Introduction. 3 



Avith occasional good results. It is only by the most careful and per- 

 severing attention, with unremitting industry and patience, deducing 

 theory to the rules of practice, that ultimately successfid operations 

 can be permanently established. Principles may be acquired, and 

 perhaps belter understood, by a long course of experience alone, — and 

 this may be the natural method of study ; — but the science, complete 

 as it now is, admits of being easier attained than by a series of years 

 of experiments. Many are, however, too unwilling to mark out a 

 new course, rather pursuing the same beaten track for years, regarding 

 every new method or invention as an innovation of former rights, yet 

 astonished why others, who apparently have no greater advantages, 

 are distinguished for their constant success. 



To keep pace with the rapid modern improvements, and to fill a 

 place much wanting, — though, in its near relations, useful information 

 is continually increasing and circulating by other periodicals,— will 

 be the object of the Gardener's Magazine. Whatever relates to 

 Horticulture, and its kindred branches, it will be our constant aim to 

 lay before our readers. To put amateurs and gardeners, residing 

 distant from each other, upon an equal chance of obtaining informa- 

 tion, in respect to all the various nursery establishments and gardens 

 throughout the country. To gather such notices of new and valua- 

 ble fruits, and choice and rare plants, which may be introduced, that 

 they may become immediately known to all who are desirous of 

 obtaining them. This, we consider, will be one of the most important 

 and decidedly interesting objects of the work. It is many years be- 

 fore some plants become generally known and cultivated, for no 

 other reason than that there is no medium through which such infor- 

 mation can be given. But of what value is a newly introduced fruit, 

 or rare flower, if the richness and excellence of the one, or the ele- 

 gance and beauty of the other, are to remain known only to one or 

 a few individuals? Every new fruit or flower, deserving of cultiva- 

 tion, should be distributed as speedily as possible, that the public 

 may enjoy the benefits of such productions. 



To furnish our readers with particular notices, if not with exact 

 descriptions, of everything new in vegetable culture, by frequently 

 visiting all the private residences, nursery and market gardens, we 

 hope to contribute greatly to the interest of our Magazine. While 

 we are recording our own progress and success, the advancement of 

 gardening, and the introduction of plants into the European and Con- 

 tinental gardens will not escape our observation. Incidental or par- 

 tial notices have only as yet appeared, and these so tartlily, that they 

 have lost much of their interest. The number of periodicals whicii 

 are devoted to the sciences of Horticulture and Botany, in Great 

 Britain aloue, is astonishing; embracing, among others, elegant and 

 costly works, with beautiful colored plates of fruits and flowers, ex- 

 ecuted by the most skilful artists, and already numbering many 

 volumes. Their practical works, with those of France, contain the 



