PREFACE. 



ONE of the most interesting and significant evidences 

 of the abiding expansion of horticultural business is the 

 evolution of the glass house within the present century. 

 It is only within the last one or two generations that 

 the growing of plants in glass houses for the purpose 

 of selling the product of bloom or of fruit has come 

 to be important and widespread. The most recent part 

 of the expansion, at least in this country, is the com- 

 mercial growing of winter vegetables. It speaks well 

 for the prosperity and refinement of our people when 

 they are willing and able to purchase freely of the 

 delicacies of the winter garden. This is one of those 

 branches of agriculture which demands the nicest skill 

 and the closest fellowship with plants. It is, therefore, 

 one in which comparatively few people are fitted to 

 engage, but it must, from the very force of civilization, 

 be one of those occupations which shall gain impetus 

 with time. If it is a business which demands much 

 care and pains, then its promoters must be students. 

 They will need helps. It is this thought which has 

 produced this book. 



The writer must hasten to say what the attentive 



reader will soon discover that he cannot consider 



himself to be an authority upon the subject. It has 



happened that he has been associated with considerable 



(v) 



