EPILOGUE 299 



clubs, so rapidly being formed and so enthusiastically 

 developed, is another most welcome sign of the 

 awakening that is in progress. And so, in laying 

 down his pen, a missionary of horticulture can ex- 

 press himself as satisfied that the people of this 

 country are beginning to appreciate the truths ad- 

 mirably enunciated by Lord Bacon, when he says of 

 gardens: 



"God Almighty first planted a garden, and, indeed, 

 it is the purest of human pleasures. It is the greatest 

 refreshment to the spirits of man, without which 

 buildings or palaces are but gross handiworks. And 

 a man should ever see that when ages grow to civility 

 and elegancy men come to build stately sooner than 

 to garden finely, as if gardening were the greater per- 

 fection." 



E. H. WILSON. 



Arnold Arboretum. 



THE END 



