BOOK I.] INTRODUCTION. 3 



complicated; muft neceflarily happen for a 

 confiderable length of time after introduc- 

 tion. It is even probable, that this branch, 

 in refped: of improvement, is but in a ftate 

 of infancy. And this fuppofition arifes, 

 by confidering the many opinions and ideas 

 entertained by profeflional men on this 

 fubjecl 3 for until thofe of any fcience are 

 agreed, refpecUng- points of the firft con- 

 fequence, perfection cannot be fuppofed 

 near. 



A fettled plan of conftructing hot-hpufes, 

 &c. is by no means yet fixed, moft garden- 

 ers and hot-houfe builders differing in fome 

 point or other. This is an article of im- 

 portance, and there are extremes which 

 mould be avoided. But it would app'ear, 

 that the failure of fuccefs in this fpecies of 

 horticulture is lefs in confequence of im- 

 proper conftrudion of the houfe, than in 

 the preparation of proper foil, and the ge- 

 neral management ; fince in fome inftan- 

 ces we find excellent crops produced in 

 houfes very indifferently conftruded^ and 

 in others, very indifferent crops, in houfes 

 well conftruded. 



A 2 Situation 



