PREFACE 



The chapters of this book are so arranged that the 

 accompanying plates may present a full garden year from 

 daffodils at Windsor Castle and spring flowering shrubs at 

 Bagshot Park to chrysanthemums at Claremont and autumn 

 flowers at Sandringham ; and the gardens herein depicted 

 include, in one or other, examples of the whole art of garden 

 design as practised in Great Britain during the last three 

 or four centuries. That they are cultivated to-day with a 

 hearty acceptance of every step in progress made in the 

 science of horticulture, articles written by head gardeners 

 on their own methods will show. These articles contain 

 information and suggestions which, I hope, will be found 

 useful by many garden lovers ; and for the thought and care 

 their writers have devoted to a task so largely increasing 

 the value of my book, I am very grateful, I also wish to 

 record my profound gratitude to the royal owners and con- 

 trollers of the gardens in the study of which it has been my 

 privilege to spend many most delightful months. 



C. W. 



April 19 1 2. 



