viii PREFACE TO THE THIRD EDITION 



historically, and a short chapter touching the most modern 

 aspects of gardening has been appended. A few new illustra- 

 tions have been added, the more important being those of some 

 lead statues of historical interest. The bibliography has been 

 revised and augmented by several works and editions which 

 have come to light. 



It seems necessary to add a few words to explain why I 

 describe myself as a " citizen and gardener of London," which 

 some reviewers of one of my other books supposed to be a 

 fanciful title. I was given the Freedom of the Gardeners' 

 Company in 1896, and was duly admitted to the Freedom of 

 the City of London, through the Court of Aldermen, an honour 

 which for some years I was the only lady to possess, and of 

 which I am extremely proud. 



In reprinting the dedication I feel this third edition 1 is a 

 tribute to the memory of my father. I should like to record 

 that I learnt all my practical knowledge of gardening as a child 

 from my mother, who had always been devoted to gardening 

 long years before it was considered a fashionable pastime for 

 ladies ; and but for the help and encouragement of my father 

 and his famous library, now, alas ! dispersed, this book would 

 never have been written. Nearly all the rare gardening works 

 quoted — Macer, the "Aggregator," " Ortus Sanitatis," the 

 works of Turner, Gerard, Parkinson, Tusser, Hill, and countless 

 other writers, were my familiar friends from my childhood in 

 the " Amherst Library," and many other quaint editions were 

 added from time to time as I needed them for my researches. 

 I learnt how to read the cramped handwritings and abbrevia- 

 tions of the old records I had to consult, by practising on the 

 Wyclif, Northewode, Hampole, and other fourteenth-century 

 manuscripts, to which I had free access at my home. This 

 book is chiefly the result of living with these precious volumes, 

 which were collected with great knowledge, and treasured with 

 deep appreciation by my father. 



ALICIA M. CECIL. 



10, Eaton Place, 

 October, 1909. 



