610 Vieiu of the Progress of Gardenifig, 



royal kitchen-gardens at Kensington, in consequence of the 

 success of the king's gardener, Mr. Forsyth, in renovating old 

 trees, and of the premium given to him by parliament; and, 

 secondly, in consequence of the establishment of the Horticul- 

 tural Society,^ the originators of which were Mr. Forsyth, Sir 

 Joseph Banks, T. A. Knight, Esq., and one or two others. 

 Perhaps no association formed in this country has ever had more 

 influence in its own department than the London Horticultural 

 Society. Among its members are, or were, enrolled the names 

 of all the principal nobility and gentry in Britain, and of most 

 of the crowned heads of foreign countries. This at once ren- 

 dered horticulture a fashionable pursuit ; and every one knows 

 that no innovation can be proposed with effect until it becomes 

 fashionable. The Horticultural Society of the metropolis soon 

 gave rise to societies of the same description in the provinces ; 

 and there is now scarcely a county in Britain or Ireland that has 

 not one or more horticultural societies. The example has also 

 been imitated on the continent of Europe, in North America, 

 and in British India. 



When the London Horticultural Society became firmly esta- 

 blished, it was found that its funds could support a garden ; and 

 no sooner was this formed, than botanical and horticultural gar- 

 dens also became fashionable throughout the country, to as great 

 an extent as the funds of the provincial societies would admit. 

 There are now several botanical and horticultural gardens in 

 England, Scotland, and Ireland. Whenever the municipal re- 

 gulations of towns shall be so altered as to admit of these gardens 

 being formed at the general expense of the town, for the recrea- 

 tion and enjoyment of all the inhabitants, it is highly pi'obable 

 that they will rapidly increase — perhaps, till a public garden 

 shall become as common as a public market-place. 



In taking a general review of the history and present state of 

 gardening in all countries, the characteristics which distinguish 

 the present age, as compared with former ages, are, cooperation, 

 with reference to the means employed, and general benefit, with 

 reference to the end obtained. In the earlier ages, up even to 

 the end of the last century, almost all gardening improvements 

 were effected by kings, nobles, or other wealthy or powerful 

 individuals, with no other view than that of the personal enjoy- 

 ment of themselves and their particular friends ; but, at present, 

 these improvements are effected through the influence of pre- 

 miums, and other marks of distinction, conferred by societies on 

 individuals, and by commercial speculation. In this way the 

 benefits procured are extended to the whole of society ; and 

 those vegetable productions, and even flowers and fruits, which, 

 fifty years ago, were exclusively found in the walled gardens 

 belonging to the mansions of wealthy capitalists or landholders, 

 are now abundant in the hedged enclosures of roadside cottages. 



