xxiv 



RISE AND PROGRESS 



existence ; for when the trunk is no longer able to support the 

 branches, and the sap rises slowly and scantily to their sup- 

 port, they bend at length to their native earth, to renew their 

 own existence in the progeny which they send forth. Nature, 

 in many cases, immediately before dissolution, makes one grand 

 effort to propagate the species, and this is obvious in old 

 trees being greater bearers than the younger ones ; and also, 

 that trees in a sickly state often die when loaded with fruit. 

 In this instance, the pear-tree, as if loth to relinquish the 

 vital spark, makes a grand effort, and by striking root from 

 its larger members, wherever they touch the ground, becomes, 

 as it were, young again; and upon the same principle, its 

 existence may be prolonged till the end of time, and an im- 

 mense space be covered by its branches. The large tree at 

 Holm-Lacy, already alluded to, covers nearly a quarter of an 

 acre. 



The first account we have in history of gardening in Britain, 

 belongs to the twelfth century, in which Brithnod, first Abbot 

 of Ely, is celebrated for his skill in forming the extensive gar- 

 dens and orchards of that monastery, which he stocked with a 

 great variety of herbs, shrubs, and fruit-trees. This monas- 

 tery may be considered as the cradle of the art of grafting, as 

 it was there first practised by Brithnod, who probably had either 

 learned the art in Italy, or had been instructed in it by some 

 brother ecclesiastic who had emigrated from that country. In 

 Scotland, at this early period, David the First had a garden at 

 the base of Edinburgh Castle. This king had an opportunity 

 of observing the gardens of England under Henry the First, 

 when Norm.an gardening was prevalent ; and it is probable 

 that that king was prompted by his genius to combine ele- 

 gance with utility in the establishment and cultivation of his 

 gardens. 



William of Malmsbury speaks of a considerable number 

 of orchards and vineyards being in the vale of Gloucester. In 

 the year one thousand one hundred and forty, we find that a 

 vineyard was planted at Edmondsbury, for the use of the 

 monks of that monastery. 



In the year one thousand two hundred and ninety-four, the 

 monks of Dunstable were at considerable expense in repairinir 



