vi PREFACE 



produced in this country is almost ridiculous. It is 

 impossible to exaggerate the importance of this culture 

 for a nation of gardeners like the British ; and if it 

 were the only hint that we could take from the French 

 cultivators with advantage, it would be well worth 

 consideration." 



Although this gospel was preached so long ago, but 

 little advance in the art of intensive gardening has 

 been made in the British Islands so far as vegetables 

 and salads are concerned. During the past year or 

 two, however, a keener interest has been awakened 

 on the subject. Not only has the horticultural press 

 devoted considerable attention to it, but the daily 

 papers have also discussed the matter. Among these 

 one especially, with characteristic enterprise, has 

 enthusiastically praised the system, and has almost 

 made one believe that it is quite a simple matter to 

 make a profit of 600 or 700 per annum out of an 

 acre of ground cultivated on the " French " system. 



Perhaps a little too much emphasis has been laid 

 upon the profits to be derived from the system, and 

 there seems to be an impression amongst many who 

 possess no practical experience of gardening matters 

 whatever that fortunes are to be made easily by 

 growing Carrots, Cauliflowers, Lettuces, Radishes, 

 Turnips, etc., under lights or cloches. Many French 

 gardeners have no doubt reaped golden harvests as a 

 result of their industry, foresight, and skill ; but they 

 have been men saturated with all the details of their 

 profession gained entirely by experience. 



There is no reason, however, why the British gar- 

 dener endowed with similar energy, skill, and good 

 business capacity should not make the early production 



