PREFACE. 



The cultivation of exotic plants has usually been treated of in works 

 devoted to Horticultural Science generally, so that we have no 

 modern treatise especially devoted to the management of the 

 Greenhouse. Hence the reader whose attention is directed to this 

 branch of the science only, is subjected to the task of wading through 

 a mass of matter at once devoid of interest and utihty to him. The 

 present pubhcation, which is strictly confined to flowering plants 

 requiring the protection of the Greenhouse and its kindi'ed struc- 

 tures, is a humble attempt to supply this w ant. 



The arrangement of the subjects is novel, and, it is believed, 

 wiW be found to have many practical advantages ; the work being 

 divided into sections, which comprise plants requiring for the most 

 part the same temperature and mode of management. The instruc- 

 tions for culture are not those of a mere theorist, but derived from 

 the daily experience of many years ; and the author has endeavoured 

 always to use language so plain and free from technicahties as to 

 be clearly understood by every class of readers. 



The preliminary remarks on Hothouse Architectm'e and Modes 

 of Heating are the result of - pretty extensive experience in these 

 departments. Those on the latter are free from bias towards any 

 particular mode. Experience is in this, as in all other matters, 

 om* only safe guide ; a remark which is exemplified by the fate of 

 many ingenious theories on this subject, which are rapidly falling 

 into oblivion. 



