VII. Of the rise, Progress, and present State of Gardening in Sweden and Norway
434. Gardening is patronised by the higher classes, and practised round the principal towns of Sweden and Norway. 'All the Swedes with whom I have ever met,' observes Hirschfeld, 'whether elevated by birth or enlightened by education, were estimable friends of beautiful nature and of gardens.' Sir J. E. Smith (Linn. Trans., vol. i.) expresses an equally high opinion of this people. Mediocrity of circumstances, a poor court, political liberty, and a varied and comparatively unproductive country, seem to have contributed to give a more thinking turn to the Swedish nobles, than to those in countries naturally prolific. So beautiful is the scenery in some parts of both Sweden and Norway, that the district of Waas, in the latter country, has been called the Northern Italy. Their immense public works, canals, harbours, and excellent roads, careful, agriculture, extensively worked mines, botanic gardens, literary institutions, and scientific authors, are proofs of what we assert.
