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FOREWORD O all who made the compilation of this book a possibility, the James River Garden Club is deeply grateful, for it has but taken the garden histories, which their owners generously unrolled that the public might see, and bound them into one volume, hoping that in the future it may prove an inspiration in garden lore. The revival of interest in old-fashioned gardens, the enthusiasm which has recently developed for their restoration and preservation; the passion for the past which is in the air and is having a marked influence on landscape architecture, encouraged our Historic Committee to make a study of the old gardens of Virginia. [his manifestation has led to our research with historical and horticultural intent. Until now, the State possessing more colonial and early Republican gardens than any other has made no attempt to preserve their histories, though it must be remembered that the oldest were planned and planted before the corner-stone of America was firmly laid in Virginia soil. Their space was carved from the un-dated forest; their designs were borrowed from countries abroad and seeds for them journeyed from far overseas to bloom through the years as the multi-great-grandchildren of their original wealth of flowers. This is the only book which has undertaken to tell the stories which should possess deep significance for every American, as they have more than a mere local interest. And these stories have been collected by personal visits paid by the authors to the old gardens. Rare histories, valuable letters, garden records and personal reminiscences have been placed at our disposal with a gracious readiness, making of the task a sincere labor of love. The pilgrimage to each garden has been fraught with a pleasure which we hope, through these pages, to share with the reader. [3]
