58 GARDENS PAST AND PRESENT 



opportunity of studying object-lessons which are 

 inestimable in their helpfulness for his personal 

 guidance. 



In fact, it is only when we have learned to 

 recognise the full meaning of the influence exerted 

 by the private gardens of England upon the wel- 

 fare of our national life that we appreciate at their 

 true value the far-reaching benefits of such a gift 

 to the country as that of the Wisley garden, 

 or of the patient and praiseworthy endeavours, 

 through good report and ill, of such societies as 

 the Royal Horticultural Society to promote the 

 interests of all concerned in gardening pursuits. 



And so, having brought this slight and imper- 

 fect sketch of some of the aspects of English gar- 

 dening in the past to a close, let us turn to the 

 changes which time has accomplished in English 

 gardens of the present. 



