LONDON'S GARDENS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23429, 19 August 1939, Page 4 (Supplement)

LONDON'S GARDENS

GLIMPSES INTO THE PAST By L.B. It is difficult to realise that the huge city of Londou was once a veritable city of flowers; that it was once only two miles across and in many parts almost like a village with wallflowers as well as lichens growing on the roofs of the cottages. It is interesting also to know that the first gardening book printed in the English language, "A moste briefe and pleasaunt treatise, a tcachynge how to dress, sow and set a garden," was written by a Londoner. It is to the London of those days that the author, Helen G. Nussey in her book "London Gardens of the Past," takes her readers. She writes encluintingly of all kinds of gardens, lloyal, ecclesiastical, such as those of Lambeth, Ely, and L ( ill ham Palace, of public and market gardens and of those of humble folk as well as of those of the great nobles of the past. Amusing instances are given in the book of the emulation that existed between famous professional gardeners and noted botanists, men of letters, courtiers and adventures in producing and developing some hitherto unkown species. Unsuspected sources of history arc tapped and interesting light thrown on customs that people have hitherto taken for granted. The book is charmingly illustrated. "London Gardens of (he Past." By Helen G. Nussey. (John Lane. The Bodley Head, London.)