103 



a Royal Garden, and an illustration of the Horticulture of the 

 Gorgics, never published. 



1670. England's improvement, revived in a Treatise of Hus- 

 bandry and Trade. By JOHN SMITH. London. 

 4to. Again in 1673. 



JOHN DE LA QUINTINIE, was born at Poictiers in 



1626 under the Jesuits of that City he finished his course of 



Philosophy, and commenced the'study of the Law, proceeding 

 then to Paris to be called to the bar as an Advocate, but the 

 cultivation of Plants being his favorite study, M. Tambonneau 

 prevailed upon him to accompany his son into Italy, and thus 

 to render himself acquainted with the best modern practice of 

 the Art, as he already was with that of the ancient — Upon his 

 return M. Tambonneau gave to him the sole planning and 

 direction of his Gardens — Having now the opportunity, he 

 instituted numerous experiments, and refuted many of the old 

 tenets of Botanists and Gardeners — amongst others he de- 

 monstrated, that the Sap of Plants does not retire and accumu- 

 late in the roots during Winter — and that transplanted Vegeta- 

 bles do not acquire nourishment from the soil by means of the 

 old fibrous rcots, nor at all until fresh fibres are produced. — 

 He published the results of his practice and study in his 

 *'Compleat Gardener," which was translated entire by Mr. 

 Evelvn, and in an abridged form by Messrs. London and Wise, 

 the best part of this work is on the management of fruit trees — 

 the whole however is disfigured by repletion of language and 

 of style — Lewis the XIV. the great Conde, and other men 

 of genius, were fond of conversing with him on the various 

 pursuits of his Art. Charles the H. of England made him 

 an offer of a considerable Pension if he would engage in his 

 service — He visited England twice during that monarch's reign 

 and received many marks of his favour, as also from the 

 nobility, with some of Avhom he corresponded until the time of 



