EDITOR'S NOTE 



MR H. H. THOMAS, who is responsible for all that part 

 of the present volume which relates to the cultivation 

 of the apple, is a distinguished representative of the 

 new race of gardening experts who combine scientific 

 knowledge with practical including manual experience 

 of their craft. Few names are more honoured among 

 British gardeners than that of the late head of the 

 Royal Gardens at Windsor ; and, in having Mr Owen 

 Thomas for his father, the author of this book received 

 about the best possible gift which the goddess of garden- 

 craft could bestow. Mr Owen Thomas has actively 

 co-operated in the preparation of the present volume. 



Mr H. H. Thomas has himself had exceptional 

 experience in practical garden work. For a time he 

 worked in the celebrated nurseries of Messrs Veitch, at 

 Chelsea, and for two years was engaged in the gardens 

 of Baron Alphonse de Rothschild, at Ferrieres-en-Brie, 

 Seine-et-Marne, which include one of the finest hardy- 

 fruit gardens in France. Two years he spent at Kew, 

 and five years in the Royal Gardens at Windsor 

 working mostly in the fruit department, of which he 

 had charge when recently he left to take the post of 

 assistant editor of The Garden. 



The Editor wishes to express his thanks to several 

 gentlemen who have in many ways lent him kindly help. 



xi 



