CHAPTER III 



Plants transferred from Westminster to the Chelsea Garden. 

 Visit of Professor Herman of Leyden. Cedars planted 1683 and 

 produce cones in 1732. Sloane's letter to Ray on the Garden. 

 Evelyn's visit to the Garden. Cinchona trees. Earl of Claren- 

 don's visit. Proposals to abandon the Garden. Petiver. 

 Natural History illustrations. Members of the Apothecaries' 

 Society to be taxed to maintain Garden. Sir Hans Sloane 

 presents the Garden to the Apothecaries in February, 1722. 



So the Garden began. But all beginnings are 

 difficult. The Company had already learnt 

 that lesson. The Garden was miles away 

 from the eyes of the master and wardens at 

 Blackfriars ; the gardener, who had 30 a 

 year and a house, became discontented, and 

 demanded higher wages ; workmen cheated ; 

 plants were stolen. The great fire, like a 

 great war, must have upset for a time men's 

 moral balance. 



The Garden became an endless expense. 

 It was proposed that it should be abandoned. 

 But the majority of the Company decided on 

 keeping it. Private members again helped 

 subscriptions came in. A high wall was built 

 round it. Thieves and cold winds alike were 

 shut out. 



A fresh start was made. Plants growing in 

 a garden belonging to a Mrs. Gape at West- 

 minster were bought and gradually transferred 

 32 



