It is hard to believe that before the Pilgrim Fathers landed some of the commonest weeds were unknown in their new country. Yet we have John Josselyn's list of these, and it includes couch-grass, shepherd's purse, dandelion, groundsel, sow-thistle, stinging-nettle, mallows, plantain, wormwood, chickweed, mullein, knot-grass and comfrey. The plantain, one always learnt as a child, follows the English colonist wherever he goes, and there is curious confirmation in Josselyn's note that the Indians called this familiar weed "'Englishman's Foot,' as though it were produced by their treading." But the most fascinating list of all is that of the English garden-plants which those early settlers tried to grow, and it is impossible to read it without realising the loving care which must have been lavished on the southernwood, rosemary, lavender, and other plants imported from English gardens, which survived the long journey only to succumb to the rigours of the New England winter. There is something so naïve and appealing about this list, the first gardening link, as it were, between England and America, that I give it in full as it stands in the original: "Cabbidge growes there exceeding well Lettice Parsley, Marygold, French Mallowes, Chervil, Burnet, Winter Savory, Summer Savory, Time, Sage, Carrots. Parsnips of a prodigous size, Red Beetes, Radishes Purslain Pease of all sorts and the best in the world. I never heard of nor did see in Eight Years time one worm Eaten Pea. Spearmint, Rew will hardly grow Featherfew prospereth exceedingly. Southernwood is no plant for this Country, Nor Rosemary, Nor Bayes, White Satten groweth pretty well, so doth Lavender Cotton. But Lavender is not for the Climate. Penny Royal, Smalledge Ground Ivy or Ale Hoof. Gillyflowers will continue Two Years. Fennel must be taken up and kept in a Warm Cellar all the Winter. Housleek prospereth notably, Hollyhocks. Enula Campana, in two Years time the Roots rot, Comferie with white Flowers, Coriander and Dill and Annis thrive exceedingly, but Annis Seed as also the Seed of Fennel seldom come to maturity; the Seed of Annis is commonly eaten of a fly. Clary never lasts but one Summer, the Roots rot with the Frost, Sparagus thrives exceedingly so does Garden Sorrel and Sweet Bryer or Eglantine Bloodwort but sorrily but Patience and English Roses very pleasantly. Celandine by the West Country Men called Kenning Wort grows but slowly. Muschata as well as in England. Pepperwort flourisheth notably and so doth Tansie Musk Mellons are better than our English and Cucumbers. Pompions there be of several kinds; they are dryer than our English pompions and better tasted; You may eat them Green."