406 JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



little sidelights on men and gardens are combined with sound instruc- 

 tion. The science of gardening includes the classification, structure 

 and anatomy, nomenclature, functions, diseases, and geography of 

 plants ; soils and manures take us into the domain of chemistry and 

 mineralogy. 



Then there are chapters on implements, structures, and operations 

 of all kinds, from sowing seeds to the superintendence and arrange- 

 ment of every kind of garden imaginable. 



Horticulture is dealt with in a large group of chapters on the 

 kitchen garden and orchard, and is so marvellously arranged and 

 divided into sections that we can find one devoted to plants used as 

 preserves and pickles ; another to edible wild plants neglected or 

 not in cultivation, a very interesting one, in which we learn that 

 " Shoots of Black Bryony and Burdock are good boiled as Asparagus." 

 " Jack-by-the-Hedge, or Sauce-alone, Sisymbrium Alliaria, boiled 

 separately and eaten to mutton, forms a desirable potherb." " Spotted 

 Hawkweed, Hypochaeris maculata, is good as salad or boiled as 

 greens." But as this plant is so rare and local in England few could 

 find it and indulge in the luxury. Sowthistles' tender tops may 

 also be boiled, and there would be no difficulty in finding this plant 

 in most gardens, I fear. 



A section headed " Substitutes for Chinese Teas from wild plants " 

 is proof of the universal information packed away in this book. Edible 

 Fungi and even Seaweeds are dealt with. 



An especially interesting chapter contains Statistics of British 

 Gardening — first, of the various conditions of men engaged in 

 gardening ; secondly, of the kinds of gardens, and ends with a list, 

 arranged according to counties, of noteworthy gardens ; and the last 

 chapter I will mention is a useful list of authors on gardening, arranged 

 by their native countries as well as chronologically. I bought my 

 copy of the first edition of this book for 2s. 6d., and, though its 

 binding is nothing to boast of, I am well pleased with my bargain and 

 advise all of you to try if you cannot make as good a one. The later 

 editions contain many improvements, notably the one by Mrs. Loudon 

 in 1850, and its reprints up to 1871. These would cost about £1. 



Miller's " Gardeners' Dictionary." Johnson, in "A History of 

 English Gardening," wrote : " The publication of the seventh edition 

 of that work in 1759 was of the greatest benefit to Horticulture. In 

 it was adopted the classical system of Linnaeus. It gave a final 

 blow to the invidious line of distinction which had existed between 

 the Gardener and the Botanist, and completed the erection of the 

 art of the former into a science, which it had been long customary 

 to esteem as little more than a superior pursuit for a rustic. From 

 being merely practised by servants, it became more extensively the 

 study and delight of many of the most scientific and noble individuals 

 of this country." 



I also quote from the preface to the eighth edition, the last pub- 

 lished in Miller's lifetime, in 1768 : — 



