Qtilve. Boarbman's Exbtbttton of Garden Books 
It was with the greatest pleasure that I spent parts of three days 
in the New York Public Library studying the interesting prints and 
books on gardening collected by Mrs. Albert Boardman for our instruc- 
tion, finding many there which I had never seen and others that I had 
long wished to read. 
Being much interested of late in herb gardens for useful purposes, 
I found "The Book of Herbs," by Lady Rosalind Northcote quite 
fascinating. She quotes from the best old writers the use of herbs in 
magic, perfume and old-time healing, heraldry and ornament. 
"Herbal Simples," by Dr. Fernie, should be useful at this time 
when "Economies," "Good Housekeeping" and "How to Buy" are 
being taught and followed; and what simpler than to grow and dry 
one's own herbs and learn to use them? Our great grandfathers and 
mothers amused themselves after tea, gathering and mixing the right 
blends to flavor certain dishes. 
"A History of Gardening in England," by the Hon. Evelyn 
Cecil, was one of the most interesting books in the collection with a 
bibliography of printed works on English gardens from 1516 to 1837, 
copiously illustrated with wood cuts from the earliest books, as well as 
pictures from the modem prints. 
"The Gardener's Labyrinth, or a New Art of Gardening, wherein 
is laid down new and rare inventions and secrets in gardening not here- 
tofore known," London, 1 652, looked as though it might teach us much 
that has been forgotten in our newer methods. 
There were books on every garden subject, "English Ironwork of 
the XVII and XVIII Centuries," by J. Gardener, showed illustrations 
of gates like old lace, and fences like the filmy flouncings of our grand- 
mothers; they almost make one discontented with hedges, they are so 
beautiful! 
Others showed gardens in India, Persia, Japan and Madeira, as 
well as those in Europe with which we are familiar. 
These, and old prints of Versailles, also Le Notres Plan de 
Jardin des Tuilleries, with many others as rare, made this a collection 
of value to the student of garden literature. 
We hope to arrange a like exhibition in Philadelphia and will 
endeavor to show as many old books as possible. We have here in 
John Bartram's library, and others, ancient parchment volumes, Parkin- 
son and the older Matthioli (Pietro Andrea), whose commentaries on 
Dioscorides were translated into more languages than any Botany 
previous to Linnaeus. I shall be grateful to any one who will contribute 
rare books, or the newer foreign publications; in fact, anything which 
