1839. 'Pinetum Woburnensis, or a Catalogue of
Coniferous Plants in the Collection of the Duke of
Bedford, at Woburn Abbey, systematically arranged.'
This is a very handsome book, unfortunately not large
enough to show off the really fine plates to advantage, as
they are all folded in half in the middle. I imagine it is
the only work of its kind, and seems, so far as I can
judge, to be very complete. Considering how late was
the date of publication, the plates are very well drawn
and coloured by hand. The introduction, dated 1839, is
written by the Duke of Bedford. In it he gives such an
amusing anecdote of his grandfather that I cannot resist
quoting it : — ' In the year 1743 my grandfather planted
the large plantation in Woburn Park known by the
Q2
228 POT-POURRI FROM A SURREY GARDEN
name of the "Evergreens," to commemorate the birth
of his daughter, afterwards Caroline, Duchess of Marl-
borough; it was something more than one hundred
acres, and was, before that time, a rabbit-warren, pro-
ducing nothing but a few blades of grass, with the heath
or ling indigenous to the soil, and without a single tree
upon it.
1 In the course of a few years the Duke perceived
that the plantation required thinning, in order to admit a
free circulation of air, and give health and vigour to the
young trees. He accordingly gave instructions to his
gardener, and directed him as to the mode and extent of
the thinning required. The gardener paused, and hesi-
tated, and at length said, " Your Grace must pardon me
if I humbly remonstrate against your orders, but I
cannot possibly do what you desire ; it would at once
destroy the young plantation, and, moreover, it would be
seriously injurious to my reputation as a planter."
' My grandfather, who was of an impetuous and
decided character, but always just, instantly replied, " Do
as I tell you, and I will take care of your reputation."
'The plantation, which ran for nearly a mile along
the road leading from the market town of Woburn to
that of Ampthill, was, consequently, thinned according
to the instructions of the Duke of Bedford, who caused a
board to be fixed in the plantation, facing the road, on
which was inscribed, " This plantation has been thinned
by John, Duke of Bedford, contrary to the advice and
opinion of his gardener." '
1843. 'Flora Odorata: a Characteristic Arrangement
of the Sweet-scented Flowers and Shrubs cultivated in
the Gardens of Great Britain,' by Frederick T. Mott. A
useful, suggestive, little book, and the only one on the
subject that was ever printed, I believe, till the appearance
of a book in 1895, ' Sweet-scented Flowers and Fragrant
NOVEMBER 229
Leaves,' by Donald McDonald. This last often gives the
name of one scented variety in a perfectly scentless
family, such as the Camellia. C. drupifera has scented
flowers. I observe that the very faintest odour justifies
the inclusion of some plants in both these books.
1846. ' Flowers and their Associations,' and ' The
Field, Garden, and Woodland,' by Anne Pratt. I have
none of Anne Pratt's books except this curious little one,
given me off a Christmas-tree, by a serious old uncle, because
I was fond of flowers, when I was a child. It is roughly
illustrated, and contains much desultory information.
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1839. 'Pinetum Woburnensis, or a Catalogue of
Coniferous Plants in the Collection of the Duke of
Bedford, at Woburn Abbey, systematically arranged.'
This is a very handsome book, unfortunately not large
enough to show off the really fine plates to advantage, as
they are all folded in half in the middle. I imagine it is
the only work of its kind, and seems, so far as I can
judge, to be very complete. Considering how late was
the date of publication, the plates are very well drawn
and coloured by hand. The introduction, dated 1839, is
written by the Duke of Bedford. In it he gives such an
amusing anecdote of his grandfather that I cannot resist
quoting it : — ' In the year 1743 my grandfather planted
the large plantation in Woburn Park known by the
Q2
228 POT-POURRI FROM A SURREY GARDEN
name of the "Evergreens," to commemorate the birth
of his daughter, afterwards Caroline, Duchess of Marl-
borough; it was something more than one hundred
acres, and was, before that time, a rabbit-warren, pro-
ducing nothing but a few blades of grass, with the heath
or ling indigenous to the soil, and without a single tree
upon it.
1 In the course of a few years the Duke perceived
that the plantation required thinning, in order to admit a
free circulation of air, and give health and vigour to the
young trees. He accordingly gave instructions to his
gardener, and directed him as to the mode and extent of
the thinning required. The gardener paused, and hesi-
tated, and at length said, " Your Grace must pardon me
if I humbly remonstrate against your orders, but I
cannot possibly do what you desire ; it would at once
destroy the young plantation, and, moreover, it would be
seriously injurious to my reputation as a planter."
' My grandfather, who was of an impetuous and
decided character, but always just, instantly replied, " Do
as I tell you, and I will take care of your reputation."
'The plantation, which ran for nearly a mile along
the road leading from the market town of Woburn to
that of Ampthill, was, consequently, thinned according
to the instructions of the Duke of Bedford, who caused a
board to be fixed in the plantation, facing the road, on
which was inscribed, " This plantation has been thinned
by John, Duke of Bedford, contrary to the advice and
opinion of his gardener." '
1843. 'Flora Odorata: a Characteristic Arrangement
of the Sweet-scented Flowers and Shrubs cultivated in
the Gardens of Great Britain,' by Frederick T. Mott. A
useful, suggestive, little book, and the only one on the
subject that was ever printed, I believe, till the appearance
of a book in 1895, ' Sweet-scented Flowers and Fragrant
NOVEMBER 229
Leaves,' by Donald McDonald. This last often gives the
name of one scented variety in a perfectly scentless
family, such as the Camellia. C. drupifera has scented
flowers. I observe that the very faintest odour justifies
the inclusion of some plants in both these books.
1846. ' Flowers and their Associations,' and ' The
Field, Garden, and Woodland,' by Anne Pratt. I have
none of Anne Pratt's books except this curious little one,
given me off a Christmas-tree, by a serious old uncle, because
I was fond of flowers, when I was a child. It is roughly
illustrated, and contains much desultory information.