ON THE STATE OF 



GARDENING IN ENGLAND, 



From the accession of Queen Elizabeth, to the accession 

 of George the First. 



A, D. 1558. A, D, 1714. 



Previous to the reign of Elizabeth, ( 1 658 — 1002.) Horticulture 

 was considered, as little more than a mechanical Art ; but bright- 

 er days were now arrived to it. Botany, previous to this period, 

 was almost unknown as a Science, audit must be acknowledged 

 that Botany, is a chief part of the only foundation, upon which 

 an enlightened practice of Horticulture can be raised. In this 

 reign, England was enriched with the first regular establish- 

 ment for the scientific cultivation of Plants in the Physic Gar- 

 den of Gerardo, (\bQl.) It was not however in England alone, 

 that the study and cultivation of plants became more popular, 

 there were many tributary streams to this branch of the river of 

 Science ; our ancestors were only followers of an example that 

 was set by many continental powers, and which seems to have 

 risen from a desire for the improvement of a knowledge 

 of Plants, and their culture, which pervaded Europe simul- 

 taneously at this period. Padua took the lead by estab- 

 lishing a public Botanic Garden, whilst under the Venetians, 



