PREFACE. 



The culture under glass of the fruits treated on in 

 this book, has, in some instances, been included in 

 larger and more compendious works on horticulture 

 in general ; and on the other hand, various smaller 

 works have appeared, each occupied exclusively by 

 one fruit. 



But there is not, so far as I am aware, any book of 

 moderate size in which the forcing and general culture 

 of these fruits collectively is discussed. The present 

 Handy Book has been written with a view to supply- 

 ing this want ; and the Author indulges the hope that, 

 compact as it is, it will be found to contain every 

 necessary detail with regard to such culture. 



In writing it, he has kept specially in view the 

 requirements of inexperienced amateurs who wish to 

 superintend their own fruit -houses, and of young 

 gardeners entering on the study of their profession. 



