57 



produce, it was a conclusive assumption to assert, that our 

 climate and soil were unfiivourable to their growth. Ao-ainst 

 this unfounded opinion, Dr. BuUeyn stood forward, the pa- 

 triotic, and we may add the successful opponent : for although 

 the error would naturally liave a tendency to correct itself, it is 

 too much to consider that the opinion of a man of his estima- 

 tion would be delivered without effect. From this period our 

 practical Horticulture was more attended to, and with its im- 

 : provement the embassies to Holland for a SuUad ceased. 



The evil would have a tendency to correct itself. When 

 the Market Gardeners witnessed the high prices which were so 

 extensively paid for the objects properly of their own cultivation, 

 they would be tempted to raise them themselves of equal 

 goodness, that their profit might be the greater. Gentlemen 

 would excite their private Gardeners to similar efforts, that 

 I they might enjoy such luxuries without such a consequent ex- 

 pense. Henry VIII., sent his Gardener, who was a French 

 Priest, named Woolf, to travel on the continent, for the express 

 purpose of acquiring a better knowledge of his Art. He is 

 said to have introduced various Sallad and Pot-herbs, varieties 

 of the Apricot, Musk Melons, the Kentish Cherry, &c. to that 

 Monarch's Garden at the palace of Nonsuch, in Surrey, about 

 the year 1524.* The learned Linacre, who died in 1524, first 

 introduced the Damask Rose from Italy ; Thomas, Lord 

 Cromwell, about the same period, or rather, at the close of the 

 reign of Henry V^II., added three Plums to our list of Fruits, 

 among them the Perdrigon from Italy, and Bishop Grindal, 

 one of the earliest encouragers of Botany, first introduced the 

 Tamarisk from Switzerland, and during his residence brought 

 the Gardens at Fulham palace, into great repute. They were 

 celebrated for their Grapes, which he brought to great per- 

 fection. 



* Coughs British. Topog. v. i. p. 1S3. 



