« 



The - - 

 Book of Gardening. 



I —Introduction. 



Centuries have elapsed since the first book 

 devoted to the culture of gardens appeared, and 

 with the efflux of time the changes wrought in 

 actual practice have been almost as great as those which have 

 marked the contemporary political eras. Naturally, "the old 

 order changeth," and on every hand there are indications of 

 the great advances made in the study of Horticulture, even as 

 compared with those of our fathers' days. For all that, we look 

 back with pride, nay, with veneration, to those remote ancestors 

 who were instrumental in laying the foundation for that super- 

 structure of knowledge by which we have been enabled to build 

 up, as it were, by degrees, the practical and popular Science 

 to-day recognised as Horticulture. That it is a practical Science 

 few will attempt to deny ; and that it is popular is abundantly 

 evidenced by the number of recruits which are daily being 

 enlisted in its ranks. 



Gardens are not the introduction of to-day, nor even of a few 

 centuries ago, nor yet again of this country. Their origin is lost in 

 the mists of ages. It was Lord Bacon who said that " God 

 Almighty first planted a garden ; and, indeed, it is the purest of 

 human pleasures." In the Bible we have ample testimony that 

 gardens existed ; while those who are acquainted with the Greek 

 and Latin Classics are aware of the scale of magnificence which 



B 



