VI PREFACE. 



of these structures have been erected in 

 such a rough and imperfect manner, that 

 they are inefficient for the purpose they 

 were intended to serve, and are anything 

 but an ornament to the gardens in which 

 they are placed. Knowing that every 

 failure was a fact eagerly welcomed by 

 those who oppose everything new, I wished 

 to show that before the system could be 

 fairly tried, it was necessary to have a 

 house adapted for the purpose, and a cer- 

 tain amount of information on the part 

 of the person having the care of it. The 

 gradual improvement which has taken 

 place in building orchard-houses shows 

 that these impressions were not without 

 foundation. The success of my little book 

 was as gratifying as it was unexpected. 



CHILWELL, NEAR NOTTINGHAM, 

 August, 1862. 



