PREFACE. 



AMONG the various standard books of the late Mr. Loudon 

 others are more expensive, elaborately illustrated, and com- 

 prehensive in aim, but none are so worthy of a re-issue as this 

 volume. The excellent original plan has not been deviated 

 from, but a good many sections treating of matters of but slight 

 importance in connexion with practical gardening have been 

 omitted ; such as the " analogy between plants and animals," 

 the " classification of plants with a view to Horticulture," the 

 "nomenclature of plants with reference to Horticulture," &c., 

 &c. The undue prominence, indeed, given to such matters 

 might be considered the only faults in a book before its time in 

 most other respects. A great number of the old illustrations, 

 and a good deal of the more technical portions of the old matter, 

 have also been omitted, and such alterations made in all parts 

 as, it is hoped, bring it down to the present time, and within 

 the reach of a much wider circle of readers. The changes 

 made have mostly been in matters of detail. In consequence of 

 the considerable variation in the practice of the culture of the 

 Grape Vine and Pine Apple since the first appearance of the 

 book, it was considered desirable to entirely re- write these 

 chapters. The book was very rich in illustrations originally, so 



M372J.03 



