THE THEOEY 



HORTICULTURE 



INTKODUCTION. 



1. Horticulture is that branch of knowledge 

 which relates to the cultivation, multiplication, and 

 amelioration of the Vegetable Kingdom. It divides 

 into two branches, which, although mutually depen- 

 dent, are, in fact, essentially distinct : the art and the 

 science. Under the art of horticulture is compre- 

 hended whatever concerns the mere manner of exe- 

 cuting the operations connected with cultivation, mul- 

 tiplication, and amelioration ; the science explains the 

 reasons upon which practice is founded. It is to the 

 consideration of the latter subject that the following 

 pages are dedicated. 



2. It must have been remarked by all intelligent 

 observers, that in the majority of works upon hor- 

 ticultural subjects, the numerous directions given in 

 any particular ramification into which the art is sus- 



1 



