walker, 
professor of natural history in the university of Edinburgh. 
This excellent man, whose garden we have seen in our younger 
