INTRODUCTION. V 



on the body, it is calculated to give serenity 

 to the mind, will be equally undisputed. It 

 has afforded in all ages a pleasing relief from 

 the troubles and anxieties of the world to some 

 of the busiest actors on the stage of life ; and 

 when ambition and its objects have lost their 

 zest, and wealth has ceased to please, or dis- 

 appointment has produced disgust, the pursuit 

 of gardening has become the chief attraction of 

 retirement, and in numerous instances has 

 gilded the evening of life with the blessings of 

 health and contentment. Among its lovers and 

 practical admirers it can boast of many of the 

 most honoured names in the departments of 

 literature and science. In all ages, indeed, the 

 successful cultivation of the garden has been 

 coeval with a nation's greatest prosperity ; and 

 in the present day, the country in which it is 

 most perfectly managed, is that most highly 

 distinguished for its wealth and science. The 

 British nation is indeed pre-eminent in this 

 respect, and the British garden is superior to 

 all others. This, however, was not always the 

 case; for not only are we indebted to the Con- 

 tinent for the first introduction of the greater 

 number of our culinary vegetables, but down 

 to the reign of Queen Elizabeth it was cus- 



A a 



