18 INTRODUCTION. 
Stuarts. In the first half of the eightcenth century, Mil- 
ler, Switzer, and others, labored with success in improving 
the operations, and unfolding the principles of the art; 
and these were succeeded by Abercrombie, Speechly, and 
a host of writers, who added greatly to our stores of know- 
ledge.* In 1805 was established the Horticultural Society 
of London, which was followed, in 1809, by. the institution 
of the Caledonian Horticultural Society at Edinburgh; 
and in their train have sprung up a multitude of provin- 
cial gardening societies, all of which have given an impulse 
to the public mind, and stimulated the exertions of indi- 
viduals. Experimental gardens have been formed, in which, 
amongst other things, the important task of distinguishing 
and classifying the numerous varieties of our hardy fruits 
has been zealously prosecuted. The mass of information 
bow collected is very great, and the labor expended in ita 
diffusion unwearied. Judging from the literature of the 
day, and passing downwards from the sumptuous Transac- 
tions of the Metropolitan Society, through the numerous 
periodicals, to the penny information for the people, we 
shall scarcely find any art, however nationally important, 
which receives more attention, or on which the liberality 
of the wealthy is more abundantly bestowed. The public 
nursery-gardens, too, both at London and elsewhere, es- 
tablishments intimately connected with our subject, and 
which, in a manufacturing nation, are not the least wonder- 
ful amongst the applications of skill and capital, prove the 
extent and perfection to which gardening has advanced. 
Although, however, there is not, perhaps, in the annals of 
invention, a chapter of higher interest than the history of 
Horticulture, the limits prescribed to us do not permit us 
to enter farther into details: we must, therefore, refer to 
the late eminent Mr. Loudon’s Encyclopedia of Garden. 
