114 
OBSERVATIONS 
ON 
FORCING VEGETABLES 
Before I commenced preparing this work for the press, 
I intended to have written largely on the subject of forcing 
fruits as well as vegetables ; but when I considered my 
motto, and that I was writing for young gardeners, I con- 
cluded to occupy my pages in such a manner as to effect the 
greatest possible good at the smallest expense. Of the seve- 
ral branches of Horticulture, some are of greater importance 
than others ; and as the products of the kitchen garden form 
important articles of food for the bulk of mankind, it should 
be our first care to treat largely on the subject of this most 
useful part of gardening. Next to this is the cultivation of 
fruits, and the production of ornamental plants and flowers, 
each of which will be noticed in their respective departments. 
As I stand pledged to offer some remarks on forcing, or 
rather forwarding vegetables, by artificial means, I shall en- 
deavour to confine my observations to such points as are of 
primary importance ; and in order to convince my readers 
of the importance of this subject, I shall first endeavour to 
show the utility of an artificial climate suited to the various 
species of useful plants. In England, a regular succession 
of vegetables can be obtained from the natural ground every 
month in the year, and the fruits of that country, from the 
summer heat being moderate, are of longer continuance 
than with us, and yet the English make gardening a science, 
and employ the elements, as well as the ingenuity of man, 
in the production of fruits and vegetables out of the ordinary 
season. 
