xlvi INTRODUCTION 



indigenous and exotic, hardy and warmth-requiring. The gardens 

 at Kew, near London, contain a collection of plants which 

 is unrivalled in any other country. London and all the great 

 cities and towns of the British Islands have parks and recreation 

 grounds replete with trees, shrubs, and plants, some with " winter 

 gardens" ; even cemeteries are ornated with sylvan shadows and 

 floral wreaths as well as monuments. Public institutions, such 

 as hospitals and " homes," are decked in lawn and arboreal 

 garniture, hotels and retreats made pleasant without and 

 sumptuous within by beauties and dainties culled from home or 

 market gardens. Everywhere the eye is constantly struck with 

 villas and cottages embowered amidst ornamental trees, shrubs and 

 flowers, while in the rears are found neat compartments devoted to 

 fruit trees and vegetables, with, in many instances, glazed and 

 heated structures for growing plants requiring protection or more 

 warmth than that of the British Islands. Even windows are 

 utilized for the growth and display of exotic flowering or foliage 

 plants, and balconies bedecked in summer with trailing and gor- 

 geous flowers, and in winter enlivened by evergreens. In the so- 

 called " slums " of large towns may be seen the thrifty London 

 Pride, roof-top Houseleek, and window " Balm of Gilead," pushing 

 greenery and emitting fragrance derived from mould (of a sort) 

 in an old teapot minus spout or handle, in an atmosphere of 

 murkiness and gloom scarcely pierced by meridian sun. Truly, 

 Britons are gardeners lovers of nature. 



Success in all the cultures named depends upon the following 

 practical points being strictly regarded : first, securing a market 

 for produce. Secondly, suitability of land or water and environ- 

 ment for the purpose intended. Thirdly, practice of clean culture. 

 The culture otherwise must fail, no matter how energetic, industrious 

 resourceful, qualified and experienced the cultivator may be, and 

 this quite apart from the militating influences of the conjoint 

 interests pervading all the avocations which have to be carried on 

 in accordance with legislative enactments in order to promote the 

 national welfare. 



Sporting, fishing, forestry, farming, and gardening are pro- 

 moted and safeguarded by the electorate through the legislature 

 and Government as considered most conducive to meeting the needs 

 of the nation as a whole, and in behalf of each culture com- 

 promises have to be effected between the conflicting interests, so 

 that they may be pursued without material prejudice, if not in 

 some respects benefit, to one another. This implies contention on 

 the part of the respective culturists with the wild or semi-wild 

 land vertebrates, which directly or indirectly feed upon the produce 

 of the soil or water, and are either helpful or hurtful to cultivated 

 crops. The first demand national and international protection, 

 and the latter decimation all round, even the neutral must, when 



