INTEODUCTION. XI 



training are at tliis moment advocated and held up as models by 

 such men as Mr. Robert Thompson, head of the fruit department 

 in the London Horticultural Society's Garden ; by Mr. Rivers, 

 well known on this side of the Atlantic as one of the most ener- 

 getic and accomplished nurserymen in Great Britain ; and by 

 many others whose skill and judgment command attention. Their 

 introduction to English gardens is going on rapidly, and bids fair 

 to revolutionize their whole practice of fruit tree culture. 



D'Albret's great work on pruning is conceded to be the best 

 extant on that subject. He was the pupil and successor of M. 

 Thouin, the world-renowned vegetable physiologist and founder 

 of the great national gardens at Paris. His practice is founded 

 upon the true principles of vegetable physiology, and strengthened 

 by long years of the most minute and successful experiment. 



M. Dubrieul, late conductor of the fruit department in the 

 Garden of Rouen, has also published an excellent treatise on 

 arboriculture ; and there are many other French works on the 

 subject, all showing how thoroughly the science is there under- 

 stood, and how minutely and skilfully its principles are dealt with, 

 all, These as well as the best-managed gardens and the most 

 perfect and beautiful trees in France and Belgium, have been 

 carefully studied. 



The knowledge thus acquired, added to the experience of many 

 years' actual and extensive practice, constitutes the basis of the 

 course recommended. 



The same minute detail that characterizes European works has 

 not been attempted, yet much detail is absolutely necessary in 

 order to prevent misapprehension on the part of those wholly 

 inexperienced. 



Writers are apt to treat simple matters too much in the general, 

 presuming them to be well understood. Detail is always tedious 



