INTRODUCTION. 
\ ' _ 
Many and great are the improvements of this aspiring age., and 
perhaps nothing has made more rapid strides or produced greater 
interest than gardening. This may be fairly inferred from the mul¬ 
titude of new publications on the subject which have appeared within 
the last few years, the avidity with which they have been purchased, 
and the evident improvement apparent in almost every garden, from 
that of the humblest Cottager to the most extensive of any Peer in 
the realm. Three hundred years ago, gardening in this country was 
of a very different description from what it is in the present day. The 
varieties of fruits were few, and greatly inferior to those which now 
occupy their places. Forcing was either wholly unknown, or it was 
accomplished by some of the most rude contrivances. Forcing- 
plants, it is true, have been nurtured with great care, from time im¬ 
memorial, but it is only within these few years, that they have 
become so conspicuous and ornamental in our conservatories, stoves, 
or borders. Besides, when we recollect what numbers are annually 
added to the original stock, it is easy to perceive that in a few- years, 
these additions being continued, our present collections, splendid as 
they are, will appear but scanty and meagre. During the last year, 
nearly two hundred new introductions have been figured by the 
various botanical periodicals in course of publication, some of which 
are exceedingly beautiful. And vegetables, notwithstanding their 
value has been long acknowledged, arc also progressing , for every 
year brings something new to our tables, surpassing in quality that 
which previously occupied its place. Nor is the operator now any 
longer contented with being a mere “ digger and delver,” for every 
one who makes any pretensions to the name of gardener, endeavours 
in some degree to search into nature’s secrets. Their efforts are not 
now petrified by what was formerly considered “ fate," and conse¬ 
quently inevitable; they endeavour to trace effects to causes, and 
when any discoveries are made, they, through the medium of the 
press, communicate such results to their fellow-labourers in the same 
occupation, and thus the knowledge disseminated, makes thousands 
of what appeared insurmountable obstacles, sink into insignificance. 
Gardening, let it also be remembered, is so closely connected with 
VOL. III. NO, 31. B 
