Vlll PKEFACE. 



and give an attention to minor details, 

 more unremitting as the desired result is 

 of importance to us, and in contravention 

 to the ordinary course of Nature. The 

 skillful gardener not only maintains but 

 continually improves the quality of his 

 vegetables, and by a close study of the 

 laws of their growth, is enabled to origin- 

 ate, or create, new and better varieties. 



It needs but a cursory glance at the 

 nature of celery to make us see why it has 

 been so difficult a matter to raise it of the 

 best quality, and keep it sound as long as 

 we choose to send it to market. Sow the 

 seed and leave it to itself and the plant will 

 grow rank, with abundance of leaves, its 

 stalks all green, except a little portion at 

 the heart, and in due season it produces 

 its seed abundantly. But we want its 



