vi. Preface. 



imported from foreign countries as established 

 articles of commerce. So many novelties from 

 abroad now make their appearance in the shops, 

 that it is hoped that a book giving exact informa- 

 tion, at all events respecting these last, may meet 

 a want without question often felt. 



No attempt has been made to deal with the arts 

 of Culture. They require special treatises, and 

 happily such works have already been published 

 by experienced practical gardeners. Neither has 

 endeavour been made, except briefly, to describe 

 the very numerous " varieties " of the garden fruits 

 commonly cultivated. Particulars respecting these 

 are given at length in the Catalogues issued every 

 year by the leading fruit-growers. Three of the 

 latter the author here begs to thank very sincerely 

 for supplying him with the names of the sorts they 

 consider supreme : Messrs. Thos. Rivers & Sons, 

 Sawbridgeworth ; Messrs. R. Smith & Sons, Wor- 

 cester ; and Messrs. R. P. Ker & Sons, Liverpool. 



