THE PINE APPLE. 



Gardener," when that work was originally published 

 in 1780 ; but we prefer taking it from the work 

 above cited, as giving the modern practice. It is 

 proper to observe, however, that the directions in 

 the " Practical Gardener" are much less to be de- 

 pended on than those given by M'Phail and Bald- 

 win ; for as the first of these authors observes, in 

 his preface to the Gardener's Remembrancer, the 

 Practical Gardener has been evidently dressed up, 

 and in some parts rather affectedly, by some man 

 who knew little of the practice of gardening. As 

 to what Mr. Mean may have done in revising the 

 book, it is more certain that he has not done enough, 

 than that he has done any thing, for there are many 

 passages, besides those pointed out by M'Phail, that 

 appear quite ridiculous as coming from a practical 

 gardener. Notwithstanding these faults, however, 

 which would have escaped unnoticed in a less 

 valuable book, " The Practical Gardener" is the 

 best book of its kind extant. 



Form of House. " The fruiting-house," he says, 

 " need not be higher than five feet in front, and 

 eight feet six inches at the back wall ; or, whatever 

 be the breadth of the house, the difference between 

 the height in front and in rear, need not exceed 

 one-third of the breadth." By this means the 

 chamber of air to be heated will be materially re- 

 duced. To give a full command over the tem- 

 perature of this air, let the lappings of the panes 

 of glass be closed with putty. 

 vThe roof of the succession-house may be four or 



