X PREFACE TO THE 



renew tlie Composition annually, which, on its ap- 

 plication, invigorates the trees, and seems to have 

 the same effect on them as a top-dressing of dung 

 has on land. 



1 have been solicited by some of my friends to 

 add a chapter on forcing Grapes, Peaches, and 

 Nectarines ; and to give a description of a house 

 for that purpose ; but as it would swell the book to 

 too great a size, and as the subject is fully treated 

 of by many others, it seems unnecessary to say any 

 thing farther here, than just to observe, that the 

 method of pruning and training recommended in 

 this book is equally applicable to trees in a forcing- 

 house as to those on a natural wall. When Vines 

 are trained straight up the rafters of hot-houses, 

 they throw out a few eyes only at top, and all the 

 rest of the branch becomes naked ; but when train- 

 ed in a serpentine manner, they break equally. 



Dwarf Peaches and Nectarines planted in the pits 

 of forcing- houses should be trained horizontally ; 

 in which mode they will produce much more fruit 

 than when they are trained fan-fashion. 



It must be observed, that the Directions, &c. in 

 the following pages are calculated for the neigh- 

 bourhood of London ; it will, therefore, be neces- 

 sary to make allowance, in other climates, for the 

 earliness or lateness of their seasons, both with re- 

 gard to the time of fruit being in perfection, and 

 also for planting, pruning, &c. 



For the information of those who are not acquaint- 

 ed with practical gardening, the following explana- 

 tion of what is called heading down is given. 



