PREFACE. 



Our labors for the First Volume having terminated, it may not 

 here be unappropriate to take a retrospective view of the past year, 

 and see what benefits have already resulted during the short time 

 the Magazine has been established. 



To record the progressive advancements of, and improvements in, 

 the science of horticulture, in all its branches, has been our first 

 and principal purpose. To do this, we, in the commencement of 

 our labors, procured the assistance of many of our friends, who 

 are interested in gardening throughout the country, knowing that 

 our own humble efforts would avail but little compared with what 

 would result from a co-operation of all. 



How far we have fulfilled this, and other objects stated in our pro- 

 spectus, a single glance at the contents will decide. A rich fund 

 of information has been gathered together, and many of the con- 

 tributions are from our first practical men. It cannot but be grati- 

 fying to every lover of gardening, to perceive that we possess gar- 

 deners, who know how to write as well as practise, and who can 

 thus impart their valuable knowledge to the public ; and it is in 

 this view that we consider our Magazine has been eminently advan- 

 tageous to the advancement and spread of a taste for this pursuit; — 

 by creating a greater love for reading; by reading, to acquire infor- 

 mation which gives greater exercise to the mind, and a desire for 

 other and higher sources of gratification — the possession of the most 

 interesting objects worthy of cultivation. 



In this Volume, the cultivation of the grape vine — both in the 

 garden, green-house and grapery, is fully given ; select lists of 

 pears and apples, important at the present time, for planting small 



