154 



December, which previously only lasted two or three 

 months, Ac* 



The early part of this Century witnessed the labours of 

 Professor Bradley, who was one of the first to treat of Gar- 

 dening and agriculture as Sciences. Although deficient in 

 discoveries, his works are not destitute of information derived 

 from contemporary Gardeners and other writers. He wrote 

 luminously on the buds of trees; on bulbs; and especially on 

 the mode of obtaining variegated plants and double flowers. 

 He must be looked upon as a benefactor of Horticulture, for he 

 at least made himself acquainted with the discoveries of others, 

 and recording them in his widely circulated works, hediftused 

 such increased Knowledge, and he diffused over the whole such 

 philosophical views as the Science of the age afforded, and 

 that such views were needed requires but one proof, namely, 

 that the celebrated Evelyn directs that attention should be paid 

 to the Moon in some of the operations of Gardening. Speak- 

 ing of Grafting he says " The new Moon, and old Wood is 

 best.'' 



The patrons of Horticulture were now numerous and munifi- 

 cent. The Duke of Chandos; Compton, Speaker of the House 

 of Commons ; Compton, Bishop of London ; Dubois of 

 Mitcham ; Dr. Uvedale of Enfield ; Dr. Lloyd of Sheen; Dr. 

 James Sherard, already mentioned; CoUison at Mill Hill; 

 the Duke of Argyle; Sir John Hill, then only Dr. Hill; Drs. 

 Pitcairn and Fothergill ; Duke of Marlborough ; Mr. Salis- 

 bury ; Duke of Northumberland ; le Comte de Vande, &c. had 

 all fine Gardens and collections of Exoticks. 



Some of our most celebrated Nurserymen flourished during 

 this Century. Fairchild ; Gordon ; Lee ; and Gray introduced 

 many plants during its first half. Hibbert of Chalfont and 



* Preface to Switrer'i Practical Fruit Gardener. 



