Hartlib
came from Poland and started business as a merchant.
In reality he had various hobbies and conducted a
large news agency. He had some knowledge of farming
and was a respected friend of talented men of his time
including John Milton. He assisted in establishing the
Royal Society. In 1650 he is presumed to have
published Discourse of Husbandrie, which book
was only revised by him. He wrote an Essay on the
Advancement of Husbandry and Learning and Propositions
for Erecting a College of Husbandry (1651). He
also wrote a Designe for Plentie by a Universall
Planting of Fruit Trees (1652). He had
considerable influence on agriculture in his day.
Hartlib stated that at about the beginning of the
17th Century the art of vegetable gardening began to
assume some importance in England. This was in large
part due to the Huguenot refugees from France and the
Low Countries especially weavers and gardeners who
came to England. The Huguenots also started the first
flower societies in England. The potato was one of the
most important introductions.
