Preface 



VII 



the crops likely to be got out of it one of the most pernicious and 

 dangerous doctrines for any commercial gardener to play with. 



In this work on Commercial Gardening the best and cleanest methods 

 of cultivation are those recommended, simply because they happen to be 

 the most economical. But no false economy is preached, and it may be 

 cheaper, even for the man with a small capital, to make a fair start by 

 thoroughly cultivating his ground to a depth of 3 ft., at a cost of 8 to 

 12 per ac., than to fritter away his substance for a lifetime and never 

 go deeper than six inches or a foot from the surface. The cultivator who 

 is now foolish enough to think that the methods employed by his ancestors 

 in the old non-competitive days are quite good enough for him, is making 

 a sad mistake in these speedy days of keen competition. The modern 

 grower is affected by the changes brought about by science and fashion, 

 and he must adjust his methods and vary his crops according to prevailing 

 circumstances. Perhaps it only remains to be said that the information 

 given in this work has been supplied by men most of whom are, or have 

 been, actually engaged in growing crops of various kinds for profit, and 

 are regarded as skilful cultivators and good business men. The Editor 

 takes this opportunity of thanking them for their kind assistance, and in 

 doing so would also like to express his indebtedness to many other com- 

 mercial gardeners who prefer to handle the spade rather than the pen 

 for many hints and much information given in regard to various matters. 



Among the principal contributors the following may be mentioned, with 

 the initials used to mark their contributions throughout the work. 



A. A. ARTHUR AMOS, Downing College, Cambridge. 



A. J. B. A. J. BRIDGES, Nurseryman. 



C. E. CARL ENGELMANN, Nurseryman and Carnation Specialist. 



C. T. D. CHARLES T. DRUERY, President, British Fern Society. 



E. H. J. E. H. JENKINS, Nurseryman and Horticultural Writer. 



F. V. T. Professor F. V. THEOBALD, M.A., Zoologist to the S.E. Agricultural 



College, Wye; Author of Insect and Allied Pests of Orchard, Bush, 

 and Hothouse Fruits. 



F. W. M. Sir FREDERICK W. MOORE, M.A., F.L.S., Glasnevin. 



G. G. GEORGE GORDON, V.M.H., Editor of the Gardeners' Magazine. 

 G. M. GEORGE MASSEE, F.L.S., &c. ; Author of Diseases of Plants. 



