INTRODUCTION. 13 



l^rove the extent and perfection to wliicli gardening has 

 advanced. Although, however, there is not, perhaps, 

 in the annals of invention, a chapter of higher interest 

 than the history of Horticulture, the limits prescribed 

 to us do not permit us to enter farther into details : we 

 must, therefore, refer to the late eminent Mr. Loudon's 

 Encycloi^sedia of Crardening, a work which, for minute- 

 ness of exposition, copiousness of illustration, and gene- 

 ral accuracy, is perhaps unrivaled amongst the didactic 

 treatises of our times. 



We intend to confine our attention almost exclusively 

 to the horticulture of Great Britain, and we shall en- 

 deavor to give such an exhibition of its practice as may 

 suit the middle districts of the island. 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 subject, it 

 will be necessary to follow a plan of selection. It would 

 be unprofitable to describe all -the methods of culture 

 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 inter- 

 mingled with each other, and as everything connected 

 with their formation is inseparably involved, we shall, 

 to some extent, take them together. Then Avill follow 

 the Flower Garden ; and, by way of conclusion to the 

 whole, a short Calendar. 



