PREFACE. 



NEARLY seventeen years ago I was induced to begin the publication of a 

 work called the Australian Horticultural Magazine, on such lines as, 

 when complete, would entitle the book to rank as an encyclopaedia of 

 gardening for this part of the world. Such a publication was then, and 

 is now, greatly needed, as kindred works which have been written in 

 Europe or America necessarily fall short of the requirements of culti- 

 vators in this part of the world. The plan I adopted was to deal with 

 each plant specially, in an article which gave the fullest information 

 as to its history, traditions and uses. I also gave full directions for 

 cultivation as adapted to Australian practice, and all necessary infor- 

 mation as regards propagation and other essential matters. The publi- 

 cation was carried on for two years, but circumstances prevented me 

 from continuing it sufficieutly long to make it the complete work as 

 desired. Among the many articles that appeared in this work were a 

 number dealing with fruits, and these I have utilised to some extent in 

 the present publication, consequently several of the articles that appear 

 in the Australasian Fruit Culturist are based upon older writings of my 

 own which have been previously published. Others, however, have been 

 specially written for the present work. I may also state that the whole 

 of the matter has been carefully prepared and arranged, so as to fully 

 meet the requirements of fruitgrowers at the present time. The cultural 

 directions, as also those for propagation, are thoroughly practical, and are 

 based upon my personal experiences and observations in various parts 

 of Australia extended over a long period. Too frequently books 

 published in this part of the world, and purporting to deal with 

 agriculture or horticulture, are but little more than compilations from 

 works published in Europe or America, where the conditions are widely 

 different to those that obtain in Australia. Then again, the compilers 

 of these works are prone to affirm whatever opinions are expressed by 

 their authorities, and these are often conflicting, and consequently 

 puzzling, to ordinary persons who are seeking for information. I have 



