IN THE FAR PAST 5 



Probably there were two sources from whence, 

 as a people, we may have drawn our earliest con- 

 ceptions of horticulture. 



First in order came the Roman occupation of 

 Britain. 



To lightly-passing thought the connection be- 

 tween English gardens and that misty period after 

 the Roman invasion may appear far-fetched 

 enough. The mere conquest of the British was 

 no easy task, even for the overlords of the world, 

 and left little leisure for the intromission of the 

 gentler graces of life. But when arms failed again 

 and again to subdue the stubborn tribesmen, the 

 softer seductions of the city stepped in to weaken 

 their hitherto unbroken spirit. The name of Julius 

 Agricola will always be associated with untiring 

 efforts to introduce, amongst other ameliorations 

 of their lot, the refinements of civilisation. By 

 persuasion and, more potent still, by example, the 

 younger chiefs were enticed to partake of the com- 

 forts and enervating excitements of urban life. 

 Intentionally or not, luxury was fast riveting the 

 fetters of bondage, their hardihood gave way, and, 

 before long, their subjugation was complete. One 

 far-reaching benefit, at any rate, remained. Put- 

 ting on one side the art of war, the Romans con- 

 sidered agriculture the only occupation worthy of 

 men. Thus the cultivation of the land was fos- 

 tered, and under the rule of Agricola and his suc- 

 cessors, husbandry not only prospered exceedingly, 

 but received so great an impetus that Britain be- 

 came in time one of the granaries of the world 

 of those days. 



