Bagichanu Pustak

Author(s): Ganesh G Gokhle
Publisher: Ganesh G Gokhle

Page 8

PREFACE.
In writing preface to a book, it is generally thought necessary to state, in brief, the reasons and motives which induced its author to undertake the work.
Having had to lay out and make new gardens at Gondal, both state and municipal, while in Gondal service, and being in sole charge thereof for nearly ten years, I had ample opportunities of studying practically the science of gardening. This science was indeed tastefully cultivated in India in ancient times, though nega lected for years past. It is pleasant to notice that the taste and culture thercof have been at present reviving among our people, and there seems to be a growing fondness among the present generation for practical gardening with all the latest improvements of the present day. Those friends of mine, both European and Native, who have seen the Botanical and other Gardens at Gondal, in Kattiawar have over again insisted upon me to publish a work of this kind, in the Gugerati language, especially as there has, yet, been no work on the subject in that language. I myself knew that this want was long felt by our Gugerati brothren, and to remove it to the best of my abilities, has been my aim for some years past; but,