fn IRew 



This, however, is an error, if we may 

 judge from the descriptions given of them 

 and their - contemporaries, the Gallic 

 nation, by Pliny. As to their horticul- 

 ture, our knowledge is imperfect, but we 

 may infer from the fact that certain plants 

 were cultivated by the Druids for their 

 medicinal qualities, that the art of garden- 

 ing, to a certain extent, was very early 

 practised. 



Strabo l informs us that the Southern 

 Britons had gardens immediately about 

 their houses, combining both vegetable 

 and orchard departments. Certain fruits, 

 especially apples, were known to the 

 Britons, while others, especially the vine, 

 were introduced by the Romans. In re- 

 gard to flowers, it is probable that several, 

 previously unknown to the Britons, were 

 introduced by their conquerors. Among 

 these were the rose and the violet. The 

 same may be said in relation to many 

 vegetables. 



After the departure of the Romans and 

 1 Strabo's Geography. 

 21 



