‘ INTRODUCTION. 
For a series of years I distributed to my patrons, who applied to 
me for advice, Almanacs published in the North and Northwest and 
written principally with regard to those sections of the country. 
The directions which these works contained respecting the cul- 
tivation of vegetables, &c., although excellent for the regions spoken 
of, were almost useless, and in many cases totally unfeasible in the 
South, where the salubrity of the climate, the almost total absence of 
severe frosts, the practicability of raising successive similar or diversi- 
fied crops in one season, and many other important natural causes, 
render the handling of the soil and times for planting necessarily very 
different. 
Having been a practical gardener myself, and, owing to my seed 
business, being brought into daily contact with the New Orleans Market 
Gardeners, most of whom I supply with seeds, and having always 
taken a deep interest in the cultivation of vegetables, I felt that I was 
qualified to give directions and information of a more practical value 
to Southern cultivators, than those found in the Almanacs and Seed 
Lists published by others who had not had these advantages. 
These considerations influenced me a few years since to compile 
and publish an Almanac and Garden Manual, to present to the public, 
giving hints as to the proper time and methods of cultivating vege- 
tables in the South, and so supply a want long felt in this portion of 
the country. 
In the improved condition of business in our section of the country, 
those who cultivate vegetables for sale, may look for a larger demand 
and a more extended field over which they can distribute their 
products, and therefore the questions as to ‘‘what to cultivate ?”’ and 
“how to do it?’ are of greater interest than ever before. Those who 
have been pleased with the past numbers of my Almanac and Garden 
Manual, will find the present edition—for 1884—complete, interesting 
and reliable. The work has been carefully revised and enlarged, and 
will, I trust, aid materially in the development of that line of industry 
to which it is devoted. 
I have received many letters from all parts of the South endorsing 
the correctness and utility of the information given in these pages, 
and accompanied with numberless compliments in reference to my 
perseverance and enterprise, and the usefulness of my book, for all 
of which I return hearty thanks. 
* Tt has ever been my aim, by integrity and strict attention to business, 
to merit the confidence of customers and the community in general, 
and from the very liberal patronage bestowed on me, I may with- 
out presumption flatter myself that I have succeeded in doing so. 
Hoping that my Almanac and Garden Manual may prove yearly 
of more and more assistance to the Gardeners of the South, and 
assuring my patrons that a continuance of their favors will be duly 
appreciated, I remain, yours truly, 
RICHARD FROTSCHER. 
