xvi INTRODUCTION. 



French authors. The main source of such ideas as are expressed 

 in the book is personal observation in the gardens of "Paris of 

 every kind, at various seasons and for a considerable length of 

 time. 



Since the first edition of the work was published, a variety of 

 trials have been made concerning certain modes of culture de- 

 scribed in it. Of improvements then advocated the preservation 

 of Grapes without letting them hang on the Vines, has been 

 adopted by most good Grape growers throughout the land; 

 Asparagus on the distinct and wholly superior French plan has 

 been tried with exactly the same excellent result as in the 

 neighbourhood of Paris ; the true Paradise stock has been tried 

 in various districts and found quite hardy and excellent on moist 

 and stiff soils ; the cordon system for choice Apples and late-keeping 

 Pears grown on walls has been proved to be a great success ; the 

 light, neat system of wiring garden-walls, forming espaliers and 

 supports for fruit-trees, has been carried out in numerous gardens, 

 and a great quantity of wide and effective coping for wall-trees 

 has been erected throughout the country with very good results. 



W. E. 



April, 1878. 



