GARDENEKOLOGY. 157 



dark days, the middle ages, until the French Revolu- 

 tion in 1792, then they became eminent, as gardeners 

 in the convents, especially convents of the feminine 

 sex, where no men were admitted, but some of that 

 craft. Is not that creditable to us ? We must be en- 

 dowed of some virtue we are not aware of. I know 

 we are somewhat expert in the way of vegetable pro- 

 creation, and, also, a little in the animal procreation, 

 but, in what, some of us, excel, it is in the procreation 

 of plants nomenclature. I wish I should know them. 

 I would, with pleasure, write their panegyric in glow- 

 ing expressions. I can not quote anything particular 

 of the prowesses of any of our friends in those con- 

 vents, but I have read a great many stories and even 

 " histories " of their capacities in many ways, but you 

 would not believe me you would think I am joking, 

 consequently I shall not say anything. But, another 

 incident in which I am concerned, and which I hope 

 you will accept as true. It is a reminiscence of what 

 you have partly read before. That Lady, for whom 

 I have been gardener over six years. She had been 

 in a convent until she got 16 or 17 years old. Then 

 her parents entrusted her to a professor of procreation 

 (a husband) who completed her education. She did 

 not give me any information about the gardeners in 

 that place, exceot that they grew excellent Green-Gage 



plums " Eeine Claude," the queen of all the plums, 

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