IV. PREFACE. 



" Injurious Insects," Louden's " Encyclopaedia," and others 

 of like character. The extract matter has been thoroughly 

 sifted, and only those portions have been chosen which 

 from my own observations have convinced me of their 

 suitability for New Zealand. It has not been found con- 

 venient to place within quotation marks the passages 

 selected from the above works, because they have been 

 altered and modified in important particulars to suit New 

 Zealand seasons, but where the language of these authors 

 has been found applicable, I have not hesitated to use it 

 freely. I desire also to acknowledge my obligations to Mr. 

 Thos. Turner, of Christchurch, a gardener of many years' 

 experience, who has rendered me much valuable assistance 

 in reading and correcting the proofs of this work. 



The premier position in the arrangement of the matter 

 has been allotted to the Vegetable Garden. It is, un- 

 fortunately, a notable fact that vegetable growing is much 

 neglected by the large majority of small farmers. Cheap 

 bread and cheap meat, with an abundance of potatoes, seem 

 to satisfy most of those engaged in rural pursuits. It is an 

 accepted theory that a diet consisting mainly of animal food 

 is not conducive to good health, particularly in the case of 

 children. Radishes, mustard and cress, lettuce, and spinach 

 are all easily grown, and as purifiers of the blood cannot be 

 surpassed in the early Spring. The latter vegetable is so 

 highly esteemed by the French for such purposes, that it is 

 called by them the " Broom of the Stomach." All that is 

 required in the culture of vegetables is deep tillage, 

 plenty of manure, and secure fencing, coupled with a 

 practical knowledge of the subject. One quarter of an 

 acre, well managed, would provide a large family all the 

 year round with an ample supply of wholesome vegetables, 



