PEEFACE, 



V 



In this particular aspect, our climate is much like that of the 

 south of England. Hence, while the calendars of operations, in 

 works prepared for the N'orthern States, seldom agree with our 

 practice, those in English works are often found to coincide with it. 

 But even where the time of performing certain operations is the 

 same in both countries, the long, dry summers, and stUl milder win- 

 ters, of this climate, often render necessary a peculiar mode of per- 

 forming the same. 



We need, then, works upon Gardening specially adapted to our 

 latitude and wants. But, with the exception of the valuable mat- 

 ter scattered through our Agricultural and Horticultural periodi- 

 cals, Holmes' Southern Farmer and Market Gardener," written 

 some years since, and briefly treating of the kitchen garden depart- 

 ment merely, is the only work containing anything reliable on the 

 subject. 



The chief original features, then, of this work, are, that it endea- 

 vors to give more or less information upon the whole subject of 

 Gardening ; and information, too, that is practically adapted to 

 our climate, habits and requirements. In the fruit-garden depart- 

 ment, especially, a good deal of new matter is to be found. Througli- 

 out the entire work, processes are frequently described, and methods 

 of culture given, which are suited only to climates and seasons like 

 our own. Those varieties of plants and trees are pointed out which 

 experience has proved are least adapted to our orchards and gar- 

 dens. Analyses of the most important veget^les and fruit-trees 

 are supplied, both to gratify a rational curiosity and to assist those 

 who wish to experiment in special manures — which should be very 

 cautiously ventm-ed upon in the present state of our knowledge. 

 Unusual prominence is also given to the general subject of manures, 

 as they are the foundation, not only of successful gardening, but of 

 profitable husbandry. The hints on Landscape-gardening have 

 been gathered, with great care, from the works of Downing, Lou- 

 den, Smith and others, and modified to suit our climate. In the 

 Flower-garden department, few varieties of j)lants are noticed that 

 have not grovrn under my own eye, and none that I do not know 

 are really fine. Besides the various works consulted, the experi- 

 ence of horticultural friends has been freely communicated. Valu- 

 able hints have been derived from Kev. Mr. Johnson and Mr 



