PRELIMINARIES. 



THE relations which the New Eng- 

 land settlers held to nations of 

 which they were direct descend- 

 ants, necessitate consideration of the 

 gradual evolution of horticulture, not 

 only as it refers to them and their imme- 

 diate predecessors, but even to the earliest 

 historical record of man. 



The term horticulture is applied to the 

 cultivation of fruit, vegetables, herbs, or 

 flowers, within a limited space or enclo- 

 sure commonly called a garden. The 

 English word garden is derived from the 

 Anglo-Saxon gyrdan, to gird in or en- 

 close. Orchard had its origin in ort 

 geard, an enclosure for fruit trees. Wyri 

 geardy signified a garden for any kind of 

 vegetable or herb. 



5 



