]39 



Duriiig the reign of Anae, (170'i — 1714,) the progress of 

 Horticulture was of uninterrupted success, and is memorable 

 iu our Hortulan Annals, as being the Era in which a genuino 

 taste for design in Gardening arose. 



It cannot fail of being remarked, by those who are acrj mint- 

 ed with the Horticultural writers of the period, we have been 

 passing over, that the knowledge they betray of the Art of cul- 

 tivating Plauts, is nothing near coniinensurate to the pains 

 which were taken to collect them. It is only to be accounted 

 for by the plea, that the Gardeners of the age could not at once 

 become acquainted with the habits of the new plants crowding 

 upon them, and it was the results of their experience, which were 

 to act as beacons to those who succeeded. There is no doubt 

 however that they were grossly ignorant, and that this very great 

 obstacle to the improvement of their Art, was not removed till 

 the 18th Century was somewhat advanced. " The want of 

 some moderate degree of learning, says their contemporary 

 Horticulturist, Switzer, and the unwillingness that naturally is in 

 majiy (iardeners to look back on authors and books, that relate 

 to their profession, cannot be enough lamented. Books and 

 Herbals that have given an account of the names, properties 

 and virtues of plants, would improve their minds, and implant 

 a much greater love and affection to their employs, than gene- 

 rally is found among them. In short it would not only improve 

 their minds, but their dispositions, 1 had almost said manners too, 

 and reduce them into such an economy, as would make them lit 

 company for men of sense and learning. On the contrary, !:o\v 

 often do we see them, in good places too, that never open a book ; 

 nor can they either read, spell, or pronounce rightly the very 

 plants and herbs, they every moment have in view; and then no 

 wonder if many useful kinds of plants are totally neglected and 

 forgotten by them. The Spi ROEA FRUTKX is by some called the 



FIERY FROSTIVE, and the CUCEROPHYLLUM — CaRTFOYLF.."* 



This ignorance passed away a'; the succeedingCentury advanced, 

 * Preface to Practical Kitchen Gardener, p. xvi. 



