INTRODUCTION. 19 



a work, which, for minuteness of exposition, copious- 

 ness of illustration, and general accuracy, is perhaps un- 

 rivaled amongst the didactic treatises of our times. 



The objects of culture are so numerous, the operations 

 so varied, and the materials so copious, that, in presenting 

 what can claim only the character of a sketch of our sub- 

 ject, it will be necessary to follow a plan of selection. It 

 would be unprofitable to describe all the methods of cul- 

 ture to be found in practice at the present day ; we shall 

 therefore notice such only as are deemed the best. 



The subject naturally divides itself into the Fruit, the 

 Kitchen, and the Flower Garden : but as the first two 

 generally occupy the same locality, or are intermingled 

 with each other, and as everything connected with their 

 formation is inseparably involved, we shall, to some extent, 

 take them together. Then will follow the Flower Garden ; 

 and, by way of conclusion to the whole, a short Calendar. 



