1 64 Gleanings in Old Garden Literature. 



and as they are connected, so probably they 

 grew in the gardens of our forefathers. 



Among the flora of the fifteenth century 

 occur the lily, the water-lily (of two varieties), 

 the cowslip, the poppy, the pimpernel, the 

 violet, the primrose, the wild thyme of Shake- 

 speare, the columbine, and many more 

 some disguised by obscure and obsolete desig- 

 nations. 



In Worlidge's work the tulip engrosses a 

 section. He places it at the head of the 

 Bulbs, and says that there was then (1677) 

 so great a variety that they were not to be 

 enumerated. 



"Nor is it," he continues, "all the words I can 

 invent can convince you of the beauty of these 

 Glories of Nature, but must refer you to the choice 

 your self or friend for you can make out of that 

 Magazine of varieties that are collected for the 

 ingenious Florist." 



This is historically interesting ; and it seems 

 to denote that our supply was imported from 

 Holland, and that our own dealers were 

 only agents. Worlidge does not allude to 

 any extraordinary enthusiasm for the bulbs, 



