INTRODUCTORY 
*9 
attended. A series of drawings and plans of the Mile 
End Road and Shadwell, as they are, and as they might 
be, were prepared, and the cost of such transformations 
was worked out. These were exhibited in the hopes of 
awakening the interest of the Corporation who owns the 
site of the disused market in Shadwell, and of causing 
more to be done in the Mile End Road. It appears that 
with a comparatively small expenditure and ultimate loss, 
these plans could be realised, and the physical and moral 
conditions of the whole neighbourhood improved. 
Every year it is further to get into the country 
from the centres of population, and the necessity of 
improving existing open spaces becomes all the greater. 
By improving it is not meant to suggest that what are 
sometimes called improvements should be carried out; 
grander band-stands, handsome railings, more asphalt 
paths or stiff concrete ponds. No, it is only more 
intelligent planting, grouping for artistic effect, and 
arranging to demonstrate the wonders of nature in 
spaces already in existence, and to suggest what could 
be done to cheer and brighten the dark spots of the 
city. 
The country round London has always been a good 
district for wild flowers; the varied soils, aspects, and 
levels all go to make it a propitious spot for botanising. 
Many places now covered with streets were a few genera¬ 
tions ago a mass of wild flowers. The older herbalists— 
Gerard, Johnson, and their friends—used to search the 
neighbourhood of London for floral treasures, and inci¬ 
dentally in their works the names of these friends, such 
as Mr. James Clarke and Mr. Thomas Smith, “ Apothe¬ 
caries of London,” and their “search for rare plants” 
are mentioned. Gerard was constantly on the watch, 
