PREFACE. 



The general utility of Horticulture, or the art of improv- 

 ing every kind of soil; of producing a plentiful supply of 

 wholesome vegetables and fruits, so necessary to health in all 

 countries, especially in warm climates; of cultivating the 

 various plants designed by infinite goodness to minister to 

 the comforts of animal life, by correcting the divers maladies 

 to which it is subject by nature, and still more so, in the human 

 race, by intemperance; of raising many articles of luxury and 

 commerce, as well as materials for ornamenting the whole face 

 of the country — is too obvious to render any arguments neces- 

 sary in favour of an attempt to facilitate the general acquisition 

 of that useful branch of knowledge; but more especially, in a 

 country which has not yet made that rapid progress in Gar- 

 dening, ornamental planting, and fanciful rural designs, which 

 might naturally be expected from an intelligent, happy and 

 independent people, possessed so universally of landed property, 

 unoppressed by taxation or tithes, and blessed with consequent 

 comfort and affluence. 



The neglect in these respects is, no doubt, to be attributed 

 to various causes, among the most prominent of which is the 

 necessity of having reference for information on those subjects 

 to works published in foreign countries, and adapted to climates 

 by no means according with ours, either in the temperature or 

 course of the seasons, and in numerous instances differing 

 materially in modes of culture from those rendered necessary 

 here by the peculiarities of our climates, soils and situations. 

 And however excellent and useful these works are in the 

 regions to which they arc adapted, they tend to mislead and 

 disappoint the young American Horticulturist, instead ol 



