xii PREFACE 



gradual that it is almost impossible to determine for certain 

 the time at which they assumed their present condition. I 

 have to thank the many friends who have very kindly afforded 

 me information respecting their gardens, and provided me with 

 plans or photographs, or who have given me ready access to 

 the manuscripts in their possession in public or private 

 collections. 



I also wish gratefully to acknowledge the kindness of 

 Mr. J. G. Baker, F.R.S., in looking over the following pages 

 whilst still in proof-sheets. The correction of the proofs had 

 been rendered an easy task for me by the kind co-operation 

 of my friend. Miss Margaret MacArthur. My thanks are 

 also due to Professor Skeat and Mr. James Britten for their 

 help in the identification of some of the plants mentioned in 

 the fifteenth-century manuscripts, and to Mr. R. E. G. Kirk, 

 who assisted me in deciphering some of the earlier Latin ones ; 

 also to Mr. Michael Kerney for revising my bibliography of 

 printed books on Gardening to the end of the seventeenth 

 century. I regret that the continuation from the year 1699 

 has not received as much time and attention as I wished to 

 bestow upon it, as I have had to complete it rather hurriedly 

 on account of my having been absent abroad for several months. 



ALICIA M. T. AMHERST. 



DiDLiNGTON Hall, 

 Norfolk, 



September, 1895. 



