xii INTRODUCTION. 



monks and the vineyards, in a great measure, dis- 

 appeared together. After a time the grape-vine again 

 made its appearance, and might be seen not only 

 about the abodes of the rich, but gracing many a 

 cottage home in the southern provinces of England, 

 affording a source of emolument as well as of pleasure. 

 But, though much cultivated, it is rare that Grapes 

 are found to ripen properly in the open air, in our 

 high latitude and clouded skies. The forcing system 

 of cultivating grapes, by means of artificial heat, 

 was then resorted to, and, when properly managed, 

 fruit the most delicious in all the world may be thus 

 procured. The author of the following pages has no 

 intention, even if he had the ability, of adding one 

 to the many elaborate treatises written upon this 

 subject. His desire is only to lay down general, 

 comprehensive, and practical rules, which he has 

 worked out and tested for himself, and to which 

 he would fain draw the attention of others. A few 

 simple plans, also the result of experience, which he 

 trusts will be found generally useful to others, are 

 here offered to their notice. All conventional terms, 

 and words familiar alone to the horticulturist, are 

 studiously avoided ; and the advice of Cobbett has 

 been attended to, namely, that, in teaching any 

 science, we should avoid using scientific expressions 

 beyond the understanding of the unlearned, and 

 endeavour to teach our readers from what they do 

 already know that which they do not know. 



