vi Preface. 



is from its nature an imperfect one, and no less so for its object j 

 but I had no thought of writing it till some time after I had 

 quitted Paris, and in fact I was engaged in preparations for an 

 entirely different work, when the animated discussions on " French 

 and English gardening," and allied matters, obliged me to devote 

 myself almost entirely to the defence of what I am convinced are 

 the true and practical lessons of the matter. No amount of in- 

 terest excited on the part of the public would have induced me to 

 publish, were it not that I am certain we may adopt some of the 

 ways of our neighbours with decided advantage. 



A few words as to the comparative merits of French and English 

 horticulture. As regards the class of large private gardens, of which 

 we have such beautiful examples in many parts of this country, 

 there can be no comparison — there are few places in France which 

 equal ours. In the culture of stove and greenhouse plants, of the 

 vine in glass-houses, of orchids, some vegetables, and in the general 

 keep and finish of their large gardens, they are quite behind us, not 

 to mention many minor matters. The difference in the distribu- 

 tion of wealth in the two countries accounts for some of this in- 

 feriority ; large gardens such as can only be supported by noblemen 

 and wealthy amateurs are far from being as plentiful as in this 

 country. Their nurseries, and especially their plant nurseries, are 

 proportionately smaller ; and among them you may look in vain 

 for such splendid establishments in that way as we possess about 

 London and in the provinces. But when it comes to a supply 

 for their markets, and even for those of other countries, then I 

 am certain that they beat us ; and I have never anywhere seen 

 such perfect examples of cultivation and rapid rotation as in the 

 Paris market gardens — not large, but with every span of the soil 

 at work, and green with abundant crops at all seasons. In fruit 

 growing, they certainly lead; not always, as is commonly sup- 



