THE LURE OF THE GARDEN 
were made by many persons, chief among them that 
Duke of Argyle called the “Tree-monger” by Horace 
Walpole on account of his passion for fine trees. He 
sent the queen a large number of rare and foreign trees 
for the gardens. 
In 1759, Aiton, a pupil of the celebrated Philip 
Miller of Chelsea Gardens, was made director. “ A 
gentleman,” says an old record, “ no less distinguished 
for his private virtues than his knowledge of plants, 
and great skill in cultivating them.” What he did with 
his private virtues we are not informed, but his profes¬ 
sional abilities “quickly secured him the notice of the 
late Sir Joseph Banks, and a friendship commenced 
which subsisted between them for life.” 
It was this same Sir Joseph who made a voyage 
round the world, and sent many valuable plants and 
seeds to Kew. 
George III finally purchased the estate, continuing 
to improve it. He tore down Kew House, and re¬ 
moved its furniture to a quaint red brick mansion of a 
far older date, which had once been owned by a Sir 
Hugh Portman, “the rich gentleman who was knighted 
by Queen Elizabeth.” This house was afterward 
known as Kew Palace, and it was here that Queen 
Charlotte died. Kew now became the favorite royal 
suburban residence, and daily grew more beautiful. 
It remained a possession of the crown’s, being main¬ 
tained by funds supplied by “ The Board of Green 
218 
