72 OLD-FASHIONED GARDENING 



na-atan" was specifically the "Island of the Place of 

 Surpassing Beauty." 



The first poet of the colony, Jacob Steendam, sup- 

 plements Van der Donck's fruit and flower and vege- 

 table lists with his "Praise of New Netherlands," a 

 long poem written six years subsequent to the "De- 

 scription." It is a rather nice poem, too; so for its 

 own sake as well as for its corroboration of the plenty 

 of garden and field to which Van der Donck had pre- 

 viously testified, I shall quote that portion which is of 

 definite interest here because it tells of these things: 



"Whatever skilful science more may know, 

 And in your lap, from other countries, throw 

 For culture: these, fresh strength on you bestow, 



Without consuming. 



You've most delicious hand-and kitchen' fruits, 

 Greens, salads, radishes and savory shoots, 

 And turnips ; and the cabbage you produce, 



In large heads poming. 



The biting herb the strong tobacco plant ; 

 The carrot and the Maltese parsnip, and 

 The melon, pumpkin, Spanish comfrey, grant 



The sweetest pleasure. 



Exotics which, from foreign climes, they bear 

 Unto your bosom, need no special care ; 

 But reach, untended, in your genial air, 



Their proper measure. 



