LITERATURE OF GARDENING. 543 



are: Tulips 137 sorts, Narcissus and Daffodils 95, Hya- 

 cinths 50, Crocuses 31, Irises 73, Anemones 67, Ranun- 

 culuses 23, Geraniums 9, Auriculas 22, Primroses and 

 Cowslips 21, Carnations and Gilliflowers 52, Pinks 20, 

 Roses 24, and smaller numbers of other flowers. Con- 

 tinuing his work he takes up the kitchen garden as a 

 second part, and concludes with the orchard as a third 

 part. With both of these he deals somewhat briefly, but 

 still with no apparent diminution of interest. We have no 

 time to give extracts, and this is the less important, as the 

 "Paradisi," although not free from error, is a wonderful book 

 for the age, and should be in the possession of every lover 

 of gardening. In 1640 appeared the "Theatrum Botani- 

 cum," or Theatre of Plants, by the same author, which 

 some would likely consider a greater work, but which is 

 botanical rather than horticultural. 



Walter Blith's "English Improver Improved," my 

 edition of which is dated 1652, is a book much in advance 

 of the times, and although principally agricultural it treats 

 of woodlands, orchards, and garden fruits. The next year 

 appeared " A Treatise of Fruit Trees," by Ralph Austen. 

 This is a good book, and contains much sound advice on 

 the subject on which it treats. The author exposes the 

 superstitions and errors of the earlier writers on gardening. 

 In 1654 was published anonymously " The Countryman's 

 Recreation " or the Art of Planting, Grafting, and Garden- 

 ing. This book, which has a copious table of contents, 

 touches on almost every point of practical gardening, but 

 while containing some good things abounds in vulgar 

 errors. 



Samuel Hartlib's " Legacy of Husbandry " (1655) is a 

 genuine book, although not an original one. He says 

 " Gardening is but a few years standing in England and 

 therefore not well understood," and again, that a Surrey 

 landlord feared the gardeners would spoil his ground by 

 digging it! I have a curious little book styled "Adam 

 out of Eden," by Adam Speed, Gent (1659). In it he tells 



