X INTEODTJCTION. 



and having, by a business intercourse with cultivators in all parts 

 of the country, an ample opportunity of understanding the nature 

 and extent of the information desked, I have prepared the fol- 

 lowing pages to supply it at least in part. 



I am well convinced that the work is neither perfect nor com- 

 plete. It has been prepared, during a few weeks of the winter, in 

 the midst of other engagements that rendered it impossible to be- 

 stow upon it the necessary care and labor. My original intention 

 was to give a few brief directions for the management of garden 

 trees, but it was suggested by friends that it would prove more 

 generally useful by adding a sketch of the entire routine of opera- 

 tions, from the propagation in the nursery to the management in 

 the orchard and garden. This has involved much more labor 

 than it was intended to bestow on it, or than I could really spare 

 from business. It has, therefore, been performed hastily, and, 

 of course, in many respects imperfectly, but yet it is hoped it 

 contains such an exposition of principles and practices as cannot 

 fail to diffuse amongst the inexperienced much needed informa- 

 tion. All doubtful theories, and whatever had not a direct prac- 

 tical bearing on the subjects treated, have been excluded, both 

 for the sake of brevity, and to avoid anything calculated to 

 mislead. The principles and practices set forth are not new, 

 visionary, or doubtful, but such as are taught and practised by the 

 most accomplished cultivators of the day, and have been success- 

 fully carried out in the daily operations of our own establishment. 



In the pruning and management of garden trees, the French 

 arboriculturists surpass all others. Their trees are models that 

 have no equals, and that all the world admire. The English, 

 notwithstanding their great gardening skill, and their refined 

 and elegant modes of culture, are far behind the French in the 

 management of fruit trees. French systems of pruning and 



